Tony Stark, the eminent philanthropist and innovator, has selected Hong Kong to host Stark Expo, where he will show off his latest high-tech creations. He has also chosen the country to be Stark Industries’ Asian headquarters.
But action follows Stark wherever he goes, so he must don his powerful suit of armor and assume his character as Iron Man to fight the evil forces of Hydra above the Hong Kong skyline.
This is not a plot for a new Iron Man movie, but the story of Hong Kong Disneyland’s first Marvel-themed ride Iron Man Experience, which will open on Jan. 11, 2017.
The much-awaited attraction, which was three years in the making, will bring guests to a heroic flight with the iron-clad superhero.
“The Iron Man Experience is a unique immersive motion experience using Hong Kong as the story background for the very first time. We are proud to give local and overseas guests a different perspective and experience of Hong Kong while promoting our vibrant city to the world at the same time,” shares Hong Kong Disneyland Resort executive vice president and managing director Samuel Lau.
Iron Man Experience features flight simulators, 3D projection, surround sound and other special effects that will immerse guests in the Marvel story. The fly-through ride will also serve as a sort of Hong Kong tour as elements of the country are injected to the attraction.
“After putting on a pair of StarkVision glasses and taking off on Stark Industries’ special Expo-edition Iron Wing (which can accommodate 45 people), guests will make their way to the Hong Kong Stark Tower powered by the arc reactor and whizz alongside Iron Man through streets that resemble those in West Kowloon and downtown, and fly over iconic Hong Kong landmarks like Tsing Ma Bridge, Victoria Harbour and the city’s pristine mountain ranges,” said Disneyland Resort in a press release.
Aside from the Iron Wing ride, which is essentially a large Iron Man suit, the Iron Man Experience extends to the various exhibition halls—the Hall of Legacy, the Hall of Protection, the Hall of Energy, and the Hall of Mobility—featuring Stark’s latest and greatest products.
Other Iron Man-themed experiences were unveiled at Tomorrowland in the run up to the grand launch of the Stark Expo.
The Expo Shop offers over 70 HK Disneyland exclusive Iron Man merchandise and more than 250 Marvel memorabilia, among them collectibles and toys, glowing key chains, souvenirs as well as apparels and accessories. Some of the exclusive apparels at the shop feature Hong Kong’s postcard-perfect scenery or Stark Expo themes.
Further, Iron Man fans get to try on their favorite superhero’s armor suit in the interactive game Become Iron Man at The Stark Expo. Through interactive motion-sensing technology, guests can experience the various functions of the armor and feel what it is like to be a supehero as they fight the forces of evil.
The park and hotel restaurants, meanwhile, have prepared more than 25 Iron Man inspired food and beverage choices such as Iron Man Waffle, Iron Man stein, Iron Man desserts at Chef Mickey Buffet and Iron Man beverages served at the resort’s two hotels.
