Let’s Talk about Avengers Campus
On June 23rd, 2018, Pixar Pier opened at Disney California Adventure (DCA). Since that date, we’ve all awaited its sibling, a Marvel themed land. When Disney unveiled Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in 2017, it committed to a new vision for DCA. Half the park would celebrate Pixar, while the other half would champion Marvel. A few years later, it’s finally happened. Let’s talk about Avengers Campus, the place where all your favorite Avengers assemble.
The New Ride
Disney wasn’t about to open a new themed land without an attraction. Sure, it already had the spectacular Guardians elevator ride, but that’s not enough.
Audiences expect more from Disney. So, Imagineers embarked on a new kind of gamified ride experience, one where the person adds the motion simulation.
On WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure, you’ll feel like you’re on Toy Story Mania!, only it’s now a workout, too. Take a look at the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvY56z8huyI
That’s not your imagination. The rider pantomimes the Spider-Man action moves from the comics and movies. You’re doing the web-slinging!
You’re trying to stop robotic spiders from overrunning Avengers Campus. The Spider-Man webbing sticks them in place, preventing them from replicating.
As you “ride” WEB SLINGERS, your cart tracks your score in multiple categories, just as we’ve seen with Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
The system grades you in how well you fight and destroy the “giant bot” as well as your rescue attempt of Spider-Man.
Disney sells “WEB Tech” add-ons for the ride. The WEB Power Bands cost $29.99, but they don’t do anything on their own.
You also need a Repulsor or Web-Shooter, both of which cost $24.99. Disney has styled them after Avengers characters like Iron Man and Black Panther, too.
You may want all of them if you’re a collector. Then again, you might prefer to do it the standard way and use your hands.
Early riders noticed that the highest scores in the game definitely came from the kitted-out players, though.
Overall, people like WEB SLINGERS a lot, but nobody would confuse it with an E-Ticket attraction.
In fact, it’s pretty similar to Ant-Man & The Wasp: Nano Battle! at Hong Kong Disneyland. Kids and Avengers fans adore it, though, which is the point.
The New Restaurants
You can eat at several places at Avengers Campus. The star of the show is unmistakable, though.
Pym Test Kitchen has bewitched diners with its scientific achievements. Yes, that sounds like a weird thing to say about food, but it’s true.
The molecular gastronomy techniques on display here will challenge your expectations.
For example, some of the drinks pour upside down! Here’s a video from the Pym Tasting Lab:
Yes, that craft beer fills from the bottom, not the top! Tricks like this abound at Pym Test Kitchen, where condiments and soda cans are larger than you.
The conceit is that Ant-Man and the Wasp have used Pym Particles to build the restaurant and populate the menu.
Alas, not everything works perfectly, which is to be expected with Scott Lang involved.
Something called a Family-sized Pym-mini has garnered headlines for its size and price. It’s $100, but it serves an entire family.
Take a look at this TikTok:
Given the immaculate theming, you might expect this place to serve Table Service meals, but it’s Quick Service instead!
Other than the Pym-nini, everything on the menu costs $15.49 or less!
Of course, you can eat even cheaper if you like. Shawarma Palace serves the infamous wrap that the superheroes eat during the post-credits scene of The Avengers.
In fact, the signs here play up this fact, as a newspaper headline at the restaurant suggests that business soared after the Avengers dined there.
When you’re in the mood for a non-meat treat, order the Impossible Victory Falafel instead.
Churro fans should visit Terran Treats as well. Be careful, though. The Collector may be luring you to your doom!
The Character Interactions
For some guests, the primary appeal of Avengers Campus comes from its character interactions. Disney has upped the stakes for these.
For example, Dr. Strange puts on a show that employs teleportation special effects straight from Avengers: Endgame!
The Dora Milaje display their skills to park guests during a short presentation, too.
Attentive guests may notice Black Panther scaling the walls in the area as well. He’s not the only one, either!
Peter Parker will appear on the roof and show off some of his sweet superhero moves before disappearing for a moment.
At that point, Disney will flex its Imagineering muscle with this feat:
Attentive observers may recognize the stunt from this video:
Suffice to say that you’re watching that’s never happened in Disney history until the opening of Avengers Campus.
I’ve only scratched the surface of the character greetings, too. Ant-Man, The Wasp, the new Captain America, the old Captain America, and Black Widow appear, too.
The Taskmaster, Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Loki, and Thor are others we’ve seen already. Disney will add more over time, too.
Avengers Campus represents the West Coast home base for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and it’s worth a trip for DVC members.
Speaking of which, there’s a historical footnote here that will help you with future Disney trivia.
Californians are the only people who can visit Avengers Campus during its first 11 days in operation. Everyone else must wait until June 15th!
Looking to make a trip to Disneyland this Summer? Head over to DVC Rental Store and check our our last minute confirmed reservations. To purchase a DVC resale contract visit our partners at DVC Resale Market.
