Comments on: Disney purchasing Marvel – What will this mean for Islands of Adventure?

By: Ryanne

Ryanne — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:23:21 +0000

Im sure DC wouldnt mind an agreement with Universal, the things they have now at Six Flags parks are old. The decoration isnt even exciting. But doesnt Warner Bros. have some kind of partnership with DC? they already have Harry Potter so i dont think a DC super hero island is impossible. i think a Batman coaster for the Hulk with Dr.Doom changing into the Joker and Superman for Spiderman would work.

By: Michael King

Michael King — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:24:40 +0000

Bryan, don’t remind me of The Chiller, that ride had a line that made me wish for Disney fastpass merge points that are fastpass heavy when you are in standby. Thankfully they closed that ride and replaced it.

Anyway, I can see Spidey transforming into a Transformers ride possibly made for Transformer: Rise of the Fallen. As for the other rides, Universal has a big library to choose from and I am sure they can pick ones to fit in. And please NO MORE Harry Potter in IoA, they already killed the area that was Beastly Kingdom in Lost Continent.

By: Bryan Irrera

Bryan Irrera — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:21:45 +0000

@ Eric: re: Marvel Island becoming DC Island, that would probably not happen since Time-Warners owns the Six Flags parks (Six Flags Great Adventure ALONE has Superman: The Ride, Batman: The Ride, Bizarro: The Ride and Batman:The Dark Knight Ride (and they used to have ANOTHER Batman themed ride called “The Chiller” a few years ago).

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:18:25 +0000

Spiderman Mickey ears?

By: Bryan Irrera

Bryan Irrera — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:17:52 +0000

@ Joe Burke, re: the horrid costumes at Universal IoA.

I was at Six Flags Great Adventure yesterday and their DC comics costumes (I saw the movie version Batman plus Green Lantern, Flash, Robin, Cheetah and Captain Cold) are pretty BAD (with the exception of the very cool (pardon the pun) Captain Cold costume). I’m talking about sub-Hallowe’en superstore bad…I’ve seen way better FAN MADE costumes at Comic conventions.

Also, it didn’t help that the cast members there didn’t seem to know who they were playing (at both Universal and Disney they do great training of the characters)…The Flash and Green Lantern looked at me like I’d grown a third eye in my forehead when I referred to them as Barry and Hal…

By: OOTL Andy

OOTL Andy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:05:52 +0000

I guess Disney could renew, but that would be akin to a baseball team trading for a player then letting him pinch hit for the other team.

Of course, although both board have approved the sale, it still has to pass “anti-trust” monitoring. Sounds kind of funny – Disney is trying to have a monopoly on cartoon characters!?

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:56:17 +0000

I’ve updated the post with some additional information.

By: Juwan Boyd

Juwan Boyd — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:34:43 +0000

According to Lighting509s on miceage, universals lease with marvel will end at the end of 2012, and with universal investing large capital in the upcoming harry potter theme park within a theme park, I dont think universal will be quick to retheme another land, and there is the possiblity of universal renewing their lease with disney owned marvel.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:28:20 +0000

The MARVEL island at UNIVERSAL’s: IOA was originally supposed to be a DC island before construction began. They could change the HULK Coaster to The FLASH Coaster and paint it red… The Spiderman 3-D ride can be changed to BATMAN 3-D ride…. Hmmmm what will they change the Dr. DOOM ride to?

By: Josh Mercer

Josh Mercer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:24:06 +0000

I actually did see that somewhere else, wrh, which is great news. I really doubt there will be competing Spider-Man rides. But if you’ve seen an aerial view of IOA, Super Hero Island has limited land for expansion, and there are endless possibilities for Marvel rides over in Anaheim. I had a little hunch earlier that Disney could possibly make Marvel the fifth WDW park, but again, it’s east of the Mississippi. Who knows?

By: wrh

wrh — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:52:29 +0000

My understanding is Universal has “perpetual” rights on Spiderman and Hulk East of the Mississippi as long as the rides operate. This means IOA is probably safe with Marvel as long as they choose. Disneyland and California Adventure could easily see Marvel Characters if Disney so chooses since Universal let their west coast rights lapse at the end of 2007. How about competing Spiderman rides?

By: OOTL Andy

OOTL Andy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:40:29 +0000

Chris – I don’t think you have to worry about losing the violence in the comics. I look at films owned by Disney released under Touchstone or Miramax as an example. I would think that Disney is smart enough not to change a known value. I’m certain someone could contradict me. Sorry, I’m a Disney fanboy.

I agree with Josh, unfortunately, one of my favorite rides anywhere is Spiderman, but I think it could be gutted…

By: Robert Ashburn

Robert Ashburn — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:53:51 +0000

Why do I see a transformers Island at IOA in the distant future… (afterall the technology for spiderman is being used for the coming attraction hollywood)

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:03:02 +0000

It really makes me wonder how far Disney’s hand will go down into the Marvel pot. I’m just a tad worried about how it will also affect Marvel’s comics line. Can anyone say adios to any kind of violence in comic books?

By: Josh Mercer

Josh Mercer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:21:24 +0000

For anyone not very familiar with this kind of thing, it is similar to when Disney changed the MGM Studios to “Disney’s Hollywood Studios”. The contract with MGM ran out and MGM did not want to renew.

Given that Universal will probably have to re-theme Super Hero Island, mostly out-of-the-box attractions like the Incredible Hulk coaster (B&M launched sitdown) and Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (dual S&S turbo shots) would not be too difficult to re-theme. However, the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is one of the most expensive attractions ever built. Like other nearby attractions, the queue line and all interior props would need to be replaced, but also all the projected films. Which means that the pre-programmed vehicle motions would be altered. And if the entire show changes, it is highly likely the ride would be retracked to match the new story. Hulk and Doom could be re-themed; Spidey would be gutted.

