This post is sponsored by the Disneyland Resort for Summer of Heroes. We received complimentary admission along with VIP experiences. Our thoughts, photos (unless otherwise noted) and experiences are our own.
It’s a magical Summer of Heroes at the Disneyland Resort. From Spiderman to Thor, to the Black Widow, Disneyland is every Marvel fans dream come true! We were invited to spend a fun-filled summer day with Super Heroes we won’t soon forget. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Make your own Summer Of Heroes magical memories through September 7, 2017. There’s still an entire month to get your Marvel on!
- We personally advise you download the free Disneyland Mobile App to your smart phone. This handy app provides wait times for attractions along with the best map to everywhere and everything in the parks!
- We also recommend purchasing Disney MaxPass. It is incredibly convenient and time-saving. It can be used to download unlimited Disney PhotoPass photos for a day. And, while in the Parks, it can be used to reserve digital Disney FASTPASS tickets from your mobile device. It’s pure Disney magic! And it’s all incorporated right in your Disneyland Mobile App.
Arrive early and head over to Hollywood Land. Get in line for Guardians Of The Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT or get a FASTPASS ticket at the machine and return later. Better yet, reserve a digital FASTPASS using MaxPass. The Guardians of the Galaxy building is amazing both inside and out. The former Hollywood Tower Hotel, once the home of Tower of Terror, has received a complete renovation. Seeing it up close makes you feel like you’re in another galaxy. Be ready for the ride of your life as you listen to Star-Lord’s awesome mixtape songs. (Well-known songs that take me back to my high school days!) Full disclosure: While I didn’t ride the ride (due to my head being bolted onto my neck with a silly titanium plate) I did walk the walk. The queue is filled with more sights than imaginable.
Remember those awesome rock and roll classics (high school music for me!) from the Guardians of the Galaxy films? The music you can’t help but move your body to? Well … get ready for Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! with Peter Quill and Gamora. Oh and Groot, too!
The Hero Action Center is a kiosk located near the Hollywood Backlot Stage and Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue. The Hero Action Center is a kick! You simply take a short quiz to find out your Inner Superhero. And you also get your Superhero sticker and a collectible comic book. You can use your MaxPass for a Superhero memory also! Cody was thrilled to find out his inner SuperHero is Iron Man.
The kiddos will love participating in the Avengers Training Initiative. Kennedy got her Superhero on and practiced honing her skills. But while she was learning the basic Superhero moves, there was a surprise enemy attack. She and her fellow trainees were recruited into full battle mode. She had a blast! And all the while never lost sight of Grandma’s camera. Ha!
For autographs and photos, you’re going to love an up close and personal Heroic Encounter with Captain America, Black Widow and Spider-Man. I’m telling you, they are super friendly and super accommodating without ever stepping out of character. Pure Disney magic!
How about some Superhero food? The Summer Of Heroes food is SO fun. While it’s not on the menu, you’ll find delightful Superhero themed snacks (i.e. Groot Bread, Angry Little Pudding Cup, I am Shave Ice, Gamma-Sized Donuts) and entrees (i.e. The Most Dangerous Tacos in the Galaxy, Space Outpost Tacos) at:
- Award Wieners
- Cosmic Canteen
- Knowhere Eats
- Market Place
- Schmoozies
Our favorite was the bright blue and red and oh-so-delicious Spider-Man Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich. The whole family loved them!
This little girl has been a fan of Disney Face Painting since she was itty bitty. We can’t even begin to count how many times she’s had Disney Characters painted on her sweet face. The Disney cast member artists that paint faces are incredibly talented. It was a magical day for Baby Groot and Kennedy!
Of course there’s a whole lot more to Disney California Adventure Park in addition to the exciting Summer Of Heroes. Must-sees are the Enchanted World of Color show and Frozen – Live at the Hyperion. We’ve seen our share of live action musicals on New York City’s Broadway and London’s West End. Frozen – Live at the Hyperion is right up there with the best of them! You may even find yourself singing along to the fabulous music. The theatrics are amazing and you’ll be wondering (like Cody and Kennedy): “How’d they do that?!” Don’t miss it!
Disneyland Railroad – Image credit: Disneyland
The Summer Of Heroes may be the highlight at Disney California Adventure Park. But there’s a lot of pixie dust being sprinkled at Disneyland too! After being on hiatus for more than a year, The Disneyland Railroad is up and running again. There’s new scenery and … are you ready? A left-hand turn! That’s right. For the first time ever, the Disneyland Railroad turns to the left on part of it’s trip around the park! New sights, several new trestles elevated above the river, and a left turn. It’s a whole new experience!
The Mark Twain is on the river again, too. Cruise in riverboat fashion along the new north bank of the Columbia Gorge. View the new beautiful waterfront and five sparkling waterfalls. Five! How magical is that?
Fantasmic – Image credit: Disneyland
Fantasmic is also back at Disneyland for a limited time. This is another magical show with fireworks, music and live action. I wish you could have seen our 14-year old Cody’s face when the life size pirate ship sailed by. Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew were wielding their swords while swinging about the ship and over the water. Cody was mesmerized and oh so delighted. So, are you ready for a Summer Of Heroes? Who is your favorite Marvel Superhero?
David says: An action-packed, fun-filled day that had something for everyone!
Cathi says: The Summer Of Heroes is magical. The grandkids loved interacting with their superheroes. It was a delightful day!
Cody says: You have got to ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! It’s a huge adrenaline rush!
Kennedy says: My favorite part of the day was watching Fastasmic. It’s full of magic and you’re going to love it!
~ The Nitty Gritty
What: Disneyland Resort
Why: Summer Of Heroes
When: July 29, 2017
Who: David, Cathi, Cody and Kennedy
Where: Disneyland Resort
Phone: (714) 781-4636
Website: Disneyland
Debra says
Soooo jealous! In all the times I have visited, I’ve never run into Oswald! I try so hard to find him by the entrance!
Summer of Heroes is amazing…best to go there early (donuts sell out fast!!) 🙂
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
My kids would love that! They are the biggest Disney and Marvel fans in the universe.
Jeanette says
We would love to do this! Our kiddos are SO into superhero’s. We have been saving our money to go there and this would be the perfect time to go!
Amy Desrosiers says
Wow does this look so fun! I would love to explore with my family of 5 too!
Connie says
This looks like so much fun! My grandkids would love this. Looks like a Disney trip is in my near future.
robin rue says
This SO makes me wish I had a trip to the west coast planned this summer. It sounds like so much fun.
Liz Mays says
How cool! I love that some of the big Marvel Heroes are there for the kids to take pictures with! I’m definitely loving the superhero food options.
Kelly Hutchinson says
Both of my kids are both into Super Heros. They would absolutely love this!
kristin says
Fun, there’s always so much fun to be had at Disneyland! I love all the themed food!
Claudia Krusch says
My Son would be so excited to go to the Summer Of Heroes at the Disneyland Resort. I was hoping to go before winter. I would love to be able to surprise him with the trip.
reesa says
This looks so fun! I hope one day to get to DisneyLand!
krystal says
We are Disney World passholders so it is a DREAM of mine to head to the west coast and check out Disneyland! It looks like a fun summer event.
Sinisa says
This is beyond awesome. My kids would love it. We visited The World. Land is next
Tara says
There is always so much to see and do at Disneyland. It sounds like everyone had a grand ole time.
Sarah says
What a fun trip! I really want to take the kids to Disney, they’d have a blast. Thanks for sharing your experience.