Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout

Just over two weeks ago, Disney unveiled their newest west coast attraction — Guardians of the Galaxy: MISSION BREAKOUT — in Disney California Adventure park. I guess “newest” is a relative term, as Guardians: BREAKOUT is essentially an overlay on the much beloved, and now defunct, Tower of Terror attraction that once stood in its place.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I was decidedly not a fan of the plans to scrap Tower and replace it with what can only be called second rate “space junk.” In the span of about 6 months, Disney turned what was once the beautifully themed, well-placed, and highly cherished Tower Hotel into…literal galaxy garbage. Given the in-your-face tackiness of BREAKOUT’s outside facade, I was very well prepared to hate the inside, too.

Well, color me surprised! I rode it once and was instantly converted from skeptical Tower fan to a Kool Aid-drinking Guardians lover. As point blank unappealing as the outside is, the inside — the ride itself — was so upbeat, so cleverly infectious.

Mark and I woke up around 6am on opening day (May 27), got to Disneyland by 7:45am, and had every intention of jumping on the ride as soon as the park opened. Well, literally every other person had the same plan, and by the time we made it into DCA, the line was already at 5-6 hours. Nope! So, instead we met up with some friends, grabbed Fastpasses, ate breakfast at Storyteller’s Cafe, and buckled up for a full day of Groot-related goodness.

By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard of the “I Am Bread” Groot sourdough loaves they’re selling in Hollywood Land. Well, it was legitimately the highlight of our day, save maybe the ride itself.

I’d seen someone walk by me with one of these ludicrous loaves while we were standing around taking photos in front of BREAKOUT, and I immediately made it my mission to find them.

We tried Pacific Wharf first, where they make the sourdough bread bowls, but when we got there the chef came out and told us it was at “Galactic Canteen” in Hollywood Land. Well, we walked back to Hollywood Land and not a single cast member there knew where Galactic Canteen was. At one point, when we were unknowingly standing right in front of it (!), a plaid told us we needed to go “to the opposite end of the park.” Ha.

Long story short, there’s no such thing as Galactic Canteen. It’s called COSMIC Canteen, and it’s back behind where they do the Mad T Party. You can grab the jalapeño-topped Groot bread there, and the regular sourdough at Fairfax Market, also in Hollywood Land. I think it was around $5 – and so, so worth it for the ridiculous photos.

Another piece of merchandise worth the line and the $12.99? This dancing baby Groot sipper!! They sell this at the food truck near Cosmic Canteen, and also at Award Wieners in Hollywood Land. His little arms even move when you tap them, just like in the credits of the first movie.

For those of you wondering where they had the capacity to fit 5-6 hours worth of ride queue — here it is. They eventually opened a backstage area across from the BREAKOUT ride entrance, and shuffled people into a line inside. When we first got to the park, though, the line had wrapped around aaaaaall the way down Buena Vista Street and to the turnstiles at the entrance. Insane.

With our Fastpasses, we only had to wait about 20 minutes. Much preferred to a 5 hour wait, although I do wish we’d had more time to enjoy the details of the queue.

The ride itself is jolly good fun. The plot is a little convoluted, but the basic premise is this: you’re trying to help Rocket bust his Guardian pals out of Tivan’s Collection, where they’re being held captive. Like Star Tours in Disneyland, each ride is made up of multiple sequences that are randomized. So, each time you ride you have the potential of getting one of six different songs, which then determines the drop sequence.

There’s a heavy reliance on screens, too, which was surprisingly well done. They feel 3D, and are super immersive. The ride itself is also about 2x as long (and intense) as Tower was, with lots more up and downs.

Though I’m not the biggest Marvel fan, I really love the Guardians franchise and I’m thoroughly impressed with how Disney has integrated it into DCA. Here’s to a summer of saving the galaxy!

xx,

K