Disney buys Marvel for $4B

[damo]

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

I checked out a Marvel forum this morning and no, they definitely were not a happy bunch.

 

[donaldduck352]

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.

And there is something wrong with people that do??

If I want nice and cute and trick or treat then yes Disney is the place to be..

 

[Mad Hattered]

Damn! I'm betting this had nothing to do with USO building that giant castle for HP. Seems like a low blow to me. I hope the renewal on the contract isn't up for quite awhile though because they just dropped a boat load of cash on RRR & HP. I imagine it would cost some serious money to have rehab that part of the park.

I do love what a previous poster threw out....Kong! That could be pretty sweet. It would cost a pretty penny but one can dream. I think they work Tranformers in for the hulk area. Spiderman gets a makeover on the sets to become a jungle and you speed through it in a jeep as Kong tries to chase you down. Perhaps incorporate some animatronics into the mix. Think of a big Kong hand appearing and sending you for a spin. It needs to be the real 3D like they are using now incorporated (like they are doing in CA). It could have the battle between Kong and the T-Rex...driving over the edge of a cliff to emulate the drop in Spidey. I haven't figured out how to get caught yet....but there's plenty of time for that.

Oh...and Doom could be revised to Kong's Sacrificial Towers.

Maybe this could work out in the end.

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

If they have to re-theme I hope to god it's not Transformers. Most overrated franchaise ever IMO.

 

[mvansear]

Harry Potter grabbed the tweens how about Twilight to grab the Teens and young adults. Transylvania themed, or just werewolves and vampires in general? Just a thought

 

[h20jag]

Didn't really mean re-themed to 'hardcore' HHN, more G-rated thru-out the year. (No chainsaws & guts & scaring carp from DisneyTrippers)
I was picturing the inside of Monster Cafe more... just all over the current Marvel Island.

Could even leave Hulk the Frankenstein green. (I know, least of their worries)
Transylvania idea is cool!

 

[LilMommyBug]

If they have to re-theme I hope to god it's not Transformers. Most overrated franchaise ever IMO.

I agree...it's up there with Twilight

 

[Metro West]

I posted this over on the Disney side.....

The rides in question aren't going anywhere until Universal decides to let the contract expire. Personally...I don't see Universal paying Disney an inflated licensing fee for those three attractions for too long. I think Universal will decide to retheme the existing attactions into something else. But...no one really knows how long Universal will have to pay any fees or when that would start. Would it start as soon as the deal is approved or when the contract expires? The public doesn't know anything and it's all speculation about the contract terms. As much as people loved Kongfrontation at the Studios, this would be good time to think about redoing Spiderman into something like Kong. As much as I enjoy The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, the ride and technology are 10 years old now so if/when Disney has the local theme park rights to Spiderman, I think Disney will update it and probably do something completely different instead of trying use the same storyline that's in place now. Universal can retheme Hulk very easily so the coaster will stay...same with Dr. Doom.

The bigger deal locally is the contract Universal has with Marvel. As other posters have stated already, accordling to the local media...Disney would not be able to have any of the characters under the Universal contract for their parks or advertising and could not stop Universal from continuing to use them. The question is...how many characters would be affected? Is it just Spiderman, Hulk and Dr. Doom or is it more? No one knows at this point.

Thoughts?

 

[keishashadow]

If they have to re-theme I hope to god it's not Transformers. Most overrated franchaise ever IMO.

Optimus Prime is now leaking lube over this comment missy!

don't mess with the Autobots

I agree...it's up there with Twilight

i still have faith in our Federal Anti-Trust Department, not

 

[Rip]

I posted this over on the Disney side.....

The rides in question aren't going anywhere until Universal decides to let the contract expire. Personally...I don't see Universal paying Disney an inflated licensing fee for those three attractions for too long. I think Universal will decide to retheme the existing attactions into something else. But...no one really knows how long Universal will have to pay any fees or when that would start. Would it start as soon as the deal is approved or when the contract expires? The public doesn't know anything and it's all speculation about the contract terms. As much as people loved Kongfrontation at the Studios, this would be good time to think about redoing Spiderman into something like Kong. As much as I enjoy The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, the ride and technology are 10 years old now so if/when Disney has the local theme park rights to Spiderman, I think Disney will update it and probably do something completely different instead of trying use the same storyline that's in place now. Universal can retheme Hulk very easily so the coaster will stay...same with Dr. Doom.

The bigger deal locally is the contract Universal has with Marvel. As other posters have stated already, accordling to the local media...Disney would not be able to have any of the characters under the Universal contract for their parks or advertising and could not stop Universal from continuing to use them. The question is...how many characters would be affected? Is it just Spiderman, Hulk and Dr. Doom or is it more? No one knows at this point.

Thoughts?

I think it's really going to depend on the details of the licensing agreement they have with Marvel (obviously). Particularly, what are the limitations on the fees that can be charged? How often can they raise them? Is the current agreement really "in perpetuity", or is it more likely just a long term deal? Also, let's take for granted that all of these things fall out in Universal's favor, how long would they really want to use characters that are now owned by Disney? Personally, I don't think that should be a big issue, because 95% of the people attending IoA aren't likely to even know that Disney now owns (provided this deal is approved) those characters.

I think the bigger issue is what you mention - the inability of Universal to make significant additions to Marvel Island. Kong Island would seem a really nice fit, the coaster could be re-themed to the giant python, for example, and Spiderman could be updated to a Kong ride (with all-new technology) relatively easy. I would suspect that, long term, they would have to change the theme because it's eventually going to get stale. Though it's always possible that Disney would see it more profitable to allow some additional licensing rather than having to build anything new in their parks themselves. I really don't think this has nearly as much to do with their theme park division as it does with motion pictures and merchandising.

Given Disney's recent track record, I'd hate to see Universal lose (or give up) the rights to whatever characters it has, because Disney still doesn't have anything in any of its Florida parks that comes close to Spiderman, and as you say that technology is over 10 years old. Universal has a better track recent track record of going all out, so to speak, when they invest in a new attraction.

If you look at what Disney is seeing in terms of return on investment with its theme parks currently, I wouldn't expect seeing anything terribly expensive in the form of new additions or large renovations for a while. This deal could even exacerbate that, they have to come up with the 4 billion from somewhere.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Just speculating but I doubt at this time Disney can hike up fees. But like you said curious if they can use other characters in Disney parks or not.

I think a lot has to do with the money comic book movies have made in recent years and less to do with the parks. Not saying they would not want to benefit from merchandising from the parks though.

As for Kong...I think it could work and I liked the old Kong ride but to take away comic and go to Kong unlikely hits targeted audience. I think Transformers is more likely as the boatload of cash the movie made and with more going to be made its def possible.

I also don't know about how much Disney would actually change the characters. I mean they bought them because of the audience they attract if they change them then they mine as well just made up their own kiddy superheros.(O Ya...The Incredibles)

"If you look at what Disney is seeing in terms of return on investment with its theme parks currently, I wouldn't expect seeing anything terribly expensive in the form of new additions or large renovations for a while. This deal could even exacerbate that, they have to come up with the 4 billion from somewhere."

Probably right about a renovation...Like I said I don't think it was their motivation for purchase but saying that they are pumping out 4 bill cash/stocks so they are obv not strapped for cash.(While I am sure Universal is with the cutbacks, new island, HR3, and from I heard some deal with Spielberg may be coming to a close soon)

Ps... Pls NO Twilight! I like vamps but pls No.
Btw anyone curious in reading...http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/6...-Love-And-Patrick-Is-Down-Like-Chinatown.html

 

[Caribbeanprincess]

I agree...it's up there with Twilight

Yeah well, at least that doesn't include giant robots.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Transformers original anime. Since we're talking about the movies, however, not so much...

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Yeah well, at least that doesn't include giant robots.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Transformers original anime. Since we're talking about the movies, however, not so much...

I am not a huge fan of the first film. Did not see the second one yet waiting for it to come to dvd from all the bad things I heard about it. But it is a franchise that seems to be rather popular and they are building Spiderman type Transformers in Hollywood so ya never know if the transformation(pun intended) from Marvel to Transformers would be cheaper then paying Disney they may decide its worth a change. Also seems to target same audience that Marvel does.

