Hanging out with a superhero

Tony Stark,  aka Iron Man, one of Marvel’s most popular heroes, jetted to the Orient recently to take up residence at Hong Kong Disneyland where he is welcoming the young and the young-at-heart on board a brand new ride for an exciting flying tour.
Launched on January 11, the Iron Man Experience became the first Marvel-themed attraction to debut at Disney Parks and boasts flight simulators, 3D projection, surround sound and other special effects that immerse guests in the story of a battle against the evil forces of Hydra.
With plenty of moves and shakes, riders will really feel like they have joined an adventure in the skies above Hong Kong alongside Iron Man.
Ted Robledo, creative director of Walt Disney Imagineering, explains that Iron Man was the first Marvel-themed character to join Disney Parks because, “He is a superhero so many people can relate to”.
Without his suits, Iron Man is just a man. As his popular fictional story goes, he is Tony Stark – the billionaire genius behind so many brilliant inventions. Hong Kong Disneyland therefore makes sure its visitors can get up close to the many innovations produced by Stark and his firm, Stark Industries, as well. 
Walking into the Iron Man Experience zone, guests first have an opportunity to explore the Stark Expo. On display here are several marvellous exhibits including Captain America’s prototype shield, the Iron Man Mark III suit, the first miniaturised Arc Reactor, the unbreakable Stark Everglass, the MyJARVIS intelligent home system, StarkVision Glasses and a collection of Iron Wings.
After a tour around the Stark Expo, it’s time to board the latest Iron Wing for the once-in-a-lifetime Iron Man Experience. With 3D glasses and well-designed immersive multi-sensory motion experiences, the adventure feels very real. 
Guests are recommended to head further to the Iron Man Tech Showcase. There, they can meet and interact with Iron Man. He is going to greet and talk to every guest with the personality that his fans are so familiar with, either from comic books or movie blockbusters. While he can’t smile for a photo, he will pose before cameras alongside every interested guest. 
Walk further out of the showcase, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by Iron Man merchandise to snap up as a memory of a great day. Here too you can play an interactive game of Becoming Iron Man. You’ll be digitally dressed in an Iron Man suit and then fight off evil. Sound cool? Definitely. Friends can look on to see how you get on with the fights. 
Polkrit Bawornkrailerd, a businessman from Thailand, was so excited about the Iron Man Experience that he made sure to be at Disneyland Hong Kong right on the day the attraction officially opened.
“I love theme parks and I am interested in this,” he told The Nation, gesturing towards the Iron Man paraphernalia.
Polkrit’s presence resonated with the encouraging feedback that Hong Kong Disneyland has received from the travel trade sector and guests since soft opening in mid-December. Of the 270 travel trade partners who attended the preview, 91 per cent believed their guests would visit Hong Kong Disneyland specifically for the new attraction.

IF YOU GO
< To round off the ultimate Super Hero experience, book a room online at Hong Kong Disneyland’s themed hotel by June 16 and you’ll save up to 35 per cent and enjoy free room upgrade with |priority admission to Iron Man Experience with an exclusive pass.
< KTC is offering various Hong Kong Disneyland products. Buy one at the upcoming Thai International Travel Fair 2017 and for every Bt1,000 spent, you get the chance to win a super VIP package to the fascinating theme park and its hotel. For more |information, check out www.KTCWorld.co.th.

(The writer travelled as a guest of KTC and Hong Kong Disneyland.)