{Consideration provided by the Disneyland Resort for Summer of Heroes}
My son donned his Spider-Man shirt and brushed up on his web-slinging skills in anticipation of our immersion in all-things superheroes last week at the Disneyland Resort. Summer of Heroes is going on right now for a limited time at Disneyland, through September 10th, 2017. You don’t want to miss your chance to join Star-Lord and Gamora in an Awesome Dance off, take a selfie with your favorite superhero, and get your sourdough fix with Groot-shaped Jalapeno Cheddar Bread.
This summer, Disneyland wants you to “Hero Up” with a variety of exciting experiences. From learning what it takes to become become one of “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” to helping Rocket rescue the Guardians of the Galaxy, here are 5 ways to embrace your inner superhero at Disneyland.
- Train to become a superhero. If you want to become a superhero, you have to train with the best. My little recruits assembled with Black Widow and Hawkeye to learn the skills and techniques necessary to defeat the evil Arnim Zola. Self defense from the pros? Check! My kids took their training seriously…so much so that my son came downstairs the other night donning his superhero cape and wielding his Captain America shield. Avengers Training Initiative is part of the Disneyland Resort’s limited-time Summer of Heroes Entertainment and takes place on the Hollywood Backlot throughout the day. My kids learned defense and attack maneuvers from Black Widow and Hawkeye and then put those skills to the test during this experience. At the end of their training, they each received a special Avengers Training Initiative security clearance. Avengers Training Initiative is performed at the Hollywood Backlot Stage in Hollywood Land. Children ages 6-12 can participate and advanced registration (on a first come, first-served basis) is required. Performance times can be found on the entertainment schedule or via the Disneyland app.
- Instagram-worthy heroic encounters. “My selfie is cooler than yours” becomes a reality when aspiring heroes strike a pose with Spider-Man or share a salute with Captain America. Bring your autograph book and snap a selfie while you glean insight on saving the world from New York’s finest. Black Widow can be found at the Hollywood Backlot interacting with families in her Avengers Armored Transport vehicle. And don’t miss your chance for the most awesome Groot selfie in the galaxy, located adjacent to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Daily appearance times for each superhero can be found using the Disneyland app.
- Discover your inner superhero. One of my kids’ favorite experiences was learning their unique heroic qualities at the Hero Action Center. Open through September 10th, 2017, this pop-up experience encourages families to take a quiz to discover their inner superhero. Kids receive a sticker and a collectible comic book and can take a photo while making a pledge to become a real-life superhero.
- Help Rocket save the Guardians of the Galaxy. The infamous galactic team of superheroes have been held captive in glass cases by The Collector. Your job is to help Rocket break the Guardians of the Galaxy out, to the sound of Star-Lord’s awesome mixtape. The new ride, which debuted in May and replaced its predecessor Tower of Terror, is nothing short of awesome.
Filled with irreverent humor, the most awesome music mix in the galaxy, and your favorite team of superheroes, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is a thrill you’ll want to experience over and over. In fact, we did just that, thanks to our Disneyland MaxPass FASTPASS. My kids finally mustered up the courage to board the gantry lift in order to rescue the Guardians. While there were sufficient screams and death grips to question whether or not I had broached the ride too soon, my daughter immediately asked to ride again and my son declared Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! his new favorite ride. “You like it even more than Space and Thunder?” “WAY more!” He’s now graduated to expert Disneyland status.
- Show off your best dance moves. Don’t underestimate the awesomeness of “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” Star-Lord breaks out his boom box to get this dance party started with classics from the ’60s and ’70s including “ABC” by The Jackson 5 and Come and Get Your Love by Redbone. Gamora and Groot join Quill as they show off their moves while inviting guests to join this epic dance party.
After you rock the dance floor, get in line for your “I am Groot” selfie (we found that this was when the line was shortest).
Eat like a Superhero!
After you’ve worked up an appetite saving the world, head to one of seven locations serving up heroic foods and beverages. Many of these dishes and drinks reflect the bold personalities of your favorite superheroes. Here is a brief overview of the heroic food lineup and where to find each item.
- Award Wieners: Quiver of Funnel Cake Fries with mango and raspberry coulis and whipped cream, Angry Little Pudding Cup inspired by baby Groot (funnel cake fries, chocolate pudding with crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies, and whipped cream).
- Bifrosties: Shaved ice varieties include Spinal Fluid (Banana, mango coulis and chili-lime spice), Spider Venom (Blue raspberry and cherry with condensed milk), Smash Ice (Lime and grape), Whistle Blue (Lime, blue raspberry and blue sugar), I am Shave Ice (Root beer and vanilla) and Ice Reactor (Strawberry and banana)
- Cosmic Canteen: Cosmic cocktails include Be Brave, Be Blue (UV Blue Raspberry Bombsicle), Singulari-Tea (Rum Island Ice Tea), Lemon Lightning (Titan IPA and lemonade), and Blasted Lemonades (Vodka with choice of lemonade). Breakout Beverages include Krylorian Koolers (Non-alcoholic strawberry or watermelon lemonade). The venue also serves up Battle Brews, Nectars (wine) and Jalapeño-Cheese Groot-Shaped Bread.
- Fairfax Market: Groot-shaped “I am bread” available in sourdough or jalapeño cheddar.
- Knowhere Eats: The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy inspired by Gamora (Barbacoa beef tacos with green onion slaw, purple cabbage, pickled onions, habanero salsa and green tortillas with a vegetarian option), Obviously Nachos (Fried blue corn tortillas with red pepper cheese sauce, mojo-marinated chicken, chipotle crèma and green onions with a vegetarian option), Space Outpost Tacos (Chicken street tacos with chopped cilantro and onions with a vegetarian option), Mythic Michaelada (Sol-Horchata, Hot Flare Jalapeño Margarita, Solar Flare Watermelon Margarita).
- Schmoozies: Gamma-Sized Donuts (blackberry and black currant filling weighing in at 1 pound), All-American Doughnut (apple filling and streusel topping), Spider Bite (frosted cinnamon donut), Local Favorite (Groot-themed maple cream and bacon donut), and Friendly Neighborhood Macaron (vanilla ice cream sandwich with macarons), Infinity-Ade (lavender lemonade with a light-up glow cube), Terra-Berry, Rocket Fuel (mocha), Mango Mayhem, and Strawberry Banana Breakout smoothies.
- Studio Catering Co.: Super Hero Sized Sub (Peppered salami, Capocollo, Mortadela, Provolone Cheese, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini and pickled onion on a hoagie roll, topped with red wine vinaigrette), Promising Future Falafel Pita (Chickpea fritters with pickled red cabbage, yellow bell peppers and charmoula sauce), Savory Strength Falafel Pita (Chickpea Fritters with spinach, cucumber mint slaw and spiced yogurt sauce), The Milano (Fanta orange freeze with blue cream), Cherry Necroblaster (Cherry Coca-Cola Freeze), Multiverse Parfait (Chocolate cake layered with white and dark chocolate mousse and cherry jelly, topped with chocolate ganache).
Take home a heroic souvenir!
The Disneyland Resort is your go-to for heroic apparel and gifts to commemorate your visit. I personally recommend visiting the warehouse when you exit Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! for retro-inspired apparel, toys and games from the ’70s and ’80s (mini arcade games, light-up toys), and one of four plushes packaged in a vitrine case from The Collector’s personal collection. My favorite? Howard the Duck in which I have now officially dated myself.
Summer of Heroes is going on right now at the Disneyland Resort through September 10th, 2017. For additional information visit Disneyland.com.
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