By Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine
April 1, 2024
Disney announced today that the iconic Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride at Disney California Adventure Park is being transformed into luxurious vacation condos. The Galactic Residences condos are part of Disney Vacation Club and promise “out-of-this-world” amenities and an unforgettable ownership experience.
“Disney Parks are where the impossible becomes possible,” says Bob Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company. “The extraordinary popularity of Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout! inspired us to push the boundaries of immersive experiences. Galactic Residences will offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to vacation or live in the heart of the action and truly live out a Guardians-inspired adventure.”
Galactic Residences will offer space enthusiasts exquisitely themed condominiums within the very structure of The Collector’s Fortress.
Walt Disney Imagineering Added Amenities
Walt Disney Imagineering is adding several amenities and features to Galactic Residences that came from intern suggestions.
“We had all our interns put their ideas in a hat,” said Imagineer Bruce Vaughn. “We then drew seven lucky ideas, which will now become part of the experience.”
The seven ideas drawn were:
- Exhilarating “Commute”: Instead of mundane elevators, residents will launch to their units via the ride’s dynamic gantry lift system, outfitted with modified settings for optimal comfort (and fewer unexpected drops).
“The heart of Galactic Condos lies in the ride’s iconic elevators, now rebranded as Thrill-a-Vaders,” says Stephanie Young, President of Disney Vacation Club. “Residents will still experience that heart-stopping sensation before a controlled ascent to their desired floor.” - Intergalactic Interiors: Condos will feature immersive designs inspired by the Guardians’ universe. And those views of Hollywood Land? Gone! Thanks to a surplus of hyper-realistic projection systems salvaged from the ill-fated Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser venture, residents will now peer directly into deep space with dazzling nebulas and the occasional passing Xandarian cruiser.
- Heroic Fitness Program: A state-of-the-art holographic fitness center will offer customized workouts led by the legendary Star-Lord. Prepare for dance-infused cardio with a soundtrack blasting Quill’s Awesome Mixtape and weightlifting sessions with Groot providing motivational shouts of “I am Groot!”
- Queue Line Running Track: In true Disney Imagineering fashion, part of the queue lines for Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout will be transformed into a guided running track. Guests can get a morning jog in while passing through alien artifact displays and reminiscing on past escape attempts.
- Groot’s “I Am Groot” Gardening Workshop: Groot will teach residents the secrets of cultivating extraterrestrial flora, including a special “Tower of Terror Vines” variety that grows suspiciously fast and may faintly resemble grasping appendages.
- Intergalactic Scavenger Hunt: Rocket has hidden treasures throughout the building and grounds. Residents with a knack for sniffing out loot can earn “shiny thing” rewards that can be converted to Disney Vacation Club points.
- Drax Securities: Guest security is important and is led by Disneyland Resorts’ head of security, Drax (no last name given), and the newly formed “Drax Securities.”
“No villainous trespassers,” said Drax. “No park line cutters. Drax Securities ensures peace and quiet.”
Closure of Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout is one of the most popular rides in Avengers Land at Disney California Adventure Park. The ride will close down for good on July 4 and be walled off for renovations to turn it into Galactic Residences.
“Our guests rate it higher than Web Slingers… WAY HIGHER, which is why we chose it for our Disney Vacation Club condo project,” says Mike Hyland, director of Public Relations at Disneyland Resort. “Because of its popularity, we expect many new guests to join our timesha… er… I mean Disney Vacation Club program.”
Opening and Future In-Park Residential Projects
Galactic Residences is expected to open on April 1, 2025, but to experience it, guests must be members of the Disney Vacation Club. In talking off the record with Theme Park Magazine, Disney Parks officials hinted that the success of the Galactic Residences project could lead to future “immersive dwelling” opportunities across the resort. One spot being looked at in Disneyland is the popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride. Officials say they love making changes to this ride all the time and what better spot to put homes than within the ride itself?
“Who wouldn’t love to live in a home on fire all the time?” laughed Iger, speaking off the record.
Stay tuned to Theme Park Magazine for more updates on this breaking story.
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