Nintendo coming to Universal?

[Planogirl]

I don't think that Marvel will be leaving Universal. Most rumors talk about even more of a presence as others have said.

I was thinking that a redesign of Toon Lagoon might be possible. It's cute but not particularly relevant to kids.

 

[dark54555]

So either this has dashed my dreams of Disney buying Nintendo, or means Disney will buy Nintendo and deal with the Marvel problem all over again.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think that Marvel will be leaving Universal. Most rumors talk about even more of a presence as others have said.

I was thinking that a redesign of Toon Lagoon might be possible. It's cute but not particularly relevant to kids.

Toon lagoon is where Nintendo is going. Marvel is supposed to get a refurbed hulk, doom, and maybe a new attraction as well. Universal has a 10 year plan that is pretty extensive.

 

[James Thick]

I love Nintendo I really do but nothing screams at me with "state of the art" e-ticket. I think it will just be a fluffy kids area.

Jimmy Thick- But then again Universal does do screens instead of animatronics...

 

[LunarDistortion]

I think this will take over either Marvel Island or Toon Lagoon. I think it's a great idea, and as a huge Nintendo fan, I'm excited!

I love Nintendo I really do but nothing screams at me with "state of the art" e-ticket. I think it will just be a fluffy kids area.

Jimmy Thick- But then again Universal does do screens instead of animatronics...

They have some smaller IP's like Star Fox, Kid Icarus, and F-Zero that would make good thrill rides. As well as things like Bowser's Castle from Mario Kart 8 and the Donkey Kong Mine Kart tracks that would make good ones as well from Major IP's.

 

[VapeWithApe]

Disney missed a huge opportunity (AGAIN) to secure the rights to a huge money maker.

Mario/Luigi/Peach/Bowser, Zelda, Pokemon, Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, Starfox

Disney would have printed money with a Nintendo themed land. Not to mention the characters fit right into the Disney cartoon characters and would look awesome in a meet and greet. This would have revitalized Epcot and made it a must visit park for the kids

Imagine one entire section dedicated to Nintendo with 2 dark rides and a larger ride they could build.

Comparing Avatar to Nintendo is laughable.

 

[101disneyfan]

Disney missed a huge opportunity (AGAIN) to secure the rights to a huge money maker.

Mario/Luigi/Peach/Bowser, Zelda, Pokemon, Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, Starfox

Disney would have printed money with a Nintendo themed land. Not to mention the characters fit right into the Disney cartoon characters and would look awesome in a meet and greet. This would have revitalized Epcot and made it a must visit park for the kids

Imagine one entire section dedicated to Nintendo with 2 dark rides and a larger ride they could build.

Comparing Avatar to Nintendo is laughable.

Why would put it in Epcot?

 

[smitch425]

Why would put it in Epcot?

Technology and gaming already have a presence in EPCOT.

 

[DDLand]

Disney missed a huge opportunity (AGAIN) to secure the rights to a huge money maker.

Mario/Luigi/Peach/Bowser, Zelda, Pokemon, Smash Brothers, Mario Kart, Starfox

Disney would have printed money with a Nintendo themed land. Not to mention the characters fit right into the Disney cartoon characters and would look awesome in a meet and greet. This would have revitalized Epcot and made it a must visit park for the kids

Imagine one entire section dedicated to Nintendo with 2 dark rides and a larger ride they could build.

Comparing Avatar to Nintendo is laughable.

To quote Iger, Disney has an "embarrassment of riches." There's no need to buy into these franchises when Disney has under devloped Cars, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Incredibles, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Tangled, Frozen, Beauty and The Beast, Big Hero 6, etc. These IPs are in house, and can be used to leverage multiple divisions within the company.

That's what Disney seems to be most interested in recently. With the exception of Avatar they haven't pursued new deals (at least as far as we know).

Agreed the characters may stink, but oh my gosh will it be beautiful.

 

[DDLand]

Technology and gaming already have a presence in EPCOT.

The gamification of Epcot is not something to be desired. Unless they could draw Nintendo into a greater story of video game design, I think they'd be squandering space with a Mario ride.

 

[smitch425]

The gamification of Epcot is not something to be desired. Unless they could draw Nintendo into a greater story of video game design, I think they'd be squandering space with a Mario ride.

I didn't say it was a good idea. Lol! I was just responding as to why Epcot was likely mentioned. There are/were various locations in Epcot where gaming was done, so it seems like the logical choice if Disney would have partnered with Nintendo, but I think Universal is a better fit. Nintendo had the potential to be its own theme park, and people would have come in droves. Partnering with Universal will result in a small version of what could have been, but I'll take that over nothing.

 

[Josh Hendy]

To quote Iger, Disney has an "embarrassment of riches." There's no need to buy into these franchises when Disney has under devloped Cars, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Incredibles, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Tangled, Frozen, Beauty and The Beast, Big Hero 6, etc. These IPs are in house, and can be used to leverage multiple divisions within the company.

