Thor: The Dark World Treasures of Asgard movie props at Disneyland...

I don't know about you, but I absolutely adored Thor: The Dark World with its perfect mix of fantasy, sci-fi and comic book super heroics, and so when I heard about Disneyland's Treasures of Asgard exhibit I knew I had to venture to Anaheim to check out all the original movie props on display for myself on November 12, 2013 (and I wasn't disappointed).

Original movie props from Thor: The Dark World on display

Amongst the treasures on display were a selection of Asgardian weapons and helmets, including the swords and shields of 'Odin's' elite soldiers, 'The Einherjar', plus Dark Elf artifacts featured in the Marvel sequel which sees the thunder god facing the threat of 'Malekith' and the 'Dark Elves of Svartalheim'.

If you like this collection of props featured in the movie, make sure you also check out these original Odin and Frigga costumes from Thor: The Dark World, worn by Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo respectively.

Thor: The Dark World movie billboard

While you are waiting in line to enter the special Thor interactive attraction it gives you a chance to get better acquainted with Thor's Asgardian companions weapons of choice.

Lady Sif's sword and shield used by Jaimie Alexander 

in Thor: The Dark World

I especially like this sword and small shield combo used by the 'Lady Sif' played by Jaimie Alexander. In the movie universe, Sif has been one of Thor's most loyal friends and confidantes since childhood and harbors seemingly unreciprocated affection for the god of thunder, even though they are mostly lovers in the comic book world. In The Dark World it's nice to see that this lightweight shield can also be used to stab enemies and well as protect the fierce Asgardian warrior.

Before the very first Thor movie opened I got to meet the Lady Sif in person at a comic book signing, so if you're a fan of the actress, be sure to click through and check out these photos of Jaimie Alexander, who was so friendly and such a good sport.

Fandral's sword used by Zachary Levi in Thor: The Dark World

In this sequel Thor's allies, 'The Warriors Three', don't get as much screen time as they deserve, especially Zachary Levi who replaces Once Upon a Time's Josh Dallas as 'Fandral the Dashing'.

Volstagg's axe used by Ray Stevenson in Thor: The Dark World

Meanwhile Ray Stevenson reprises his role as the voluminous 'Volstagg', and aside from wielding this sturdy Asgardian axe against the enemies of the Nine Realms, we also get to see him with some of his family in this movie.

Hogun's mace used by Tadanobu Asano in Thor: The Dark World

With an ever expanding supporting cast, of all The Warriors Three, 'Hogun the Grim' (who's not that grim this time around) probably gets the least screen time after liberating his home realm of Vanaheim near the beginning of the movie with Thor and his friends. Even so, his mace still looks pretty menacing and I for one wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of a blow from it.

Personally I would have liked to see more of Lady Sif and The Warriors Three in action than watch Stellan Skarsgård as 'Dr. Erik Selvig' running around naked or in his underwear for most of the movie (that joke got old fast).

Heimdall's helmet worn by Idris Elba in Thor: The Dark World

This is the helmet worn as part of 'Heimdall's' armoured look as the all-seeing, all-knowing gatekeeper of Asgard and guardian of the Bifröst Bridge and it was pretty cool to see up close in person.

Heimdall's long sword and daggers featured in Thor: The Dark World

Idris Elba's Heimdall gets a great action sequence as the Dark Elves attack in a cloaked ship and he jumps from the Bifröst and uses his two daggers to destroy the craft, only to discover there's worse to come, whilst his impressive long sword seems to act as a key that activates the advanced Asgardian technological powers of the Bifröst.

Loki shackles, helmet and dagger film props 
from Thor: The Dark World

At the start of the movie we learn that Thor's half-brother Loki has been imprisoned for his crimes against the Earth in the Avengers. These are the shackles, helmet and dagger that Tom Hiddleston uses in the movie in the breakout role of his career, when Thor makes a deal with the devil and asks for the scheming Loki's help to defeat Malekith.

You have to agree that Loki's iconic horned helmet is a real costume showstopper. 

Book of Yggdrasil movie prop from Thor: The Dark World

Also on display as part of this fantastic exhibit was the 'Book of Yggdrasil', which Odin uses to recount to Thor and his mortal love, 'Dr. Jane Foster', the history and prophecy of the Dark Elves and the magical 'Aether' weapon.

Dark Elf mask and dagger props featured in Thor: The Dark World

One of my favorite pieces in the exhibit was this Dark Elf mask, which is a brilliant creepy design, and I know if the movie had opened before Halloween, everyone would have been wearing one. Apparently the masks are designed to sustain the elves very lives as our universe is poisonous to them and the ornate masks show their once beautiful and noble features, which now hide their more hideous faces.

The mask is accompanied by the Dagger of Malekith himself, an ancient weapon forged of Dark Matter and used during the siege of Asgard.

Asgardian skiff toy prop from Thor: The Dark World

And finally amongst all these weapons and war props, was this charming Asgardian skiff toy, which shows that even though the Asgardians are highly advanced beings, their children still like to use their imagination to play with toys.

Thor: The Dark World movie billboard

Marvel's Treasures of Asgard exhibit will be open at Disneyland's Innoventions attraction in Tomorrowland until at least January 6, 2014, so if you get a chance, be sure to check it out.

Stick around in the days to come as you'll be treated to original Loki, Fandral and Sif movie costumes from Thor: The Dark World on display, which will be well worth the wait.

Go further behind-the-scenes with this book: Marvel's Thor: The Dark World - The Art of the Movie (Slipcase)