Disney to buy Marvel Entertainment

[lebeau]

I'm not saying EPCOT, though. DHS is the perfect fit for them, although I do like the idea of Stark Industries taking over Innoventions.

But people are just yelling "No! They don't fit in any of the parks!" and when I ask why, I get no answer.:lol:

That's because there is no good answer. Marvel properties fit in the parks as well or better than a lot of things that are currently there.

 

[SirGoofy]

A lot of people seem to be looking at this deal in terms of how it will effect WDW. Odds are, it won't effect WDW for a very long time - if at all. Don't worry. You won't see Spider-man in Disney's FL parks for a long time. (Not that I think that would be a bad thing.)

I don't know if I technically agree with that. So far all we know is that they can't use Spidey and Hulk on this side of the Mississippi.

Meaning if after The Avengers movie, and DHS is still in need of an exapansion, I wouldn't be surprised to see an Iron Man ride built at the Studios, if it's possible.

 

[MKeeler]

I'm not saying EPCOT, though. DHS is the perfect fit for them, although I do like the idea of Stark Industries taking over Innoventions.

But people are just yelling "No! They don't fit in any of the parks!" and when I ask why, I get no answer.:lol:

I know and agree. I really want a Marvel Studios section of DHS. I just wanted to jump to one of the parks people have the hardest time seeing how the Marvel characters fit in and show that with a little imagination, the can work fairly well.

 

[sublimesting]

No, but that would be INCREDIBLE !:ROFLOL:

I was on here to make the same exact statement!

 

[jonnyc]

I'm not saying EPCOT, though. DHS is the perfect fit for them, although I do like the idea of Stark Industries taking over Innoventions.

But people are just yelling "No! They don't fit in any of the parks!" and when I ask why, I get no answer.:lol:

"I just don't want them in MY parks!"....



....:hammer:

 

[ILLmaticS0ldier]

...the Marvel shareholders. I'm sure Disney's stock will invariably take a hit from this (not as if this a bad thing in the long term; the stock of the acquiror almost always takes a hit in stock-sale acquisitions). All-in-all, though, it sounds like a great long term move for Disney. Let's just hope the best days for the superhero film franchises are not behind them.

Like disneys characters marvel's are timeless. A huge bulk of those characters were made in the 60's and they are still popular today!!:sohappy:

 

[lebeau]

I don't know if I technically agree with that. So far all we know is that they can't use Spidey and Hulk on this side of the Mississippi.

Meaning if after The Avengers movie, and DHS is still in need of an exapansion, I wouldn't be surprised to see an Iron Man ride built at the Studios, if it's possible.

We'll see. From what I've heard, Uni has the rights to Marvel properties whether they've built an attraction around them or not. Also, that Avengers movie is at Paramount.

The whole thing is complex and I doubt even the insiders know what is possible at this point. But I wouldn't hold me breath waiting for Marvel to show up at WDW in any significant way.

 

[Marijil]

As a big disney fan but not a comics guy....this would be cool in HS and maybe in select other locations (DTD store)... I also like the damage done to Universal...

5000 characters? I can see Im in minority but I am familiar with Spiderman, Iron Man, Hulk, Fant Four, Capt America, and X men as well as their corrsp villains thats about it

 

[BillsFanGabe]

Why?

What do you mean why? This will ruin the integrity of the Disney parks if Marvel is incorporated into them. It just wouldnt be the same, Super Heros and Mickey? Ughhh I dont think so! Do you think that Walt would of done this? I dont think so!

 

[GothMickey]

What do you mean why? This will ruin the integrity of the Disney parks if Marvel is incorporated into them. It just wouldnt be the same, Super Heros and Mickey? Ughhh I dont think so! Do you think that Walt would of done this? I dont think so!

