How Disney can get Marvel for WDW

[Magenta Panther]

This is something I must quickly say, the whole thing I am talking about is outlandish but I have the two opposites if this argument so don’t puke on me in the comments please. Some of you may be here to do that (ahem).
——-
We all know that Comcast has a contract for Marvel Comics in the 90’s for IoA to bring the characters from Marvel comics to Universal parks and it has stayed that way for decades. Well in the present day Marvel studios is ruling the cinemas with Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe which has been insanely successful with earning billions upon billions of dollars.
Disney is now just starting to use Marvel in the theme parks with GotG MB in DCA and such. But the contract that is still in place today Disney can’t use Marvel in the main Disney resort if the world. Walt Disney World and other things like they can’t use the name Marvel in anything.
So how could Disney bring their new famous superheros to the park, WDW?
Let me explain a few ways that they could, not a Marvel land.
They can use the Guardians of the Galaxy in WDW as we are getting a ride in Epcot but what about all the others.
How?:

-Stage a deal:​

Disney can offer lots of money to Comcast for the rights but Comcast probably would make Disney pay for the replacement of Marvel Island and maybe more and since Disney just wasted 71 Billion dollars, I expect them to not want to do this and also since the MCU has gotten more popular, Universal could advertise the land with a overhaul acting like it is the world of the MCU but they have restrictions as they can only use the comics, no making or changing the characters appearances or anything. But they could and use it as a trick to bring more people but I don’t think they are that evil.​

-Trade IP’s​

What about saving money? They could just trade a Fox IP for Marvel? I think they could trade Aliens or Predator which would make a killer HHN maze for maybe Iron Man or Spider Man. Yes, they could trade something which I could see actually happening and I think this could work but only for a certain character. It could work but only some characters would work and Disney probably can’t use the Simpsons because that has already been talked about behind closed doors so that can’t happen. We might be able to get Spider Man or Iron Man through these deals but only certain characters would be wanted by Universal.​

So yeah there are only a few ways. Disney will probably find a way as we know they really want to use Marvel in Hollywood Studios and Epcot as Marvel would bring people to it.

One of the best things about WDW is that it is unlikely to ever have tacky dippy garish Marvel superheroes infesting it.

And lot of us like it that way.

If you just GOTTA get a Marvel ride fix, there's this park called Universal down the road. Enjoy.

 

[Magenta Panther]

They won’t and they won’t.

Things will only change if Comcast decides it wants to sell but Steve Burke immensely enjoys how things are at the moment.

And thank god!

 

[danlb_2000]

No one knows exactly which characters are in the contract, but several things can be deduced.
1. lots of characters are not in the contract
2. Characters that became Avengers after the contract was signed have appeared in the park (Dr. Strange)
3. That means that perhaps all characters that joined a family after a date like 1999 are open game (exact date is a guess)
4. Since IOA was built, the standards of a great land have changed. Pandora, Galaxy's Edge, Potter's two lands, New Fantasy Land, and I suspect the new Epic park as well. Even in IOA's park Marvels land is extremely weak compared to the theming used in the other lands.
5. Of course Universal has maintained that area but it can be argued that it does damage to the brand due to cheap theming. Two of the rides are cheap carnival attractions at best, and painted plywood showing a characters use really stretches the inclusion clause.
6. I believe Disney could force Universal to change character depictions to match the latest costume changes and keep them current and in line with the latest publications if they provide new art.
7. Disney knows how much money the characters bring in to Universal and knows that that amount is less than what Universal would currently accept as payment.
8. I doubt Universal likes Disney having their nose in their books, but Disney loves it.
9. The Marvel Branch could create a whole new line or Universe for Disney to Exploit and already has several it could use.
10. There's no way Marvel would have let them have every character so you can bet each family is listed in a clear defined list

So will we see Marvel Characters and rides in the World absolutely. Phase 4 is full of open for use characters and I suspect phase 5 will be as well.
Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Blade, Ghost Rider, Dr. Strange, Shang Chi, Guardians, Eternals, New Universe, Kazar, Shield, Adam Warlock, Squadron Supreme, the Champions, The Defenders, The Elders, The Howling Commandos, The Runaways and more to name a few.

It will take time and money to build those brands, but they have already started. You can also bet that they know exactly which characters from in use families they can and can not use.

You missed what I consider to be one of the most important points.... The contract was made when Marvel was nearly bankrupt and a couple years before the movies even started to kick off the explosion of popularity that Marvel is seeing now. The contact also states that the licensing fee can only go up at the rate of inflation. All of this means that Universal is probably paying a bargain basement price for one of the worlds most popular IPs. If Universal were to replace Marvel with another licensed property they would like be paying considerably more for something significantly less popular.

