10 Little-Known Facts About Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

Almost every Disney ride and attraction is filled with a variety of hidden secrets, fun facts, and Easter eggs. The Disney Imagineers didn’t hold back on these fun nods and references when designing Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!.

In this article, I’m going to share 10 Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! facts with you.

The next time you’re on a mission to help Rocket free Star Lord, Drax, Gamora, and Groot, see if you’re able to spot any! I’m sure you won’t have any trouble. After all, Tivan has collected a LOT of stuff for you to look through.

1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

When Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! first opened at Disneyland, there was no Avengers Campus. The ride was initially part of Hollywood Land. Due to the shape and general ride experience, it’s pretty easy to guess which Hollywood Land attraction Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! replaced.

Yep, it replaced The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. If you were planning on dropping in at Disneyland Resort, that’s no longer an option. However, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! can give you a very similar experience with a fresh Guardians feel!

It’s tradition for the Disney Imagineers to leave behind traces of replaced attractions within its predecessor. Within the queue of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, there are many items left over from The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

One of the easiest things to spot are books. The Tower of Terror was filled with books, especially in the library where the pre-show took place. Some of these books now fill the shelves in Tivan’s office. Of course, to keep his place when reading, Tivan needs some sort of bookmark. If you look closely, you can see that he used some leftover luggage tags from The Hollywood Tower Hotel! While you’re in the office, keep your eyes peeled for one more nod to Tower of Terror. Did you see it? This one’s a bit trickier to spot. On a shelf, placed between some other objects, is a bellhop hat that used to be worn by The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Cast Members.

As you make your way to the gantry, there’s another item from the Tower of Terror that can be seen. This one is a painting that used to hang in The Hollywood Tower Hotel. The Collector clearly has good taste in art!

2. Matterhorn Yeti

Have you ever ridden the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland Park? If so, you’ve met Harold the Matterhorn Yeti. This abominable snowman is usually deep within the Matterhorn mountain, causing mischief and terrorizing Guests as they make their way through the icy terrain on their bobsleds.

During Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary, the Matterhorn Yeti was updated. Not only was he updated, he was replaced entirely by a more life-like Yeti animatronic. Harold, who was a part of the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction from 1978 to 2015, now needed a new home.

In 2017, the abominable snowman found a new home in the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! queue. You can now see Harold in the boiler room. Make sure to look up so you can find him!

3. X-S Tech Invoice

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If you take a close look at Tivan’s desk as you pass by his office, you’ll see quite a few interesting things. One of them is an invoice from X-S Tech. If X-S Tech sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the evil alien corporation that derived from ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, a now extinct Magic Kingdom attraction.

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was part of Tomorrowland from June 20th, 1995 through October 12th, 2003. The problem with this ride was that it was actually terrifying for many Guests. And not just children!

After its closure, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was re-themed to Stitch’s Great Escape. This family-friendly attraction had a much longer run than ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter. Even though the attractions were set up very similarly, Stitch’s Great Escape did better due to the love of Stitch, the comedic aspects, and lack of terrorizing.

4. Letter to Jeutar Morat

Lying on top of the X-S Tech invoice is a letter written by Tivan to the bounty hunter Jeutar Morat. The letter reads,

“My dear Jeutar Morat,

What have you learned about the movement of this stranger I’ve heard about? You said he was headed for Terra – why would he be going there?

If you can track him for me and discover his purpose, I will reward you more than adequately. I must find out what it is on Terra that interests him so, as it is very likely it would interest me.

Taneleer Tivan”.

In the comics, Jeutar Morat was hired to find Gamora due to the large bounty on her head. Luckily, we’re breaking her out and getting her away from Tivan. We wouldn’t want Morat to possibly come across her! However, we can’t help but wonder who this mysterious stranger is that Tivan is wanting Morat to track for him.

5. Figment

As you walk through the queue of Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, you’ll see the large collection of creatures and items that Tivan has put together. Throughout the queue, there are many enclosures that the living creatures are kept in.

If you take a close look at one of the smaller enclosures that’s hung quite high up in the room, you’ll be able to spot a familiar form. Though the enclosure is a bit clouded, you can see a little purple dragon – Figment!

