Marvel characters coming to Disney parks?

[Robo]

Dawn C. Chmielewski, Los Angeles Times
March 14, 2012
Walt Disney Co. is looking to bring some Marvel muscle to Disney theme parks.

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger told shareholders attending the annual meeting Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo., that the company has done preliminary design work that will one day lead to Marvel superheroes appearing in the theme parks along with Disney's other familiar characters.

"We haven't announced anything yet," Iger said. "But we're working on some concepts."

When Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4.3 billion in 2009, the Burbank entertainment company talked about incorporating the comic book giant's library of 5,000 characters throughout its various businesses.

Indeed, a new animated television series, "Ultimate Spider-Man," premieres April 1, kicking off a programming block devoted to Marvel characters on the cable network Disney XD. Marvel's big-screen presentation of "The Avengers" superhero mash-up reaches theaters May 4. Disney showed a trailer to investors at its annual meeting.

Iger didn't mention which Disney park might get an infusion of spandex-clad heroes. Its competitor, Universal Studios, has the rights in perpetuity for its Marvel Super Hero Island attraction, which includes rides based on Spider-Man, Dr. Doom, the Hulk and Storm, and features a number of other characters from the X-Men. The company also has a 10-year-plus deal for its Spider-Man attraction at Universal Studios Japan.

 

[Jennasis]

If done right...YES PLEASE!

 

[M likes the mouse]

Honestly..... We already completed a survey in which we were asked if we would like to see Hulk in MK...... I hope not! Somewhere in DHS, why not?

 

[EsmeCullen]

Please, please, please Disney!!!

*Crosses fingers*

 

[Eeyore98]

Honestly..... We already completed a survey in which we were asked if we would like to see Hulk in MK...... I hope not! Somewhere in DHS, why not?

Agreed...if they bring them to the parks, please keep them in DHS only! That park needs the attractions, and anywhere else they'd just be a bad fit, thematically speaking.

 

[Planogirl]

As a Marvel fan, I'm a little worried about this. I hope that Disney remembers that these guys don't need to be wearing Mickey ears and Mickey and his friends don't need to be in superhero costumes. Put them in DHS which desperately needs something new anyway and keep them serious please.

Also, please keep the Marvel Studios separate just like Pixar. YMMV.

 

[mjallemand]

Can we get Oswald in the parks first?

 

[burnurcomputer]

Can we get Oswald in the parks first?[/QUOTE]

I agree! Let's get Mickey's big brother here before we worry about the mutants. Marvel is fun, but the Sandman and Gambit aren't going to woo a princess.

 

[Jennasis]

Can we get Oswald in the parks first?[/QUOTE]

I agree! Let's get Mickey's big brother here before we worry about the mutants. Marvel is fun, but the Sandman and Gambit aren't going to woo a princess.

No, but they'll woo untold numbers of boys.

And Oswald is a dead concept that most people don't know. Unless they start making new cartoons, it doesn't have the marketing power or popularity that Marvel has. And why spend money to make new Oswald stuff on a HOPE that it might become popular when they have a built in money maker right now?

 

[MSLRAC]

No, but they'll woo untold numbers of boys.

And Oswald is a dead concept that most people don't know. Unless they start making new cartoons, it doesn't have the marketing power or popularity that Marvel has. And why spend money to make new Oswald stuff on a HOPE that it might become popular when they have a built in money maker right now?

Who the heck is Oswald? I think bringing Marvel guys to DHS would be great but I wonder how it would work with IOA being right down the road with Marvel guys there too.

 

[Robo]

I think bringing Marvel guys to DHS would be great but I wonder how it would work with IOA being right down the road with Marvel guys there too.

Different set of characters, as I read it.

 

[Robo]

Who the heck is Oswald?

I can't tell if you're kidding.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as Walt Disney's first successful character (1927, even before Mickey Mouse.)

He was (basically) stolen from Walt by the company for which Walt was working at that time,
and was finally brought back ("traded" back) to the Disney company in 2006 in a carefully-negotiated
business deal involving sportscaster Al Michaels.

 

[jagafen]

(This is completely tongue in cheek)

Please folks, for the sake of clarity, and my mental well-being, since I am married to a comic book nerd....

They are SUPERHEROES, not "characters".

Thank you.

 

[andyman8]

Again, keep in mind, this article does not specify what Disney Park they would bring them to. Being a Marvel fan myself, I would love to see them, but Universal Parks & Resorts has the theme park rights to Marvel in Florida and Japan. That means they are probably talking about brining them to Disneyland Resort (probably DCA).

Personally, I think Disney needs more manly (and thrilling) attractions and characters like Universal. Pixar has been great, but Pirates, really?

 

[MSLRAC]

I can't tell if you're kidding.

I have no clue who Oswald is...well other than a little blue octopus guy on Nick Jr and I doubt he'd be on Disney's payroll since he's on Nick Jr.

Different set of characters, as I read it.

Not really sure how lesser characters would work in DHS with more popular characters being at IOA. Of coarse Spiderman is the only superhero that has take hold with DS so maybe there other big superheroes that could be a big draw for WDW. But agree that they need to be in DHS...the Hulk does NOT need to be in the MK!

 

[MSLRAC]

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit as Walt Disney's first successful character (1927, even before Mickey Mouse.)

He was (basically) stolen from Walt by the company for which Walt was working at that time,
and was finally brought back ("traded" back) to the Disney company in 2006 in a carefully-negotiated
business deal involving sportscaster Al Michaels.

Interesting, thanks for the info.

 

[kvnchapman]

The boys, little and not-so-little, in my house would be thrilled!! DHS would be an awesome venue. Thematically speaking, I also think that Futureworld (Ep) and Tomorrowland (MK) could potentially handle some of the futuristic characters. How about a Marvel dining experience? FUN!

 

[cuchu2005]

The boys, little and not-so-little, in my house would be thrilled!! DHS would be an awesome venue. Thematically speaking, I also think that Futureworld (Ep) and Tomorrowland (MK) could potentially handle some of the futuristic characters. How about a Marvel dining experience? FUN!

I agree on the DHS part. And I could say that Epcot could make some room for them, specially considering the empty buildings. I'm not so sure about MK. Maybe is a matter of getting used to the idea, but I just can't imagine them side by side to Buzz.

Regarding other poster who suggested California, they are getting Cars Land which should already suffice as a boys magnet.

Mx

 

[JoshuaShaw]

(This is completely tongue in cheek)

Please folks, for the sake of clarity, and my mental well-being, since I am married to a comic book nerd....

They are SUPERHEROES, not "characters".

Thank you.

The two terms aren't mutually exclusive. Within the comic book industry, they're often referred to as "comic book characters." Character is a far broader term then you're trying to imply. Not to mention, not every character from the Marvel Universe is a super-hero.

As for the topic at hand, I'm not against Marvel characters popping up in Hollywood Studios, or possibly even EPCOT, but I do hope the quality of costume far exceeds that of Universal. Their Marvel cast members look like they're getting ready to go trick 'r treating.

 

[Reddog1134]

Fun fact of the day:

The term "super hero" is a trademark co-owned by Marvel and DC Comics.