Iron Man Experience
| Iron Man Experience | |
|---|---|
| Park | Hong Kong Disneyland |
| Land / area | Tomorrowland / Stark Expo |
| Type | 3-D motion simulator |
| Opened | January 11, 2017 |
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Height req. | 102 cm |
| Status | Operating |
Iron Man Experience is a 3-D motion simulator attraction in Tomorrowland at Hong Kong Disneyland. Guests visit the Stark Expo, board an Iron Wing flight vehicle, and join Iron Man for an aerial tour of Hong Kong that turns into a battle against Hydra. It opened on January 11, 2017, becoming the first attraction at a Disney park based on a Marvel property.[1][2]
Presented by AIA at opening, the attraction was deliberately rooted in its host city. Rather than transplanting a New York story, Imagineering and Marvel built an original adventure around Hong Kong itself, with the Hong Kong Stark Tower and the city's skyline as central landmarks.
History
Talk of Marvel attractions at Disney parks began after Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, but Hong Kong was the first resort to announce one. On October 8, 2013, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Thomas O. Staggs confirmed that the Iron Man Experience was in development for Hong Kong Disneyland.[3] Walt Disney Imagineering designed the attraction, with Industrial Light & Magic creating computer-generated visual effects.
The ride was originally expected in 2016 and held sneak previews from December 23, 2016, to January 8, 2017, following a soft opening in mid-December. Its grand opening took place on January 10, 2017, ahead of the public opening on January 11.[4]
In November 2016 the resort had already announced that part of Tomorrowland would evolve into a Marvel-themed Stark Expo area as part of a multi-year expansion. Iron Man Experience was its first phase, and it quickly became one of the park's most popular attractions.
Experience
The queue is a walk through the Stark Expo exhibition halls, displaying Stark Industries technology past and present, including an Iron Man Mark III suit. Tony Stark's premise is that Expo guests will test the newest Iron Wing on a sightseeing flight, with J.A.R.V.I.S. assisting.
Once seated and wearing 3-D glasses, guests lift off for a tour over Hong Kong. Hydra forces attack, targeting the Hong Kong Stark Tower and its arc reactor, and Iron Man arrives to fight them off with the Iron Wings caught in the middle of the action. The flight dives between buildings and over the harbour before the threat is defeated and the vehicles return to the Expo.
The simulator uses a newer generation of the Advanced Technology Leisure Application Simulator system also used by Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, combining a motion cabin with 3-D projection, surround sound, and in-cabin effects.[3] Riders must be at least 102 cm tall.[5]
See also
- Hong Kong Disneyland
- Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!
- Star Tours