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A Different Disney

Let's call Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! a last straw for me. I know that the ride will be a blast and a fan favorite (though the five month window in which Disney hopes to make this transition frightens me, especially given that the equally-despised-but-far-less-consequential changeover from Epcot's Maelstrom to Frozen Ever After took four times as long).

But the ride doesn't exist in a vacuum. It fundamentally uproots the delicate California story that $1 billion was just spent weaving while simultaneously forcing the closure of one of California Adventure's starring rides, an integral piece of the new park's story, and – quite simply – a very good attraction.

But it's all part of the new modus operandi at Disney. I think it started when Disney saw that Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter was going to change things. Most fans agree that Disney made a mistake when – in a mad rush to emulate Universal's success – they quickly gobbled up the biggest franchise they could find. At the time, that was James Cameron's Avatar. And ever since, it seems that Disney has been chasing Universal and resorting to Universal's tactics: cannibalizing classics to shove short-sighted flavor-of-the-week intellectual properties into the parks.

That's a shame, because Marvel could and should be a tremendous positive influence on the parks, and now its legacy – and the Guardians' – will be tied to this.

Image: Disney / Marvel

To be clear, this is NOT out of the blue. Aside from the rumors and rumblings that so many considered a red herring, it has been clear in fan circles for a while now that Marvel would come to Disneyland in a big way. It’s true that, if you ask insiders, the space behind Tower of Terror – the park’s most logical expansion site – has been earmarked for a Marvel land for a long time. Rumors always suggested that this new Marvel land would be anchored by a Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster reboot angled around the Avengers or the Guardians of the Galaxy, with another D-ticket or C-ticket to create a respectable standalone Marvel presence in the parks.

Sounds great! And maybe that's why when these rumors started to emerge about Tower of Terror, it seems plausible (though still silly) that the Guardians would take up residence there as a quick seasonal overlay – a taste of what Marvel would be like, sort of like Hyperspace Mountain whetting our appetites for Star Wars Land in an inconsequential, temporary way. 

But this is different. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is closing forever. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is taking its place. Sure it'll use the same ride system, but this is an entirely new ride. As if the Pirates of the Caribbean were kicked out, with Frozen animatronics and scenes set along the waterways. It's a new attraction. And like Tower of Terror, it's timeless and will still be a hit fifty years from now, right? Err...?

Why It Matters

Image: Disney

The unfortunate and troubling refrain from those who support this change is that Disneyland's Tower of Terror has never been a hit anyway. Their arguments are first that the California Tower is technologically inferior to Florida's original (infamously built with a more budget-friendly ride system compared to Florida's, which ran tens of millions of dollars overbudget) and second, that California's Tower never has lines as long as Florida's (though this is due in large part to crowd dispersion, since California Adventure has a dozen E-Tickets and Hollywood Studios has three.)

Neither argument works. Why? Because frankly, despite what and how enthusiasts like you and I think, most guests to Disneyland will never go to Walt Disney World. Many probably don't even know (and certainly don't care) that other Towers of Terror exist in Florida, France, and Japan.

It's of no consequence at all to most Disneyland guests that a beloved ride is closing but will still exist in a different – even better – form a thousand miles away. Imagine, for example, if Magic Kingdom announced that its Pirates of the Caribbean would close. Would it soothe Disney World guests' anger to be told, "Well, don't be upset. There'll still be a Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland, and it's better there anyway." Of course not! The notion is just silly. 

Image: Disney

Coming to Terms

Just a few years after bringing Disney California Adventure to life with a storied, distinctly-Californian narrative, this. And I concede. In a million years, I would never have imagined that the ridiculous, unimaginable rumors would be true. Disney would never be so foolish as to spoil what they worked so hard to build in the new California Adventure! They would never physically alter a Californian icon at the California park to resemble a spaceship looming over Hollywood! And yet… Here we are.

And the worst part of it all is that we've seen this with Maelstrom, and Frozen: Live at the Hyperion. We've begged and pleaded and commented and Tweeted and tried to make someone – anyone! – understand that these decisions are shortsighted and guided by the wrong principles. And it doesn't matter. Nothing we say or do can change this now. It's happening. Why fuss? Why fight? Why rally? Why call Disney? Why try? Why care? Less than a year from now, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will be gone, and Disney California Adventure will have a new headlining attraction in Hollywood Land: Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

But that’s not my Disneyland.

I expected better, and I don’t apologize for feeling that way. Why isn’t California Adventure home to Discovery Bay, the never-built steampunk San Francisco originally planned for Disneyland in 1970s that even today, 50 years later, still feels relevant and right? Why isn’t Marvel getting its own separate land parked elsewhere in California Adventure, or saved for a much-needed third gate where it could be built to its fullest potential? Why isn’t Mystic Manor being built in Grizzly Peak instead?

Or, why isn't Marvel moving into the tired and desolate Tomorrowland at Disneyland next door, which is creatively starved and rudderless in the same way California Adventure used to be? Tomorrowland needs an identity, and Marvel could be a piece of it. Instead, that land will continue to languish and wither while superheroes move into Hollywood. 

It's unacceptable.

Image: Disney

But it doesn’t matter. We can't stop it. And that's why I said I don't feel angry or surprised or hurt. I just feel defeated. We can't change it. And that is what hurts the most. The overwhelmingly negative reception to this announcement falls on deaf ears, and we lose again. And this time, Disney isn't even allowing negative comments on the Disney Parks Blog entry announcing the change, so they're ready to battle.

