UPDATE: Guardians of the Galaxy at Hollywood Studios?
November 19, 2016 UPDATE: No. That’s the answer to the post title’s question. Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek announced at D23’s Destination D event this morning that, while “Marvelous” things are coming to Walt Disney World, Tower of Terror will remain Twilight Zone-themed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This announcement was met by an inundation of cheers from the audience, hopefully sending a message that this is not the type of Marvel integration Walt Disney World fans want in the Florida parks.
This still leaves open the possibility of a Guardians of the Galaxy overlay at Epcot. We reported on this rumor a few months ago, but had since heard the project was killed, potentially due to a swelling budget (see below). Ideally, Guardians of the Galaxy–or whatever Marvel plans come to fruition in Florida–will be a new build, giving the Marvel characters and franchises (to the very limited extent that they can be used in Walt Disney World due to Marvel’s contract with Universal) the attractions and themed areas they deserve.
There’s also the possibility that Disney management has gotten cold feet about using Marvel at Walt Disney World at all. The Doctor Strange meet & greet was something of a dry run for this, demonstrating just how the Florida uses of Marvel characters would be restricted. That meet & greet was not advertised in any way (not even in Times Guides), and would really only be found by guests who stumbled upon it or read about it on third party blogs. Perhaps Disney has decided that spending hundreds of millions of dollars on an attraction in Florida that it couldn’t even promote or advertise was not a wise move. Time will tell, we suppose…
What follows is the original story from October 29…
A new rumor has surfaced that Guardians of the Galaxy is on its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, with info that the plans for Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot’s Universe of Energy are dead. We’ll cover the main details in this post, along with my speculation as to the likelihood that this will come to fruition.
This is one of several projects on the table for Disney’s Hollywood Studios (which almost assuredly will receive a rename and relaunch after Star Wars Land opens). In addition to Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land, both of which are in the early stages of construction, The Great Mickey Ride (my favorite idea of the bunch) is also a concept that could potentially replace Great Movie Ride during “Phase 2” of the park’s overhaul. Other proposals are in play.
As for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout, this is actually a resurfaced rumor. I want to make it abundantly clear: I have no sources on this. I’m just regurgitating what has been posted elsewhere and adding my own commentary. Given his strong track record, I thought this was worthy of a post. I do know, independent of this rumor, that the Guardians of the Galaxy plans for Universe of Energy were real, and that the budget for those plans continued to swell until the decision to re-evaluate them had been made. Even that is second-hand info, though.
I also suspect that we are seeing, and are going to see, a lot of rumors relating to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the mid to long term futures of both parks are in flux. There are a lot of plans being weighed–beyond what has already been announced–for both parks, and the “favored” plans will ultimately change, and change again, as the timelines are major groundbreakings are beyond 2018 at this point. Obviously, a lot can change between now and 2018.
If you’re more interested in confirmed news than rumors, all of which are subject to change, you should stop reading anything about Epcot or DHS (beyond Star Wars and Toy Story Lands). Personally, I enjoy hearing from the rumor mill, even if I know some of these projects will never come to fruition.
The current status of Universe of Energy still calls for it to be replaced in the near to mid-term, with a replacement opening in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. I doubt many long-time EPCOT Center fans would disagree that Universe of Energy is due for an update/replacement. So long as it is thematically appropriate to Future World, I can’t really quibble with this.
The current status of the Guardians of the Galaxy rumor is that after Toy Story Lands opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2018, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will go down to receive the Mission: Breakout treatment. The rationale behind not doing this prior to then is that Disney’s Hollywood Studios is already light on attractions, and closing a flagship attraction right now would be too much of a strain on the park.
If you’ve read my post on it, you know I was not exactly a fan of Guardians of the Galaxy coming to Epcot. I’m also not a fan of Guardians of the Galaxy coming to DCA. (Begging the question, what am I a fan of?!)
Well, I’m also not a fan of it coming to Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror, but I see this rumor as “progress” (that’s me falling over myself to be optimistic regarding this abomination of an idea) because it kicks the can a bit further down the road. That’s significant because it means someone else could make the ultimate decision as to whether Mission: Breakout is greenlit for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Bob Chapek took over as Chairman of Parks & Resorts in February 2015. Before him, Tom Staggs served in the position beginning in 2010. Jay Rasulo preceded him, holding the position from 2005. So, it seems 5 years is about the normal tenure for this position before being promoted/replaced. Normally, that would be enough time to see this project greenlit and construction commenced.
