Disney to Buy Marvel

[SpyderDan]

IOA is SAFE.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

"Marvel also has various deals with the two-park Universal Orlando. The agreements governing two of Universal's hugely popular rides, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk roller coaster, appear to be virtually perpetual deals. According to Universal's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Universal Orlando retains American rights east of the Mississippi River for as long as its attractions are in operation.

Universal and Marvel also have various deals for everything from merchandise sales to the theming of many other portions of the Orlando resort's Islands of Adventure theme park. When asked about Marvel's licensing deals with other companies for movie projects, Iger said Disney would honor the terms of those contracts. He did not specifically comment on Marvel's deal with Universal Orlando, nor did Perlmutter."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney-marvel-entertainment-083109,0,2559631.story

That makes me feel a little bit better but how sure are they that there's no loop holes in the contract or something to screw Universal out of Marvel? I just don't want to see any changes to that part of the park.

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:43 PM ----------

While Universal may be ALLOWED to keep the attractions, I can see Disney making them add a Disney/Marvel logo. If something like that were to happen I can see Universal dumping the Marvel characters and redoing the area into something like a Monsters Island. With The Frankenstien Coaster, Werewolves of London (Spiderman) ride, and The Time Warp (Stormforce redone with a Rocky Horror theme), and Tower of London ( Chamber of Horrors Redo of Fearfall).

God, that would suck.

 

[Miki1010]

If Universal gets rid of the Marvel Characters they could change it to Transformers Island. The new transformer ride uses the same ride design as The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman so they could change that to that. Hulk could just be renamed and re-themed. They could add some cool effects to the ride like explosions. They could also keep Doctor Dooms Fear fall and just rename that too. The place could be themed to a city that has been destroyed by the transformers. I think that would be awesome.

 

[snoman]

But if Megan Fox impersonator characters would be available for photo ops then maybe.

 

[Jakemeister]

But if Megan Fox impersonator characters would be available for photo ops then maybe.

I can see the Classified now.

Looking For Women who are:
-Extremely Busty
-Looks like a porn star
-Improv bad dialogue at the drop of a hat
-Be surprised at staged explosions that happen all the time at our future EXPLOSIONS ACTION FUN ISLAND!

 

[Drew]

Super win by Jake.

 

[YETI PINTRADER]

I'm glad that Universal gets to keep Marvel. It is my favorite island. It would be really weird not having Spider-Man or Hulk anymore in Islands. Although if they did somehow get Batman, Arkham Island would be a pretty awesome addition.

 

[Brian G.]

From LA Times-Funland:

“Our agreement with Marvel stands for as long as we follow the terms of our existing contract and for as long as we want there to be a Marvel Super Hero Island,” said Universal Studios Florida spokesman Tom Schroder.

You can read more on the article here:

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/disney-marvel-theme--5246/

 

[rewster]

The key here though is that IOA gets to keep the attractions they already developed in place, and the Disney purchase can't affect that. But Disney does now have approval for any future Marvel attractions IOA may have developed, or for that matter even updates to the current attractions. So Disney may not be able to take away what Universal already has, but they can now choke IOA's Marvel island by not allowing any progression.

 

[ChristopherSE]

Woah...

---------- Post added at 09:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 AM ----------

And I wouldn't mind a Marvel section to Hollywood Studios. They need more attractions.

 

[Jakemeister]

The key here though is that IOA gets to keep the attractions they already developed in place, and the Disney purchase can't affect that. But Disney does now have approval for any future Marvel attractions IOA may have developed, or for that matter even updates to the current attractions. So Disney may not be able to take away what Universal already has, but they can now choke IOA's Marvel island by not allowing any progression.

Now you are thinking like an executive. :thumbs::look:

 

[jainey99]

This whole deal is making me very nervous for Universal. And a little anti-Disney. At least until more details come out.

 

[Brian G.]

Universal is safe with what the currently have. The question is if they can expand Marvel Superhero Island without interference from Disney.

 

[SpyderDan]

Universal is safe with what the currently have. The question is if they can expand Marvel Superhero Island without interference from Disney.

If they were ever going to expand Marvel, wouldn't they have done it by now?

 

[ralphoutloud]

If they were ever going to expand Marvel, wouldn't they have done it by now?

Not sure, there's really only the Carnage Warehouse to expand to....not much room to do anything major unless storm form gets ripped out as well.

 

[SpyderDan]

Not sure, there's really only the Carnage Warehouse to expand to....not much room to do anything major unless storm form gets ripped out as well.

Yeah, exactly. Given the money they've invested in Potter and Rockit, it would probably be a long time before they considered expanding Marvel Island. Plus, after Disney's buyout, I wouldn't want to see them press their luck. Just be happy the current configuration is secure, Universal.

 

[Brian G.]

From Screamscape...Interesting.....

(9/8/09) While the exact nature of what may or may not happen in the Disney parks with the Marvel comic characeters is known yet, Screamscape has heard that perhaps the most likely possibility for them could be to create a Marvel Comics version of Star Wars Weekends that would run as a special event and not an attraction, as a possible loop-hole to get the characters into one of the WDW theme parks for a limited run. I’ve also heard a very odd rumor about possibly repurposing the old Virgin Megastore into some kind of Marvel themed store that would sell merchandise as well as offer a few character Meet & Greets. As a retail store, it may also allow for a loop-hole to use the characters as it wouldn’t be a “theme park” experience. Of course, I’ve got to wonder if they may not go back and revive the old Marvel Mania restaurant idea as well for the same purpose.

 

[Drew]

You knew it wouldn't take long before they tried to exploit some kind of loophole.

Marvel Mania sounds like a sick idea, and it sticks with the ever popular theme of places on Downtown Disney like T-Rex and Rainforest. I think there's a real chance we see this.

 

[YETI PINTRADER]

A Star Wars Weekend type of event would be great. If they put that in place of Star Wars Weekend not so great.

 

[SpyderDan]

But Universal also has exclusive merchandising rights east of the Mississippi, do they not?

 

[rewster]

A Star Wars Weekend type of event would be great. If they put that in place of Star Wars Weekend not so great.

Replace Star Wars Weekends??? :-X

Don't do it Disney.