Running Into Spider-Man At Disney World? What About Marvel Rides?

[xclk07]

Though it's been speculated and discussed before, an interesting quote:


The notion of walking into a theme park and going into Asgard or the X-Mansion—Disney does this better than anyone. That is why I've gone to Disney parks multiple times every year for my whole life. It's that next step in fully immersive storytelling, whether it's a dark ride, a stunt show, or a thrill ride. The options are endless when it comes to how Imagineers can turn our characters, our adventures, and our films into amazing experiences.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/116/1162758p1.html

[capntightpants]

Though it's been speculated and discussed before, an interesting quote:



http://movies.ign.com/articles/116/1162758p1.html

You should attribute that quote to Marvel Studio's Kevin Feige. The way that it looks now, it looks like any random dude from ign could have said it. Right now it looks like complete non-news.

But with a Marvel Studio head honcho saying it, it is "sorta news".

[Kingsumo]

If done right, that could be a lot of fun.

Also:
Failed ideas:
Dress like a mutant and get persecuted by other tourists
Incredible Hulk Gamma explosion simulator
fall of Asgard earthquake ride
Assistant editor's ride
comic collector / spectator bubble burst (really just a poorly maintained roller coaster)

[SteveFlack]

Currently, Universal Studios Florida holds the rights to use the Marvel characters "in theme parks in the United States of America, east of the Mississippi River" (yes, that's supposedly exactly what the contract says. Originally, Universal Hollywood had the deal for theme parks west of the Mississippi, but they let that lapse when they closed their Marvel Mania restaurant).

Supposedly, Universal's deal, like most Marvel deals pre-bankruptcy, favor Universal over Marvel. They basically have it until they decide they don't want it any more. And since their archenemy, Walt Disney World, wants it badly, it's going to take a lot to get them to surrender that deal. Basically, Disney is going to have to pay through the nose for it (the way they got the Avengers movie away from Paramount).

The only thing that currently is in Disney's favor, is that the company that owns a majority of stake in Universal Orlando (which isn't Universal Studios itself) is looking to sell Universal Orlando, and that could cause all deals to have to be renegotiated with the property holders, putting the ball in Disney's court to just cancel the deal, and bring it all in house.

So, as it stands right now, Disney can put the Marvel Characters in Disneyland, not Disneyworld. I'm unsure about overseas. I know there's some sort of deal with a company in Dubai, and there was another deal with a company in Canada.

[Ultimate Lurker]

The Spider-Man ride at Universal is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I don't see Disney doing that. And Harry Potter is supposed to be even better.

[BriRedfern]

Currently, Universal Studios Florida holds the rights to use the Marvel characters "in theme parks in the United States of America, east of the Mississippi River" (yes, that's supposedly exactly what the contract says. Originally, Universal Hollywood had the deal for theme parks west of the Mississippi, but they let that lapse when they closed their Marvel Mania restaurant).

Supposedly, Universal's deal, like most Marvel deals pre-bankruptcy, favor Universal over Marvel. They basically have it until they decide they don't want it any more. And since their archenemy, Walt Disney World, wants it badly, it's going to take a lot to get them to surrender that deal. Basically, Disney is going to have to pay through the nose for it (the way they got the Avengers movie away from Paramount).

The only thing that currently is in Disney's favor, is that the company that owns a majority of stake in Universal Orlando (which isn't Universal Studios itself) is looking to sell Universal Orlando, and that could cause all deals to have to be renegotiated with the property holders, putting the ball in Disney's court to just cancel the deal, and bring it all in house.

So, as it stands right now, Disney can put the Marvel Characters in Disneyland, not Disneyworld. I'm unsure about overseas. I know there's some sort of deal with a company in Dubai, and there was another deal with a company in Canada.

Thanks, I have actually been wondering about the Universal/Marvel thing.

[capntightpants]

Currently, Universal Studios Florida holds the rights to use the Marvel characters "in theme parks in the United States of America, east of the Mississippi River" (yes, that's supposedly exactly what the contract says. Originally, Universal Hollywood had the deal for theme parks west of the Mississippi, but they let that lapse when they closed their Marvel Mania restaurant).

