Disney buys Marvel for $4B

[Rip]

Uf! I wonder about this. Could they disappear from USF? I wonder what will come out from this purchase? Maybe a new financial agreement or licensing deal? Or would Disney go for the kill, stripping USF from such characters? And with the financial crisis at USF, I wonder what will or might become of them...

They can't, you have nothing to worry about.

BTW, I read that Universal Orlando's profits were actually up for this year. Attendance is down, but they seem to be doing ok.

 

[Planogirl]

I can't stand the thought of my old favorites the X-Men eventually being turned into princes and princesses. I really, really hope that those contracts out there keep at least most of the characters out of the Disney parks, at least for a while. Maybe Disney will surprise me but I don't know about this.

 

[HolidayLover]

That link was just found on google news I hope they do keep the Spider man at least I love that ride its one of our faves! I dont really mind about the rest of the theming. Im guessing though this wouldn't have been a surprise to Universal and would have plans already in place or whatever in case they do have to get rid at some point.

 

[tjkraz]

BTW, I read that Universal Orlando's profits were actually up for this year. Attendance is down, but they seem to be doing ok.

Time will tell. The increase in profitability came as a result of a lot of belt tightening. Reduced park hours, reduced staffing, layoffs, lower ad spending, etc.

In a year-to-year comparison, they did better in the 2Q of 2009 than 2Q 2008. But what we really don't know is what happened in that 2Q 2008. Was the company mismanaged to the point that profitability was lower than it should otherwise have been in '08? If so, then simply righting the ship in 2009 isn't necessarily a cause for celebration.

Double-digit attendance losses is never a good thing. If the budget cuts aren't well-received by guests, they run the risk of that number falling further.

 

[Planogirl]

Maybe they should have instituted free dining to keep their numbers uip?

I think that Universal will be fine particularly as the economy rights itself.

 

[Metro West]

Time will tell. The increase in profitability came as a result of a lot of belt tightening. Reduced park hours, reduced staffing, layoffs, lower ad spending, etc.

Sounds a lot like what Disney did too.

 

[tjkraz]

Maybe they should have instituted free dining to keep their numbers uip?

US did run their own incentives. I saw offers for something like 5 nights for the price of 3. That's similar to Disney's 7-for-4 offer during the spring. And Universal has been heavily discounting their theme park admission for years now. Can't you still get a full week for about $99?

I think that Universal will be fine particularly as the economy rights itself.

I'm sure they will be fine. Never meant to imply that they would be headed for bankruptcy.

But what remains to be seen is whether they will ever be significantly better than "fine."

Sounds a lot like what Disney did too.

Oh, no doubt. And similarly we'll have to see if Disney ever faces any massive guest revolt over the net result of those cuts.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I'm utterly worried about this since the Spider-Man ride is my favorite Universal ride...

 

[D. Crockett]

I'm not at all worried about how this will impact IOA. Worst case scenario, Universal loses all the Marvel characters and has to re-theme the "island". They would come up with something spectacular to take its place, no doubt.

Personally, I would love to see a Skull Island come to IOA, and have the entire section themed so guests feel like they're walking through the "island" from King Kong. Hulk could be repainted gray/black and be called "Kong". Spiderman could keep the same technology it has, but changed to be like the new 3D attraction coming to the backlot tour in CA. Dr. Doom could remain the same, but re-themed to be some sort of torture chamber the natives of Skull Island use on unwelcomed visitors. Just a thought.

Either way, Universal will cook up something good if it has to.

 

[Metro West]

I'm not at all worried about how this will impact IOA. Worst case scenario, Universal loses all the Marvel characters and has to re-theme the "island". They would come up with something spectacular to take its place, no doubt.

Personally, I would love to see a Skull Island come to IOA, and have the entire section themed so guests feel like they're walking through the "island" from King Kong. Hulk could be repainted gray/black and be called "Kong". Spiderman could keep the same technology it has, but changed to be like the new 3D attraction coming to the backlot tour in CA. Dr. Doom could remain the same, but re-themed to be some sort of torture chamber the natives of Skull Island use on unwelcomed visitors. Just a thought.

Either way, Universal will cook up something good if it has to.

I agree plus I can't see Universal paying Disney jacked up fees to keep the Marvel characters. At some point I think a rethemeing will take place and it will be bigger and better than before.

 

[WWEDUDE]

I agree plus I can't see Universal paying Disney jacked up fees to keep the Marvel characters. At some point I think a rethemeing will take place and it will be bigger and better than before.

Great point. Disney wouldn't want to cause that, new stuff at Universal means more people going there.

 

[h20jag]

If they do have to re-theme the island someday, would a Halloween Horror type theme work?
Kinda play to one of their strengths.

Disney will NEVER own that at least!

 

[Metro West]

If they do have to re-theme the island someday, would a Halloween Horror type theme work?
Kinda play to one of their strengths.

Disney will NEVER own that at least!

Halloween Horror Nights is special because it's only a month out of the year. I would be very disappointed to have any themeing even remotely related to HHN. You're right...Disney doesn't want to do anything along those lines even though I think they are missing the boat. They have the money and resources to put on an adult oriented Halloween event but insist on sticking to the kiddie party. We will all have to wait and see what happens. I watched the local news tonight and the reporter was saying it is going to be months before all the details are worked out.

 

[D. Crockett]

Okay seriously, could you imagine?

Sorry folks. Boredom made me do it.

 

[h20jag]

Niiice artistry Crockett!
Can you draw me a Cruellas' Fear Fall?

 

[Metro West]

Unfortunately...I can easily see mouse ears on everything. Imagine Spiderman with a Mickey face and ears! Don't worry...it will happen...that's what Disney does best. I just hope they have enough sense to handle this right...not like they did with Stitch but I have my doubts.

 

[DisneyDayTripper]

They have the money and resources to put on an adult oriented Halloween event but insist on sticking to the kiddie party.

Yes...because everyone wants to go and see blood and guts or have the crap scared out of them when they're walking around the park.

 

[WWEDUDE]

Yes...because everyone wants to go and see blood and guts or have the crap scared out of them when they're walking around the park.

Well they wouldn't go to the event if they didn't. (even though Disney, as Metro said, isn't going to do the event) It seems to work quite well for Universal, considering the amount of money they must make from HHN.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm wondering how the Marvel fanatics are taking this. Not well I imagine.

Has Disney ever done anything remotely dark? I can't see them not turning the Marvel characters into anything besides fluffy characters. I hope that I'm wrong...

Universal can retheme that area any way they want to and we'll be there. I think that they should avoid too much of the horror aspect though. They do have those wonderful and badly neglected classic monsters but I'd be happy if they'd just open the Monster Cafe on a regular basis!

Maybe Transformers? What else is completely Universal's so this nonsense won't happen again? DS commented that maybe they should try to get DC Comics away from Six Flags. I would love to see Batman done right but I'm not sure about the other characters.

And what if Disney renames Marvel? Can you see Disney Superhero Island in Universal?

 

[Metro West]

Yes...because everyone wants to go and see blood and guts or have the crap scared out of them when they're walking around the park.

You would have to pay to go...just like HHN or MNSSHP...not just walking around the park for free. If you don't like that sort of stuff then don't go...it's as simple as that.