A few weeks ago, guests at Disneyland got a full look at the all new facade of Guardians of the Galaxy. And you Disney fans had a meltdown. Comparisons to the birthday cake castle, and many other things came about. Many of you don’t like it.
Still, the new ride is about a month away from opening, and we are getting more details about the attraction. Despite the outward appearance, the inside experience actually sounds like it might be just as fun, if not more, that the original Tower of Terror. Loads of details have been pouring out, and we’ll break down everything we’ve heard to give you an idea about what to expect.
The Outside
The outer facade of the building definitely is different. It’s not very pretty, and it really pays a stark contrast to the rest of the park. Well, it actially plays apart of the story. The building is now the fortress of Taneleer Tivan, better known as The Collector. He has brought his “Tivan Collection” to the people of Terra for a once in a lifetime look at some of the most rare and amazing artifacts from around the universe. The building reflects Tivan’s personality.
Creative Director Danny Handke recently told the OC Register why the building looks like that:
“It embodies the spirit of ‘The Collector,’ a villain in the movie. It’s weird, it’s bold, grandiose and it’s arrogant, like the character,”
Makes sense. He is over the top, and a simple creepy hotel would not do. But why all the pipes and crap?
Remember Knowhere? That’s the giant head of the dead god that Gurdians hide in the first film. That giant head held organic material that was used as a power source. It’s that power source that powers the fortress, and keeps everyone locked up. The pipes feed that power source, and at night you’ll be able to see the power source glowing through the pipes. Of course, there are power fluctuations due to the happenings of the ride, and that will also be reflected outside in the architecture.
Queue Experience
The first picture of the queue experience has gone online, and it shows a piece of the massive collection. You’ll see many hidden Easter eggs in line, and many more. It also fits in with the story. The Collector wanted to show off his collection to the people on Terra (Earth…that’s us), so he placed his fortress in Disneyland…because he knew it was a popular place, where many Terrans would see his collection. If nothing else, he has a massive ego about his belongings. You will tour his museum, where you will take an express lift to see the Guardians at the top of the tower, where they’re being held prisoner for you to see.
There will be about 2,200 items on display in the collection, many Easter Eggs from the Marvel Comics, TV shows, and movies. These will be props and references, like Cosmo the Space Dog, and a gold statue of The Collector himself. There will also be theme park relics mixed in. The relics will also change from time to time as well.
The queue will also be filled with alien text, that just might have clues to why The Collector is really on Earth. You’ll have to decipher them to find out.
Cast members will be dressed as employees of The Collector, and will go from happy to see you, to kind of miserable. It will be a very eerie and uneasy vibe, much like Tower of Terror had.
The queue will also feature all new music by Guardians composer Tyler Bated.
The Ride
We know that the ride will take us through The Collectors collection, and an escape planned by Rocket. Instead of being a slow start, the ride will shoot you instantly to the top of the tower. There you’ll see the Guardians before the drop sequence begins. You will also hear one of six songs, and see one of six sequences.
Here’s the song listing:
“Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar (1980)
“Give Up The Funk” by Parliament (1975)
“Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf (1968)
“I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5 (1969)
“Free Ride” by The Edgar Winters Group (1973)
“Burning Love” by Elvis Presley (1972)
The he sequences are called: Drones, Abelisk Attack, Drak vs. Beast, Anti-gravity, Quill vs. Orloni, and Escape. Apparently each one will be a video or special effects sequence during the ride.
The ride even still ends with an exit through the gift shop, only instead of just theme park souvenirs, guests will have the chance to buy The Collectors artifacts. In fact the gift shop is in chaos, as the escape has freed not only the guardians, but everyone. Guests will see and hear the creatures from the Collection causing havoc in the shop.
Somewhere in there will be a cameo of Stan Lee…we’re not sure if it’s going to be physically him, a picture, a reference or a voice, but we have been told he has been working with the park to make an appearance somewhere, somehow, on the new attraction.
The new ride will open on May 27th, while Guardians 2 will open on May 5th.
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