After months of persistent rumors, today, during the Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic-Con, it was officially announced that some controversial changes would be coming to Disney California Adventure’s Tower of Terror. The new experience will be called “Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout” The attraction will close in January of 2017 to make way for a new Guardians of the Galaxy experience which is scheduled to open in Summer 2017 (when the new film hits theatres). Additionally, Oh My Disney says, “The new attraction will anchor a broader universe of Super Heroes that will grow over time in Disney California Adventure Park.” The ride will feature random drops, score, and other elements as well as music inspired by the film’s memorable soundtrack.
As rumored, the new attraction will center around The Collector. From the Disney Parks Blog, “Deep inside his fortress-like collection, the mysterious Taneleer Tivan (aka The Collector) is displaying his newest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy. They are trapped in customized display cases, suspended over a vast abyss. Unbeknownst to their unscrupulous captor, the intrepid Rocket has escaped and is enlisting the Collector’s VIP guests for help. Guests board a gantry lift, which launches them into a chaotic and hilarious adventure as they join Rocket in an attempt to break his fellow Guardians out of captivity.”
Since opening in 2004, DCA’s Tower of Terror has held the same Twilight Zone theming as the East Coast original built in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM Studios) in 1994. However, the ride system was simplified to take out the “fifth dimension” scene featured in the Walt Disney World attraction. This new system was then used for future versions that would join Tokyo DisneySea and Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.
As for Guardian of the Galaxy, it’s easy to see why Disney would be anxious to incorporate the film into their parks properties. For one, the film was a massive (and some would say surprise) hit when it opened in August 2014, grossing over $773 million worldwide. Aside from the sneak previews that played in Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and an appearance by Star-Lord and Gamora at a DHS hard ticket event, the film hasn’t had much of a presence in the parks. From that aspect, it makes perfect sense that the company would want to take action now and build up hype for the Vol. 2.
So what do you think of this news? Will you miss the Twilight Zone theming? Are you glad it’s only the West Coast’s version? Excited for more Marvel in the parks? Let us know!