1. Walt is dead.

2. You don't know what Walt would do so stop that nonsense.

3. Disney HAS superheroes, forget The Incredibles?

4. Marvel's superheroes are 1000X better than said Incredibles.

5. If 10.000,000 approve of this and 3 rabid fanboys on here don't, who do you thik Disney would care more about? YOU or the masses?? Clue: NOT YOU

Some of you really need to give it up. Face reality. Once the deal is final, Marvel's characters will be part of the Disney family, just like Pixar's. No wonder people think Disney is for kids. Most of you on here are whining like little babies, worried that your toys may be ruined. Seriously, get over it already.

I want Marvel in MY parks. There, I said it. MY PARKS!!!!!

 

[PirateFrank]

A lot of people seem to be looking at this deal in terms of how it will effect WDW.

Yes, I'm inclined to agree with that. I think it will affect Universal far more. I don't care how many exclusive use agreements I have, I would want to get out of them if I were either paying licensing money to a direct competitor or a property that I own is inadvertent advertising for the direct competitor's new IP.

Universal will wriggle their way out of these characters as quickly as it can, without appearing desperate. Disney can (and might just) force their hand. I don't see Universal having much bargaining power....

 

[fosse76]

I have a sneaking suspicion that it will be Universal who is looking to unload Marvel Superhero Island. Think about it... Universal now will have to pay royalties to Disney for use of the characters, so why would Disney want to change anything?

Disney is unable to maximize profits based on Marvel characters because of Universal. Universal isn't paying any more or less because Disney owns Marvel, so they aren't affected yet. I agree with another poster who said that until Marvel characters are completely absorbed as being "Disney," Universal will have no problems with continuing the agreement. Disney can't do anything with them in the parks anytime soon, so as of now it's a non-issue. Universal doesn't own The Simpsons, yet no one seems to have a problem with them paying Fox, a competitor, so why should they care if they are now paying Disney? Disney is getting chump change in licensing fees. The real money will come from merchandising, but I wouldn't be surprised if Disney isn't allowed to sell Marvel merchandise at the parks either. So they'll only be getting the already agreed-upon percentage between Universal and Marvel.

I do however suspect that Universal will start heavily pursuing a deal with Warner Bros (i.e. DC Comics) to transform Marvel Superhero Island into DC Superhero Island. I would imagine a quick transformation of Hulk into Superman wouldn't be too hard. Turning Spider-Man into Batman would also make a lot of sense. Not sure what Storm Force would become. Maybe The Flash?

It won't happen. Six Flags has exclusive theme park rights to DC characters for AT LEAST 50 years. So your suspicions are meritless.

Anyway, although I can see Marvel popping up at DHS or MAYBE Tomorrowland, I think it would be a better jumping off point for a future Disney park, perhaps that 5th gate we all want so badly...

As has been pointed out by me and a few other people, there will be very little visibility of Marvel in the parks (well, the FL parks). Disney is restricted by Universal's agreement with Marvel, so I doubt there will be much impact on the parks, at least for the time being.

I'm sure the whole comic store at DTD is all but a done deal. It would make perfect sense...

That's probably the most they'll be able to do.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Imagine Apple Computers expected to utilize Intel chips for an indefinite period of time and situated their production (i.e. programming, R&D, production, marketting) in such a way that reliance on Intel's chips were necessary for the next 5-10 years.

Then, all of a sudden, Microsoft purchases Intel. There isn't a single Apple fanboy that would herald the purchase as a good thing for Apple.

I think the bit in bold nails it. Universal fans, with a black and white us-vs.-them outlook, are probably upset about this. I would imagine it's a more nuanced reaction for Universal execs.

They might have a little bit of a wince at the gut level at having to send licensing fees to Disney, but is that enough motivation to drop some of their most popular attractions, as a lot of posts seem to indicate? Cutting off their nose to spite the Mouse, basically? I don't see it myself.

 

[lebeau]

Yes, I'm inclined to agree with that. I think it will affect Universal far more. I don't care how many exclusive use agreements I have, I would want to get out of them if I were either paying licensing money to a direct competitor or a property that I own is inadvertent advertising for the direct competitor's new IP.