That's what Disney seems to be most interested in recently. With the exception of Avatar they haven't pursued new deals (at least as far as we know).

Agreed the characters may stink, but oh my gosh will it be beautiful.

Embarrassing because they haven't bothered to build or even announce a single really big, headliner attraction (let alone a dedicated land) for any of those hot properties anywhere at their flagship resort?

 

[Planogirl]

Embarrassing because they haven't bothered to build or even announce a single really big, headliner attraction (let alone a dedicated land) for any of those hot properties anywhere at their flagship resort?

I was just thinking that. It's nice to have all of those properties but if you don't do anything good with them is it really that important to tourists?

I'm reminded of Six Flags having the rights to DC. Beyond a few good coasters, they have missed the opportunity to do so much more.

 

[DDLand]

Embarrassing because they haven't bothered to build or even announce a single really big, headliner attraction (let alone a dedicated land) for any of those hot properties anywhere at their flagship resort?

What's the rush?

 

[LaurelMW]

I really hope that Universal keeps buying these properties, and maybe Disney will get off their butts and build some more new rides. Avatar is so dated at this point, the only thing they've got going that is relevant is the Frozen re-skin of Maelstrom (which I am still bitter about). Disney could have broken ground on a whole new Star Wars section of the park by now and they haven't. I get that they don't want to rush things/they want quality, but somehow Universal seems to be able to pull off a quick turnaround on innovative/highly themed attractions. Disney could have had a pod racing ride by now if they just put as much effort into it...

 

[Boski]

What's the rush?

I guess when you boil it all down there is no "rush". Disney is still making a ton of money which is the only thing that matters to them. But......

Its the right thing to do. DHS and Epcot are in need of some TLC. They are closing down rides without any replacements in sight. They talk about Star Wars land or Pixar land but there is no decision made. And to top it all off we know that when they finally decide to move it will be years before we see anything because they are so slow to build things. All the while Universal continues to grow, build new lands, build new rides...all at a significantly quicker pace than Disney.

 

[Lee Matthews]

Personally, i don't find that Nintendo has that much relevance these days. It certainly wont draw millions into Universal like Harry Potter

 

[TheGreatMazzu]

To quote Iger, Disney has an "embarrassment of riches." There's no need to buy into these franchises when Disney has under devloped Cars, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Incredibles, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Tangled, Frozen, Beauty and The Beast, Big Hero 6, etc. These IPs are in house, and can be used to leverage multiple divisions within the company.

That's what Disney seems to be most interested in recently. With the exception of Avatar they haven't pursued new deals (at least as far as we know).

Agreed the characters may stink, but oh my gosh will it be beautiful.

I'm a bit late in the conversation, but I don't think Disney has anything to worry about regarding "under-developing" Frozen. Frozen is every freaking where. When I went to the parks over spring break, Frozen was plastered in multiple places around MK and Hollywood Studios, and I know that there are multiple Frozen celebrations and shows in the works. There are a lot of Disney franchises that definitely need to be tapped into, several of which were mentioned above, but Frozen is not one of them.

 

[TheGreatMazzu]

Also, I read through all of the posts and there's a lot of rumors going around that Nintendo is losing relevance with young audiences.

It's not, trust me. And I can tell you for a fact that just the Smash Bros. games and the latest Pokemon installments have, as far as I can tell, revitalized interest in Nintendo in both the younger audience and the college-aged audience. I believe if Universal really gives it their all in marketing this as they do Harry Potter and HHN, the Nintendo attractions will do a lot for them, perhaps even rival the Harry Potter areas (which will be a welcome change for me, personally). There's a LOT of innovative things that Universal can do with the Nintendo IP... a Pokemon Snap attraction has been flying around in the imaginations of a lot of YouTubers. I think having a Pokemon game of sorts scattered all over the Universal property (a la Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom at Disney / the wand windows in the Harry Potter areas) would draw a serious crowd. If they do a Mario Kart attraction, which I hope they do, I believe that the absolute WORST idea is to have a Tomorrowland Speedway or bumper car Mario Kart attraction. If anything, I think that they should tap into the almost competitive feel that the Radiator Springs attraction at California Adventure has, and plus it in a way that lets guests use items (like in Mario Kart). There's a lot of innovation to be had just in the Mario Kart IP alone.

I do wonder, though, where they would put all of this. I suppose it's all but confirmed that Marvel isn't going anywhere, and there really isn't room in either of the parks to put this, so does Universal have a gigantic plot of real estate behind Studios or IOA? Either way, I'm pretty curious / cautiously optimistic about all of this.

 

[ChrisFL]

I do wonder, though, where they would put all of this. I suppose it's all but confirmed that Marvel isn't going anywhere, and there really isn't room in either of the parks to put this, so does Universal have a gigantic plot of real estate behind Studios or IOA? Either way, I'm pretty curious / cautiously optimistic about all of this.

It's going into the KidZone area by most people "in the know"...that would be the area where the Animal Actors, Feivel, Barney and Curious George is right now....plus there's LOTS of space out behind it that isn't being used.