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Touring Disney’s New GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Attraction: The Collector’s Mansion

Touring Disney’s New GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Attraction: The Collector’s Mansion

We all know how it feels to realize that our search for that must-have collectible has quietly turned into an obsession. All logic is lost and the hunt is the only thing that matters. I can relate, as I write this surrounded by Tsum Tsum, counting the days since my last purchase (it was yesterday). It’s that enthusiasm for collecting that will draw guests inside Taneleer Tivan’s fortress to visit the world of The Collector at the new Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction, set to open May 27th.

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I was given access to an exclusive group tour of the site at Disney California Adventure, as the finishing touches were being put on the attraction. Speaking with the creative team as we walked through the queue, they admitted that Disney has never done an attraction based on a villain, but that this new feature will place the Collector and his acquisitions front and center.

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The building itself is a testament to his madness, its garishness embodying the spirit and arrogance of the obsession-laden character. Familiar to Guardians fans, the story of the Collector begins with his mining colony on planet Knowhere; the pipes that flow up and down the building extract power from the ground below to support his collection. At night the pipes will glow, showing off the sheer delusion of how far one will go to support a habit.

Guests will see how far his collection extends, even into the garden. Outside, Tivan’s Oasis is filled with strange and unique specimens; Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Director Danny Handke jokingly referred to them as “the Gardens of the Galaxy.”

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! -- Final preparations are under way to open the Tivan Collection for the people of Terra (Earth). This mysterious collection features objects that The Collector has gathered from around the galaxy. Guests of Disney California Adventure can view this as part of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction, opening May 27. (Scott Brinegar/Disneyland Resort)

But inside is where the rarest pieces are kept. Guests may actually enjoy standing in line, as the entry room is filled with familiar collectibles from the ground all the way up to the ceiling. Imagine an entire room for you to put your Funko Pops on display and you’ll understand the Collector’s mindset for assembling everything he has in one small space.

While walking through, I felt as if I was in an actual Marvel museum. There were things that comic book fans might think they’d never see come to life, like Warlock’s Eye, Terrigen Crystals, and even a life-size Cosmo. (I had to look twice to make sure the Spacedog wasn’t real.) Included are artifacts like a Kree battle axe, as seen on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and objects from Asgardian lore.

The Collector’s hoarding habit isn’t limited to physical items–he also collects audio. Each time guests board this new attraction they will hear one of six randomized scenarios set to an awesome mix of songs adding to the epic experience. Check out the songs in a playlist below.

Yes, the attraction will honor the FastPass+, but I will tell you that skipping this queue would be a mistake for Marvel fans. There is so much deep Marvel lore embedded into the design, fans of both comics books and theme parks will have a great time trying to find all the Easter Eggs that is hidden amongst Tivan’s collection.

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! -- Rocket enlists the aid of guests at Disney California Adventure to help free his fellow Guardians of the Galaxy, who have been captured by The Collector. This all-new experience opens on May 27 (Disneyland Resort) ©Disney/Marvel

As we were leaving, Marvel Creative Director, Brian Crosby spoke about the attraction, quoting Stan Lee: “Every comic book is someone’s first.” What he means by this is that even if a person doesn’t have prior Guardians of the Galaxy knowledge, the experience of this attraction will shine through and guests will truly have fun and relate to the joy of collecting.

Rock out the Spotify playlist of the ride tunes to get prepared for the wild ride when Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! open on May 27th.

Can you relate to the Collector? Let us know in the comments and tag @nerdist and @justjenn on twitter to show us your own collection!

Images: Disney

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