 

[capsshield]

You missed what I consider to be one of the most important points.... The contract was made when Marvel was nearly bankrupt and a couple years before the movies even started to kick off the explosion of popularity that Marvel is seeing now. The contact also states that the licensing fee can only go up at the rate of inflation. All of this means that Universal is probably paying a bargain basement price for one of the worlds most popular IPs. If Universal were to replace Marvel with another licensed property they would like be paying considerably more for something significantly less popular.

Wouldn't that mean that the cost Universal pays today is the equivalent to what they originally paid in yesterdays dollars to todays dollars

one thing I left off was that I don't think either party is really happy about the actual deal
Universal has to keep it going or lose it to Disney and Disney cant milk the IP for everything they can get
Universal could have built a Potterland or Nintendo land very easily and upgraded a cheap looking section of the park.

When I last visited and walked around the park I started in Suess land and walked counter clockwise through the lands.
When I reached Superhero island I felt like they had run out of money building the park or slashed the budget there to complete things.
As a big comic book fan I was extremely disappointed. The quality was less then I've seen at six flags. I thought maybe the Spiderman ride is cool and will make up for it. I was half right. I've seen better haunted house ques then its que. The ride portion was fun but nothing better than what Disney does. A "D" plus ride at best.

I think anyone who has been there realizes how great it could be if Disney had the rights. It's like watching a Fox Marvel Movie and then going to the real MCU movies. Disney is in the process of building Marvel attractions and soon we will know the real difference.

 

[danlb_2000]

Wouldn't that mean that the cost Universal pays today is the equivalent to what they originally paid in yesterdays dollars to todays dollars

one thing I left off was that I don't think either party is really happy about the actual deal
Universal has to keep it going or lose it to Disney and Disney cant milk the IP for everything they can get
Universal could have built a Potterland or Nintendo land very easily and upgraded a cheap looking section of the park.

When I last visited and walked around the park I started in Suess land and walked counter clockwise through the lands.
When I reached Superhero island I felt like they had run out of money building the park or slashed the budget there to complete things.
As a big comic book fan I was extremely disappointed. The quality was less then I've seen at six flags. I thought maybe the Spiderman ride is cool and will make up for it. I was half right. I've seen better haunted house ques then its que. The ride portion was fun but nothing better than what Disney does. A "D" plus ride at best.

I think anyone who has been there realizes how great it could be if Disney had the rights. It's like watching a Fox Marvel Movie and then going to the real MCU movies. Disney is in the process of building Marvel attractions and soon we will know the real difference.

It is my understanding that Universal, at least, is quite happy with the deal.

 

[marni1971]

one thing I left off was that I don't think either party is really happy about the actual deal

It is my understanding that Universal, at least, is quite happy with the deal.

Universal is very happy.

MSHI is anything but cheap. Or maybe that’s just me. And hopefully it’ll get the serious expansion planned once the Raptor coaster is done. Unless Seuss wins.

 

[marni1971]

I think anyone who has been there realizes how great it could be if Disney had the rights.

Only if you’re biased. Currently in the US you’re getting a trackless TSM, an imported confusing theatre show and possibly a rehash of FoP.

 

[Tank Man]

Disney bought Fox for its library and other assets (balance of Hulu)...for Disney's new streaming service. I watched the CNBC interview with Iger...he made that pretty clear. Furthermore, Murdoch wanted to get out of the entertainment side of Fox and focus on the news. That $71B purchase of Fox assets was a combination of cash and stock, as most big acquisitions are.

Universal ISN'T going to give up any of its Marvel stable for Alien or Predator. The CEO would be rightly fired by the BoD if he tried. And nothing prevents Uni from building another gate in Orlando....or somewhere else. Didn't they recently purchased another couple of hundred acres?

Yes
I heard about the new park called Epic Universe

 

[Tank Man]

Correct but Uni is currently using the characters. Were the Xmen not part of the same deal as the Avengers group?

sadly,
Yes

 

[capsshield]

Only if you’re biased. Currently in the US you’re getting a trackless TSM, an imported confusing theatre show and possibly a rehash of FoP.

And how are the X-men or FF rides in any way better than TSM or FOP. The Hulk coaster could be painted with a new sign and minor que work and it could be my little Pony or GI Joe. Spiderman is a good ride. When new I could see the argument that it is an E ticket with a c ticket que. The theming of the land and it's que however lower its score imo.

I do prefer Disney over Universal but I know a good ride when I experience it. Potter, Spiderman, the mummy, MIB to name a few. I look forward to seeing their new park as well and I hope the rides kick butt.
I thought FOP was fantastic and really wish I could have rode it more than once. I don't mind 1 or 2 clones as long as they spread them out.
I doubt many would complain if they added the Indy ride to the studios or JTTCOTE to the MK.

