Guardians of the (Epcot) Galaxy

[Gari14]

A GOTG ride in Epcot would be awesome. Hopefully that does happen as Epcot is in need of some love!

By the way, I really hope the rumours of Tower of Terror closing aren't true as I'd be gutted if that did happen as thats one of my favourite rides in any of the Disney parks. Please don't be true!

EDIT - Just read that if the GOTG is going to be where ToT is, it will just be an overlay and not be knocked down for the new attraction. Phew!

 

[piccolopat]

Probably in the minority here but it will be sad to see the Ellen ride go. It's been a staple for our family on every trip we go on and we quote it constantly. I know it's outdated but there's a lot of nostalgia that comes with that ride. Oh well, on to new, and hopefully, better things.

I agree. Although I really liked the original better (starting with the turning triangles in the preshow) and miss all of the music, the ride should be updated with a new film and perhaps replacing Ellen with something else. There have been so many new advances in energy and it would be a shame to can the ride rather than update it.

 

[STLstone]

Most of the Old Body Wars was scrapped for Star Tours parts if I'm to believe what I was told.

I completely believe that because I've seen something similar happen at every factory I've set foot in.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Disney owns Marvel. Universal licenses the avengers characters, and spiderman from them. Guardians of the Galaxy is really one of the only Marvel properties that Disney can use in their parks in Florida. Disneyland can use all of the marvel characters really. The full contract between Marvel and Universal is online if you'd like to read it but as far as I know Disney can use Guardians of the Galaxy in the WDW parks.

The interpretation of the license that I heard is that GOTG will be teaming up with The Avengers to fight Thanos, who is gathering infinity stones (the stones have appeared in GOTG and the Avenger movies). Once that team-up happens in the films, the GOTG will be part of the ‘family’ (see page 10 of licensing agreement) of licensed-to-Universal characters, and Disney will no longer be able to use those characters in theme parks east of the Mississippi.

 

[rteetz]

The interpretation of the license that I heard is that GOTG will be teaming up with The Avengers to fight Thanos, who is gathering infinity stones (the stones have appeared in GOTG and the Avenger movies). Once that team-up happens in the films, the GOTG will be part of the ‘family’ (see page 10 of licensing agreement) of licensed characters, and Disney will no longer be able to use those characters in theme parks eats of the Mississippi.

While the fact that GOTG is supposed to be in Infinity Wars is true I have not seen anything that leads me to believe that cannot be used at WDW when that happens.

 

[piccolopat]

I would get pretty upset if the took out the aquarium in Living Seas, they already re-did the ride with the whole silly nemo theme which I hate but leave the aquarium alone. I would hate to see Living/Listening to the Land taken out. Again, they have already redone the ride when they took away real boat drivers and changed the name, leave it alone I love it. I was sad but not torn up when the changed SS, I liked the whole transportation theme with the guy blowing on his foot and the cop hiding behind the billboard but I've learned to appreciate the communications theme. I agree bring back dreamfinder. No one likes the current Figment concept. I'm all for change and have mostly learned to embrace most of what they are doing, didn't and still don't agree with the Frozen theme in Norway but I'll probably give in and ride the ride at some point.

Actually, bring back the music to all of the rides. It's amazing how much more enjoyable things were when there was a song for each ride. Leave the aquarium but FIX it - there is not enough fish and they need to add greenery to hid some of the workings. The land boat ride is dull without music and the end seems unfinished dead space.

 

[Reckoner]

While the fact that GOTG is supposed to be in Infinity Wars is true I have not seen anything that leads me to believe that cannot be used at WDW when that happens.

Correct. Future movie plans have zero bearing on the Marvel/Universal agreement. I can't see this batted about for a hundredth time.

 

[wilkeliza]

The interpretation of the license that I heard is that GOTG will be teaming up with The Avengers to fight Thanos, who is gathering infinity stones (the stones have appeared in GOTG and the Avenger movies). Once that team-up happens in the films, the GOTG will be part of the ‘family’ (see page 10 of licensing agreement) of licensed-to-Universal characters, and Disney will no longer be able to use those characters in theme parks east of the Mississippi.

Is Universal using Guardians in any way though? Seems like even though GOTG would join the Avengers family they currently aren't in Universal and thus are free game for Disney. I was told that was one major draw for the surplus of odd Marvel characters we are seeing. Disney can't use anything currently in Universal Orlando but if it didn't have a presence in the park prior then they can use it east of the Mississippi.

 

[wilkeliza]

Oh another thing they really need to figure out! The Odyssey building. They can't do much since the back is the cast cafeteria but gosh wouldn't it be nice if they added a decent table service meal there or made it into a permanent character spot or something? I know they use it for the back up to dessert parties for rain and you can rent it for weddings and meetings but gosh they could turn it into something that gets real use and makes more profit. There are enough other locations for dessert party back up (again the building between Canada and UK) and for wedding back ups (any of the epcot area hotels).

 

[nilla]

Yep. Innoventions needs it to. Once sum of all thrills close there really is nothing in the place.

Colortopia is a blast!