However, Disney CEO Bob Iger will be leaving in June 2018, and at this point, further extension of his contract seems unlikely. As with any regime change, Iger’s replacement is likely to shuffle up positions and large projects to make a big splash that is supposed to demonstrate the new CEO’s immediate impact (ha…). As such, I think any large capex project that has not begun construction by 2018 stands a reasonable chance of being significantly altered or cancelled completely.
Even if Chapek remains the head of Parks & Resorts past 2018, a lot could change between now and then. The Guardians Tower at Disney California Adventure could suffer more setbacks, delays, and cost overruns during construction. Guest response to the new attraction could be tepid. Someone in Imagineering could propose something that Chapek and other executives like more.
If the rumors are correct, cost overruns and design challenges are already occurring with DCA’s Guardians of the Galaxy Tower, as the plans to enclose the shafts had to be scrapped (although that could only impact that version of the attraction due to California earthquake code). It’s still early in the construction/demolition, though, and a lot more issues could be encountered. If, for whatever reason, the overhaul is delayed far past Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2‘s May 2017 opening date, it could throw cold water on the concept.
I don’t think guest response will be an issue. Fans point to the amount of backlash over Tower of Terror being changed at DCA, and there has been a higher than average amount, but this is still a vocal minority. I suspect the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout will have the second highest guest satisfaction rating in the park, second only to Radiator Springs Racers. And that’s without ever riding the attraction, and not being a fan of the concept myself.
The thing is, average guests love thrill rides and they love Marvel. Even if the Mission: Breakout attraction is a creative mess, it will still have those two elements. Most guests will equate their like of those things for enjoyment of the attraction, and thematic concerns won’t register. Regular guests do not care about overarching thematic integrity, until they do. This is no value judgment–it just isn’t on their radar. They go to theme parks to have fun, not to dissect or think critically about the experience. The whole is the sum of its parts, so long as the parts more or less work together.
The wheels only fall off for the casual guest when those individual parts are so disjointed and poorly thrown together that it is facially apparent. Anyone who walks into Walt Disney Studios Park can see that park is a mess. Even though WDSP has a solid collection of rides, it still suffers in attendance and guest satisfaction because its layout was designed by drunken manatees pushing around idea balls. There, even for the average guest, the whole is far less than the sum of its parts.
I don’t think it takes a thematic mess of that proportion for guests to notice and have that impact their subconscious opinion of a park. (I’d hazard a guess the same happens with Future World in Epcot on a daily basis.) I think seeing a mess of pipes and whatever-it-is towering over Carthay Circle will give even the average guest pause–and certainly seeing that at the end of Sunset Boulevard would have a similar impact–and will lessen the whole of their experience in the park.
However, when asked to rate an attraction in isolation, I think Mission: Breakout will get high marks. Taking the short view, that’s the only metric about which Disney will care when determining whether to clone Mission: Breakout to Walt Disney World.
The other possibility is that a better proposal comes along between now and the the completion of Toy Story Land. This is another likely scenario, as I assume the Imagineers will keep pitching alternatives. The most obvious answer is building something new from the ground-up. Failing that, second choice, I think, would be an overlay to Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.
There would likely be less resistance to this idea, both from WDI and fans, as it is pretty far from a masterpiece of Imagineering. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fun thrill ride, but can anyone honestly defend this as brilliant in the way that the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is? Guest response would be just as strong because the key elements–rollercoaster and rock music–would still be present.
Most importantly: it would be easier. Record a video of Groot giving the shock …errr… four branches held up, as the group races off through space to battle some foe (and takes us with them!), create some dark light cardboard raccoons with laser lighting effects (pew pew!), and swap out Aerosmith songs for the Awesome Mixtape Vol. 1. You’re good to go. I could literally do this myself during a 3.5 day refurbishment and I know literally nothing about anything.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Do you agree or disagree with my opinion on Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Do you think this rumor will actually come to fruition? Are you excited for it? Share any questions or additional thoughts you have in the comments!
Tower of terror is my favorite ride in the parks & I would absolutely hate to see it go. For a thrill, without having to ride a rollercoaster, this is it! I love the creepiness of the ride & the stomach flip during the drops. Nothing like this ride in the other parks. Please don’t do it!!
