All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[lazyboy97o]

They really can’t do much in the Marvel space at this point anyways, as they can’t really update it and they can’t expand it in terms of new rides with new characters, it’s locked. It’s why the area hasn’t been refreshed in years beyond maintenance.

It is not locked. They can’t add new characters but they have access to plenty of families already. The park as a whole hasn’t been changed all that much since it opened. Most of the big changes have been to Lost Continent and the next big change will be to the rest of that island.

 

[Rich T]

They really can’t do much in the Marvel space at this point anyways, as they can’t really update it and they can’t expand it in terms of new rides with new characters, it’s locked. It’s why the area hasn’t been refreshed in years beyond maintenance.

Basically it makes more sense to tear it down and let the rights go if they want DC. Same thing with the rumors about Simpsons being let go in 2028.

I think that it’s hugely beneficial to Universal for them to keep Disney from being able to use those Marvel characters in Florida. Marvel Island features two of IoA’s best attractions, and the area remains busy and bustling as is.

They can expand the superhero theme by adding DC to the Toon Lagoon and amphitheater area. I’d hate to see Ripsaw Falls and Popeye get rethemed or replaced, but I realize on any given day I’m there that I might be the only one in the park who knows who Nelle, Horse, Inspector Fenwick, Ignatz, Churchy, Howland and Aesop (& son) are.

 

[Disney Irish]

I think that it’s hugely beneficial to Universal for them to keep Disney from being able to use those Marvel characters in Florida. Marvel Island features two of IoA’s best attractions, and the area remains busy and bustling as is.

They can expand the superhero theme by adding DC to the Toon Lagoon and amphitheater area. I’d hate to see Ripsaw Falls and Popeye get rethemed or replaced, but I realize on any given day I’m there that I might be the only one in the park who knows who Nelle, Horse, Inspector Fenwick, Ignatz, Churchy, Howland and Aesop (& son) are.

We'll see what they do, but I still just don't see them having both. If they want DC I see them getting rid of Marvel Island.

 

[truecoat]

I think that it’s hugely beneficial to Universal for them to keep Disney from being able to use those Marvel characters in Florida. Marvel Island features two of IoA’s best attractions, and the area remains busy and bustling as is.

They can expand the superhero theme by adding DC to the Toon Lagoon and amphitheater area. I’d hate to see Ripsaw Falls and Popeye get rethemed or replaced, but I realize on any given day I’m there that I might be the only one in the park who knows who Nelle, Horse, Inspector Fenwick, Ignatz, Churchy, Howland and Aesop (& son) are.

I'm old and don't know who they are, maybe Ignatz.

 

[J4546]

getting rid of toon lagoon would be so terrible imo. I know popeye and that crew arent super relevant IPS but that river rapids ride and log flume are both top notch water rides imo. And that park doesnt have any other water rides outside of JP

 

[Gusey]

Can Universal not add any attractions themed to Marvel Comics to Islands if they still hold the theme park rights? I know it wouldn't be MCU but are Universal no longer allowed to do anything with the comic books??

 

[lazyboy97o]

Can Universal not add any attractions themed to Marvel Comics to Islands if they still hold the theme park rights? I know it wouldn't be MCU but are Universal no longer allowed to do anything with the comic books??

They are and have kicked around ideas. There are even published patents related to an Iron Man ride. They’ve just decided that things largely work and they have other priorities.

 

[Andrew C]

Can Universal not add any attractions themed to Marvel Comics to Islands if they still hold the theme park rights? I know it wouldn't be MCU but are Universal no longer allowed to do anything with the comic books??

Do they need to add Marvel attractions? They already have Spiderman and the Hulk. Honestly, focusing on Super Hero Island right now seems a bit of a waste. More of a long term idea to do something else there IMO.

 

[Gusey]

Do they need to add Marvel attractions? They already have Spiderman and the Hulk. Honestly, focusing on Super Hero Island right now seems a bit of a waste. More of a long term idea to do something else there IMO.

I just wasn't sure if they still had the option to add/update the attractions/restaurants in Super Hero Island amongst the talk of potentially replacing Marvel with DC

 

[mickEblu]

IMO there is no way Universal will spend a few hundred million on a new IP attraction that isn’t showcasing the latest n greatest/ most relevant version of that IP. Especially when they have access to so much IP that is relevant.

 

[Andrew C]

I just wasn't sure if they still had the option to add/update the attractions/restaurants in Super Hero Island amongst the talk of potentially replacing Marvel with DC

Got it. Honestly, I have no idea either.

IMO there is no way Universal will spend a few hundred million on a new IP attraction that isn’t showcasing the latest n greatest/ most relevant version of that IP. Especially when they have access to so much IP that is relevant.

For now, they should leave as it. Just maintain it and keep it clean as is stated in their license agreement. Also, I am sure the money they make off merch is helpful. There are many other areas they should be focusing on.