 

[anthony2k7]

ugh. I dont really see GotG being a fit for Epcot Future World at all. One of the key features of the film is the 80s music - nothing future about that! Infact as the films attraction is quite limited I'm not sure why Disney are so obsessed with getting it in a park anywhere anyway.

The tron ride from shanghai is the obvious thing to bring to Epcot. I'd love to know why that got ruled out? After that, if they wanted to do something with inside out in one of the pavilions then I'd be ok with that as well.

But yeah, the mishmashing of the parks seems to be continuing just to ram as much IP in there anywhere as possible.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Is Universal using Guardians in any way though? Seems like even though GOTG would join the Avengers family they currently aren't in Universal and thus are free game for Disney. I was told that was one major draw for the surplus of odd Marvel characters we are seeing. Disney can't use anything currently in Universal Orlando but if it didn't have a presence in the park prior then they can use it east of the Mississippi.

This is the clause on page 10 of the licensing agreement: “in addition, if such character or another character from the same “family” is an element in any MCA marketing during the previous year.”

The logic is GOTG in same film as has Hulk makes them family. Universal markets the Hulk as an attraction in its theme park and has been doing so perpetually since the license was executed. There are further clauses in the licensing agreement about 'future use'. All of this adds up to Universal possibly having a legitimate claim that it has exclusive right to the characters east of the Mississippi, not Disney (once the film appearance happens).

All that being said, I’m not a lawyer but I do work with them pretty often, and you never know what you can get a contract to prove/disprove until you have to litigate it.

 

[wilkeliza]

This is the clause on page 10 of the licensing agreement: “in addition, if such character or another character from the same “family” is an element in any MCA marketing during the previous year.”

The logic is GOTG in same film as has Hulk makes them family. Universal markets the Hulk as an attraction in its theme park and has been doing so perpetually since the license was executed. There are further clauses in the licensing agreement about 'future use'. All of this adds up to Universal possibly having a legitimate claim that it has exclusive right to the characters east of the Mississippi, not Disney (once the film appearance happens).

All that being said, I’m not a lawyer but I do work with them pretty often, and you never know what you can get a contract to prove/disprove until you have to litigate it.

Hm that is an interesting take but unless the Guardians formally join the avengers I don't think them just helping makes them a family since it clarifies through example that family means things like Fantastic Four, The Avengers, or a villain that is usually associated with one character. Have the guardians every formally been members of the avengers?

You are right though that it will all depend on lawyers who could fight either way.

 

[STLstone]

ugh. I dont really see GotG being a fit for Epcot Future World at all. One of the key features of the film is the 80s music - nothing future about that! Infact as the films attraction is quite limited I'm not sure why Disney are so obsessed with getting it in a park anywhere anyway.

The tron ride from shanghai is the obvious thing to bring to Epcot. I'd love to know why that got ruled out? After that, if they wanted to do something with inside out in one of the pavilions then I'd be ok with that as well.

But yeah, the mishmashing of the parks seems to be continuing just to ram as much IP in there anywhere as possible.

It might have been because they already have a "Tron inspired" ride in Epcot.

 

[Gari14]

It might have been because they already have a "Tron inspired" ride in Epcot.

Off topic, but Ive heard that the Tron coaster in Shanghai is pretty poor.

 

[rteetz]

Off topic, but Ive heard that the Tron coaster in Shanghai is pretty poor.

It's Bob Igers favorite Shanghai ride...

It's been very popular so far. I think the ride vehicles are pretty great.

 

[Gari14]

It's Bob Igers favorite Shanghai ride...

It's been very popular so far. I think the ride vehicles are pretty great.

I don't think people have an issue with how it looks as lets be honest, it looks incredible, but apparently its just not that fun as a coaster. A lot of people have said its pretty dull.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The new and improved Epcot Entrance without the legacy rocks sounds very promising.

Isn't that where people paid to have their names on a plaque..am I thinking about it right??

 

[LittleDreamer]

This is the clause on page 10 of the licensing agreement: “in addition, if such character or another character from the same “family” is an element in any MCA marketing during the previous year.”

From my understanding the extent of these families was hammered out long ago in the official contracts which have not been released. Disney and Universal both know exactly what they have access too at this point. Putting Guardians of the Galaxy in the same film as the Avengers does not open them up to being part of that family since it is a temporary crossover and not a permanent grouping. I mean if you want to argue that cross overs include a character in the family then Universal has all the marvel universe then. We know this is not true because in the agreement terms posted it is specifically spelled out that Universal has access to those characters and families represented in the park. This implies that there are characters they don't have access too. Considering universe wide events like Infinity Gauntlet and Secret Wars happened before the agreement was made I doubt crossovers effect the definition of "family". Also, Iron Man was part of the GotG team in the comics and that would be a much stronger claim.

GotG is safe for Disney to use; I think the better test will be Doctor Strange. Since he traditionally an independent character with his own comic line and villains but appears in everyone else stories a lot.

 

[rteetz]

Isn't that where people paid to have their names on a plaque..am I thinking about it right??

Yes