“There was an idea…called the Avengers initiative. The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people, to see if they could become something more.” – Nick Fury
Nick Fury would be proud. In 2017, Disneyland Resort celebrated “Summer of Heroes” welcoming the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! to Disney California Adventure Park. Marvel fans soon spotted something more next to The Collector's Fortress, a yellow hatch with a big “A” on the lid. The initiative was set in motion, a new land was on the way—Avengers Campus.
Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, announced earlier this month that Avengers Campus is set to receive its newest recruits on June 4, 2021. Set up like a college or business campus structure (think Google or Pixar HQ), Avengers Campus (Centralized Assembly Mobilized to Prepare, Unite, and Safeguard) is modeled as an immersive land where you are a part of the action. Here, you can channel Spider-Man on the virtual WEB Slingers attraction, or catch your favorite Avengers in action as they battle Taskmaster in a rooftop stunt show. If hunger is your superpower, head over to Pym Test Kitchen and Tasting Lab for some size-altered snacks and sustenance, courtesy of the quantum tunnel. While you take in the marvel-ous details, you might catch Dr. Strange's mystical show at his Sanctum or prove to Thor you're worthy enough to lift Mjölnir.
Avengers Campus is set to house two attractions, In addition to WEB Slingers, you can look forward to the E-Ticket Quinjet Experience, expected to open with the completion of phase two. With that in mind, here is what you can expect from Disney California Adventure Park's newest district, once Tony Stark removes his construction walls.
ATTRACTIONS
WEB SLINGERS: A SPIDER-MAN ADVENTURE: Join Peter Parker and associates as they recruit you to help capture the renegade Spider-bots. You'll don “visual enhancing goggles” as you experience this dark ride inside WEB (Worldwide Engineering Brigade) Headquarters, an old Stark auto warehouse. As Peter explains his newest invention, the Spider-Bot, chaos ensues and the Bots escape. Through the use of motion mapping technology, you'll track the rogue robots and be able to shoot webbing out of your wrists, just like Spider-Man! (Marvel Comic fans may notice that Peter's two co-hosts are Doreen Green, a.k.a. Squirrel Girl, and Lunella Lafeyette, or Moon Girl).
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY MISSION BREAKOUT!: The attraction relocates from Hollywood Land to Avengers Campus. The Collector has captured Peter Quill, Gamora, and the rest of the Guardians to add to his collection. It's up to Rocket Raccoon and you to bust the ragtag space team out of confinement. Quill still holds his dance-off competition in front of the fortress. Look for daily updated entertainment schedules
The Collector's Fortress now lords over Avengers Campus. Even though the land has changed, you can still rock out to the attraction's 1980s soundtrack. Photo by Lisa Baxter.
QUINJET EXPERIENCE: Primed to be Avengers Campus' super attraction, this experience takes you on an adventure to Wakanda where you'll fight alongside the Avengers battling a mysterious and dangerous foe. Disney Imagineers have been hard at work creating the innovative concept which puts guests right in the middle of the battle.
FOODS
PYM TEST KITCHEN: Typical of Ant-Man, in his attempt of using Pym Particles to create a delicious menu worthy of his avenging friends, something has gone awry. Take a look at some of these mixed-up mouthfuls!
- Experiment No. IP42: Quantum Pretzel – A pretzel that has been enlarged by the quantum tunnel, not quite the size of Cap's shield though. It comes with mustard sauce and an IPA beer/cheese dipping sauce.
- Experiment No. EE92: Caesar Salad – Romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, Kalamata olives, pickled onions, parmesan crisp, and a giant crouton.
- Experiment No. EE10: PYM-ini – A family-sized ham, salami, and provolone panini sandwich. Or, get a slice of the PYM-ini, aptly called the Teeny PYM-ini.
- Experiment No. EE746 PB: 3 Superb Sandwich – Toasted peanut butter, banana, smoked bacon, and strawberry jelly sandwich. Top it off with a shot of banana smoothie, and vegetable-dusted potato bites.
- Experiment No. EE90: Not So Little Chicken Sandwich – The quantum tunnel has shrunk the bun but enlarged the chicken patty! Topped with teriyaki and chile sauces, also paired with potato bites.
- Experiment No. EE45: Impossible Spoonful – This plant-based pasta dish includes Impossible meatballs, both mega and micro, large and small pasta rings, while served in a giant spoon with a tiny fork.
- Experiment No. SC1: Save room for the Foot-Long Candy Bar. Yes, a FOOT LONG! Similar to a Snickers bar, this indulgent delight features chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and a brownie base. Ya, I'm eating this one solo.
PYM TASTING LAB: Decorated by Lang, the adjoining bar is adorned with a giant beer can and Christmas lights. But, it's the drink menu that will entice you. Try the “Molecular Meltdown” or “Honey Buzz” for some new tastes. Bruce Banner can even find his Pingo Doce, which is part-lime, part-vanilla, and part-Hulk.