 

[marni1971]

And how are the X-men or FF rides in any way better than TSM or FOP..

Never said they were.

Nor will they be around forever.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Is there some type of Theme Park grading system or accepted ride grading methodology that I'm unaware of? What defines one ride being "better" than another ride? Does somebody have a say in the matter based on their enjoyment of a ride vs another ride?

 

[Tank Man]

Is there some type of Theme Park grading system or accepted ride grading methodology that I'm unaware of? What defines one ride being "better" than another ride? Does somebody have a say in the matter based on their enjoyment of a ride vs another ride?

IDK
There technically is but it is the fact that a ride is more enjoyable and fun, it matters in the end if the wait was with it.
But things like the theming, how the ride feels and looks plus enjoyability are main aspects for this.

All of Uni's Marvel rides are crap minus Spider-Man. I'd rather have a full Disney experience where you REALLY feel like you're in the movie.

Yeah,
Disney would full on embrace Marvel in WDW, I expect they might be in a huge expansion for DHS as they would maybe do Pandora or GE level of theming, they could use new time travel and universe thing for a story, they can make the land be where Kang combines all timelines so we can get the full marvel experience without a proper time. Also the comics are outdated.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

the fact that a ride is more enjoyable and fun

More enjoyable to whom? You're idea of enjoyable may be completely different than mine. It's all subjective.

 

[Tank Man]

More enjoyable to whom? You're idea of enjoyable may be completely different than mine. It's all subjective.

True,
But I mean that to majorities,
I mean by enjoyable for just how fun it is to ride the ride. GotG MB is an example.
But yes, ture

 

[General Mayhem]

IDK
There technically is but it is the fact that a ride is more enjoyable and fun, it matters in the end if the wait was with it.
But things like the theming, how the ride feels and looks plus enjoyability are main aspects for this.

Yeah,
Disney would full on embrace Marvel in WDW, I expect they might be in a huge expansion for DHS as they would maybe do Pandora or GE level of theming, they could use new time travel and universe thing for a story, they can make the land be where Kang combines all timelines so we can get the full marvel experience without a proper time. Also the comics are outdated.

First of all where? DHS has no where to expand without taking out more of the existing areas. Second of all nothing is wrong with IoA's Marvel Super Hero Island, it certainly beats the lazy overlays that Disney has been doing so far with nearly all of it's Marvel attractions. Not to mention there is absolutely nothing interesting or appealing about the visual style Disney has decided to go with their Marvel attractions. Thirdly the only thing that would happen if Disney had the rights to Marvel at WDW would be a ton of classic attractions being overlayed into Marvel attractions (I would bet this would happen primarily at Epcot). I for one thank the Gods every day that Disney doesn't have those rights.

 

[marni1971]

IDK
There technically is but it is the fact that a ride is more enjoyable and fun, it matters in the end if the wait was with it.
But things like the theming, how the ride feels and looks plus enjoyability are main aspects for this.

Yeah,
Disney would full on embrace Marvel in WDW, I expect they might be in a huge expansion for DHS as they would maybe do Pandora or GE level of theming, they could use new time travel and universe thing for a story, they can make the land be where Kang combines all timelines so we can get the full marvel experience without a proper time. Also the comics are outdated.

You’ve seen the Disneyland campus right?

 

[danlb_2000]

First of all where? DHS has no where to expand without taking out more of the existing areas. Second of all nothing is wrong with IoA's Marvel Super Hero Island, it certainly beats the lazy overlays that Disney has been doing so far with nearly all of it's Marvel attractions. Not to mention there is absolutely nothing interesting or appealing about the visual style Disney has decided to go with their Marvel attractions. Thirdly the only thing that would happen if Disney had the rights to Marvel at WDW would be a ton of classic attractions being overlayed into Marvel attractions (I would bet this would happen primarily at Epcot). I for one thank the Gods every day that Disney doesn't have those rights.

DHS has tons of expansion room....

 

[General Mayhem]

DHS has tons of expansion room....

View attachment 399193

Disney would not spend the money to expand in those areas. That would require the removal of more forest/swamp areas, parking (a lot of which was just added), an entire reworking of the entrance roadways, not to mention the entire Muppets courtyard would have to be sacrificed. It would not happen with the current administration.

 

[Tank Man]

Disney would not spend the money to expand in those areas. That would require the removal of more forest/swamp areas, parking (a lot of which was just added), an entire reworking of the entrance roadways, not to mention the entire Muppets courtyard would have to be sacrificed. It would not happen with the current administration.

That is what they will do, it does not matter about that as it was harder for them to build SWGE and TSL as they had to remove lots more.
The expansion room is possible as Disney would rather do that as they don’t care about that labor work