Supposedly, Universal's deal, like most Marvel deals pre-bankruptcy, favor Universal over Marvel. They basically have it until they decide they don't want it any more. And since their archenemy, Walt Disney World, wants it badly, it's going to take a lot to get them to surrender that deal. Basically, Disney is going to have to pay through the nose for it (the way they got the Avengers movie away from Paramount).

The only thing that currently is in Disney's favor, is that the company that owns a majority of stake in Universal Orlando (which isn't Universal Studios itself) is looking to sell Universal Orlando, and that could cause all deals to have to be renegotiated with the property holders, putting the ball in Disney's court to just cancel the deal, and bring it all in house.

So, as it stands right now, Disney can put the Marvel Characters in Disneyland, not Disneyworld. I'm unsure about overseas. I know there's some sort of deal with a company in Dubai, and there was another deal with a company in Canada.
Since I'm on the West Coast, I'm okay with this.


The Spider-Man ride at Universal is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I don't see Disney doing that. And Harry Potter is supposed to be even better.

Why don't you see Disney doing something as good?

[Matt Jay]

Finally, I can fight Cyclops for leadership of the X-Men.

[The Funketeer]

I think there's two reasons why it hasn't happened yet...

1) Marvel super heroes really don't fit in with the theme in any of the current Disney parks and I don't see them just shoehorning them in anywhere. My guess is that you'll see a Marvel ride in the next new park Disney creates. That would still put it at least a few years away.

2) I don't think Disney is going to commit the large amount of money it takes to create a ride until they're sure the Marvel buyout is working for them. They could just as easily decide they don't want to own Marvel anymore and sell them off. I don't see that happening but it's within the realm of possibilities.

[BenC (formerly Ape-X)]

And Harry Potter is supposed to be even better.

It is. The friggin' gold standard of rides. Nothing comes close.

[Generic Poster]

It is. The friggin' gold standard of rides. Nothing comes close.

Maybe Six Flags can build a Watchmen ride. It would be the Watchmen of rides.

[CraigM]

The only thing that currently is in Disney's favor, is that the company that owns a majority of stake in Universal Orlando (which isn't Universal Studios itself) is looking to sell Universal Orlando, and that could cause all deals to have to be renegotiated with the property holders, putting the ball in Disney's court to just cancel the deal, and bring it all in house.

Just wanted to clarify something.

Blackstone currently owns 50% stake in Universal Orlando, with the other 50% belonging to NBCUniversal/Comcast. Currently, as it is, Blackstone has filed paperwork stating that they are looking to sell their stake in Universal Orlando. Due to the contract between the two companies, Blackstone had to offer their shares to NBCUniversal first, which a decision will come down no later than mid-June if they would like to do this or not. If NBCUniversal decides not to purchase Blackstone's shares, then Blackstone could sell the entire resort, but the price the potential bidder would have to pay is 180% of the offer they made NBCUniversal to sell their (Blackstone) shares. If 270 days passes, and an agreement has not been made then Universal Orlando is off the market technically, and the agreement from before remains the same. Blackstone would not be able to try this again for one year.

Of course, some of the interesting notes come in. First, what is the true value of Universal Orlando? No one really knows the answer to that since the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Second, Steve Burke is a former Walt Disney World executive and the story that I have heard is that he was pushed out of running Disneyland Paris and eventually made his way to Comcast. There have been rumblings that he wants to run a theme park and this would give him that opportunity. Third, the different licenses that Universal Orlando owns, including their agreement with Steven Spielberg, would mean that the third party company that would be interested in purchasing would have to meet a series of rules and regulations in regards to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I doubt any third party would be interested in purchasing Universal Orlando without The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Marvel Superhero Island as they do indeed bring guests in, have some of the best rated attractions in terms of theme parks (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man), and help make the entire resort marketable as Spider-Man and Harry Potter are frequently mentioned in print and television ads.

