When Disney set out to transform its iconic Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster into a Marvel-themed adventure, expectations were sky-high. Avengers Assemble: Flight Force promised a thrilling mission alongside Iron Man and Captain Marvel, drawing Marvel fans and roller coaster enthusiasts alike.
But since its debut at Walt Disney Studios Park in 2022, the ride has struggled to live up to its heroic premise, leaving many wondering if this is one attraction Disney got wrong.
The Big Issues With Avengers Assemble: Flight Force
While roller coasters aren’t Disney’s primary focus, the ones it does create tend to leave a lasting impression. Classics like Space Mountain have captivated audiences for decades, while newer attractions such as Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind have raised the bar with cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling that puts guests at the center of their favorite films.
However, Avengers Assemble: Flight Force has struggled to reach those heights. Debuting at Walt Disney Studios Park in 2022 as part of the new Avengers Campus, the ride replaced Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with a Marvel-themed adventure. Its premise, which involves helping Iron Man and Captain Marvel battle a cosmic threat, seemed thrilling on paper.
In execution, though, it left many guests disappointed.
Visitors have described the ride as “rough,” “disappointing,” and “painful,” noting a lack of the immersive details expected of Disney attractions. While its queue offers a sleek design and a show-stopping Iron Man animatronic, the ride itself feels like a generic indoor roller coaster with minimal effects to distinguish it.
Is Avengers Assemble: Flight Force Popular?
Reports suggest even Disney executives, including then-CEO Bob Chapek, were unimpressed with Flight Force, fueling rumors of a potential rework. Minor updates have been introduced since its opening, but guest responses remain lukewarm. Comparisons to Hyperspace Mountain at neighboring Disneyland Park are frequent, with many lamenting that Flight Force fails to provide a unique or memorable experience.
The data supports these criticisms. While new Disney rides typically command multi-hour wait times for years after opening, Flight Force averages just 24 minutes. During visits in late 2023, we waited as little as 15 minutes—an alarming indicator of its waning popularity just two years after its debut.
Will Disney Revamp Avengers Assemble: Flight Force?
Replacing or upgrading Flight Force wouldn’t require a complete overhaul. Some fans have proposed incorporating an AC/DC soundtrack inspired by Tony Stark’s musical tastes or using iconic tracks like “Immigrant Song” from Thor: Ragnarok (2017). These small adjustments could elevate the experience significantly.
But a revamp seems unlikely anytime soon. Walt Disney Studios Park is undergoing an extensive multi-year transformation, which includes the addition of World of Frozen, a Lion King (1994)-inspired land, and a Tangled (2010) attraction. The park will even be renamed Disney Adventure World.
With such ambitious projects underway, Disney may not prioritize revisiting a ride it launched just a year ago. That said, with Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park set to expand, there’s always hope that lessons learned from Flight Force will lead to better integration of Marvel storytelling in future attractions.
What are your thoughts on Avengers Assemble: Flight Force? Should Disney give it another shot, or is it time for something new?