Honestly, I’ve ridden the Tower of Terror in both Hollywood Studios and California Adventure now, and my boyfriend and I agree that we just weren’t impressed. It’s a cool idea, we guess? But Twilight Zone doesn’t feel anything like Disney to us. When we heard that there was a Twilight Zone themed ride in DCA (our first Disney-related trip) we both looked at each other, confused. Does Marvel/GotG say Disney to us any more than Twilight Zone? To some people, probably not. To us, yes, it’s a better theme fit for a Disney park. While I am a fan of the old Twilight Zone show, the ride just didn’t thrill me. We even sort of wish we had skipped it in HS and used the Fastpass for something else. I know I’m probably in the minority with that sentiment, but there you go. Redoing the ToT would be no loss for us. However, your idea about doing GotG in the Rock N Roller coaster sounds thrilling. Aerosmith also doesn’t scream Disney to us, and the ride is certainly a fun thrill ride, but it would be SO MUCH COOLER with that Guardians theme you mentioned. I’m actually open and welcoming to either ride getting a GotG retheme, which, as you said, may or may not happen any time soon.
Absolutely love RnR, would be sad to see it modified. Just such a classic. I might view ToT as more iconic, but that’s going to fade into the background when the Star Wars and Toy Story areas open. Regardless, both are classics and it seems silly to change either. (And Epcot is in dire need of an upgrade once HS and AK are done with updates.) They added diversity to the parks by changing the ToT in California… Unless that one tops the popularity of Radiator Springs with the new overlay, I think it’s a total mistake to switch this ride too.
We just surprised our son for his 8th birthday with a trip to Disney World. His first ever visit. And guess what his two favorites rides were… RnR and ToT. The trip was a month ago and he still walks around doing Steven Tyler’s countdown before the RnR blast off. He just overheard me telling my husband about the ToT part of the rumor and he pretty much just cried himself to sleep. He is just 8. He doesn’t know The Twilight Zone nor does it matter. He’s actually interested to see some of the old shows now because of the ride. He didn’t know Aerosmith before we rode the ride but now he asks to hear them when we’re driving around town.
My husband and I also have really great memories of power riding both of these before we were even married. (Before you needed a Fast Pass to even get on them at all)
My point here is, both rides are staples at that park. Neither needs revamped or over layed or Guardian of the Galaxied. If an 8 year old, who knew nothing of either the band or the show, can think both are so fun that he wants to learn more about them because of the rides, I feel it speaks to their relevancy. I know by the other comments I’m in the minority but maybe if you’d all been there to see how much fun my little guy was having you’d understand.
P.S. Tom, I read and re-read almost every blog you ever wrote in preparation for this trip and I can’t thank you enough. We had an amazing time and honestly I owe about 95% of it to your tips, tricks and advice. The running joke was the whole trip I’d start most sentences with, “Tom said…” and then we’d all laugh. It was truly so fun and magical! THANK YOU!
Tower of Terror is one of our favorite attractions at any of the 4 Florida parks. I’d hate to see them change it. The Universe of Energy is just terrible now – the first half is enjoyable but dated – the Ellen movie is funny and the dinosaurs are pretty cool – but that last half hour of that science movie – Boring! I’m sure if people were given the chance 99.0% would skip that last part. The last time I went on that ride I actually slept through the entire movie – the only good thing was it was dark, cold and empty.
I’ll be devastated when (it looks inevitable, at the moment, considering the way the park is completely changing) Tower of Terror at DHS gets re-themed.
In my opinion, it is the best and most original attraction at Walt Disney World. The theming is spectacular – from the uphill approach to the garden queue, the hotel lobby! The details and storytelling in this attraction are spectacular. From what I’ve read, the Twilight Zone was never a real driver in the story line, only a way to ground it in park theming back when it was MGM Studios (I would argue that once the park dropped MGM and converted to a more “Hollywood” theme that Twilight Zone was no longer necessary for the attraction to be contextually relevant). My point being that it doesn’t matter if a younger generation doesn’t know what The Twilight Zone is because it is not necessary to understanding the story line of the attraction. But while Tower of Terror could drop “The Twilight Zone” relatively easily, the old Hollywood theme is much more essential to the story… and it looks with the rehaul of the park, Tower of Terror will no longer be contextual.
It really pains me to watch them rehaul great attractions like Test Track, Soarin Over California, and Tower of Terror while they leave in duds like Stitch’s Great Escape (glad to see that’s finally leaving) and Ellen’s Energy Adventure. I understand the need to keep the E-Ticket attractions relevant, but I can’t help but feel nostalgic for their former versions.
