Marvel Land

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm wondering if some of the Marvel attractions at Universal Orlando could be renamed (rethemed) IF Disney was able to acquire Marvel theme park rights.

Sure, Universal could repaint Doctor Doom's Fearfall, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Storm Force Accelatron, along with redecorating their queues and changing their graphics. Universal could put new facades on the buildings. A considerably more expensive project would be to convert The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride into something better than what it is now.

Universal would want Disney to pay for it AND to make it worth Universal's while. Hundreds of millions of dollars would go to Universal from Disney. Universal would be able to promote "exciting new attractions," drawing Central Florida visitors away from Disney. Also, Disney would lose licensing revenue and merchandise royalties.

Disney could accomplish much more putting those same hundreds of millions of dollars into Marvel attractions at its own parks (except at WDW).

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Sure, Universal could repaint Doctor Doom's Fearfall, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Storm Force Accelatron, along with redecorating their queues and changing their graphics. Universal could put new facades on the buildings. A considerably more expensive project would be to convert The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride into something better than what it is now. Universal would want Disney to pay for it AND to make it worth Universal's while. Hundreds of millions of dollars would go to Universal from Disney. Universal would be able to promote "exciting new attractions," drawing Central Florida visitors away from Disney. Also, Disney would lose licensing revenue and merchandise royalties. Disney could accomplish much more putting those same hundreds of millions of dollars into Marvel attractions at its own parks (except at WDW).

Being in California, I guess I wouldn't mind it if they added some Marvel stuff to DCA, or Tomorrowland. But with the Star Wars rumors at Disneyland, I don't know if we'll see any Marvel E-tickets anytime soon in the U.S.

 

[rteetz]

Being in California, I guess I wouldn't mind it if they added some Marvel stuff to DCA, or Tomorrowland. But with the Star Wars rumors at Disneyland, I don't know if we'll see any Marvel E-tickets anytime soon in the U.S.

Shanghai Disney is getting a marvel attraction they will probably see how that goes before they build more marvel attractions.

 

[thorp8]

Alright, so clearly it seems that no Marvel additions will located at WDW anytime soon. I for one would welcome them, being a huge WDW fan, and also a big Marvel fan. However, it seems that there is no reason for Disney/Marvel to try and buy out the Universal rights currently in place. From what I have read here, they are getting paid (probably a decent amount a year), and it also basically offers them free advertising for it's Characters (movie promotion), and then there is the money they are making off the merchandising sold at Universal also.

All that said, one day, I assume that WDW will welcome Marvel Characters and attractions. As much as I would enjoy this, I think there are certainly some things I wouldn't like. As in, I don't think a heavy presence at MK would go over well. However, I can totally see, and hope one day experience some things at other parks.
Some examples - Innovations being labeled Stark Expo... or, if that doesn't float your boat, maybe instead of re-theme of Innovations, what about having a month long "Stark Expo" in Future World, much like Flower & Garden or Food & Wine?
Also, although I assume that Frozen might take over a big part of Norway, which I'm not against, I think that Thor could easily be well done here. If you've seen the movies, I think it would fit right in, could have a nice attraction that still doesn't overwhelm the quaintness of the Norway classic theme.
Obviously I think there could be a big impact at DHS, even with a complete park overhaul, I think Marvel could be easily integrated here with a couple thrill rides. The main reason I feel that DHS would be the prime location though is that I feel it is designed for a slightly older crowd than MK, which would fit right into Marvel's age group.

BTW, on a side note, I am all for Star Wars Land, specially at DHS, but I question the rumor of it happening at DL's Tomorrowland. It may turn out perfectly fine, but it certainly wouldn't like the idea of a Star Wars theme at MK's Tomorrowland.

Thoughts?

 

[rteetz]

Alright, so clearly it seems that no Marvel additions will located at WDW anytime soon. I for one would welcome them, being a huge WDW fan, and also a big Marvel fan. However, it seems that there is no reason for Disney/Marvel to try and buy out the Universal rights currently in place. From what I have read here, they are getting paid (probably a decent amount a year), and it also basically offers them free advertising for it's Characters (movie promotion), and then there is the money they are making off the merchandising sold at Universal also. All that said, one day, I assume that WDW will welcome Marvel Characters and attractions. As much as I would enjoy this, I think there are certainly some things I wouldn't like. As in, I don't think a heavy presence at MK would go over well. However, I can totally see, and hope one day experience some things at other parks. Some examples - Innovations being labeled Stark Expo... or, if that doesn't float your boat, maybe instead of re-theme of Innovations, what about having a month long "Stark Expo" in Future World, much like Flower & Garden or Food & Wine? Also, although I assume that Frozen might take over a big part of Norway, which I'm not against, I think that Thor could easily be well done here. If you've seen the movies, I think it would fit right in, could have a nice attraction that still doesn't overwhelm the quaintness of the Norway classic theme. Obviously I think there could be a big impact at DHS, even with a complete park overhaul, I think Marvel could be easily integrated here with a couple thrill rides. The main reason I feel that DHS would be the prime location though is that I feel it is designed for a slightly older crowd than MK, which would fit right into Marvel's age group. BTW, on a side note, I am all for Star Wars Land, specially at DHS, but I question the rumor of it happening at DL's Tomorrowland. It may turn out perfectly fine, but it certainly wouldn't like the idea of a Star Wars theme at MK's Tomorrowland. Thoughts?

I also would love marvel in WDW but for the foreseeable future it isn't happening. Disney will continue to put marvel on the cruise ships and in oversea parks. It's only a matter of time before we see Star Wars in the theme parks more then they already are.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

There is a possible way for WDW to get Marvel characters, without buying out Universal's theme park rights ("east of the Mississippi"). If Marvel develops a popular new "family" of heroes and villains, with no connection to existing Marvel "families," then Universal would not have the rights.