Could be cool for Hulk to become Starscream ride.

 

[WWEDUDE]

I agree that a King Kong island would be very cool, and Universal could surely pull it off. I could only imagine how much money it would cost to re-do a Spiderman type ride.. unless you were talking about making it more like kongfrontation was.

And I'm sorry, but if they did a Twilight island.. I would stop renewing my season pass.

 

[ElizabethB]

If the Orlando Sentinel is correct, the license arrangement giving Universal-Orlando the right to use and exploit Spider Man and the Hulk for their ride attractions is virtually perpetual -- the license lasts as long as the theme park lasts

A smart poster on the first page speculated that the license likely is perpetual, and apparently it is. Good call!

Since Universal was smart enough to negotiate a perpetual license, they no doubt were also smart enough to negotiate a manageable license fee for the foreseeable future with little, or most probably no, leeway for a subsequent party in a change of control (i.e., Disney in this case) to raise the price above the already negotiated fees and periodic lockstep increases.

So, based on the Sentinel article, nothing to worry about at Islands of Adventure for a very, very long time. Many if not most of us will be dead before this is ever an issue.

The only thing for Universal is that they shouldn't start planning a West Coast Islands of Adventure -- unless they plan to build it without any license for the Marvel characters!

 

[jerry557]

If the Orlando Sentinel is correct, the license arrangement giving Universal-Orlando the right to use and exploit Spider Man and the Hulk for their ride attractions is virtually perpetual -- the license lasts as long as the theme park lasts

A smart poster on the first page speculated that the license likely is perpetual, and apparently it is. Good call!

Since Universal was smart enough to negotiate a perpetual license, they no doubt were also smart enough to negotiate a manageable license fee for the foreseeable future with little, or most probably no, leeway for a subsequent party in a change of control (i.e., Disney in this case) to raise the price above the already negotiated fees and periodic lockstep increases.

So, based on the Sentinel article, nothing to worry about at Islands of Adventure for a very, very long time. Many if not most of us will be dead before this is ever an issue.

The only thing for Universal is that they shouldn't start planning a West Coast Islands of Adventure -- unless they plan to build it without any license for the Marvel characters!

That isnt the point. The point is that Universal is paying royalties to Marvel. Now that Disney owns Marvel, it means Universal is paying money to its biggest competitor. In other words, every ticket sale, a slice goes to Mickey Mouse.

Universal will not be able to stomach this for very long. A shrewd move by Disney and a punch in the gut to Universal.

 

[damo]

That isnt the point. The point is that Universal is paying royalties to Marvel. Now that Disney owns Marvel, it means Universal is paying money to its biggest competitor. In other words, every ticket sale, a slice goes to Mickey Mouse.

Universal will not be able to stomach this for very long. A shrewd move by Disney and a punch in the gut to Universal.

Do we know that is how the contract is being remunerated? Isn't a perpetual license a license where you pay a one time fee?

 

[PoohBear]

That isnt the point. The point is that Universal is paying royalties to Marvel. Now that Disney owns Marvel, it means Universal is paying money to its biggest competitor. In other words, every ticket sale, a slice goes to Mickey Mouse.

Universal will not be able to stomach this for very long. A shrewd move by Disney and a punch in the gut to Universal.

I agree. I think Universal will not want any part in helping to promote someone else's product. I don't think they are going to do anything desperate with removing rides or re-theming but they will begin to phase out immediately. I would expect to see the Marvel characters beginning to disappear from advertising and marketing campaigns ASAP. With Shrek 4, Simpsons 2, MIB 3 and Harry Potter all on the horizon I think they will have enough to scrape by.

 

[Planogirl]

It's possible that if Universal has the rights to Spiderman and the Hulk and whoever else that Disney might not be able to use these characters. I can't see Spidey showing up at both resorts.

As for Twilight, it's popular now but a bit too fluffy for Universal. It would probably be a better fit in WDW. But then what do I know? I think that Marvel is a horrible fit for Disney.

 

[WWEDUDE]

As for Twilight, it's popular now but a bit too fluffy for Universal. It would probably be a better fit in WDW. But then what do I know? I think that Marvel is a horrible fit for Disney.

Agreed