Avengers Campus is opening at Disneyland this June
When Disney bought out Marvel years ago, fans around the world were overjoyed to think what might happen in the various parks, and it took a while, but rides and attractions.
First it was some characters meeting in Disney California Adventure, then some special Marvel themed cruises on the Disney Cruise Line and then in 2017 Iron Man touched down in Hong Kong, with the first Marvel ride in a Disney Park. I specify that, because in Universals Islands of Adventure in Orlando, there is an entire land filled with rides and more, leaving Disney unable to do things on their East Coast resort.
Soon after the Iron Man Experience arrived in Hong Kong, Ant-Man and the Wasp were next with Nano Battle, but prior to that opening, Disney announced that the Avengers would be coming to Hong Kong, Paris and California, with new themed lands. Hong Kong’s campus location is an extension of the mini Marvel land they have already, Paris is something new and is currently under construction (see the picture below), but California is set to open on June 4.
The Avengers Campus location in California is the one that we know the most about, even though the rides in Hong Kong have been around for years now. When it opens on June 4, those who enter will be able to sample food from the Pym Test Kitchen, enter the ruins of a sanctum and learn from Doctor Strange, or if you want real adventure, team up with Spider-Man and become a member of W.E.B or the Worldwide Engineering Brigade.
“We are so excited to soon welcome our guests to Avengers Campus, our first land dedicated to Super Heroes,” said Ken Potrock, president, Disneyland Resort. “Here, our cast members will unite to help guests of all ages find their super powers and create special memories.”
Tom Holland will reprise his role as Peter Parker in the land’s new attraction, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. This new, action-packed adventure invites guests to put their web-slinging skills to the test, a feat accomplished with innovative technology adapted specifically for this attraction. The mission: team up with Spidey and help capture the out-of-control Spider-Bots before they wreak havoc on the Campus. During an open house at WEB, Peter Parker and the aspiring inventors ask guests to wear 3D glasses and test drive their latest invention, the WEB Slinger vehicle, which allows them to sling webs like Spider-Man and experience what it’s like to have super powers.
Saving the world will give you an appetite and that is where the Pym Test Kitchen comes in, as food meets the power of the Pym Particle, in unique ways. As guests watch the Pym food scientists at work in the kitchen lab, they will see the transformation of a regular-sized pretzel after going through a quantum tunnel – and it comes out big or small!
Guests will be able to savour foods like the Impossible™ plant-based meatballs, both large and micro and served with pasta in a super-sized spoon with a tiny fork. Another choice is the “Pym-ini,” a panini on toasted focaccia with meats, cheese and marinara dipping sauce, which can be served by the slice or as a long, multi-portion sandwich. Those will go well with a glass of Pingo Doce, the distinctly green beverage from Avenger lore that will be available at Avengers Campus.
Gigantic soda cans and condiment bottles will be mounted in the vestibules as eye-catching art, and outdoor seating will be a great place to watch for Super Heroes.
Pym Tasting Lab: Adjacent to the Pym Test Kitchen, an oversized beer can overhead signals that grown-up beverages are available at Pym Tasting Lab. Guests may order a craft beer, ranging from a blood orange hefeweizen to an amber lager. These are poured from a different kind of draft system where, thanks to the food scientists, the glass fills from the bottom up. Those thirsting for something unique can try one of the Pym Research Staff’s Pym-Particle infused cocktail experiments, along with bite-sized snacks.
Shawarma Palace: Fans may recall that after the Battle of New York, the exhausted Avengers took Tony Stark up on his offer to try the food at the “shawarma joint” about two blocks from the battle zone. There at Shawarma Palace, the Avengers discovered their new favorite food. The Avengers loved the food so much that when it came time to build Avengers Campus, they invited the Shawarma Palace crew to open a second location at Avengers Campus. Now, guests and heroes on the go can enjoy some favorite shawarma-inspired wraps at this food cart, which is decked out with memorabilia for Avenger fans. This cart offers hand-held savory wraps with fragrant chicken shawarma and garlic sauce. Or, guests may choose the Impossible™ plant-based falafel wrap.
Terran Treats: Taneleer Tivan did not limit his collection to lovable misfits; he is also curating a weird and wonderful menu of intergalactic eats at this food cart near Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Churro spirals with unique flavors, and a cosmic orb with an outer shell revealing a decadent creamy filling, are just a few takes on what concoctions he has conceived to lure guests to his Fortress.
“When we set out to create these extraordinary Super Hero experiences across the globe, we designed a new Spider-Man attraction for Disney California Adventure park in an immersive land with amazing character experiences,” said Scot Drake, portfolio creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering. “We also crafted an original story that ties all the experiences together in ways that are authentic to these characters. We worked side-by-side with teams that brought the Avengers films and comics to life to create a place that champions the next generation of heroes.”
“Avengers Campus will be a place where fans and guests can finally step into the universe they love, and stand alongside some of their favourite heroes,” said Dave Bushore, vice president of Franchise Creative & Marketing for Marvel Studios. “The optimism inherent in Avengers Campus captures the diversity, power and teamwork these extraordinary characters possess, and now they come together to unite people from all over the world under one guiding principle: We are stronger together.”
For those that want a more tranquil experience you can go and explore the overgrown ruins of an Ancient Sanctum, guests can learn mysterious secrets from Doctor Strange and discover ancient, magical artifacts. Doctor Strange will train recruits in the ways of the mystic arts by bringing this Ancient Sanctum to life with powerful spells. At night, the Ancient Sanctum glows even more vividly with majestic colours and lights, pulsating with mystic energy.
There are also stores to explore and if you want, you can visit the Tivan Collection, which is displaying the latest collection, the Guardians of the Galaxy, though that has been around for a few years now.