Speculating about Stark Expo and Thor at WDW might be a fun exercise, but there's no reason to believe that it will ever happen. Universal has invested a lot of money in Marvel Super Hero Island, and it's a popular part of IoA. Universal has an added incentive to comply with its end of the agreement because that prevents Disney using the characters.

If the Marvel characters licensed by Universal eventually become so unpopular that Universal decides to drop them, then, at that point, Disney is unlikely to want to invest in theme park attractions based on them either.

 

[rteetz]

There is a possible way for WDW to get Marvel characters, without buying out Universal's theme park rights ("east of the Mississippi"). If Marvel develops a popular new "family" of heroes and villains, with no connection to existing Marvel "families," then Universal would not have the rights. Speculating about Stark Expo and Thor at WDW might be a fun exercise, but there's no reason to believe that it will ever happen. Universal has invested a lot of money in Marvel Super Hero Island, and it's a popular part of IoA. Universal has an added incentive to comply with its end of the agreement because that prevents Disney using the characters. If the Marvel characters licensed by Universal eventually become so unpopular that Universal decides to drop them, then, at that point, Disney is unlikely to want to invest in theme park attractions based on them either.

I agree with you but Disney would have to build up on those characters first. Disney would need to see big success out of those new characters like Anna and Elsa of frozen. And with money being invested into universal maybe 20-30 years down the road marvel super hero island may be something else and that where Disney gets those right back but that's a long shot.

 

[thorp8]

There is a possible way for WDW to get Marvel characters, without buying out Universal's theme park rights ("east of the Mississippi"). If Marvel develops a popular new "family" of heroes and villains, with no connection to existing Marvel "families," then Universal would not have the rights.

Speculating about Stark Expo and Thor at WDW might be a fun exercise, but there's no reason to believe that it will ever happen. Universal has invested a lot of money in Marvel Super Hero Island, and it's a popular part of IoA. Universal has an added incentive to comply with its end of the agreement because that prevents Disney using the characters.

If the Marvel characters licensed by Universal eventually become so unpopular that Universal decides to drop them, then, at that point, Disney is unlikely to want to invest in theme park attractions based on them either.

I agree, and understand about the first two comments, I think the earliest anything would seriously happen (at WDW) would be 10-20 years from now. Which seems like a long time out. It would be a waiting game to see if Universal things they would be better off with another theme for IoA.
As for your last point... I also agree somewhat, although hopefully not the case. But this is the exact reason that I think if Disney ever got the full rights back, they would never make a 5th gate for Marvel specifically, too big a risk if it becomes unpopular down the road. I think if anything, it would be smaller themed lands that we have most commonly heard about on other subjects.

 

[beer dave]

There is a possible way for WDW to get Marvel characters, without buying out Universal's theme park rights ("east of the Mississippi"). If Marvel develops a popular new "family" of heroes and villains, with no connection to existing Marvel "families," then Universal would not have the rights.

Speculating about Stark Expo and Thor at WDW might be a fun exercise, but there's no reason to believe that it will ever happen. Universal has invested a lot of money in Marvel Super Hero Island, and it's a popular part of IoA. Universal has an added incentive to comply with its end of the agreement because that prevents Disney using the characters.

If the Marvel characters licensed by Universal eventually become so unpopular that Universal decides to drop them, then, at that point, Disney is unlikely to want to invest in theme park attractions based on them either.

Yup-- these have been my thoughts (and posts) for a while now. They are starting new families already with the new shows coming out. All they have to do is make a series of avenger movies where the avengers turn evil...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

There is a possible way for WDW to get Marvel characters, without buying out Universal's theme park rights ("east of the Mississippi"). If Marvel develops a popular new "family" of heroes and villains, with no connection to existing Marvel "families," then Universal would not have the rights.

Speculating about Stark Expo and Thor at WDW might be a fun exercise, but there's no reason to believe that it will ever happen. Universal has invested a lot of money in Marvel Super Hero Island, and it's a popular part of IoA. Universal has an added incentive to comply with its end of the agreement because that prevents Disney using the characters.

If the Marvel characters licensed by Universal eventually become so unpopular that Universal decides to drop them, then, at that point, Disney is unlikely to want to invest in theme park attractions based on them either.

Honestly...even though everything here is time consumption/leisure/speculation...I don't know why this idea keeps getting batted back and forth over the net...

Disney has almost zero reason to mess with this...Comcast slightly less than zero.

It's just numbers...as in the current situation makes relatively easy money on both sides of the deal.

And this goes to a bigger point...namely that Disney is NOT looking to throw money into rides at Disney world. Are we blind here?

If they wanted more draw at EPCOT...they have the money to build it. If they wanted a gigantic movie park that packs them in...they have the money to build it. If they wanted to "stop te bleeding" at animal kingdom - or downtown for that matter - they had the money to do it long ago.
It's a conglomerate that does only what it wants with finances alone driving the bus.

They have advantages to marvel as it stands already. Building an ironman rollercoaster on the studio backlot does NOTHING for them as it stands. Now...if Comcast keeps messing with them...maybe. But right now it's basically free money for Disney...across a broad spectrum of units and scenarios. They like that.

Now...with Star Wars...and this avatar thing...they currently have untapped potential on the east coast. Look there...nothing doing with marvels rides, parks, hotels, etc.

Please people...let it go. I assure Disney is spending near zilch time worrying about getting out of the licensing deal. The ball is in Comcast's. court and until they start buying/delivering their own IP...they probably couldn't care less either. And even that probably wouldn't matter.