Tom,
When would you expect more details to come out about this rumor? Next year? This really dampers my spirits about this even being a possibility.
I loved your analysis of the impact of executive politics on parks n resorts capex.
So… I love the Twilight Zone… but that’s a REALLY old show. Kids don’t know what it was, millennials don’t know what it was. It might be time for some of us to let go. I don’t really want to see Tower of Terror change, but I think Hollywood Studios makes WAY more sense for Guardians of the Galaxy than Epcot. I am ok with the re-theming of ToT as GotG, not because I really want it to happen, but because I think it’s probably a good business decision. Though, I would tend to agree that RnRC might make more sense even than ToT.
I have different opinions about Epcot. I think Universe of Energy should be redone, but I would really like to see a ride focused on some of the new green technology Exxon has been working on. I know some people really like to hate on big oil, it’s an easy target, but the truth is that they like money and they know oil isn’t the future. Exxon has some of the most promising green energy development programs out there. I would love to see a sort of “this is where we’ve been and this is where we’re going” ride for UoE. I heart edutainment. … if only we could get Elon Musk to come up with a joint Tesla-SpaceX version of Horizons… New Horizons… that would be good stuff.
My immediate thought at the headline was – Rock & Roller Coaster.
I mean, do kids even know what a recording studio is these days? I have often wondered if this theme’s days are numbered.
I seriously will chain myself to the building if they shutter ToT.
LOL! If people start chaining themselves to the building in protest, I seriously will fly down from Montreal and hand out snacks and beverages in support of the effort 😉
My entire family will fly from Wa. state to join you, we will bring extra chains for passers by who were unaware of any such travesty. Do not touch Tower of Terror! There are enough new plans in the works for that park! Creepy and haunted never goes out of style!
I’m a fan of the original Epcot (we actually just listened to a cassette of the Voices of Liberty purchased by my parents in 1983!). But I would rather have GotG in place of Energy than seeing ToT replaced.
BTW – drunken manatees pushing idea balls is the funniest line I’ve read in a while. And probably accurate…
I’m with the majority – I hope they don’t retheme TOT. I agree that it’s presence on Hollywood Blvd and all the details you experience leading up to the apex of the ride really add a lot to the experience. Getting creeped out before you get thrown up and down make the getting thrown around scarier (in a good way)! I really enjoy RNRC but the theming could change and I would still enjoy it.
I rode Ellen’s Energy Adventure for the first time in a little long time about a month ago so that if the rumors were true and it closed, I would’ve had my “last ride.” While I don’t think GOTG is a great idea thematically there, I am kind of disappointed something new and exciting isn’t on the table anymore for Epcot.
Too often manatees with idea balls has been the obvious creative method of choice during the 2000-2010 time frame. Hopefully that process won’t swim back to the surface.
I’d much prefer the idea of doing an overlay at Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. While the Aerosmith theme does work, I can picture a way it would also click for Guardians. The soundtrack also has plenty of good options for the ride.
I’m not going to lose my mind about rumors of Guardians at ToT at Disney World since they’re still rumors. A lot of people were upset about the thrill ride that was reported to replace Universe of Energy, and now that seems done. There are some “news” sites that jump the gun, and people often freak out about it. I’m not putting yours in that category. I like to speculate about changes but not assume they’re happening until they are. Your points about the different variables (new ideas, guests not liking the DCA version) means that anything could happen.
Great article… What worries me, on a larger scale, is Disney’s latest penchant for their (seeming) firing from the hip mentality. Meaning, adding Frozen (yes, I’m bringing that one up again!) to World Showcase didn’t make sense (given the theming – as it is intended – of the park). And, had they gone forward with GotG replacing Universe of Energy, again, given the intended theming, it wouldn’t make sense. (I’m not going to go into Animal Kingdom as I’ve never seen Avatar, so I don’t know if that’s a smart “fit” with the park, so I don’t want to speak to something I have no knowledge of). Flash forward to DHS, while Toy Story and Star Wars can be made to fit (given their “movie” theme), if they decide to redo the overlay of ToT to GotG, then they really need to retheme the whole park (as someone else pointed out). I guess my point is, it seems they’re “fitting things in” to places they think they’d “generally” go “good enough” with, and not thinking of the bigger picture / overall story of the park in which they’re placed.