By: djdrew

djdrew — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:18:47 +0000

the queues for the rides were getting a bit old and stale anyway. it’s time they revamped that part of IOA. I think it’ll be good for the area.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:08:39 +0000

It all comes down to “when does the Universal Orlando/Marvel licensing agreement end, and what exactly are the terms”.

Once Disney has the opportunity to get out of the deal, they probably will. Then Universal will probably close that part of the park and rebrand the rides and whole theme. It could be rebranded into something Universal owns or develops themselves, or they could license a different property.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:07:29 +0000

All part of the plan for Disney to aquire Universal Studios/IOA and SeaWorld

j/k

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:04:49 +0000

Angel: Yes, Disney has been working with Stan Lee, but that deal is separate from the one announced today.

By: Angel Monjaras

Angel Monjaras — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:02:06 +0000

If I remember right, Stan Lee has been working on some project for Disney for some time. Can anyone confirm?

By: djdrew

djdrew — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:59:43 +0000

UPDATE #1: In a conference call, the companies said that the deals for movies for characters at other studios (Spider-Man, X-Men, etc.) will stay in place under the terms set by Marvel and the other studios.
UPDATE #2: John Lasseter met with Marvel last week about a possible team-up between Marvel and Pixar and got “pretty excited, pretty fast.” They say there’s definitely an opportunity there.
UPDATE #3: The deal with Paramount Pictures to distribute “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America” and “The Avengers” stays in place as well, but Disney would like to self-distribute down the line. “When the time comes we’ll take a closer look at it.”

By: djdrew

djdrew — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:57:17 +0000

Some more news as posted on http://www.superherohype.com/news.php?id=8645

UPDATE #2: John Lasseter met with Marvel last week about a possible team-up between Marvel and Pixar and got “pretty excited, pretty fast.” They say there’s definitely an opportunity there.

UPDATE #3: The deal with Paramount Pictures to distribute “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America” and “The Avengers” stays in place as well, but Disney would like to self-distribute down the line. “When the time comes we’ll take a closer look at it.”

By: Grumpwurst (aka Ray)

Grumpwurst (aka Ray) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:52:35 +0000

Hey, all’s fair in business. If the people who bought Grumman’s Chinese Theater after DHS was built can tell Disney they don’t want their property featured at the theme park which caused the much maligned hat to be built, then Disney can say they don’t want to renew the licensing agreement.

By: djdrew

djdrew — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:48:56 +0000

according to this article: http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/spongebob-defeats-sp-1178/ they’ve completely pulled out of hollywood. not sure why there and not in orlando too.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:42:19 +0000

Josh,
Yes, DC characters are at Six Flags parks, but I’m not sure of the details of their agreement.

We also don’t know the details of Universal’s agreement with Marvel, but are trying to find out. Stay tuned.

By: Josh Mercer

Josh Mercer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:39:23 +0000

@Matt Doesn’t Six Flags have the rights to DC Comics?

By: Josh Mercer

Josh Mercer — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:38:49 +0000

Any word on how much time the contract between Universal and Marvel had left? The Incredible Hulk Coaster and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man are two of the biggest attractions drawing some guests away from Disney. If Disney refuses to renew the contract, and this is a sad attempt by Disney to get those guests back, well, today is a sad day. Excuse me for not knowing much of the legal issues between parks.

And concerning the movies, hopefully Disney knows better than to mess with the movies. They should be aware of the fanbase and Disney shouldn’t mess them up right when Marvel gets it right.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:34:25 +0000

I think it’d be cool if Universal changed it to DC Super Hero Island.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:32:02 +0000

Just thought of something: Spiderman 3-D ride could just get some new animation, and they could make it a Harry Potter ride- like riding a broomstick, or a Quidditch match or something.

That would be cool to have a 3-D ride through Hogwarts

By: djdrew

djdrew — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:29:29 +0000

? does this mean we’ll see a Disney vs. Marvel video game? or Spider-Mickey? or maybe even Iron-Donald?

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:27:48 +0000

I wouldnt worry about Disney meddling too much. Pixar still makes amazing movies despite their merger. If anything, Up and Wall-E have been the best yet.

By: Joe Burke

Joe Burke — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:26:53 +0000

It does open up some great possibilities for Disney’s Imagineers to come up with themed attractions, and redo those horrid costumes Universal made up for Captain America, Wolverine etc… I agree with Michael, once contracts are signed, sealed and delivered there is no breaching of that agreement, so production will remain as is for the duration of those projects. Looks like Universal is yet again hit with a major blow as they now must rethink the entire Marvel Land at Adventure Island into something totally different. What will become of the beloved Hulk, Spider-man and Doctor Doom rides? Probably re-themed, redone and no longer with Marvel branding… Sigh, better go there and take as many pictures as you can at IOA, once the deal is final and Marvel shareholders confirm, I would imagine Universal would have a time window, 1-2 years to or maybe even sooner to release the Marvel franchise.

By: Michael King

Michael King — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:10:55 +0000

I think the current length of the deal with Universal be done and then from there I imagine the deal would not be renewed. As for the Marvel movies, I really don’t think that Disney would undermind the movies and most likely release some future Marvel under the Touchstone or Miramax banners. I do think that you won’t however see any of the current productions like SPiderman 4, Captain America, Iron Man 2, Avengers and Thor change their distributor as their contracts have been done already.

By: Roddy Barros (MKCustodial)

Roddy Barros (MKCustodial) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:52:55 +0000

I also worry about the movies… Marvel has been doing a wonderful job with the movies that they’ve produced themselves. Hopefully, Disney will act only as distributor, instead of the meddler that Warner Bros. is with the DC properties.