SHAWARMA PALACE CART: Only Robert Downey Jr. can ad-lib a line and have it result in a theme park food cart. In The Avengers, after Tony Stark awakens from his space freefall, he excitedly mentions the shawarma restaurant down the street. Cue to the end credits where the six Avengers are sitting in the eatery, munching on their shawarma. Yes, RDJ improvised the line, which became a classic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shawarma Palace Cart serves up “New York's Tastiest” (chicken shawarma), and “Impossible Victory Falafel” (plant-based falafel with hummus, crusted cauliflower, and lemon tahini).
TERRAN TREATS: Almost every land in Disney California Adventure Park has a churro cart, and Avengers Campus is no exception. But in this case, the cart is owned by The Collector, Tanaleer Tivan. His churros are out-of-this-world! You can choose from two sweet selections. The Cosmic Cream Orb is a giant cream puff filled with raspberry mousse and topped with a crunchy layer. I'm going for the Sweet Spiral Rations, which are coiled then dusted with colored sugar. But the color may not match the flavor. The green churro may be butterscotch and not green apple. Only The Collector knows. The churros are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple—Infinity Stones, anyone?
MERCHANDISE
WEB SUPPLIERS: Across from WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, you'll find WEB Suppliers, home of the Spider-bot and Spider-Man light goggle eyeglasses. The techy accessories can make up to 17 different expressions. Add some web-slinger cuffs with authentic lights and sounds, and you're ready to battle Vulture or Mysterio.
You can purchase a Spider-bot in the image of your favorite characters including Hulk, Iron Man, and of course, Spider-Man. Photo by Todd Pickering.
CAMPUS SUPPLY POD: Look for Avengers Campus-themed apparel and hats at this location.
COLLECTOR'S WAREHOUSE: Once you exit Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!, you'll find yourself funneled into this merchandise shop. Here, you can find all things Marvel, including comic books, DVDs, apparel, and costumes.
ENTERTAINMENT/EXPERIENCES
AVENGERS HQ STUNT SHOW: Led by Captain America (of course), the rest of the Avengers work together to stop Taskmaster, who has the ability to mimic his foes' fighting style. A challenge easily accepted by Cap, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, and Spider-Man.
The parked quinjet adds another element to the spontaneous stunt shows atop the Avengers Headquarters. Photo MousePlanet archives.
DR. STRANGE'S SANCTUM: Dr. Strange has unlocked a mystical chamber and shares its power with the world. You are invited to interact with Dr. Strange as he showcases his magical abilities, possibly even searching for an apprentice to help him. The center of the sanctuary, the Orb of Cagliosto, comes alive at night, illuminating the Sanctum with mystical aura.
THOR AND MJÖLNIR: Near Stephen Strange's otherwordly oasis, Thor may need help lifting his mighty hammer. But, who is most worthy?
DORA MILAJE TRAINING SESSIONS: Wakanda's fiercest fighters are on the lookout for new recruits to learn the ways of T'Challa and his ancestors. Similar to Disneyland's former Jedi Training Academy, this program invites would-be warriors to train the body and mind alike.
CHARACTERS
Expect some of your favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe heroes to join in the fun at Avengers Campus.
- Captain America – Steve Rogers appears in his red, white, and blue Avengers costume. Cap can be spotted on campus saluting fans or atop the Headquarters building engaged in an epic showdown.
- Iron Man – Tony Stark welcomes guests to Avengers Campus while debuting his exclusive Mark 80 suit.
- Spider-Man – Above WEB Headquarters, you may spot your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man zinging through the air. Or is it Spidey? Avengers Campus marks the introduction of the 'stuntronic”, a Walt Disney Imagineering robotic creation that performs aerial stunts. After a few acrobatic wonders, Spider-Man finds his footing (now as a character) in front of WEB Slingers, showing off an updated costume.
- Black Widow/Captain Marvel – Look for this dynamic duo to help Cap lead the charge in the Avengers stunt show.
- Black Panther – King T'Challa is everywhere on campus. Not only is he ready to help his fellow Avengers fight threatening forces at Headquarters, but he may appear with Okoye and Dora Milaje as they recruit new trainees.
- Okoye/Dora Milaje – Wakanda's all-female soldiers lead a new instruction program for would-be warriors. Be on the lookout for these fierce fighters.
- Peter Quill/Gamora/Groot – The Guardians are present near The Collector's Fortress.
- Ant-Man/The Wasp – Yes! Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne are in the Mouse House! You'll find the pair near Pym Test Kitchen and Pym Tasting Lab.
- Dr. Strange – Strange resides at the mystic ruins in the center of campus.
- Thor/Loki – Thor makes appearances dressed in his throwback costume wearing long hair and his big-winged helmet. Look for the God of Mischief lurking near his blonde brother.
Black Widow and the Avengers jeep frequented Hollywood Land, but now you'll find her in a bigger universe surrounded by her fellow Avengers. Photo by Lisa Baxter.
When creating Avengers Campus, Disney Imagineers looked at a bigger universe than just California—Marvel Theme Park Universe, an alternate universe within the Marvel Multiverse. In addition to Disney California Adventure Park, you can channel your inner superhero at Avenger Campuses in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Avengers, get ready to assemble!
