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Iron Man Experience

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Iron Man Experience
Hong Kong Disneyland
AreaTomorrowland (2017–2024)
Stark Expo (2024–present)
StatusOperating
Soft opening date16 December 2016; 7 years ago (2016-12-16)
Opening date11 January 2017; 7 years ago (2017-01-11)[1]
Ride statistics
Attraction type3-D Motion simulator
ManufacturerThales Training & Simulation
DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
ThemeIron Man
Capacity2,036 riders per hour
Vehicle typeMotion simulator
Riders per vehicle45
Duration4:30
Height restriction102 cm (3 ft 4 in)
SponsorAIA Group
HostWendy Wong (Elizabeth Pan)
Must transfer from wheelchair

Iron Man Experience (Traditional Chinese: 鐵甲奇俠飛行之旅) is a 3-D motion simulator attraction in Tomorrowland at Hong Kong Disneyland, which opened on 11 January 2017. The attraction is based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe character Iron Man, becoming the first Disney attraction to be based on a Marvel property.[2] The attraction is located at the park's Tomorrowland section, in an area named "Stark Expo", adjacent to Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.[3] Set a few years after the 2010 New York Stark Expo,[4] Tony invites the visitors aboard the Iron Wing for a tour of Hong Kong, including the newly constructed Stark Tower.[5][6] However, Hydra launches an attack on the city, led by Dr. Arnim Zola, forcing Tony to don the Iron Man armor and fight the menace alongside the Iron Wing.[6][7]

Summary

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Queue

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Guests enter the Stark Expo, where they learn the history of Howard Stark, the founder of Stark Industries, before meeting current president Tony Stark, who is introducing a new invention known as the "Iron Wing".[6] In the queue, guests experience the history of Stark Industries through inventions by Howard Stark, and into the present day, where Tony Stark is inspiring his team of scientists and engineers to make our lives better, more convenient and safer through technology.

Ride

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The ride begins with J.A.R.V.I.S. flying guests out of Hong Kong Disneyland to see the Hong Kong Stark Tower. He then realizes that Hydra is using giant robots to try and steal the Arc Reactor on the tower, and calls Tony Stark for help. Tony (voiced by Mick Wingert) arrives to attack the Hydra robots and attempts to fly Jarvis and the guests back to the Expo. He then knocks down three Hydra robots for Jarvis to shoot. The street then collapses under the guests, and are saved from falling into the water by Tony.

A larger Hydra robot is about to steal the Arc Reactor as Jarvis calls upon more Stark pods. The pods then go inside the robot as the Hydra robots try to defend it. A giant core activates its arm and attempts to attack, but the pods are unable to destroy it. Tony then destroys the robot and congratulates the guests for being heroes, but the power on the guests' vehicle begins to fail and Jarvis begins to fall. Jarvis grapples to Tony who flies them back to Hong Kong Disneyland with the Iron Man Mark 45 armor (from Avengers: Age of Ultron). He finally thanks the guests, but Dum-E blinds the guests and ends the experience.

History

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Iron Man tech showcase entrance.
Iron Man Experience construction site.

Discussions of creating Marvel attractions at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' theme parks began in 2009, with The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Marvel Entertainment. In his 2013-14 budget speech, Hong Kong's financial secretary John Tsang announced that a new nighttime parade as well as a themed area featuring characters from the Marvel Universe would be built in Hong Kong Disneyland.[8][9] On 8 October 2013, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Thomas O. Staggs announced that Hong Kong Disneyland would be adding the Iron Man Experience.[2] Walt Disney Imagineering designed the attraction and Industrial Light & Magic created the computer-generated visual effects.[10] Due to the construction of Iron Man Experience, Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad was suspended from 17 February 2014, until 29 June 2015, and the Fastpass service of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters was suspended until late 2016. Testing for the ride began in May 2016.[11] The attraction is estimated to have a cost of $100 million and employs a newer generation model of the Advanced Technology Leisure Application Simulator, currently used in Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.[7]

The ride opened near an interactive "Become Iron Man" experience in Expo Shop, which includes themed merchandise and a character greeting with Iron Man.[11] On 31 March 2019, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle! opened in the nearby S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion. Following the announcement, Hong Kong Disneyland announced that the attractions are now part of the Stark Expo area.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Smith, Thomas (11 November 2016). "Opening Date Set for Iron Man Experience, Hong Kong Disneyland's Marvel-Themed Ride". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b Chu, Karen (8 October 2013). "Hong Kong Disneyland to Open 'Iron Man' Experience in 2016". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  3. ^ Yung, Chester (8 October 2013). "Iron Man to Join Hong Kong Disneyland". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  4. ^ Davis, Brandon (8 November 2016). "A Look Inside Of Hong Kong Disney's Iron Man Experience Ride". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  5. ^ Tribou, Richard (7 November 2016). "Iron Man Experience ride at Hong Kong Disneyland gets open date". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Glover, Erin (16 August 2015). "Iron Man to Appear at Hong Kong Disneyland; New Details Unveiled for Iron Man Experience". Disney Parks Blog. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  7. ^ a b Barnes, Brookes (8 October 2013). "To Lift Hong Kong Park, Disney Deploys Iron Man". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  8. ^ Ng, Jeffrey (27 February 2013). "Hong Kong's Disneyland to Get Marvel Superheroes". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  9. ^ Tsang, John (27 February 2013). "The 2013-14 Budget - Promoting Tourism Industry". Hong Kong Government.
  10. ^ "Soarin' With Parks and Resorts at D23 EXPO 2015". Disney D23. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  11. ^ a b Smith, Thomas. "Ride Tests Begin for Iron Man Experience at Hong Kong Disneyland". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on 1 June 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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