Marvel at WDW

[imperius]

Universal doesn’t care that much about shared merchandise money. If they did they wouldn’t actively join and develop lands since then. See HP, Simpsons, Nintendo, and so on.

 

[MisterPenguin]

What Disney can't do as per the Uni contract which doesn't expire:

1. Use the word "Marvel" for any theme park attractions anywhere in the U.S. Internationally, it's OK.​

2. Use the Marvel characters in theme parks -- that are being used in Universal Orlando -- anywhere east of the Mississippi (namely, Spider-Man, Hulk, Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four).​

3. Use the Marvel characters in theme parks that are part of the family of the ones being used in Universal Orlando anywhere east of the Mississippi, even if they haven't been used, simply because they belong to 'the family' (e.g, Spider-Gwen, Super Skrull, The Blob, Miles Morales).​

​

What Universal Can't do:

1. Use Marvel Characters outside of Super Hero Island in Islands of Adventure, Orlando (with the exception of Spider-Man in Japan)​

2. Update their Marvel Characters in Orlando to the MCU versions... they have to stick to the comic books.​

3. Add other Marvel Characters to Orlando other than the ones they already have access to (they once had that option, but it has expired).​

What Disney can do in WDW:

1. Use these MCU characters: GotG, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel​

2. Use MCU-TV characters: the Defenders, Legion, Agents of SHIELD (though unlikely because of the R rating and because it's "just TV")​

3. Use non-MCU heroes published by Marvel comics or developed by a different department: Incredibles, Big Hero Six (and soon: Megamind, Deadpool, Doogie Howser, Buffy, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Percy Jackson)​

What Universal Can Do:

1. Add or update attractions with any of the Marvel characters they have the rights to: An Iron Man ride; a Wolverine stunt show; a Jubilee rock concert, etc...​

=======

You want a WDW Marvel 'land'? This can happen...

1. Tower of Terror gets a Doctor Strange overlay.​

2. Rock n' Roller Coaster becomes an Incredicoaster​

3. Theater of the Stars becomes a larger Awesome Mix Tape concert​

4. Fairfax gets bulldozed for a clone of Flight of Passage riding Baymax instead of a Banshee.​

​

​

Here's a version of the contract edited for readability...

 

[marni1971]

I have a feeling that once Disney get the full green light on putting Marvel into WDW...

Ummm...

 

[Darkseid]

​

What Disney can do in WDW:

1. Use these MCU characters: GotG, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel​

2. Use MCU-TV characters: the Defenders, Legion, Agents of SHIELD (though unlikely because of the R rating and because it's "just TV")​

3. Use non-MCU heroes published by Marvel comics or developed by a different department: Incredibles, Big Hero Six (and soon: Megamind, Deadpool, Doogie Howser, Buffy, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Percy Jackson)​

​

Thank you for all of this. I am admittedly not well-versed in the specifics of the contract, so I was hoping you could clarify a couple items that put up a red flag for me.

1. Captain Marvel, Dr. Strange, Drax, and some of the Defenders could easily be considered part of the Avengers "family," based on the comics. Could this halt the use of those characters in WDW? I really don't see them wanting anything to do with any of the Defenders, but the other three could have some appeal, especially Drax with the GotG ride being built.

2. I was going to ask how League of Extraordinary Gentlemen fit into this, but then I remembered that Fox owns the movie rights currently, so nevermind.

Again, thank you for simplifying this.

 

[MJ6987]

As an aside, how long is Mongello's 2018 recap show going to be now that he has to cover all the Fox output as well as Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm???

 

[MJ6987]

Maybe in recent history, I'll give him that. But the premiere of Snow White or the opening of Disneyland come head and shoulders above anything Marvel-related in Disney's history of significant events.

That’s what I thought! Erm, Snow White says hi! And a little mouse that Walt sketched on a train, for that matter.... Marvel!?

 

[Bob Harlem]

Drax WDW cannot use, but most of the rest of the Guardians can. (You won't find him in the new Epcot show currently running or the ride)

FYI a good place to check is WDW cannot use any character in the central meteor crash site with the "meteor shards" across from Spiderman in Islands of Adventure (Central to the story of the island) is an enumeration of characters specifically called out in a contract addendum. If it's there it's a safe bet WDW cannot use it. Aka the "shards rule". If it's not there its in more of a gray area.

Google street view of it is https://www.google.com/maps/@28.470...4!1seIOU4CqHG5K-_R0QWZNYGA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 -- It's been repainted and redone since that photo, but the art remained the same.

I don't feel to bad for Disney here, they knew about this when they bought Marvel.

 

[danlb_2000]

Don't know about the cheapest. But I get the point. At the end of the day it comes down to business decision for both Disney and Uni.

1. We see Uni recognizing that "we've got a shelf life with this...and the clock keeps ticking" .... plus it inhibits us to grow in that space.
2. Or they say...We're going to milk this for all it's worth...even if it ends up costing us money.

I think they ultimately come to the conclusion that option 1 is the correct approach (they probably have already)....and they are looking for some sweeteners (besides the cash) to let it go.

