That may be true, but we also need to keep in mind that there is alot more to the Disney Company than WDW. The theme park division is but one part of the Disney Company, and WDW is but one part of the theme park division. So perhaps, in purchasing Marvel, the Disney Company was not even thinking primarily of WDW. That may be towards the bottom of their list in terms of why the bought Marvel.
As WDW geeks, our first thought, in thinking about Disney, is WDW. But for the execs at the Disney company, WDW may be their last thought. And even if they do put the Marvel characters in WDW, I'm sure they won't be silly enough to have Spiderman swinging from SSE. Apparently, they own the Muppets, too, but all we see of them is one attraction in the back corner of DHS...and rightly so. So we shouldn't all assume that the Magic Kingdom is now going to be infested with Marvel Characters. While I'm sure that the characters will come to WDW at some point, hopefully the powers that be will realize how stupid it would be to try to move Marvel SuperHero Island from IofA, to WDW.
I agree as well. As I said in another thread, the theme park aspect of this deal is pretty low on the reasons for the purchase. If anyone has read interviews with Iger, he is all about synergy and taking a product that can flow down and across all sales channels. He does not want a movie that makes $50 million in profit and that's it. He wants properties that can succeed and make money across every, single division, every department, every corner of the company.
Take a look at Hannah Montana. Since that show has come out (yes, I know some of of us are not big fans, but she brings in the money), it has brought in over $2 billion in sales across movies, the TV show, retail merchandise, concerts, etc. I have mentioned Cars in my prior post, but it is a great example. A decent performing (but hardly best box office for Pixar) movie that has made over $5 billion since it opened through all of Disney's channels...DVDs, backpacks, toy trucks, t-shirts, etc.
Disney has an advantage over many other companies. These companies have movies or properties that are born, make money in movies and DVDs, and then disappear. Disney has the best set of sales and delivery channels in the industry right now. Plus, Disney is the best at making a character live well beyond its normal life expectancy. Have you met many mice over 80 years old? And who do they buy? Another company who has been able to keep their characters alive for over 60 years and now sports 5,000 characters who can make Disney money in movies, TV, retail/merchandise, ice shows (it will happen), and so on...and on top of it, help with Disney's only weakness...boys.
And, oh yeah, Marvel has sales over $650 million and had profit over $235 million last year (Like those margins?) and have some of the most creative content/character minds outside of Pixar. In addition to synergy, Iger likes to buy stories and talent...why do you think he paid $7 billion for Pixar...hello, Mr. Lassetter.
Yes, the theme park additions will come down the line one day and it is a nice perk that Disney gets to collect money from Universal. But, this is so much bigger than theme parks, believe me.
The last thing WDW needs is another proliferation of characters, especially ones that aren't originally Disney. If these Marvel characters go anywhere in Orlando (which IMHO they shouldn't) keep them at the Studios. I'd hate to see Spidey climbing all over SSE and swinging from window to window on Main Street. And that's not to say Marvel should go in the Studios. DHS has an identity crisis and making it a superhero park is not the way to solve it.
:lol:
