Just for Fun... Would Universal ever close Superhero Island?

[Metro West]

Here's something to ponder regarding theme park rights....We all know Universal owns the rights east of the Mississippi BUT...if Universal hadn't let the rights in California expire (stupid move) would Disney have still purchased Marvel? If that were the case Disney couldn't use any characters anywhere in the US. Disney was well aware of the stipulations concerning theme park rights prior to purchasing Marvel but they did it anyway.

Just a thought.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

Here's something to ponder regarding theme park rights....We all know Universal owns the rights east of the Mississippi BUT...if Universal hadn't let the rights in California expire (stupid move) would Disney have still purchased Marvel? If that were the case Disney couldn't use any characters anywhere in the US. Disney was well aware of the stipulations concerning theme park rights prior to purchasing Marvel but they did it anyway.

Just a thought.

Given that the theme parks aren't everything and that Marvel is doing healthy business in their actual comic book division, generating billions for Disney in the films division and doing good business on the TV side as well ... I'd say they'd make that purchase 20 times over even if they couldn't bring a single character into the theme parks.

 

[Metro West]

Given that the theme parks aren't everything and that Marvel is doing healthy business in their actual comic book division, generating billions for Disney in the films division and doing good business on the TV side as well ... I'd say they'd make that purchase 20 times over even if they couldn't bring a single character into the theme parks.

My point was to point out that Disney did not but Marvel for the theme parks. Lots of people seem to think Disney got Marvel for the parks since they are making such a big deal about which characters can be used, etc. (not on this thread but over on the other side). Disney got it for everything other than the parks.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

My point was to point out that Disney did not but Marvel for the theme parks. Lots of people seem to think Disney got Marvel for the parks since they are making such a big deal about which characters can be used, etc. (not on this thread but over on the other side). Disney got it for everything other than the parks.

Exactly.

Seems that Marvel fans get that, but Disney fans who aren't comic book folks, not so much.

 

[TommyJK]

At the end of the day, does it really matter where Marvel Super Hero themed attractions are? I mean, as long as they are really well done I could care less if it's inside Disney's parks or Universal's.

Nothing is stopping anyone from going to either park, except an irrational dislike of one park vs. the other.

 

[Killer Fish]

But Disney can't. The Contract is very explicit in this point. They really can't do anything in WDW from an attraction or themed area standpoint using anything from Marvel.



Mission breakout is about at the very edge of what they can do legally, west of the Mississippi. You'll notice they aren't using the word "Marvel" in the name of the attraction anywhere, nor could they create a themed area using the name Marvel as per the contract.

The only thing that might come to a head is if Disney steps an inch over what they're allowed to do per the contract, for which Universal would order a cease and desist or sue them.



Disney wouldn't even start planning a ride in Orlando because they can't. So why would they drop money even into planning such a thing?

I guess that was wrong...

Okay, so, then where are all the rumors coming from? Hopeful guests? Or Disney testing the waters perhaps?

Rumors that were correct....

People who don't realize that there is a contract.

Not so much I guess...

 

[damo]

I guess that was wrong...



Rumors that were correct....



Not so much I guess...

Universal is closing Superhero Island? Isn't that what this thread is about?

From what I understand, Disney is free to use any characters that are not represented at IOA. I don't see any conflict in that contract with what Disney has recently announced.

 

[TommyJK]

Universal is closing Superhero Island? Isn't that what this thread is about?

From what I understand, Disney is free to use any characters that are not represented at IOA. I don't see any conflict in that contract with what Disney has recently announced.

That's what I see here as well. Looks like Gurdians are not considered part of the "family" of Avengers, Spiderman, X-Men or Fantastic 4 so it gives the ok for Disney to build an attraction around it in Orlando.

Will be interesting thoug to see what happens on that distinction/definition now that it's been confirmed that the Guardians will be part of the next Avengers film...... IMO it would give grounds for Universal to raise some questions about that designation....

 

[Killer Fish]

Universal is closing Superhero Island? Isn't that what this thread is about?

From what I understand, Disney is free to use any characters that are not represented at IOA. I don't see any conflict in that contract with what Disney has recently announced.

No....that is just the title of the thread....

Earlier this was said about a possible Guardians of the Galaxy attraction:

"But Disney can't. The Contract is very explicit in this point. They really can't do anything in WDW from an attraction or themed area standpoint using anything from Marvel."

As I pointed out in my above quote that turned out to not be correct at all. I am pretty sure that they did not announce an E-Ticket attraction without a great amount of due diligence even if it does raise some questions.

 

[saskdw]

I used to read a lot of comics as a kid in the late 70's and early 80's. The old "retro" comics and story lines still hold a special place in my heart.

I also really enjoy the new Marvel movies and the MCU.

For me there's a place for both. I could enjoy new Marvel attractions at WDW based on the MCU and go up the street and enjoy a retro Marvel land at UO equally as much!

I don't get into this whole Disney vs Universal debate. I enjoy my vacations at both places. My family is one of rare ones that actually spends 10-12 days at UO at a time.

Spider-Man is probably my favorite attraction anywhere. Partly because of how good it is and partly because of the childhood memories of enjoying those old Marvel comics. it would be a sad day for me if they ever close that attraction.

 

[Killer Fish]

I completely agree!

The more attractions the better. I don't think the rides at Universal will ever be going away.

 

[damo]

No....that is just the title of the thread....

Earlier this was said about a possible Guardians of the Galaxy attraction:

"But Disney can't. The Contract is very explicit in this point. They really can't do anything in WDW from an attraction or themed area standpoint using anything from Marvel."

As I pointed out in my above quote that turned out to not be correct at all. I am pretty sure that they did not announce an E-Ticket attraction without a great amount of due diligence even if it does raise some questions.

It will be interesting to see exactly what the contents of the ride are and how they mesh with what the contract seemed to spell out.

 

[PlasmidsThisWay]

Do not even mention such things!

 

[prink022]

I've considered this thousands of times... and I would say no, they will not ever re-theme or close superhero island down. Honestly, as a classic Marvel fan (my Dad read me comic books as a kid, not picture books) I don't associate the two together. In my mind they're the best of both. Disney pulls off a perfect classic marvel/comic book feel, and Disney pulls off the more modern.

No reason we can't all be happy! Plus as PP has said, I'm sure even Disney does not want to shell out the money