Iron Man Experience, Disney Parks' First-Ever Marvel-Themed Ride, Opens at Hong Kong Disneyland on January 11

"We are always pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation so that our guests can step into the magical worlds of their favorite stories and meet their most beloved characters," said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We're thrilled to be adding the high-tech, action-packed universe of Marvel to Hong Kong Disneyland, and we'll continue building on it as we move into the next phase of expansion."

With the new addition of Iron Man Experience, Hong Kong Disneyland further strengthens its role as one of the premier tourist destinations in Asia and a key driver for Hong Kong's competitiveness as a must-visit tourism destination in Greater China and Asian markets featuring a popular and iconic character beloved by Marvel fans in the region.

Anchoring a unique storyline, the eminent innovator and pioneer Tony Stark has selected Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disneyland to host Stark Expo, where he will show off his latest high-tech creations in various exhibition halls – the Hall of Legacy, the Hall of Protection, the Hall of Energy and the Hall of Mobility. Guests will be among the first to explore Tony Stark's latest innovations up close and fly in a gravity-defying Iron Wing flight vehicle in Iron Man Experience. He has also made Hong Kong the Asia headquarters of Stark Industries hereafter.

The new attraction takes guests on the epic adventure of a lifetime as they join Iron Man in a battle against Hydra across the city of Hong Kong. Guests will make their way to the Hong Kong Stark Tower powered by the arc reactor and whizz alongside Iron Man through streets that resemble those in West Kowloon and downtown, and fly over iconic Hong Kong landmarks like Tsing Ma Bridge, Victoria Harbour and the city's pristine mountain ranges.

It's an experience that will continue to broaden the overall appeal of Hong Kong Disneyland to everyone who visits the park.

The opening of Iron Man Experience continues a period of growth at Hong Kong Disneyland with more on the way in the months ahead. A third resort hotel, Disney Explorers Lodge, will open later in the first half of the year.

The resort recently celebrated its 10^th Anniversary with brand-new popular experiences. Between 2011 and 2013, it launched three themed areas – Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point, growing the size of the park by almost 25%.

The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government recently unveiled proposed plans for additional Marvel experiences at the park in the years ahead as part of an expansion that would include an all-new Frozen-themed land and a transformed Castle and Hub area, which, if approved, will take the very best of Disney and telling stories in new ways first in Hong Kong.

About Walt Disney Parks and Resorts:
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where dreams come true. More than sixty years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling. His vision now includes a collection of six of the world's leading family vacation destinations – Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, located on Lantau Island; and Shanghai Disney Resort, Pudong New District, Shanghai, China. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club; Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world's most popular destinations; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions.

SOURCE Walt Disney Parks and Resorts