Dr. Octopus? Green Goblin? Black Cat? Nah, it's all about Spider-Bots
Good news: Spider-Man has arrived at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure. Bad news: he hasn’t quite brought his A-game. In fact, Spider-Man seems a little more tired than usual, though Tom Holland does a solid job with the pre-show leading up to the ride.
Web Slingers is an interactive dark ride with shooting elements. It’s a small mix of Toy Story Mania and MIB: Alien Attack, but it falls short of both. You move through different areas in a vehicle, stopping in front of digital screens to use your hands to shoot webs at spider-bots scattered around the scenery. While kids might get a good laugh out of it, the ride itself feels a bit disappointing. It could really benefit from more practical effects and more characters from Spider-Man’s extensive lore, leaving it feeling like a missed opportunity in the end.
What we like about Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
There are some cool touches that help set this ride apart. One of the best features is the queue, which is a treat for Marvel fans, especially those who love Tony Stark, Black Panther, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. While you won’t find Robert Downey Jr. making an appearance, there are plenty of Easter eggs related to Stark Industries, and even references to Wakandan technology can be spotted throughout the ride.
This ride is also great for video game enthusiasts. Web Slingers tracks both your personal score and your vehicle’s score, and you can compete for the top daily score. In fact, there are even plastic props sold outside for around $60 that you can wear on your arm, which boosts your score while riding Web Slingers. Yep, it's the definition of pay-to-win, but no one seems to mind too much.
It’s also a fun ride for a good laugh. You’ll be moving your arms a lot, shooting webs at digital screens, and riding with four other friends adds to the hilarity as you all get some cardio while listening to Tom Holland talk about spider-bots going on a rampage. Children particularly love it, since you can basically just wave your hands around and see stuff blowing up on screen. If our kids are having a great time and laughing, does it really matter if the environments and mechanics of the ride are a bit disappointing?
What we don’t like about Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
My main issue with this ride is that while the queue is impressive and everything is well-designed, Web Slingers could easily be reduced to a single video game screen where you shoot at stuff. It just doesn’t feel like something that belongs in a theme park, if that makes sense. For example, Islands of Adventure’s The Amazing Spider-Man ride is fantastic, with amazing practical effects and solid lore, but Web Slingers lacks that depth.
The scenarios are underwhelming, and the set pieces aren’t particularly engaging. You essentially move from one screen to the next, much like Toy Story Mania, but your fingers aren’t as precise as the guns used in that attraction. There’s also a lack of fun scenarios outside of the digital screens, meaning your vehicle simply glides through empty or dull environments.
That’s definitely a missed opportunity, especially when compared to rides like The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man or Men in Black: Alien Attack. This is another reason why practical effects and animatronics are often superior to virtual screens, especially for theme park attractions.
I know, many of the issues I mention here are also present in Toy Story Mania, so why is Toy Story Mania considered a great ride? Well, Toy Story Mania is far more charming and colorful, with different mini-games and a lot of different characters making an appearance. Plus, it uses a toy gun that’s much more precise than using your fingers as weapons.
Oh, and it doesn’t help that Web Slingers is pretty popular, with average wait times of around 50 minutes! You could ride MIB: Alien Attack four times instead of waiting in line for Spider-Man. Sorry, Spidey, I think you’re cool, but for this one, I’d rather spend time with my alien friends.
Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure FAQ
Is Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure exclusive to Disneyland in California?
No, Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure is also available at Disneyland Paris.
Is Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure scary for children?
No, it is not. The vehicle doesn’t shake too much, and there aren’t any jump scares that would be considered too scary.
What is the usual wait time for Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure?
Expect to wait around 50 minutes in line on a regular day to ride Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure.
Is Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure similar to Toy Story Mania?
Kind of. Both are shooting galleries, but in Web Slingers, you use your arms to shoot at spider-bots, while in Toy Story Mania, you use a toy gun in different mini-games.
