This new episode of the Twilight Zone features Starlord & Friends
Have you ever been to the Tower of Terror at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios? If the answer is yes, then you already have a good idea of what to expect from this ride. Just swap ghostly creatures for Gamora, spiderwebs for futuristic lightning effects, and the Twilight Zone theme for a song by Elvis Presley. Mission: Breakout is, after all, a reimagining of the Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure that debuted back in 2017.
Let me get one thing straight out of the way: I do prefer the original Tower of Terror, but Mission: Breakout is by no means a bad ride. Maybe it’s my nostalgic side talking, but I prefer this drop tower themed after a haunted mansion and with the voice of Rod Serling instead of Chris Pratt. Mission: Breakout is still one of the best rides at Disney California Adventure, with great visuals, random drop sequences, random music and a lot of fun elements that still make it a winner. You should come here, no questions about that.
What we like about Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT
The DNA of the Tower of Terror is still very much present in this ride. If you love the thrill of going up and down inside a closed elevator, you’re bound to enjoy this one. The premise of Mission: BREAKOUT is simple: you make your way through a queue designed to look like the Collector’s fortress, then board a vehicle to help rescue the Guardians of the Galaxy, who have been captured and are now part of his bizarre museum collection… or something like that. Let’s be honest, though, you’re here for the adrenaline rush of flying up and down, not for an epic rescue mission to save Drax’s skin.
This is a reimagination of Tower of Terror, not an exact copy. The queue is of course different, but the ride itself works in a different way too. For one, as soon as the doors close, you are immediately propelled up and down in a randomized drop sequence. In Tower of Terror, the drop sequence doesn’t initialize until the final setpiece.
You will also get to hear a randomized song during your ride, which determines the drop sequence you experience. That means you’ll be saving the Guardians while grooving to tracks by artists like Pat Benatar or the Jackson 5. With six different songs in total, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter the same drop sequence twice if you decide to re-ride. Even better, the scenes change based on the song playing, so there are six unique set pieces to experience. Impressive!
The visuals are just as exciting. You’ll see the entire Guardians of the Galaxy crew, including Starlord, Groot, Rocket, and Gamora. The drop sequences pause occasionally as the doors in front of you open, revealing short action-packed scenes. These might feature Chris Pra– Starlord facing off against aliens or Groot wreaking havoc and smashing everything in sight. All the scenes look great, and they were actually directed by the movie’s director, James Gunn.
What we don’t like about Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT
Honestly, only our nostalgic side won’t enjoy this ride. I do believe that a drop tower like this one makes a lot more sense as a haunted mansion like Tower of Terror, but the Guardians also do an excellent job here. In a lot of cases, there are elements that make it better than the original ride, like the randomized songs and films you get to see.
Now, Tower of Terror is one of my favorite rides ever, and will always have a special place in my heart. It was a bummer to see it replaced in 2017, but the Guardians did a good job transforming that spooky hotel into a fortress. You still get about two and a half minutes of drops, good visuals and some fun airtime. You can’t ask for much more.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT FAQ
Where is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT located?
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT is located in Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.
Is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT the same ride as Tower of Terror?
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT is a reimagining of the Tower of Terror with several key differences. For example, it features randomized drop sequences from the start of the ride, and the building is themed as the Collector’s fortress rather than a haunted hotel.
Is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT better than Tower of Terror?
This depends on your personal preferences. Do you prefer the Marvel Universe over The Twilight Zone? Tower of Terror is more nostalgic and eerie, while Mission: BREAKOUT is action-packed and upbeat. Both rides are great in their own way.
What songs play during Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT?
There are six songs that can play during the ride, and each determines the drop sequence. The songs are:
- "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5
- "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar
- "Give Up the Funk" by Parliament
- "Free Ride" by The Edgar Winter Group
- "Burning Love" by Elvis Presley
- "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf
