Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro and Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman took the stage at SXSW today to present The Future of World-Building at Disney.
The showcase examined the intersection of technology and storytelling at Disney and gave fans a peek into the company’s future.
After the presentation began with glimpses into the future of Star Wars and Pixar in the Disney Parks, Marvel President Kevin Feige and Walt Disney Imagineering CCO Bruce Vaughn took the stage.
Avengers Infinity Defense
The duo previewed the Avengers Infinity Defense attraction, which was announced at last year’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
Photo: Disney
Coming to Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, the new attraction, guests wull suit up alongside the likes of Black Panther, Ant-Man, and Hulk to battle King Thanos across the Marvel universe.
Enter Robert Downey Jr.
As Feige and Vaughn prepared to introduce Stark Flight Lab, the second new attraction coming to Avengers Campus, they were surprised by Tony Stark himself!
Taking the stage to thunderous applause, Robert Downey Jr. discussed the development of the attraction and his relationship with Walt Disney Imagineering.
Photo: Getty Images for Disney
“The curiosity, the passion, the inventiveness, the occasional flair for the dramatic, most of all a drive to put something good out into the world to make life better, at the minimum more fun by a mile, ” Downey told the crowd. “It’s the privilege of a lifetime to be invited to participate.”
Stark Flight Lab
On Stak Flight Lab, guests will sit in “gyro-kinetic pods” and roll along a track. Then, they will be lifted by a robotic arm and make several high-speed Iron Man maneuvers.
Stark Flight Lab. Photo: Disney
“Transferring from a track to a robot arm and then back again. Nothing like this has ever been done before in a theme park, and we’re so excited about it,” Bruce explained. “Usually, we hide all the tech behind the scenes so you can focus on the story. Here, the tech IS the story, so we’re putting it front and center.”
When Downey first visited Walt Disney Imagineering, he noted how the new robot arm for Stark Flight Lab resembled DUM-E from the Iron Man films. The character was quickly synthesized into the attraction.
Photo: Also Disney
The actor then concluded the presentation by noting that he would continue to be involved with Walt Disney Imagineering going forward.
“Even after we finish with the Flight Lab, I want to stay with you all for the long haul,” Downey exclaimed. “This isn’t a one-time deal. You need more me.”
Downey and Vaugh. Photo: Also Disney
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