The History of Summer of Heroes at Disney California Adventure: Disney Parks History

Disney Parks History

Summer of Heroes Arch Hollywoodland Disney California Adventure Disneyland

Disney California Adventure, whenever it fully reopens, is set to get the first full land themed based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the Disney Parks, Avengers Campus. But Marvel has been a part of the park for a few years now, first appearing in the park with the dual additions of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout, and Summer of Heroes.

The Summer of Heroes was a temporary festival that came to the park to celebrate the infusion of Marvel into the park, operating through the first summer of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout. As Disney can't use the name Marvel in their theme parks, they instead used this event to celebrate superheroes more generally.

Summer of Heroes Disney California Adventure Sign Disneyland Esplanade

While mainly limited to one section of the park, the entrance of Disney California Adventure got a special sign for the celebrations.

Captain America in Hollywoodland Disneyland Disney California Adventure

The festival, located primarily in Hollywoodland, which at the time was the home of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout, filled the park with not only the Guardians of the Galaxy, but also the Avengers.

While Captain America and Spiderman had meet and greets in the land that predated the festival, they would be joined by even more characters who would make appearances of varying kinds throughout the day.

The stage in the land got a Jedi Training Academy style show featuring Marvel characters.

Hawkeye Character Marvel Disney California Adventure Disneyland

Black Widow and Hawkeye ended up appearing in organized meet and greets as part of the festival, marking their first appearance on this scale in the park.

There was also an interactive exhibit set up in Hollywoodland where you could take a quiz to figure out what superhero is most like you. You would then get a free Marvel sticker of your character and a comic book featuring the new Disney ride that towered over the land.

Thor Character Summer of Heroes Disney California Adventure Disneyland

You could also find Thor wandering the land greeting guests. This gave the land its only wandering character, which always provides great energy and life to any section of a Disney Park.

Guardians of The Galaxy Mission Breakout Hollywoodland Disney California Adventure Disneyland

The reason for this celebration, Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout, was the star of this summer festival, with the Guardians of the Galaxy finding a permanent home in the park.

Many of the offerings of the Summer of Heroes were not the best things Disney had ever offered, but they didn't need to be. They were meant to help usher in the era of Marvel at the park, and that is exactly what they did.


The Guardians became a permanent part of the park, with multiple characters appearing daily in the parks on top of a show, and attraction being based on the characters.

The ride transformed a Disney classic attraction into something entirely new that became one of the resort's most popular attractions.

Thor Character In Hollywoodland Disney California Adventure Disneyland

Marvel characters became a permanent part of Disney California Adventure in Hollywoodland with this festival, and will surely transition over to Avengers Campus when the park is able to safely reopen at some point in the future.

Captain America Character Hollywoodland Disney California Adventure Disneyland


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