Marvel in parks

[jessieroo]

I am helping my friend plan a family trip to Disney World. Is there anything related to Marvel in the theme parks?

 

[hiroMYhero]

I am helping my friend plan a family trip to Disney World. Is there anything related to Marvel in the theme parks?

Hiro and Baymax are in DHS until March!

 

[jessieroo]

Thank you!

 

[chartle]

Mostly just merchandise.

 

[TXOktober]

Universal Studios has a contract that pre-dates Disney's acquisition of Marvel. In that contract there is a 'no compete' clause, guaranteeing Marvel cannot sell the rights to create rides/attractions or have character appearances within so many miles of US's Islands of Adventure. That contract would include even themselves (aka Disney).

Disneyland actually has featured characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe at their park. Eventually Disney Corporate will have to decide if they wish to renew Universal Studio's contract and at what price or take back the rights for themselves. I believe I read somewhere the current contract was scheduled to expire in 2020.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Universal Studios has a contract that pre-dates Disney's acquisition of Marvel. In that contract there is a 'no compete' clause, guaranteeing Marvel cannot sell the rights to create rides/attractions or have character appearances within so many miles of US's Islands of Adventure. That contract would include even themselves (aka Disney).

Disneyland actually has featured characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe at their park. Eventually Disney Corporate will have to decide if they wish to renew Universal Studio's contract and at what price or take back the rights for themselves. I believe I read somewhere the current contract was scheduled to expire in 2020.

The contract actually runs into perpetuity. The only way that Disney will ever have the rights to any of the Marvel characters that are in the same "family" as any character currently in use at the Universal parks is if Universal unilaterally decides to stop using such characters. I do believe that the licensing fee is renegotiated periodically, so that might be the 2020 date you're thinking of.

 

[TXOktober]

Wow, that's a heck of a deal Universal negotiated!

Marvel has made more than a few questionable licensing choices in the past. But really, who could have foreseen Disney buying Marvel or for that matter Lucasfilm?

 

[snowweisz]

Wow, that's a heck of a deal Universal negotiated!

Marvel has made more than a few questionable licensing choices in the past. But really, who could have foreseen Disney buying Marvel or for that matter Lucasfilm?

It was a heck of a deal at the time! But when they renegotiated a couple of years before Disney acquired it, they gave up some clause including one to make renovations. So they cannot ever do a renovation on the rides they have, or add more rides. Which means, that eventually Universal won't be able to do anything with their current rides and will probably sell back at that time. But, one can only hope!

 

[chartle]

Wow, that's a heck of a deal Universal negotiated!

Marvel has made more than a few questionable licensing choices in the past. But really, who could have foreseen Disney buying Marvel or for that matter Lucasfilm?

At the time the original deal was made Marvel was barely keeping the lights on so was not in any good position to negotiate a better deal.

 

[Reddog1134]

It was a heck of a deal at the time! But when they renegotiated a couple of years before Disney acquired it, they gave up some clause including one to make renovations. So they cannot ever do a renovation on the rides they have, or add more rides. Which means, that eventually Universal won't be able to do anything with their current rides and will probably sell back at that time. But, one can only hope!

While they DO have to consult Marvel/Disney about renovations, both parties have to be reasonable.

Disney cannot just refuse Universals requests in an attempt to regain control of the characters.

On the other hand, if Universal refuses to maintain a set standard, Disney CAN reacquire the rights.

Universal has already renovated the Spider-Man ride during Disney's ownership.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

d23 sells some marvel apparel and vinylmations, you can get some marvel stuff in world of disney as well. Last time I went i was able to get two compilation hardcovers for marvel comics in WoD and a x-men t-shirt in d23.