As the title indicates I will be comparing Tower of Terror to its California counterpart Guardians of Galaxy: Mission Breakout. I believe that each one has its place in the park that it resides in. However, we all pick favorites – to each it’s own.

The mechanics of Tower of Terror or its sister attraction in California, Mission Breakout are fascinating all on its own. Tower of Terror was featured on the show Modern Marvels where the mechanics of the ride were discussed including how the attraction includes two ride systems that move in different directions: up and down and horizontally.

Opening in 1994, Tower of Terror was truly a welcome addition to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In 2004, Disney’s California Adventure got their own Tower of Terror opened with a few tweaks to the original making it easier to load more guests per hour.

However, much to the chagrin of many Disney fans, Imagineers announced that they would be reimagining California Adventure’s Tower of Terror. In 2016, Disney announced that the attraction would be returned for the Marvel hit, Guardians of the Galaxy. In 2017, the attraction was reopened as Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.

At the time that this attraction reopened, Avengers Campus wasn’t announced. The attraction was a bit out of place at the time, but now with the attraction in Marvel’s Avengers Campus – it makes a lot more sense.

I’m all for nostalgia especially when it come to Disney. I was very skeptical with taking a classic in Tower of Terror and simply retheming it. I tend to trust Joe Rohde, the famous former Imagineer, and his creative brain. However, I love the changes made to accommodate a Marvel overlay for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout.

One of the great things I enjoy with them Guardians of the Galaxy franchise is the use of music. This love of music from the films is used so cleverly on Mission Breakout. The drops and assents are perfectly timed with music used in the movies as Rocket has wired the system to play music when guests are helping him rescue the Guardians of the Galaxy from the Collector’s museum. There is a profile of six songs that guest could get randomly when on the attraction. They include: “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar, “Give Up the Funk” by Parliament, “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf, “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5, “Free Ride” by The Edgar Winter Group, and “Burning Love” by Elvis Presley. Thanks to the Disney Wiki for this list!

Full ride through of Mission Breakout – thanks to the CoasterViews:

This opinion might be against my nostalgic nature, but I like Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout better than Tower of Terror. However, I wouldn’t advocate to change the attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios because it serves it place in that theme park. Putting a replica of California Adventure’s Mission Breakout would seem completely out of place down Hollywood Boulevard.

What’s your opinion – Tower of Terror or Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout? Let us know below in the comments!