Guardians of the Galaxy ride coming to Disney California Adventure; Tower of Terror to check out

The first major Marvel-themed attraction in the Disney Parks stateside is set to open next year, taking over The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Beginning summer 2017, guests at Disney California Adventure will join in a confrontation with one of the most unusual characters in the park’s history: Tanaleer Tivan, the Collector. He has opened his collection of fauna, relics and species to guests for a special tour culminating with his latest prized possessions: the Guardians of the Galaxy themselves. Fortunately, Rocket has a plan to free his friends­ – and that plan includes recruiting Disneyland Resort guests in a big rescue effort. Guests board a gantry lift which launches them into an adventure as they join Rocket in an attempt to set free his fellow Guardians.

See the moment the ride was announced at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con:

This new adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is the result of a collaboration between the creative minds behind the comic books, the films and Walt Disney Imagineering. The attraction will drop guests directly into the story alongside characters from the comic books and the blockbuster films.

Joe Rohde, Portfolio Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering, is leading the project. He shared this preview of the new attraction:

“The setting is a kind of fortress that’s owned by the mysterious Collector and it’s packed with creatures and his latest acquisitions from across the universe. Now he has imprisoned the Guardians of the Galaxy and they’re hanging in display cases over a giant abyss. The captor doesn’t know it but Rocket Raccoon has escaped and is enlisting our aid — all the guests — to help the Guardians in a breakout scheme. And the rest is comical chaos; a very funny, very irreverent story and a really wonderful addition to Disney California Adventure.”

“It’s such a thrill to be working alongside a true visionary like Joe Rohde and the entire Walt Disney Imagineering team,” said Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer, Marvel. “Like our stories and characters, projects led by Joe are the stuff of legend, so Marvel fans rejoice! The universe couldn’t be in better hands! Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is going to be an out of this world experience and what has me even more excited are Joe’s ‘secret’ plans for the future. We’re just getting warmed up.”

The announcement was made today at San Diego Comic-Con by Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios, who said: “The incredibly talented Disney Imagineering team has found a way to harness the spirit which drove Guardians of the Galaxy’s success to create this immersive experience. With its debut timed to the release of the film’s sequel, we are eager to present the attraction to the millions who visit Disney California Adventure and place them in the center of the action as they join in a mission alongside our audacious Guardians of the Galaxy team.”

The new attraction will anchor a broader universe of Super Heroes that will grow over time in Disney California Adventure. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will transform the structure currently housing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror into a new adventure, enhancing the 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 soundtrack.

Fans of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will want to experience the attraction from now until its final “drop day,” which will be celebrated in early January 2017.