It’s National Superhero Day: Celebrate the superhero in all of us

Superheroes fill our imagination. Whether it’s movie magic or everyday deeds. On National Superhero Day, why not celebrate the superhero in all of us.

April 28 is National Superhero Day. Created by Marvel Comics employees in 1995, the day celebrates superheroes. From amazing feats of strength to keen mental ability, superheroes possess many enviable traits. Many of us wish we could fly like Superman, crush enemies like Hulk or outmaneuver evil like Iron Man. While many of these feats are just fictional, superhero fans don’t have to be left to just their imagination. It’s time to leave the movie theater seat and do more.

National Superhero Day celebrations, photo provided by Visit Orlando

Superheroes have become such an integral part of pop culture, and superhero experiences can be found everywhere. One of the most predominate places to emulate your favorite superheroes is at a theme park. From Six Flags rollercoasters, like Superman and Batman, to Universal Orlando’s Hulk, superheroes are the themes for many theme park rides.

No need for a costume, as the ride experience offers a glimpse of what soaring through the air can feel like. For example, Superman at Six Flags Great America gives the feeling of flight. Suspended on your stomach, the rider swoops, dives and soars similar to a real superhero. Unlike a superhero, those moments of flight are only as long as the ride. Still, there is no reason why fans can’t ride the roller coaster over and over again.

These superhero themed rides are so popular because they give fans a chance to interact with that superhero persona in real life. From immersive queues to creative backstories, the ride is just part of the superhero experience.

If you truly want to experience the feeling of superhero flight, one epic way is with iFly. Since some of us wouldn’t want to jump out of an airplane, the iFly experience makes you feel like you are flying without really leaving the ground. With the company’s wind tunnel, people experience the feeling of flight, but in a more controlled experience.

Granted, the iFly experience is only a couple minutes long (but in the tunnel, it seems much longer). From the wind flapping your face to the feeling of weightlessness, the experience is a huge adrenaline rush. No wonder why people are in awe of flying superheroes.

Since National Superhero Day is considered a celebratory day, many science museums are using the event to promote their programming. Thinking about superheroes, there is a lot of science behind those intense battles. From Iron Man’s core to Black Panther’s armor, there is an element of scientific reality. Why not use the superhero celebration to spark an interest in science?

One example is the Hall of Heroes traveling science exhibit. Presented at local science museums, this exhibit explains the real science behind superhero powers. Created by Stage Nine Exhibitions, the exhibit shows were science fiction and science fact intersect. From superhero physical abilities to the technology behind gadgets, this hands-on experience is fun for all ages.

The Incredibles, photo provided by Visit Orlando

Looking at many superheroes, the majority of them are physically fit. Why not get in superhero shape with the help of the Incredibles and Disney? This summer, everyone can have an incredible summer with the Virtual Running Shorts runDisney event. Get the whole family up and running with this runDisney event, which happens in your backyard.

You can sign up online to run this virtual 5k race and several race options are available throughout the summer. We may not be as fast as Dash but this fun race can help us get in better shape. Isn’t being the best you can be part of being a superhero?

While the fictional superheroes often get the most recognition, those characters aren’t the only heroes in the world. Everyday superheroes are around us. From firemen to teachers, everyday people perform super feats every day. On National Superhero Day, why not take a moment to thank those everyday superheroes.

Why not bring some doughnuts to a local firehouse. Or, you could send your favorite teacher a thank you note for all her effort. The gesture doesn’t have to be grand. Like superheroes, it should be done with the intention of bettering others.

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These ideas are just a few ways to celebrate National Superhero Day. I’m sure that many people will choose to celebrate the occasion by watching the new Avengers movie. That isn’t a bad idea either. Maybe, the movie will inspire some other superhero activities after sitting in a movie theater for several hours. After all, isn’t there a little superhero in all of us?