YOU CAN HOLD HANDS WITH IRON MAN

Hong Kong Disneyland revamps itself with a new Iron Man-themed attraction that even Daddy will look forward to. ELISA CHIA was at the launch.

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Hong Kong Disneyland revamps itself with a new Iron Man-themed attraction that even Daddy will look forward to. ELISA CHIA was at the launch.
Who’s your favourite Disney character? Mickey Mouse, Lightening McQueen and Olaf would be among the top contenders, if you asked my four-year-old son.
But a recent trip to Hong Kong Disneyland changed that. It’s now… Iron Man.
So there we were in January, at the official launch of Iron Man Experience, the first Marvel-themed ride at any Disney Park around the world (Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009).
It’s a surreal feeling walking past the dreamy and iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, then into Tomorrowland, where the dynamic new attraction is located.
Ted Robledo, creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering, told us that his team took three years to come up with it – with input and blessings from the superhero’s creator, Stan Lee. They will continue to build on the action-packed universe of Marvel at the park, but declined to divulge who Mickey’s new neighbour might be.
Meanwhile, here’s what you should know about the three main parts of the Iron Man-themed attraction.
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1 YOU’LL HAVE ACCESS TO NEVER-BEFORESEEN PROTOTYPES
So, the story is that Tony Stark (or, Iron Man) has selected Hong Kong Disneyland’s Tomorrowland to host the new Stark Expo and showcase the latest high-tech creations of Stark Industries.
Fans of the superhero will find prototypes of various Iron Man armoured suits, the first miniaturised Arc Reactor, the unbreakable Stark Everglass, the MyJarvis intelligent home system, and a collection of Iron Wing flight vehicles (pictured above).
This exhibition area is where you while away time as you queue for a 4½-minutelong simulator ride.
After putting on a pair of StarkVision glasses and fastening your seat beat, you’re ready for takeoff on a 45-seat vehicle to speed alongside Iron Man.
You’ll “fly” across streets that resemble those in West Kowloon and downtown, and over iconic Hong Kong landmarks like the Tsing Ma Bridge, Victoria Harbour, and the city’s mountain ranges.
Caught off guard, my four-year-old went as white as a sheet after the highadrenaline, bumpy adventure.
Tugging at my sleeve, he whispered: “So fast, so scary!” His expression was priceless.
Kids need to be at least 102cm tall to take this ride; those under the age of seven must be accompanied by a guest aged 16 years or above.
2 YOU CAN HOLD HANDS WITH IRON MAN
Expect another meandering queue at the Iron Man Tech Showcase, but it’s worth the wait if you’re a huge fan.
You’ll be ushered into a room in small groups, where a Stark Industries representative entertains you with secrets of Iron Man’s technology. It doesn’t quite matter if you don’t understand her lively commentary in Cantonese – you’re there for the superhero’s dramatic entrance.
Everyone in our group got to take photos with him, one by one. He even reached out to hold my little one’s hand!
3 YOU CAN BECOME IRON MAN
Thanks to motionsensing technology, you can pick one of four armoured suits and transform into Iron Man (pictured, top). My son enjoyed this so much, he joined the line three times to “fight” evil forces on the Hong Kong streets, which serve as a backdrop.
There is no height or age limit for this 35-second-long interactive game, which is cleverly located inside the Expo Shop. The latter stocks more than 250 Marvel-themed memorabilia items, ranging from T-shirts to toys and candy containers. I succumbed to my son’s pleas and bought an Iron Wing replica (HK$155, or S$28).
Besides all that shopping, you can take home a memento package (HK$98) featuring a digital photo collage and a digital download of your transformation video.
A one-day Disneyland ticket for adult costs HK$589, and HK$419 for children aged three to 11. Find out more at www.hongkongdisneyland.com
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