Did you know that before Sea World was sold to Busch, Disney made a bid for it, as did Universal. Obviously, neither Disney or Universal had the winning bid, as it ended up being sold to Anhauser Busch. Disney's plan was to transform Sea World into a DisneySea theme park.
Later, Universal was for sale. Disney held secret talks to acquire Universal, but was outbid (by Seagram?). Years later, Seagram sold Universal to NBC, but NBC wanted just the studio (not the parks). During this period, it is rumored that Disney secretly negotiated an acquisition of just the Universal parks, allowing NBC to keep the studio. Later, Comcast would buy NBC-Universal.
Comcast earlier made an unsolicited bid for Disney. Comcast's interest in Disney was everything, especially the theme parks. With that failed acquisition behind them, they went after the next best thing - Universal. In the mean time, Disney would acquire Marvel, but would be unable to build Marvel attractions in Florida because Universal owned the theme park rights because of a deal signed eons ago that Disney can't force Universal out of.
Unless... ...Disney and Universal can make a deal. Comcast would spin off USO. Disney would spin off WDW. The two newly-independent companies would merge. Universal and Disney would be stakeholders in the combined company. Comcast would have a stake in WDW, which is what they originally wanted. Disney would regain the Marvel Florida theme park rights and Marvel rides that Imagineering are designing for the west coast could be brought to Florida without legal issues. No word if USO or if WDO would manage the combined company.
Obvious benefits would be six-park Park Hopper passes and a possible comprehensive transportation system, among countless others. I'm not holding my breath on this one, but I'm not ruling it out either, based on both's company's past and present interests!
Later, Universal was for sale. Disney held secret talks to acquire Universal, but was outbid (by Seagram?). Years later, Seagram sold Universal to NBC, but NBC wanted just the studio (not the parks). During this period, it is rumored that Disney secretly negotiated an acquisition of just the Universal parks, allowing NBC to keep the studio. Later, Comcast would buy NBC-Universal.
Comcast earlier made an unsolicited bid for Disney. Comcast's interest in Disney was everything, especially the theme parks. With that failed acquisition behind them, they went after the next best thing - Universal. In the mean time, Disney would acquire Marvel, but would be unable to build Marvel attractions in Florida because Universal owned the theme park rights because of a deal signed eons ago that Disney can't force Universal out of.
Unless... ...Disney and Universal can make a deal. Comcast would spin off USO. Disney would spin off WDW. The two newly-independent companies would merge. Universal and Disney would be stakeholders in the combined company. Comcast would have a stake in WDW, which is what they originally wanted. Disney would regain the Marvel Florida theme park rights and Marvel rides that Imagineering are designing for the west coast could be brought to Florida without legal issues. No word if USO or if WDO would manage the combined company.
Obvious benefits would be six-park Park Hopper passes and a possible comprehensive transportation system, among countless others. I'm not holding my breath on this one, but I'm not ruling it out either, based on both's company's past and present interests!
