Comcast is reportedly in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation in a multibillion deal

[soniam]

Has anyone mentioned if this will affect the RCCL and Dreamworks deal? That could be another avenue to sort of compete with Disney. RCCL would be harder to beat if they had such a deal on more ships and installed 3D theaters on more too.

 

[ColinBlair]

Toon lagoon was where Nintendo was supposed to go I believe.

That or the Woody Woodpecker Kids Zone. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo ends up only going into the Universal Japan, much like how Marvel ended up only being at Universal Orlando. My guess is that all existing plans at Universal Orlando (including Nintendo) will need to be re-evaluated.

 

[rteetz]

That or the Woody Woodpecker Kids Zone. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo ends up only going into the Universal Japan, much like how Marvel ended up only being at Universal Orlando. My guess is that all existing plans at Universal Orlando (including Nintendo) will need to be re-evaluated.

With 470+ acres of land in their realm they have plenty of space for nintendo and dreamworks.

 

[Planogirl]

With 470+ acres of land in their realm they have plenty of space for nintendo and dreamworks.

I would love to know what the plans are for that piece of property. Plus transportation to that area. I thought by now there would at least be rumors.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I would love to know what the plans are for that piece of property. Plus transportation to that area. I thought by now there would at least be rumors.

A reimagined fantasy land that could give the Magic Kingdom a run for its money. It's not hard to replicate a park like the Magic Kingdom, but no one's really tried in Orlando. A 21st century version of the Magic Kingdom with pretty much every kid property (outside of Disney ones) and then a little more Harry Potter thrown in...and Disney could be in enormous trouble. People love "new stuff" meets "nostalgia" and Universal has shown the ability to act, and act quickly to dream up and deliver to its consumer on these points in the last 10 years...

 

[ChipnDale79]

A reimagined fantasy land that could give the Magic Kingdom a run for its money. It's not hard to replicate a park like the Magic Kingdom, but no one's really tried in Orlando. A 21st century version of the Magic Kingdom with pretty much every kid property (outside of Disney ones) and then a little more Harry Potter thrown in...and Disney could be in enormous trouble. People love "new stuff" meets "nostalgia" and Universal has shown the ability to act, and act quickly to dream up and deliver to its consumer on these points in the last 10 years...

With Shrek, they could even have a castle...

 

[TwoMisfits]

With Shrek, they could even have a castle...

Yes, they could...

 

[rteetz]

I would love to know what the plans are for that piece of property. Plus transportation to that area. I thought by now there would at least be rumors.

Third park and and second city walk type area are the big ones and of course more hotels.

 

[HopperFan]

I would love to know what the plans are for that piece of property. Plus transportation to that area. I thought by now there would at least be rumors.

Right now all they are permitting and doing is land/water work.
Given this news I don't think we'll hear something for awhile since they have so much more to work with.
Wet & Wild should be closed by year end and we still don't know what they are doing there.
The property itself is big enough for a couple parks and resorts so what you might find is just buses going back and forth between the two properties.

 

[DDLand]

1) Animation is consolidating as an industry. It used to be a 2 horse race between Dreamworks and Pixar. Now it's much more competitive. I think we now have two powerful animation players with Universal and Disney. They should be well equipped to fight Chinese players.

2) I wonder if we'll see a pivot from the Nintendo plans to more Dreamworks properties. This could affect the road map of new attractions going forward.

3) This vindicates Robert Iger's strategy. His three large acquisitions brought the company the MCU, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Up, Inside Out, etc. Frankly I don't see this Dreamworks acquisition ever being as successful as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Iger made very good buys.

4) This is kind of the last frontier of major franchises held by small companies. Comcast and Disney won't be able to buy themselves out their problems in the future.

5) I'm not sure if Dreamworks will survive as an entity long term or be folded into the existing structure. It could go either way. Too early to tell.

 

[rteetz]

1) Animation is consolidating as an industry. It used to be a 2 horse race between Dreamworks and Pixar. Now it's much more competitive. I think we now have two powerful animation players with Universal and Disney. They should be well equipped to fight Chinese players.

2) I wonder if we'll see a pivot from the Nintendo plans to more Dreamworks properties. This could affect the road map of new attractions going forward.

3) This vindicates Robert Iger's strategy. His three large acquisitions brought the company the MCU, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Up, Inside Out, etc. Frankly I don't see this Dreamworks acquisition ever being as successful as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Iger made very good buys.

4) This is kind of the last frontier of major franchises held by small companies. Comcast and Disney won't be able to buy themselves out their problems in the future.

5) I'm not sure if Dreamworks will survive as an entity long term or be folded into the existing structure. It could go either way. Too early to tell.

1. Yep

2. I don't know. I think Nintendo plans for Orlando will still happen but maybe both of the properties will go to park #3

3. Yep

4. Probably but I'm sure both companies will make more acquisitions in the future.

5. I think Comcast can make dreamworks better than it is currently. I do think they combine dreamworks and illumination though.

 

[Planogirl]

Never forget that there is still Middle Earth. I think that people tend to underestimate the power of that IP. Maybe someday someone will be able to snag that too.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

With Shrek, they could even have a castle...

They do in Singapore

 

[mikepizzo]

Never forget that there is still Middle Earth. I think that people tend to underestimate the power of that IP. Maybe someday someone will be able to snag that too.

From what I remember, Disney or Universal tried to acquire all of J.R.R Tolkien properties, but his estate was/is very difficult to work with.

Could be wrong, just going off memory.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

From what I remember, Disney or Universal tried to acquire all of J.R.R Tolkien properties, but his estate was/is very difficult to work with.

Could be wrong, just going off memory.

I believe Tolkien stated that his IP was never to go into Disney Parks in any way. He hated Walt.

 

[rteetz]

I believe Tolkien stated that his IP was never to go into Disney Parks in any way. He hated Walt.

Yeah that estate is very very protective of that IP.

 

[ColinBlair]

From what I remember, Disney or Universal tried to acquire all of J.R.R Tolkien properties, but his estate was/is very difficult to work with.

Could be wrong, just going off memory.

To be exact, Christopher Tolkien was/is very difficult to work with. Since he edited and released much of his father's work, he has some creative ownership as well as inherited ownership. Sort of like Roy E Disney. However, he is 91 and it is unknown what will happen after he dies.

 

[Minnesota!]

I could really be excited about a Shrek's swamp full of fairy tale characters, Far Far Away and maybe a dark thrill ride inside of Duloc.

That would be AMAZING!!

Shrek is up there in my top 3 favorite animated movies... I would so ditch Disney to spend my days with him

 

[BizmoFunyuns]

Remember in 2004 Comcast tried to buy Disney? How different would Disney World be if that had happened? A big part of that bid was for the ESPN rights. Comcast pays more per subscriber for that channel than any other. Would have made that money back real quick. Seems this DreamWorks buy is just a consolation prize for missing out on the recent Time Warner buyout. Those billions were burning a hole in their pockets.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This does NOTHING to vindicate igers themepark strategy...which has some good moves and the notable albatross of trusting China as "growth"...

Comcast could very quickly position themselves as a major competitor in Orlando...what a turnaround in 10 years while lake Buena vista slept.

I'm glad for Comcast (corporate...not their crappy cable)...the rat wouldn't have been forced into these spending moves at MGM and ak without them.