Credit: DisneyOne of Disney’s more divisive theme park rides has closed.
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Each Disney theme park features a wide range of rides and attractions, though only a select number of Disney resorts include Avengers Campus, a land dedicated to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The first iteration of Avengers Campus opened in 2021 at Disney California Adventure, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the iconic Anaheim theme park. Here, guests are encouraged to live out their own superhero or supervillain adventures as they come face to face with some of Marvel’s most iconic characters, such as Thor, Loki, Black Widow, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Ant-Man, and many more.
However, Avengers Campus isn’t exclusive to California. A second version opened at the Disneyland Paris Resort in France in 2022.
While the two lands are practically the same, there is one major difference: Avengers Assemble: Flight Force, a thrilling roller coaster that recently closed for refurbishment.
Disney’s Flight Force Gets Grounded
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Avengers Assemble: Flight Force closed for refurbishment on September 2. Flight Force is slated to reopen on September 7, meaning fans won’t have to go long without the attraction.
Flight Force also closed earlier this summer for a brief refurbishment.
Avengers Assemble: Flight Force is one of two major attractions at Disneyland Paris’ Avengers Campus. Flight Force launches guests into a daring mission alongside Iron Man and Captain Marvel at incredibly high speeds. A brief description of the ride is listed below:
Heroes wanted! Team up with Iron Man and Captain Marvel to help them save the world from an intergalactic threat. Board one of Stark Industries’ new hypersonic vehicles and blast off on an epic adventure full of thrilling twists and turns!
Flight Force Controversy
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The coaster features multiple inversions, making it one of the resort’s most intense attractions. However, Flight Force is far from a new ride, as the coaster is actually a retooled version of the park’s old version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an attraction guests can also find at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Flight Force has been problematic since day one, with many feeling the swap from Aerosmith to Marvel did not meet expectations.
The ride was noticeably unpopular on its opening day and has continued to be a point of contention among both fans and guests.
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Disneyland Paris announced it would be retheming Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ahead of Avengers Campus’ opening day, a decision that would prove controversial among fans. While Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster was not the most beloved ride at the resort, Flight Force did not make a strong first impression, with some feeling as though the retheme was an easy and likely cheap way to boost Avengers Campus’ offerings.
Complaints have rolled in for both Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Flight Force over the years, with some calling the Marvel coaster “rough” and even “painful.”
Multiple discussions have popped up on places like Reddit, with guests calling Flight Force “appalling.” Early reports even claimed Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro and former Disney CEO Bob Chapek were disappointed with the way Flight Force turned out.
Avengers Campus is located at the resort’s Walt Disney Studios park, which also houses several other adrenaline-pumping attractions, like The Twilight One Tower of Terror.
Have you ever visited Disneyland Paris? What’s your favorite Disney thrill ride?