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In 2001, Disneyland Resort received its biggest expansion since 1955, the opening of Disney California Adventure Park. Disney built a gorgeous esplanade and guests could walk from Disneyland Park to California Adventure in a matter of seconds. Disneyland Resort was finally complete (for now), since earlier that year, the Downtown Disney District had also opened. Guests visiting The Happiest Place on Earth now had two theme parks to enjoy, along with a great shopping and dining area.
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Less than one year after DCA opened, a new land opened in the new park. A Bug’s Land was themed after the iconic 1998 Pixar film, A Bug’s Life, and featured several attractions that were fun for younger visitors. Of course, adults could enjoy the area, but it was perfect for young children.
A Bug’s Land featured the beloved 3D show “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!”, as well as Flik’s Flyers, Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train, Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, and Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies. There was also a water play and splash pad area called Princess Dot Puddle Park, which helped many kids cool down on a hot Southern California day.
Credit: D23
At the 2017 D23 Expo, held just outside Disneyland, Disney officials announced that Bug’s Land would be closing and Disney would be opening a first-of-its-kind Avengers Campus. A Bug’s Land officially closed in 2018 and Avengers Campus opened in 2021, after a year-long delay because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Avengers Campus was announced, Disney hyped up the fact that there would be some truly amazing attractions. However, when the opening finally happened, there was only one new attraction.
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Related: VIDEO: Guest Captures a Rare Glitch In the Disney Magic In Avengers Campus
Tower of Terror had been transformed into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in 2017, so the only new ride was WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. For months, guests heard nothing about the promised E-Ticket attraction, but then, in 2023, then-Disney CEO Bob Chapek promised that a new Avengers ride was on the way.
Unfortunately, it looks like Disney is determined to strangle Avengers Campus before the new attraction even opens.
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With so few rides in the new land, one of the biggest selling points was the shows and superhero interactions. Guests could watch an incredible Spider-Man robot fly through the air and even do a flip. There was also a show called Doctor Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts, along with Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje.
Now, one of those shows has been canceled completely, and the other one has seen its performances cut by more than 20%. Mysteries of the Mystic Arts is set to end on June 22 and Warriors of Wakanda will not perform most days through at least July, even though summer is peak season.
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That is leaving Avengers Campus with almost nothing. Two rides, two shows, one quick-service location — Pym’s Test Kitchen –, and the Shawarma Cart. However, guests can still meet some of their favorite superheroes, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Scarlett Witch, and Shang-Chi.
What makes this particularly frustrating is that it is more expensive than ever to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. A one-day ticket to visit a weekend can run you $194 for ONE DAY. And that might not seem like the best value to visit a new land that has most of its shows canceled or cut back, along with just two rides.
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Related: CONFIRMED Disney Cutting Popular Attractions During Peak Season
A Bug’s Land was always full of fun things to do, along with plenty of shade to escape the heat. Avengers Campus, on the other hand, is slowly just becoming a disappointment.
Disney is currently hard at work planning for the start of DisneylandForward, a huge expansion project for the resort. Disney is planning on expanding California Adventure and building a third theme park. So, it makes sense that they might be considering cutting back spending on certain areas of Disneyland and DCA.
Credit: Disney
Related: Disneyland Needs to Cut Its Ticket Prices
But why would they cut from an area that already offers so little as it is?
If Disney wants Avengers Campus to be a success, they have to stop taking away the few options it has. And if they want guests to spend nearly $200 for one day at the parks, they have to make the land a place that people want to go.
So, we have to make one declaration. Disney, please stop spending LESS on Avengers Campus and start investing MORE in the area, since it desperately needs it.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and may not reflect the views of Disney Dining as a whole.
Do you think Disney is failing when it comes to Avengers Campus? Let us know in the comments!