Forget being an enthusiast – the rabid fans who decry any change Disney makes as an abomination. Just as a Guest, this is a troubling decision. If we've learned anything in our Designing Disaster series, it's that modern, character-infused overlays to beloved attractions can't stand the test of time. They instantly date themselves. 

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios will still be an emotionally gripping, captivating, eerie, and relevant ride in fifty years. But in 2066, will your grandchildren know who the Guardians of the Galaxy from 2014 are?

Thinking...

Image: Disney

The careful cohesion that Imagineers crafted with the new Disney California Adventure was evidence that Disney designers can still knock it out of the park. The new California Adventure was alive and energetic and thoughtful and brilliant. Like it or not, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is coming, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is disappearing forever from the careful narration of that new park. I intend to follow it.

I know plenty of people here and on Facebook will let me have it and say, “Good, don’t come! Shorter lines for me!” (probably without having read what I’ve written here, to be honest), and that’s fair. The lines will indeed be at least one person shorter. You can count on that.

I know many of my Southern Californian friends want to be mad at Disney and to never return, but they just… can’t. After every tone-deaf attraction closure; every out-of-touch overlay; every time Guests overwhelmingly ask for something only to be met with silence; every time synergy wins; every time prices increase and quality falls, they say “That’s it! Never again!” They say they won’t go back, but they do. Luckily, my decision is much more simple. I live across the country from Disneyland, so a trip doesn’t happen out of habit or accident, and an Annual Pass isn’t an option. I have to choose to go to Disneyland. And for now, I’m done with Disneyland.

Image: Disney

I’ll see Disneyland again.

Long before this mess, I’d calculated with a huff that the earliest I could visit again would be at least a few years after Star Wars opens… Maybe 2022. Maybe if they can solve the overcrowding that stifles the parks. Maybe pending whatever 21st century Fastpass+ solution they come up with. Maybe if I can still afford a ticket. Maybe if any of the rides I cherished are left. Now, I’m just tired and demoralized. The parts of Disneyland I loved – my Disneyland – are disappearing little by little.

To reiterate: I’m not enraged or emotional. I’m not saying this from a heated anger that’ll subside in time. It’s not a gut reaction. I’m thinking rationally and carefully when I say: I’m just defeated. It’s not my Disneyland anymore. I knew eventually it would happen, and it has. A new generation is just discovering the park, and they’ll never know what they’re missing by not having the Hollywood Tower Hotel stand against the resort’s skyline. For them, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! will be a classic in its own right. And that’s wonderful. I know they’ll embrace it and enjoy it and it will be part of their Disneyland.

To them, I offer these words of warning: Enjoy it while you can. It won’t be your Disneyland forever.

Image: Disney

 
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Comments

In reply to by Just Randy (not verified)

I think you're getting the term dated confused with the word classic. As much as I absolutely loved the Guardians of the Galaxy, reskinning the ToT is equivalent to having the Rock n Roller Coaster staring Smash Mouth. That's why Disney chose Aerosmith as the band the headline for the Rock n Roller Coaster. Aerosmith didn't have a single song in the top 100 the year the ride opened.

In reply to by Just Randy (not verified)

Actually, Disney can use Marvel characters in its parks. Doctor Strange is already in Hollywood Studios. The contract states that the Marvel characters in Universal Studios can't show up in Disney and characters in Disney can't show up in Universal. Basically Spider-Man and his characters, Doctor Doom and his characters, Storm and Her characters, and the Incredible Hulk can't show up at Disney. Disney can use the Avengers, but the Hulk isn't allowed.

You mention that no one will be comforted by the thought that there is still a Hollywood Tower of Terror in Florida. You're right, but that seems to be their answer to the closing of many attractions people love. Unhappy that Mr Toad is gone? He's still in CA. Unhappy that the Country Bears are gone? Go to FL. You still want the old Snow White ride? Back to CA with you! I'm sensing a pattern, here.
I was a Disneyland child of the '60s. The last time I was there was '74, and I was surprised then how much it had changed in just 6 years. I have told my family that I'd like to go back, and as long as the Matterhorn is still there it'll be ok. Maybe I'll just keep my memories of growing up there, and spend my time now at WDW, where I'm not so attached.

Ver ooked at the park that way. I'm a child of the 70s. So yes, I miss things such as Adventures thru Innerspace and the Main Street Electric Paradebut m always excited to see the new things. What I appreciate is the little things. A Dole whip on a hot day with birds serenading me. Enjoying a meal I. New Orleans without the airfare. Walking through the maientre and seeing the Mickey-head flower bed in DL and the homage to Pan Pacific auditorium in DCA. Each park has things I love and sure things will change but I think since I grew up with change size always been willing to adapt and accept. It is a shame you feel like it is no longer yours, the thing is it wasn't meant to be yours...it is ours and our children's. The parks are now a part of my son's new memories but I always discuss with him the changes that have already happened and the changes still yet to be. If anything I want him to be flexible and adaptable since the world is constantly changing and to be unable to adapt is to be unable to survive.

I totally agree Brian. The WDC (I never call it the Walt Disney Company, because Walt has nothing to do with the company as it is today) is in totally for the bottom line. Has nothing to do with innovation, creativity of imagineering.

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