As Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! nears its closure, guests have once again voiced frustration with the state of the ride.
Situated in Disney California Adventure Park, this high-energy drop ride, a reimagining of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, has drawn crowds since its debut in 2017—but recently, its sporadic operation has been a source of concern for thrill-seekers.
An Immersive Marvel Experience… When It Works
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is a standout attraction at Disney California Adventure, offering guests a thrilling experience in the heart of Avengers Campus.
The ride, which replaces the now-defunct Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, immerses visitors in the world of Marvel’s Guardians. Housed in the neon-lit fortress of the Collector, the ride catapults riders into a rescue mission led by Rocket Raccoon. With its signature drop and rock classics like “Born to Be Wild” and “I Want You Back,” it’s a wild blend of Marvel lore and pulse-pounding thrills.
But what makes the ride even more exciting is its randomized ride sequences. With six different versions of the ride, no two experiences are the same, meaning every ride has a new surprise for guests. For diehard Marvel fans and adrenaline junkies alike, it’s a must-do experience—unless, of course, you can’t get on.
The Current State of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Despite its popularity, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! has been facing mounting issues, leading many guests to hesitate before joining the line. As wait times soared to an eye-watering 220 minutes on March 7, complaints about the ride’s reliability have become more frequent, particularly on Reddit.
One user lamented, “They’ve been having trouble with Guardians for a long time now – since early last year. It’s been operating very sporadically.” The issue primarily stems from inconsistent loading zones, which has caused a drastic drop in the ride’s throughput. On days when the ride operates with fewer zones, standby lines can stretch beyond a few hours, while Lightning Lane waits exceed 60 minutes, even for those who have paid for expedited entry.
The problems don’t stop there. Guests have also noted that the Rocket Raccoon animatronic, a crucial element of the pre-show, often malfunctions, leaving visitors to watch a video version of Rocket instead. One frustrated guest wrote, “The past two times I went, I got the video version of Rocket explaining the ride. Is the animatronic version not running anymore?”
A Long-Awaited Refurbishment
These ongoing issues have led some guests to question whether it’s worth waiting in line at all. With no major refurbishments since the ride opened in 2017, it’s been eight years of wear and tear that are starting to show.
Thankfully, Disney has announced that Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will be closing for a much-needed refurbishment starting on March 10, 2025, with a planned reopening on March 21, 2025 (via the Disneyland Resort website). Many fans are hoping the downtime will result in a smoother and more reliable experience when the ride returns.
Until then, guests will have to weigh the risks of potential breakdowns and long waits, hoping for a smooth ride before its temporary closure. Here’s to hoping that the next time you step into the Collector’s fortress, it’s the thrilling, uninterrupted adventure it was meant to be.
Have you noticed a decline at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! lately?