It seems odd to me that they would retheme ToT to GotG when they’re using it as the park’s icon. I’m not doubting the possibility, but if they did retheme, what would they potentially use at the icon? (I’m aware it used to be the BAH before it was torn down). If Disney is trying to stick with the “Hollywood” theme, it wouldn’t quite fit to have anything Star Wars or GotG for the park’s symbol.
Honestly, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Tower of Terror is not my personal cup of tea, but you cannot deny the wonderful theming and backstory that has been created for the Florida version in particular (when I was five, I remember seeing TOT from a distance and being absolutely terrified because I thought it was a real haunted hotel – the true test of how well a ride can truly seem real!) I don’t see the necessity of drastically changing a much beloved ride and Imagineering work of art when it’s already great the way it is. I think fans especially would much rather see those funds being allocated towards rides that need to be overhauled or refurbished.
I love both ToT and R’n’R as they are but if either of them were to have a makeover I would opt for R’n’R everytime. ToT should be left alone thematically as it is fantastically detailed. However if the whole Sunset Boulevard area is re-themed then ToT could suddenly be very out of place. That said I again seriously hope that they leave that whole area alone thematically as I personally find it one of the best themed areas of the parks and it fits perfectly with the overall Hollywood /Movies theme of the park.
I enjoy RnRc, but it’s nothing special. Fun and lighthearted, which is exactly what I think a Guardians coaster could or would be.
By contrast, I view WDW’s Tower of Terror as a thematic masterpiece, and a prime example of building suspense and anticipation well before you step foot in the attraction. I agree with you that a Guardians design would not jive with the rest of Sunset, which is very concerning.
WOW, that was well said. Everything my family loves about that ride, and has for years. Ok, I still call the park MGM, so I’m a little attached to the past. That part of the park needs to stay “old Hollywood”, and leave the rest of it for a more modern era.
I would prefer the coaster overlay. We’ll see how DCA’s tower turns out.
I completely agree with your estimation of how easy it would be to re-theme the Rock’n’Rollercoaster and that while it might disappoint a few stalwart Aerosmith fans, Disney Parks fans in general would be okay with the idea. The very self-contained nature of the area where RnRc is located only helps.
The number one reason they are less likely to do this is because 1) it will mean paying for extra design work beyond small changes to the work already being done in California. They are cheap way too often. The terrible new Soarin’ attraction and their complete failure to respond in any way to its technological and artistic deficits only strengthens my feeling that they don’t really care about the quality of their product. Spending a little more money? They care about that. They care about not doing it. 2) At this point it really looks like the GotG/RnRc idea is a fan idea – not theirs. Do they have the strength of ego necessary to allow themselves to take suggestions? Or do they have the kind of egos that rule out other peoples’ ideas? I’m afraid it might be the latter.
I’m hoping that 2 things will influence them away from changing the ToT in Florida: 1) As has been mentioned, it is a very popular attraction with Disney Parks fans and would become more unique with the DCA disappearing. 2) There is a TON of thematic detail outside of the building in Florida, unlike in Anaheim. All of that work was done a long time ago and only needs to be maintained to stay great. If they change it to GotG all of that surrounding area will also need to be re-themed, a job with a price tag which may tend to offset the savings of “cloning” the GotG attraction.
Seeing the plans for New Fantasyland and then having them completely redrawn after being released to the public has shown me that things can change when they’re pretty far down the road already. All it takes is people at the top taking an interest, for the better or for the worse. I don’t imagine the GotG sequel stands any chance of being a box office disappointment, but I’d be willing to not see it in order to save out Tower of Terror.
Good points. My responses to a few of them…
If Tower of Terror was proposed by WDI as an option for a Guardians of the Galaxy overlay, you can bet there is a similar concept for RnRC. It’s too obvious to only be a fan idea. For whatever reason, Tower was viewed internally as the better candidate, although I can’t imagine why.
The self-contained nature of RnRC is exactly why I’d be okay with it there. Arguably, that coaster doesn’t belong there to begin with, but at least it’s isolated. Changing from one odd fit to another shouldn’t bother anyone. By contrast, Tower of Terror is the “icon” of Sunset Boulevard, and messing with it is messing with the whole area.
I don’t think that there would be a significant cost-savings in cloning Mission: Breakout. The two Tower of Terror attractions are sufficiently different that changes would need to be made. Moreover, the RnRC overlay could be done extremely cheaply given the nature of the coaster and low-grade props that are already in it.