I think what happens is that NBCUniversal will purchase the remaining stock and keep it all in house. The resort is generating money, and they would like to keep their theme park business booming especially when you consider that they want to add The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood, there are talks of expanding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, and they continue to build theme parks across the world (Universal Studios Singapore just recently opened and there have been talks of one in Dubai for a few years now). I don't think a third party ends up buying the resort at all because of the way the deals have been made making it too difficult for a third party to just come in and assume control.

[SteveFlack]

Just wanted to clarify something.

Blackstone currently owns 50% stake in Universal Orlando, with the other 50% belonging to NBCUniversal/Comcast. Currently, as it is, Blackstone has filed paperwork stating that they are looking to sell their stake in Universal Orlando. Due to the contract between the two companies, Blackstone had to offer their shares to NBCUniversal first, which a decision will come down no later than mid-June if they would like to do this or not. If NBCUniversal decides not to purchase Blackstone's shares, then Blackstone could sell the entire resort, but the price the potential bidder would have to pay is 180% of the offer they made NBCUniversal to sell their (Blackstone) shares. If 270 days passes, and an agreement has not been made then Universal Orlando is off the market technically, and the agreement from before remains the same. Blackstone would not be able to try this again for one year.

Of course, some of the interesting notes come in. First, what is the true value of Universal Orlando? No one really knows the answer to that since the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Second, Steve Burke is a former Walt Disney World executive and the story that I have heard is that he was pushed out of running Disneyland Paris and eventually made his way to Comcast. There have been rumblings that he wants to run a theme park and this would give him that opportunity. Third, the different licenses that Universal Orlando owns, including their agreement with Steven Spielberg, would mean that the third party company that would be interested in purchasing would have to meet a series of rules and regulations in regards to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I doubt any third party would be interested in purchasing Universal Orlando without The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Marvel Superhero Island as they do indeed bring guests in, have some of the best rated attractions in terms of theme parks (Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man), and help make the entire resort marketable as Spider-Man and Harry Potter are frequently mentioned in print and television ads.

I think what happens is that NBCUniversal will purchase the remaining stock and keep it all in house. The resort is generating money, and they would like to keep their theme park business booming especially when you consider that they want to add The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Universal Studios Hollywood, there are talks of expanding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, and they continue to build theme parks across the world (Universal Studios Singapore just recently opened and there have been talks of one in Dubai for a few years now). I don't think a third party ends up buying the resort at all because of the way the deals have been made making it too difficult for a third party to just come in and assume control.

All true, I just would assume, and this is just coming from a casual observer, that Disney would use any sort of change in ownership, to somehow cause the Marvel contract to become null and void. It's just in their best interest before they ask Universal how much money it would cost to get the Marvel properties back.

[CraigM]

All true, I just would assume, and this is just coming from a casual observer, that Disney would use any sort of change in ownership, to somehow cause the Marvel contract to become null and void. It's just in their best interest before they ask Universal how much money it would cost to get the Marvel properties back.

A lot of that also has to depend on how the contracts were written. Because of the fact that NBCUniversal and Blackstone share ownership of the company, Universal Orlando is technically owned by the Universal City Development Partners (if I remember all of that correctly). So, if the contract states that Marvel has given UCDP the rights to their characters, and NBCUniversal has acquired the remaining shares of the company then Disney might not have a leg to stand on. With Warner Brothers and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the contract specifically states that NBCUniversal must remain owners of UCDP or have an agreement with UCDP if they are no longer owners, which is being taken care of by a licensing agreement between UCDP, Universal Orlando, and NBCUniversal to help keep the contracts and properties safe. I do not believe a contract that is nearly 20 years old would have the same stipulations as Universal Orlando has had their fair share of owners, including GE who just sold their majority stake of NBCUniversal to Comcast.

In all honesty, I think the only way Disney is getting the properties is by offering a lot of money to NBCUniversal and Comcast. And if Steve Burke hates Disney, that might not ever happen.

[Dan-C]

The Spider-Man ride at Universal is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I don't see Disney doing that. And Harry Potter is supposed to be even better.

