One can only imagine what it would be like to be strolling down the street at Disney’s California Adventure Park and stumbling upon six of the Avengers, just weeks before the release of Avengers: Endgame. For a few lucky fans, that is exactly what happened this morning. Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johanssen, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner almost seemed to appear out of nowhere at the park, blowing the minds of fans who were in the right place at the right time.
It turns out that there was a surprise event to announce the launch of the Avengers Universe Unites – a wonderful new charity movement created by Disney/Marvel. The Walt Disney Company Chairman and CEO Robert Iger was the MC for the short event which took place in the street in front of the Hyperion Theater. This epic charity event supports the Walt Disney Company’s signature philanthropic commitment, Disney Team of Heroes, which delivers comfort and inspiration to seriously ill children around the world.
More than $5 million was donated to nonprofits supporting children with critical illnesses, including $1 million in cash from Disney to Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Amazon, Hasbro, Funko and The LEGO Group together more than $4 million in Avengers: Endgame toys and products combined, which will be sent to hundreds of children’s hospitals throughout the country, as well as to Give Kids the World, a nonprofit resort in central Florida
Iger stated that “The superheroes in Avengers personify traits like courage, perseverance, bravery and hope – the same traits countless kids and their families in children’s hospitals exhibit every day. We are grateful to have the Avengers cast take time out of their day to be a part of this effort to lift spirits and bring comfort to children during a difficult time.”
The six Avengers were joined by Kids from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Anaheim and Garden Grove at The LEGO Store in Downtown Disney, where they were treated to a visit by Amazon’s Treasure Truck stocked with Avengers: Endgame toys, including Hasbro action figures, Iron Man MK50 robots by UBTECH, and Funko POP! vinyl figures.
“Nobody understands magical experiences better than Disney, and we’ve been proud to partner with them in bringing those experiences to kids in children’s hospitals for more than 20 years,” said Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children’s Foundation. “From delivering hospital care packages, to storytelling through Starlight Xperience virtual reality, to our recent Disney-themed Starlight Gowns, millions of seriously ill children have benefited from our amazing relationship together. And with this donation, even more kids will get to experience the magic of Disney.”
Renner later posted a video of himself, Hemsworth, Rudd and Johanssen on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout ride.
Social media was instantly abuzz, with lucky fans sharing photos and videos of the event. It looks like some very lucky little super heroes got plenty of high fives from The Avengers today at Disney’s California Adventure.