Even if it's not the cheapest, it is almost certainly the best licensing deal they currently have. The contract was made back when Marvel was near bankruptcy, 2 to 3 years before the first Spiderman movie. The fee can only go up at the rate of inflation, but the popularity of Marvel has increased dramatically over that same time, so the price Uni pays today for Marvel is probably a huge bargain when compared to the popularity of the IP.

If they want to grow in IOA, I would think the Toon Lagoon area would be less relevant then Marvel.

 

[Beacon Joe]

I’m not looking forward to this as I’m not really a Marvel fan.

Is this just me?

It's not just you. The Marvelification just seems cheap to me, and is an extension of how I took the rapid Frozenification that took place a few years ago: tossing out what made a place special in order to chase the trend of the week. The Marvel movies really aren't that good and in a few years, the whole era of Hollywood scraping the barrel with bad comic-book remakes is going to be looked at with laughter. At least we saw the stave church throw off its Frozen crap and return to something actually cool, educational, and unique.

As for Mongello? He's paid to be enthusiastic and uncritical.

 

[MisterPenguin]

1. Captain Marvel, Dr. Strange, Drax, and some of the Defenders could easily be considered part of the Avengers "family," based on the comics. Could this halt the use of those characters in WDW? I really don't see them wanting anything to do with any of the Defenders, but the other three could have some appeal, especially Drax with the GotG ride being built.

Since just about every single Marvel hero (and many villains) were once on the Avengers or X-Men teams, then that would mean that, by default, every Marvel character would be exclusive to Universal. But, in the shrinkage clause of the contract, there is the presumption that there are lots of characters not covered by 'families.' And so, the families clause needs to be interpreted more strictly to core members (and most likely the roster at the time of the contract). Strange and Marvel have a strong pedigree in the comics as being solo characters or more associated with groups that aren't Avengers or X-Men (the magic and cosmic realms).

 

[MisterPenguin]

The Marvel movies really aren't that good

Cool opinion, bro.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Even if it's not the cheapest, it is almost certainly the best licensing deal they currently have.........so the price Uni pays today for Marvel is probably a huge bargain when compared to the popularity of the IP.

I don't disagree...for the moment. But I think over time Uni will be put into a position where it just makes sense to let it go. Disney could build a Mega-Marvel Land in Cali or Tokyo. Something Uni couldn't possibly hope to compete with because they are limited in what they can do.

Uni is also helping Disney by marketing Marvel...although that marketing has diminished. I believe that the agreement (as @MisterPenguin ) has laid out also states that they must continue to maintain the Marvel elements that they currently have....which will equate to funds spent on refurb.

It's a chess game right now. Uni has their table set up in Washington Square....and Magnus just sat down across the board. Ultimately Uni knows they aren't going to win....but they're holding out for the best offer they can get.

 

[danlb_2000]

I don't disagree...for the moment. But I think over time Uni will be put into a position where it just makes sense to let it go. Disney could build a Mega-Marvel Land in Cali or Tokyo. Something Uni couldn't possibly hope to compete with because they are limited in what they can do.

Uni is also helping Disney by marketing Marvel...although that marketing has diminished. I believe that the agreement (as @MisterPenguin ) has laid out also states that they must continue to maintain the Marvel elements that they currently have....which will equate to funds spent on refurb.

They would have to spend fund on refurb for that attractions no matter what IP there were themed to.

 

[MJ6987]

It's not just you. The Marvelification just seems cheap to me, and is an extension of how I took the rapid Frozenification that took place a few years ago: tossing out what made a place special in order to chase the trend of the week. The Marvel movies really aren't that good and in a few years, the whole era of Hollywood scraping the barrel with bad comic-book remakes is going to be looked at with laughter. At least we saw the stave church throw off its Frozen crap and return to something actually cool, educational, and unique.

As for Mongello? He's paid to be enthusiastic and uncritical.

Who pays him? Disney?

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

They would have to spend fund on refurb for that attractions no matter what IP there were themed to.

Agreed. But at this point they can only think of maintaining. They can't look to evolve or expand. Right now, it's as good as it's going to get. As it is...Superhero Island is not exactly the size of a Tomorrowland. They're capped.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If they want to grow in IOA, I would think the Toon Lagoon area would be less relevant then Marvel.

And it is Universal-owned Lost Continent that is currently on the chopping block.

Uni is also helping Disney by marketing Marvel...although that marketing has diminished. I believe that the agreement (as @MisterPenguin ) has laid out also states that they must continue to maintain the Marvel elements that they currently have....which will equate to funds spent on refurb.

Universal didn’t show any issue with reanimating and upgrading The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Agreed. But at this point they can only think of maintaining. They can't look to evolve or expand. Right now, it's as good as it's going to get.

They can expand.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

They can expand.

Expand where? Have you been to Superhero Island?....they can't go beyond Superhero Island. You've got a land about the size of Liberty Square that already has 4 attractions. They don't have the room........unless they build up. Which I guess is an option.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Expand where? Have you been to Superhero Island?

The unused amphitheater would be an easy place. Being creative would open up more space.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

The unused amphitheater would be an easy place. Being creative would open up more space.

You're reaching for straws here. Okay they get the "unused" amphitheater. Now what?