This is Figment's first appearance at Disneyland, as he is a character of Walt Disney World. Figment was first introduced to Guests in the EPCOT ride Journey Into Imagination. Figment has survived multiple ride re-themes, has become the unofficial mascot of the Festival of the Arts, and now has his own meet and greet at the Imagination Pavilion.

Hopefully Figment will use his imagination to escape from Tivan!

6. Hidden Mickey (and Minnie!)

Hidden Mickeys seem to be a favorite for Disney Imagineers. They insert them all over the place! There are multiple hidden Mickeys that you can look for on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!.

The first one is located on the outside of the building. On the top portion of the building, there are multiple bolted plates. To the right of the Tivan logo, there are two pipes. Directly below these pipes is a bolted plate. However, when compared to the other plates, this one looks like it's upside down. Due to its upside down position, the bolts form a hidden Mickey!

You’ll be able to spot another hidden Mickey in The Collector’s office. However, rather than looking for the standard Mickey Mouse shape, this time you’ll be looking for a toy! The Mickey Mouse toy is on a shelf, hidden behind multiple objects. In the other portion of the office, unsurprisingly tucked away behind even more items, you’ll be able to see Minnie Mouse too! (Perhaps the Galaxy’s biggest hoarder should consider cleaning some stuff out so we can spot these things more easily.)

Both Mickey and Minnie are retro tin wind-up toys. They’re a very cool thing to see!

7. Dolores the Octopus

Apparently Tivan enjoys collecting retired animatronics. In the same area where Harold the Yeti is kept, you can spot Dolores the Octopus. Dolores was a part of the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown.

The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown was a special version of the Country Bear Jamboree. Since the original Country Bear Jamboree and its Christmas overlay were so popular, the Disney Imagineers created a new show as a way to give Guests more of what they love. The show was available for viewing at both Disneyland and Disney World. While Disney World eventually went back to the original show, the Country Bear Vacation Hoedown was the last Country Bear show to play at Disneyland before the Country Bear Playhouse permanently closed.

Perhaps The Collector felt the need to keep Dolores as a reminder of the last Country Bear show to ever play at Disneyland.

8. Disneyland Maps

Amongst the books in Tivan’s office, you can also spot a collection of maps. (Is there anything this guy doesn’t collect?!) If you take a close look, you’ll see that some of these maps are vintage maps of Disneyland!

There are two Disneyland maps that you can see quite well. Both of these are from the early 60s. On one of these maps, you can see an image of Lady. This map is positioned upside down, so it may be a little hard to find her at first. Once you find Lady, you’ll be able to see other images on the map. Specifically the original Disneyland Hotel and its surroundings.

The other map has an image of Jiminy Cricket. On this map, you’ll be able to see the upper portion of Disneyland. Look for the Disneyland Railroad and a car from Autopia!

9. Cosmo and Rocket's Relationship

Cosmo and Rocket’s relationship is less than perfect. You’ll get a small glimpse of this in the queue for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!.

In the queue, there is an extremely impressive Cosmo animatronic. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that she’s not a real Golden Retriever looking back at you! Unfortunately, she’s currently part of Tivan’s collection. Hopefully, we can rescue her on the next mission! On the plus side, Tivan was kind enough to give Cosmo a blanket and some chew toys to keep her entertained.

The next time you come across Cosmo, take a look at the toy that’s laying next to her front right paw. Did you notice what it is? It’s a racoon! Also take note of how it’s the only toy that she’s destroyed. She’s gone out of her way to pull the stuffing out of this toy, while all the others look perfectly fine. The way Cosmo treated this toy raccoon may give a little insight on her feelings towards Rocket at the moment.

10. Loki

If you happen to see Loki out and about during your time at Avengers Campus, let him know that he may want to stop by Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! to pick up a few of his things. Within the queue, you can spot at least three items of Loki’s that The Collector has.

Keep an eye out for Loki’s Retina Extractor, shackles, and Hero Frost Dagger. On second thought, these all seem pretty dangerous. Perhaps they’re better off staying in Tivan’s collection.