Disney Created Its Best Marvel Theme Park Attraction – Then Axed It Forever

In a short burst of musical fanfare, Disney created what may have been its most original Marvel theme park attraction to date—but then quietly shut it down forever.

“Rogers: The Musical,” a one-act Broadway-style production based on Captain America’s life story, debuted in the summer of 2023 at Disney California Adventure Park. It was smart, self-aware, genuinely funny, and unlike anything else in the Marvel theme park portfolio. Then, as quickly as it appeared, it vanished. Not just suspended. Not just seasonal. Gone.

The musical first made headlines as a fictional gag within Hawkeye on Disney+—a tongue-in-cheek stage show called “Rogers” briefly glimpsed during the series. What started as a post-credits punchline became a real production in June 2023, complete with an original score, choreography, and live performances at the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land.

Performed Tuesday through Saturday, the show traced Steve Rogers’ rise from scrawny recruit to full-fledged Avenger, set to soaring show tunes and featuring appearances from Peggy Carter, Nick Fury, and even Ant-Man, who famously “wasn’t there” in the Battle of New York—but showed up anyway.

A Rare Bright Spot During Marvel’s Downturn

Despite its initial run being billed as a limited-time offering, “Rogers: The Musical” earned praise from critics and fans alike for its wit, tight pacing, and sheer novelty. Many considered it a standout in Disney’s recent Marvel efforts—especially during a time when the brand was grappling with a dip in both critical and commercial momentum.

In the years following the launch of Disney+, Marvel’s expansion onto the small screen brought early hits like WandaVision, but later entries such as Secret Invasion and Ms. Marvel struggled to land with audiences. On the cinematic side, while Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) was a success, other titles like Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) were met with lukewarm reception.

Against that backdrop, “Rogers: The Musical” stood out for what it wasn’t: another CGI-heavy blockbuster or lore-heavy series. It was fun. It was self-contained. And it was executed with a level of polish that surprised even seasoned theme park fans.

Unlike much of Avengers Campus, which relies heavily on roaming characters, stunt shows, and short-format attractions, “Rogers: The Musical” delivered a complete, fully realized Marvel experience. With original songs, a clear narrative arc, and an emotional payoff, it stood apart as the only offering in the land that felt both creatively ambitious and theatrically polished—something that elevated it above the usual synergy-driven theme park fare.

The Curtain Falls—and Stays Down

“Rogers: The Musical” ultimately ended its run on August 31, 2023—and hasn’t returned since.

At the time, many assumed the show’s absence was temporary. But two years later, there’s been no sign of revival, touring version, or adaptation. It now stands as a rare experiment: a Marvel-themed attraction that didn’t rely on a complicated ride system and didn’t demand deep franchise knowledge.

Disney has never officially confirmed why it hasn’t brought the show back. Maybe it was always meant to be a one-off. Maybe the logistics of running a live musical in a theme park setting proved too costly. Or maybe, in an era of ever-tightening synergy and IP saturation, something this weird and specific just didn’t fit the long-term strategy.

Whatever the reason, “Rogers: The Musical” now lives on only in recordings and memory—a surprisingly sharp, heartfelt tribute to Steve Rogers that, for a moment, redefined what a Marvel theme park experience could be.

With Disneyland Resort set to expand Avengers Campus with two new attractions in the years ahead, there’s growing speculation that Hollywood Land could eventually be absorbed into the MCU-themed area. If that happens, there’s a chance, however slight, that Hyperion Theater may be reimagined as part of the expansion—potentially opening the door for “Rogers” to make a return. Still, nothing has been announced, and given how quickly the show was removed, it’s best not to get our hopes up.

Do you think Disney should bring “Rogers: The Musical” back to Disneyland Resort?