I was just there for the first time a couple weeks ago. The Hulk ride was great. And it was fun to be in the area, but it was very 90's. I'm sure if they rebuilt it to be more like the Harry Potter section, it could be off the hook, and way more immersive, the way the quote suggests. But there is a Nelson & Murdoch office, and some other cool easter eggs for fans.

And yeah, the Harry Potter area blows everything else in that park away. So much detail. It really makes a visit worth while.

[SteveFlack]

I was just there for the first time a couple weeks ago. The Hulk ride was great. And it was fun to be in the area, but it was very 90's. I'm sure if they rebuilt it to be more like the Harry Potter section, it could be off the hook, and way more immersive, the way the quote suggests. But there is a Nelson & Murdoch office, and some other cool easter eggs for fans.

And yeah, the Harry Potter area blows everything else in that park away. So much detail. It really makes a visit worth while.

I wouldn't be surprised if aside from minor upkeep, nothing will ever really change with Marvel's Island of Adventure. First off, Marvel itself probably won't be of any help. Why would Disney let an arm of there's help the competition? And then why would Universal put money into something they could lose at any minute?

Also, Feige refers to Imagineers in the article. Which definitely means he's talking about Disney itself, since they are Disney park designing branch.

My best guess? Something Marvel related ends up in California Adventure within the decade. Though, they have a big expansion planned next year, with Carsland being built, so maybe they'll put something in Disneyland instead.

[Jason California]

Currently, Universal Studios Florida holds the rights to use the Marvel characters "in theme parks in the United States of America, east of the Mississippi River" (yes, that's supposedly exactly what the contract says. Originally, Universal Hollywood had the deal for theme parks west of the Mississippi, but they let that lapse when they closed their Marvel Mania restaurant).

Supposedly, Universal's deal, like most Marvel deals pre-bankruptcy, favor Universal over Marvel. They basically have it until they decide they don't want it any more. And since their archenemy, Walt Disney World, wants it badly, it's going to take a lot to get them to surrender that deal. Basically, Disney is going to have to pay through the nose for it (the way they got the Avengers movie away from Paramount).

The only thing that currently is in Disney's favor, is that the company that owns a majority of stake in Universal Orlando (which isn't Universal Studios itself) is looking to sell Universal Orlando, and that could cause all deals to have to be renegotiated with the property holders, putting the ball in Disney's court to just cancel the deal, and bring it all in house.

So, as it stands right now, Disney can put the Marvel Characters in Disneyland, not Disneyworld. I'm unsure about overseas. I know there's some sort of deal with a company in Dubai, and there was another deal with a company in Canada.

This works out really well for Mitch.

[Dan-C]

The Spider-Man ride at Universal is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I don't see Disney doing that. And Harry Potter is supposed to be even better.

I was just there for the first time a couple weeks ago. The Hulk ride was great. And it was fun to be in the area, but it was very 90's. I'm sure if they rebuilt it to be more like the Harry Potter section, it could be off the hook, and way more immersive, the way the quote suggests. But there is a Nelson & Murdoch office, and some other cool easter eggs for fans.

And yeah, the Harry Potter area blows everything else in that park away. So much detail. It really makes a visit worth while.

[Ultimate Lurker]

Since I'm on the West Coast, I'm okay with this.



Why don't you see Disney doing something as good?

They haven't come close yet. I'll be there beginning of June, so we'll see what the redone Star Tours is like, but I doubt it'll be anything close to Spider-Man.

[Jose]

I was just there for the first time a couple weeks ago. The Hulk ride was great. And it was fun to be in the area, but it was very 90's. I'm sure if they rebuilt it to be more like the Harry Potter section, it could be off the hook, and way more immersive, the way the quote suggests. But there is a Nelson & Murdoch office, and some other cool easter eggs for fans.

And yeah, the Harry Potter area blows everything else in that park away. So much detail. It really makes a visit worth while.

I also went a few weeks ago. The Marvel section was very "90s," but it was still cool. The whole Islands of Adventure park was well done, especially the Dr. Suess land. Harry Potter could easily be its own park.