Here’s a sneak peek at the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, which opens Saturday at Disney California Adventure

ANAHEIM — Riding the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at Disney California Adventure is like hopping on an out-of-control pogo stick.

The drops on the elevator-free-fall ride are wild and unexpected, zipping guests in a variety of heights both up and down.

Rock n’ roll music blares. Video vignettes of the stars of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies appear.

Unlike Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, the old ride in the same building, where mystery and anticipation led up to a big drop, the free falls on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout will catch riders off-guard and occur at a much more frenetic and faster pace.

“High energy,” said Joe Rohde, creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, and the brains of this ride.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout opens to the public on Saturday, May 27, as the headliner attraction of Disney’s so-called “Summer of Heroes” promotion in Anaheim.

Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, looks towards the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A statue of The Collector greets visitors to the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Estefania Harbuck, creative producer of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The painting of The Collector hags in the lobby of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joe Rohde, Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, greets members of the media as they get a look at the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as they site in a vehicles that drop randomly while doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The lobby area of the new Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission Breakout! is full of display cases owned by the character The Collector at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The ride, similar to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror it replaced, gives the riders a sensation of free-falling as doors open with new visual effects from the Guardians of the Galaxy universe. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The new ride – which takes place, as the story goes, in The Collector’s 183-foot-tall futuristic fortress, a bold gold and red structure that reflects during the day and illuminates at night – marks a pivotal point in Disney’s history.

Many believe this edifice will serve as the centerpiece of a much greater Marvel- or superhero-themed expansion in Disney California Adventure.

“That corner of the park has always been a problem,” said Seth Kubersky, the co-author of the “Unofficial Guide to Disneyland.”

“I believe Disney is staking their bet on Marvel to finally draw people to that corner of the park and re-balance the flow of people,” he said.

Since purchasing the Marvel comic book and entertainment brand for $4 billion in 2008, it was not a question of if but only when Disney would begin incorporating superhero attractions into its theme parks.

Rohde, a 37-year Disney Imagineer known for his dangling earring that droops to his left shoulder, said workers had one year to create the first Marvel ride in Disney’s U.S. parks. It was a daunting task, he said.

“At the time, I had been asked to take a look at crafting the interior logic by which a Marvel Universe could be done, by which we could create a universe of heroes,” Rohde said.

He and the Marvel team juggled several ideas. “Spider-Man or Avengers or something else?” said Brian Crosby, creative director of themed entertainment at Marvel. “Guardians of the Galaxy quickly rose to the top as our favorite, because it lent itself better to the story that we wanted to tell.”

Visitors are tasked with helping break out the five-member Guardians from The Collector’s Fortress.

Heavy doors open, revealing The Collector’s array of artifacts in glass displays. There’s Cosmo the Spacedog, a warlock’s eye, and weapons.

A video directed by James Gunn, the “Guardian” movies director, welcomes guests and plays in a loop setting up the story. Visitors have come by to see The Collector’s newest collection: the captured Guardians of the Galaxy.

An audio-animatronic Rocket Racoon explains how he needs the guests’ help.

Old tunes by Elvis, Steppenwolf and the Jackson 5 play. The gantry lift goes haywire – rapidly moving up and down. Visual scenes play of mayhem caused when the Guardians escape, including fighting other alien creatures.

There are six possible experiences for the two-minute ride, all picked at random by the computer.

Just like with the movies, Rohde said, “It’s fun, it’s humorous, it’s not so serious.”

BY THE NUMBERS

Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout

2: Length of ride, in minutes

6: Different ride experiences

6: Number of classic songs played in attraction

183: Height, in feet, of The Collector’s Fortress

2,200: Supposed artifacts inside The Collector’s Fortress

Source: Disneyland

Here’s a sneak peek at the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, which opens Saturday at Disney California Adventure

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