 

[mickEblu]

Got it. Honestly, I have no idea either.

For now, they should leave as it. Just maintain it and keep it clean as is stated in their license agreement. Also, I am sure the money they make off merch is helpful. There are many other areas they should be focusing on.

This seems to make the most sense for them for the time being unless Disney makes an offer they can’t refuse.

 

[Professortango1]

True, but why obtain DC rights just to retheme the Marvel area, if instead they could simply leave Marvel intact and continue to prevent their biggest competitor from ever opening a superhero land in Florida?

IMO, a basic DC overlay of Marvel at IoA wouldn’t be a big enough draw to be worth releasing those Marvel character rights to WDW. I think Universal needs to plan much bigger than that.

Because Marvel Super Hero Island is...mediocre and dated at best. Spider-Man was an iconic ride, but even that seems a bit old fashioned in execution. The land doesn't have great visuals and while it has two major attractions, only one is highly themed and I'd be all for something better replacing Spider-Man, as I think AID will be a modern version of the same basic experience. Toon Lagoon is the only other area begging for a replacement, but I do love how both of those attractions flow through the land and Bluto's is the best rafting ride I've experienced, so that just needs a new IP/idea and DC doesn't appear to fit those two attractions.

If they replaced Marvel, it would be more than basic. Post-Potter, Universal hasn't done anything that looks as cheap and theme park-y as Super Hero Island and I doubt they'd want to throw away this opportunity with an uncharacteristic bland reskin. This isn't DCA, remember.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Post-Potter, Universal hasn't done anything that looks as cheap and theme park-y as Super Hero Island and I doubt they'd want to throw away this opportunity with an uncharacteristic bland reskin. This isn't DCA, remember.

They just did Minions Land and DreamWorks Land not that long ago next door. Then there’s the whole thing in Texas…

 

[Professortango1]

They just did Minions Land and DreamWorks Land not that long ago next door. Then there’s the whole thing in Texas…

Still looks miles better than Super Hero Island. And an improvement over what was there prior.

 

[Disney Irish]

It is not locked. They can’t add new characters but they have access to plenty of families already. The park as a whole hasn’t been changed all that much since it opened. Most of the big changes have been to Lost Continent and the next big change will be to the rest of that island.

This has been discussed ad nauseam all over the internet, as an example, (including this site) on why the Island is locked in the 90s with no new additions and nothing but refurbs. Basically Marvel/Disney has the right to approval on any reasonable changes to the area including new attractions, and Disney isn't likely to approve new usage as it doesn't benefit them. Same reason why Uni hasn't given up the rights so far. So Uni has been locked into just maintaining what is there.

So basically if they can swap out Marvel for DC so the whole area can be refreshed, that benefits everyone. Now will that do it, who knows, only time will tell.

 

[Andrew C]

Spider-Man was an iconic ride, but even that seems a bit old fashioned in execution.

Still iconic and better than anything Disney has done with marvel.

 

[lazyboy97o]

This has been discussed ad nauseam all over the internet, as an example, (including this site) on why the Island is locked in the 90s with no new additions and nothing but refurbs. Basically Marvel/Disney has the right to approval on any reasonable changes to the area including new attractions, and Disney isn't likely to approve new usage as it doesn't benefit them. Same reason why Uni hasn't given up the rights so far. So Uni has been locked into just maintaining what is there.

So basically if they can swap out Marvel for DC so the whole area can be refreshed, that benefits everyone. Now will that do it, who knows, only time will tell.

Reasonable approval means Marvel can’t just withhold approval because they don’t want Universal to do stuff or it doesn’t benefit Disney. There are even five criteria given as examples of reasonable withholding of approval.

Universal has worked on new Marvel attraction concepts since the Disney acquisition. They decided to build elsewhere because of other factors. They wouldn’t have wasted their money even on concept design if they couldn’t do anything.

 

[Disney Irish]

Reasonable approval means Marvel can’t just withhold approval because they don’t want Universal to do stuff or it doesn’t benefit Disney. There are even five criteria given as examples of reasonable withholding of approval.

Universal has worked on new Marvel attraction concepts since the Disney acquisition. They decided to build elsewhere because of other factors. They wouldn’t have wasted their money even on concept design if they couldn’t do anything.

Ok, not the way I read it, nor does most on the internet. And given that Uni hasn't done anything seem to lean in the direction that the way the majority understand it is correct.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Ok, not the way I read it, nor does most on the internet. And given that Uni hasn't done anything seem to lean in the direction that the way the majority understand it is correct.

The way you read what? The five examples? Disney hasn’t updated Journey into Imagination in decades but that isn’t evidence that they can’t, and it’s nearly as well received an attraction.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster rebuild involved changing show elements which all required approval. They worked on concepts, a process that involves approval.