The Marvel panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2016 wasn’t just about the movies. During the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 portion of the panel, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige announced that a new theme park attraction will be opening in Disney California Adventure called Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT. The ride will be replacing Tower of Terror, which I’m sure some longtime fans won’t be too crazy about. Guardians director James Gunn helmed the footage for the ride himself, which stars Benicio Del Toro as The Collector. Here’s how the Guardians of the Galaxy ride is officially described:
Debuting in summer 2017, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will take Disney California Adventure park guests through the fortress-like museum of the mysterious Collector, who is keeping his newest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy, as prisoners. Guests will board a gantry lift which launches them into a daring adventure as they join Rocket Raccoon in an attempt to set free his fellow Guardians. The new attraction will transform the structure currently housing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ into an epic new adventure, enhancing the breathtaking free fall sensation with new visual and audio effects to create a variety of ride experiences. Guests will experience multiple, random and unique ride profiles in which the rise and fall of the gantry lift rocks to the beat of music inspired by the film’s popular soundtrack.
Indeed, the ride comes in 2017 so given that short timeframe, one imagines the mechanics of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT will be quite similar to Tower of Terror, so while fans may miss that original attraction, perhaps knowing it’ll feel similar softens the blow? The ride will be taken out of commission in January, so get those drops in soon, folks.
This is likely just the beginning of what’s sure to be more Marvel Studios theme park attractions throughout Disney’s properties. While the Mouse House is hard at work capitalizing on its ownership of Star Wars with Star Wars Land, I assume we’re not too far off from the announcement of Marvel Land.
Check out a behind-the-scenes featurette for the ride below along with some concept art.
