Asgard is real. I’ve been there. For reals this time guys! Not some weird delusion of playing tug of war against Thor or playing Where’s Waldo with Heimdall. I stood in the ACTUAL throne room and was greeted by the God of Thunder himself. The real trick of it all is getting used to the effects of the Bifrost, which isn’t something Midgardians are used to. It can be best described as feeling fully cooked on the outside and ice cold in the middle. Now I’m sure you are wondering how all this is possible? Disney Magic, that’s how.
Now there is some fallacy in what I may have mentioned above, but I’ll let you decide what is real. Here’s a bit of history: When Disney bought up Marvel, it was only a matter of time before people wondered when Marvel Characters would be popping up in Disney Parks. It was a fair point that had supporters on both sides. Disney is known for their synergy, good or bad, and once something belongs to them, they use it as they see fit (see Pixar and Lucasfilm/Star Wars for more of that). Detractors said that the parks are for Disney characters first and foremost, while supporters said it would revitalize parts of the park that have become relics of yesteryear. The argument was a moot though, as the success of The Avengers made it all but clear, Marvel would be represented eventually in the parks.
The first attraction (which for the uninitiated is anything at the park that draws people in and the brilliant thing is that it doesn’t have to be a ride) to open upon Disney soil was the Iron Man Tech exhibit at Disneyland. It opened in the Innoventions building in Tomorrowland, bringing life back to a much neglected area of Tomorrowland. Opening around the time of Iron Man 3, it was synergy at its finest. The exhibit was simple enough: prop suits of armor from the various Marvel films, starting with the Mark I and going to the Mark XLVII. It being a Disney attraction, the story goes that Tony Stark himself donated the armors to the exhibit, giving the people a chance to see them up close. The exhibit also has a neat armor yourself section in which you essentially wait in line to play an XBOX Kinect Iron Man game. The only thing missing was the man himself. Who wouldn’t want to meet Tony Stark? Like the Marvel films themselves, Innoventions got a Phase 2.
Right next door to Iron Man Tech opened Thor: Treasures of Asgard. Treasures of Asgard is a meet and greet experience themed as a museum exhibit. It is somewhat smaller that Iron Man Tech but has a much more immersive experience. The experience begins in line (which for me was about 45 minutes) that winds through props from Thor: The Dark World, presented as actually artifacts. The first things you come upon are the swords and shields of the Einherjar, Odin’s Guards. The detail is fantastic, with Norse imagery, rather Asgardian imagery featured among them and the swords look deadly enough.
Further along is the mace of Hogun the Grim, one of the Warriors Three. While not as fanciful as the weapons of the Einherjar, it looks as it has been through many battles.
Then there is some more wainting as the line crawls ever closer to a closed door. Every 10 or so minutes, the door opens, lets in a group of guests, then closes. After a couple minutes, music kicks in and theatric fog plumes up. All I could think was “WHAT’S BEHIND THAT DOOR!” Also at this point there is the marquee for the attraction which features Thor with a minimalist design.
Around the marquee holds more display cases. The first features the sword and shield of Lady Sif and the foil of Fandral the Dashing. Again the detail in the design work is stunning, as you never get this close to them in the film.
The last case before you come to the door holds the mighty ax of Volstagg the Voluminous. It is quite large, and looks as it has cut into many who would wish harm to the realm.
Finally the door opens and a guide lets you in. He informs you that this is all possible through the kind contributions and work of Dr. Jane Foster (I see what you did there Disney!). In the room there are more artifacts from the films.
Including Heimdall’s helmet and sword
Book of the Aether
And the centerpiece of it, Loki’s Helmet and dagger
Of course the Loki display drew the immediate attention. I know others have problems with the helmet, but I think its rad. The piece I geeked out over the most was Loki’s shackles from the end of Avengers, complete with mouth cover.
Then the guide says to step away from the walls for Bifrost transportation. Odin’s voice booms and tells you he has decided to allow Midgardians to visit Asgard due to Thor’s love of the realm. He says his son will greet us upon arrival and calls out to Heimdall to open the Bifrost. Then the music booms, the lights go out, and fog fills the room. Lights begin to flash and the music swells. The left wall opens to reveal the throne room of Asgard (which isn’t congruent with the films, but I was too busy geeking out to think about it). The sight is really quite amazing.
Thor stands at the top of the throne in full regalia, helmet, cape and all. I’ll admit I got a tad nervous. He welcomes you to his home. He says that because he visits our realm so often, it’s time for some of us to visit his. He raises Mjolnir, says it’s the only one and claims that he alone is worthy to carry it and asks if I anyone believes they are worthy. I instantly raise my hand. (DISCLAIMER: This being Disney, the adults NEVER get picked for awesome things. I have tried numerous times for the Jedi training academy. Why I thought Thor would be any different is weird, but it was worth a shot.) Thor looks around the room and not one (!) of the kids in there raises their hand. So he asks the kid closest to him if he would like to try, and the kid agrees. Thor then puts Mjolnir down in a special spot, and the kid tries his damnedest to life it. Thor laughs and tells him he is not worthy today, but in his future he might. Then Thor poses for pictures. When I finally get my turn, I bring up my mini Mjolnir I got when the first film came out. Thor shakes my hand and laughs at my Mjolnir. He says he wasn’t aware there was more than one of them (great way to stay in character when a grown man plays out a childhood fantasy). I tell him that this is mine and I am worthy of it and he says fair enough, use it wisely and to defend the realm. My wife takes my picture, then I hers and we leave to head back to Disneyland.
Me and the God of Thunder
The experience is quite something for what was supposed to be a limited engagement. I believe that due to the popularity, it will be sticking around for quite awhile. Just after I returned home, it was announced that Captain America would get a meet and greet treatment around the time of his next movie as well. So obviously Marvel characters are working quite well in Disney parks. As long as the experiences are immersive and fit in with the character, as both Iron Man Tech and Treasures of Asgard prove, they have a winning concept, which is what Disneyland had always been about. Just as they had introduced Pixar and Star Wars to the parks, Marvel just adds another tool to their bench. Now, if only they can figure out a Hulk meet and greet that doesn’t end in destruction…
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