Summer of Heroes kicked off this weekend, at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, with the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! The attraction opened on the heels of the premiere of the latest Guardians film; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Mission: BREAKOUT is the park’s first attraction featuring your favorite Guardians, Rocket, Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, and Groot. Disney celebrated the attraction’s opening night with a gala and fireworks.
“Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! brings an all-new epic adventure to the Disneyland Resort, and it’s the only Disney park in the universe where guests can step into a Guardians of the Galaxy story. With Rocket in control, you’re in for one heck of a ride,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “It’s a fantastic way for guests to experience the Super Hero universe like never before.”
Unveiling The Collector’s grandiose Fortress, home of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Chapek acknowledged Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige, Marvel Entertainment’s Joe Quesada, Walt Disney Imagineering’s Bob Weis and Joe Rohde, and their teams, as he recognized the partnership that brought the Guardians to life in a Disney park.
“With the brilliant creative minds in Disney working together, this is just the beginning of what will become an even bigger Super Hero presence at Disney California Adventure,” Chapek said.
James Gunn, director of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, along with actors Zoe Saldana, Michael Rooker and Pom Klementieff, also helped unveil the attraction and the extraordinary, 183-foot-tall Fortress.
Benicio del Toro, who plays The Collector in the films, made the official announcement and sparked a finale of gold and silver fireworks: “Ladies and Gentlemen of Terra, the Tivan Collection is officially open.”
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! entices guests with an original storyline based on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, comics and animated television series, with a rapid rise into chaotic adventure and surprising visuals. The fast-paced action rocks to the beat of music inspired by the films’ soundtracks, including classic rock and pop music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and early ‘80s. And with multiple ride profiles, guests never know which adventure they’ll get.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opens just weeks after the cinematic premiere of “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2.” The stars of the films are featured in the attraction.
Walt Disney Imagineering collaborated with Gunn, Marvel Studios’ Feige and most of the main talent from the films, along with Quesada of Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Themed Entertainment on the story of the attraction, developing an experience where guests step into a story with these characters for the first time.
“I can’t be more pleased to have partnered with Walt Disney Imagineering in bringing the Guardians of the Galaxy characters to this new, immersive form of storytelling,” Gunn said. “It’s been exciting and a lot of fun to help direct and shape the experience so that it has all the heart and fun and humor of the Guardians movies.”
In addition to the new attraction, Summer of Heroes begins May 27 with Guardians of the Galaxy characters and Super Heroes appearing in Disney California Adventure for new exploits and Heroic Encounters. While some of these will be year-round, others will be available only from May 27-Sept. 10. Summer of Heroes inaugurates an ever-expanding universe of Super Hero stories at Disney California Adventure that will become even bigger over time.
The Collector’s Fortress
The Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! adventure begins as guests enter the grandiose Fortress. They discover that the Guardians have been imprisoned by the arrogant, acquisitive Taneleer Tivan, known as The Collector. Guests join a daring escape plan devised by Rocket, who once again proves his uncanny ability to break free from any prison or captivity.
The dominating fortress, adorned with antennae, satellite dishes and mysterious apparatus, is accented in shimmering hues of blue and gold. At night, with special lighting, it pulsates with imposing power. A gilded, eight-foot-tall statue of The Collector stands at the entry, towering over his VIP guests. As they enter to view the unique “Tivan Collection” of relics and species from all over the universe, they find his latest acquisition: The Guardians of the Galaxy.
The Fortress Lobby
The Lobby of the fortress is both fascinating and creepy – filled with display cases that hold artifacts and living creatures, which The Collector has obtained and made available for public viewing. In a welcome video, The Collector explains how he has trapped the Guardians of the Galaxy high atop his fortress in secured glass cages that are wired with power from a massive generator and suspended over a deep abyss.
The Collector’s Office
Before leaving the Lobby and entering The Collector’s Office, guests hold up their hands to be “bio-scanned” for security clearance. In the Office, even more of The Collector’s relics are on display and, as in the Lobby, the collection contains some hidden references that will delight dedicated Super Hero fans and Disney fans.
Suddenly, Rocket appears, telling guests he needs their help. Using their security clearances, he can hijack the gantry lift to the top of the fortress, disable the generator, and free his friends.
The Gantry Lift
Of course, Rocket’s plan faces challenges. After guests enter the gantry lift, Rocket overrides The Collector’s recorded tour spiel with music from the tape player of Star-Lord (aka Peter Quill). Soon, the gantry is shooting up into the fortress, then plummeting downward as Rocket attempts to take control of the generator.
It’s here that guests experience one of the attraction’s six different ride profiles, each synchronized to one of the songs on the “awesome mix tape”:
- “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar
- “Give Up The Funk” by Parliament
- “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
- “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5
- “Free Ride” by The Edgar Winter Group
- “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley
Guests soon learn that, even if the rescue is successful, the resulting chaos may create problems of its own!
The Technology
To help create the attraction, Disney Imagineers used Virtual Reality technology to pre-visualize the Tivan Collection, The Collector’s Office and other parts of the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! experience.
The ride system has more high-speed ride time than ever before, and the thrill factor gets going as soon as the gantry lift doors close and the music starts blaring. Each song is accompanied by a different up-and-down ride profile and story scenes, making every visit to the attraction unpredictable.
Rocket makes multiple appearances in the attraction, including as an Audio-Animatronics character who invades The Collector’s Office to ask guests for a hand with his escape plan.
From the anticipation guests will feel as they enter The Collector’s Fortress to the sense of discovery as they tour the Tivan Collection to the elation of participating in a successful breakout, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is an unforgettable adventure into the Super Hero universe at Disney California Adventure.
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