Universal will wriggle their way out of these characters as quickly as it can, without appearing desperate. Disney can (and might just) force their hand. I don't see Universal having much bargaining power....

Totally disagree with this sentiment.

Disney will honor the original deal Universal had with Marvel. If it was a good deal then, it will be a good deal now. All that has changed is how the check is made payable.

Seriously, people, this stuff happens all the time in the world of entertainment. It might annoy some folks at Uni just like Disney might get irritated that Uni has the rights to their properties. But neither side is going to upset the apple cart on a deal that is mutually beneficial.

Neither WDW nor Universal is likely to be effected by this deal for a long, long time.

 

[PirateFrank]

I think the bit in bold nails it. Universal fans, with a black and white us-vs.-them outlook, are probably upset about this. I would imagine it's a more nuanced reaction for Universal execs.

They might have a little bit of a wince at the gut level at having to send licensing fees to Disney, but is that enough motivation to drop some of their most popular attractions, as a lot of posts seem to indicate? Cutting off their nose to spite the Mouse, basically? I don't see it myself.

You know, I'm sure Universal execs have actually considered this possibility. Heck, any well-oiled, well-run business should always continuously evaluate its products from a perspective of advantages and risks. I'm sure on some document somewhere, in Uni's office, someone wrote a report highlighting that an external risk of it's ride licensing is that someone like Disney might purchase Marvel.

You just protect yourself as best as you can and hope such things don't happen. But I hardly think that this is rolling off of Uni execs like water off a ducks back. Someone there is sweating this...

 

[jonnyc]

Disney is unable to maximize profits based on Marvel characters because of Universal. Universal isn't paying any more or less because Disney owns Marvel, so they aren't affected yet. I agree with another poster who said that until Marvel characters are completely absorbed as being "Disney," Universal will have no problems with continuing the agreement. Disney can't do anything with them in the parks anytime soon, so as of now it's a non-issue. Universal doesn't own The Simpsons, yet no one seems to have a problem with them paying Fox, a competitor, so why should they care if they are now paying Disney?

I disagree with the point in red. If Fox had a theme park down the road from Universal then it would be a bigger issue, but they don't. I do however agree with your other points.

 

[lebeau]

For those thinking Disney will put a comic shop in DTD, do you have any idea how poorly comic book stores do these days? Or what is sold in comic book stores?

I can see some kind of Marvel themed store. But no way they open a comic shop. At least nothing that will fill a space like the old Virgin Megastore. Marvel toystore that also sells trade paperbacks? Sure. But I doubt they would even bother selling monthly comics.

 

[fosse76]

I disagree with the point in red. If Fox had a theme park down the road from Universal then it would be a bigger issue, but they don't. I do however agree with your other points.

I actually thought of that as I wrote it. My point is people don't see Spiderman and think "Disney!" Of course they also don't think "Universal." The Disney fanboys are deluding themselves if they truely believe that Universal is freaking out over this. Universal's agreements are with Marvel...and Marvel still exists, it just has a new owner, who happens to be Disney. Nothing else has changed.

 

[Gatorboy]

question? does Uni have exclusive on all characters Marvel has for east of Miss. or just ones currently being used, and is it only for theme parks? If not, this opens up WDW to themed resturants, stores, or maybe a water park. A great themed water park could maybe force Uni's hand to just re-theme. That or Disney could just rent a bunch of bill boards on I-4 stating Marvel - a Disney company

 

[lebeau]

I actually thought of that as I wrote it. My point is people don't see Spiderman and think "Disney!" Of course they also don't think "Universal." The Disney fanboys are deluding themselves if they truely believe that Universal is freaking out over this. Universal's agreements are with Marvel...and Marvel still exists, it just has a new owner, who happens to be Disney. Nothing else has changed.

Quoted for truthiness.