Disney plans to deploy Marvel superheroes at its theme parks

[milojthatch]

Dawn C. Chmielewski, Los Angeles Times
March 14, 2012
Walt Disney Co. is looking to bring some Marvel muscle to Disney theme parks.

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger told shareholders attending the annual meeting Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo., that the company has done preliminary design work that will one day lead to Marvel superheroes appearing in the theme parks along with Disney's other familiar characters.

"We haven't announced anything yet," Iger said. "But we're working on some concepts."

When Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment Inc. for $4.3 billion in 2009, the Burbank entertainment company talked about incorporating the comic book giant's library of 5,000 characters throughout its various businesses.

Indeed, a new animated television series, "Ultimate Spider-Man," premieres April 1, kicking off a programming block devoted to Marvel characters on the cable network Disney XD. Marvel's big-screen presentation of "The Avengers" superhero mash-up reaches theaters May 4. Disney showed a trailer to investors at its annual meeting.

Iger didn't mention which Disney park might get an infusion of spandex-clad heroes. Its competitor, Universal Studios, has the rights in perpetuity for its Marvel Super Hero Island attraction, which includes rides based on Spider-Man, Dr. Doom, the Hulk and Storm, and features a number of other characters from the X-Men. The company also has a 10-year-plus deal for its Spider-Man attraction at Universal Studios Japan.

For the near term, Disney is focused on an ambitious theme-park project based on director James Cameron's blockbuster science-fiction fantasy "Avatar." Disney announced a long-term licensing deal last fall to develop rides and attractions based on the 2009 film.

The first "Avatar" land is planned for Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Iger told shareholders that the new attraction probably won't open until 2015.

Iger also announced an initiative to hire at least 1,000 returning military veterans over the next three years in a program dubbed Heroes Work Here.

Disney stockholders reelected all 10 members of Disney's board, including Iger, who was formally elected chairman.

Shareholders also approved the company's executive pay plan in an advisory vote.

dawn.chmielewski@latimes.com
Copyright © 2012, Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-c ... 8349.story

[slave2moonlight]

Marvel characters in the parks sounds fine if they are kept in the appropriate places. I don't want to see them in the Magic Kingdom. I suppose there are some that might make sense in Tomorrowland or Adventureland, but really... let's try to keep them in the studio theme parks, please. Maybe FutureWorld of EPCOT, since they've pretty much botched most of FutureWorld anyway (Still look forward to The Living Seas with Nemo though).

As for this Avatar-land, god, that movie wasn't even that good. Was it actually a Disney movie? I had no idea. What a travesty to add that to a Disney park. They're turning them into Universal parks!

[jpanimation]

They've been saying this since they bought them but I have a feeling we'll be seeing them in the Asian parks before we see them over here. Universal's contract - and correct me if I'm wrong - keeps WDW from utilizing them (which suck for Disney, since Universal's contract lets them keep the rights until they voluntarily forfeit them). I'm cool with that since I love Marvel Superhero Island and see no need for Disney to have them in addition. Disneyland, on the other hand, is just having trouble finding any room for them, since Disneyland and Calfifornia Adventure are jammed packed and don't really have a place where they'd fit in theme-wise.

since they've pretty much botched most of FutureWorld anyway

Yes, yes they have. Horizons (the all inspiring sequel of sorts to Carousel of Progress) was replaced with space flight simulator you'd expect to see at the Kennedy Space Center (or a slimmed down version in Innoventions), Journey Into Imagination was stripped of all things imaginative and now resembles a cheap fair grounds funhouse, Wonder of Life no longer showcases wonders but wine testing (seriously, WTF?), Nemo and Friends outright sucks both as a ride and pavilion (I'll admit, never cared for The Living Seas either but at least in matched the surrounding area in tone) and The Land lost all it's warm, relaxing, earthy decor for the hyper-steril crowded inners it has now (I just can't relax there anymore, it used to be soo serene and peaceful). I would add that Spaceship Earth is inferior to it's prior version but it's still mostly there, so it gets a pass

[milojthatch]

There was one part at the very end here that made me smile:

Iger also announced an initiative to hire at least 1,000 returning military veterans over the next three years in a program dubbed Heroes Work Here.

I find myself starting to feel more critical of Mr. Iger and how he has handled the company even more so then I ever was of Mr. Eisner. However, I have to give full kudos to Mr. Iger for having any kind of program where Disney hires veterans. As one who is originality from Santa Monica, CA, I am well aware of how many of the homeless of America are made up of military vets, and how hard it is for many of these brave souls to reintegrate back into society. So any attempt to do so is great news indeed.

As for the Marvel characters, it is just a matter of time and has been since 2009. I've never been to any of the parks outside of California, so I can't say where I think they would work in the other parks. At the Disney Resort however, I think personally I'd rather see them over at California Adventure then in Disneyland. Maybe Tomorrowland or Adventureland, but I'm just having hard time seeing it. I think CA would work much better.

[slave2moonlight]

I just assumed they would turn up in Disney Studios the way characters like the Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, and Ace Ventura did in the past. Just walking around greeting or doing street performances.

[Flanger-Hanger]

...and don't really have a place where they'd fit in theme-wise.

To quote Drizella, "I'll make it fit!"

If they can put Little Mermaid and Monster's Inc. into California Adventure, they can do whatever they want.

I also understand there's space to put stuff in Frontierland north of Big Thunder and Tomorrowland if they ditch Innoventions.

I do agree that it will be Asia first for any Marvel stuff, likely Shanghai.

[pap64]

I think Disney knows that the Marvel heroes belong outside the Magic Kingdom and will likely place them at Disney's Hollywood Studios. In fact, they have done that in the past!

Disney Hollywood Studios used to be the home of... the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They are as far away from Disney as Avatar and yet found a home at the park for a while. Here is video of it:
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a9-SQ3wwZp0" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Like I said, Disney knows where their characters and stories belong. They created sections for them in their parks. The princesses will meet at the royal meeting place in the new expansion. The villains meet in Halloween. The Pixar characters are in their Pixar themed places. So when the time comes, Disney will put the Marvel characters in the right place.

Quite frankly, I would LOVE to see how the Meet and Greet sessions with Marvel characters will be like. Sure you can do that at Universal, but Disney puts a lot of detail into the park characters, whether they are fuzzies or face characters. Can you imagine an Avengers meet and greet where Thor is being teased by Tony Stark? It could make for some awesome character moments, and people love that. The better they are the more popular they will be. I want to see that happen with Marvel.

As for Avatar-land, slave2moonlight Avatar is a FOX movie. I have yet to see the movie so I don't have any strong feelings in favor or against the park. I'm indifferent. It's just that there is only one movie, and while the movie was very popular it doesn't seem to have a long presence much like Titanic and Terminator 2 had. So why did Disney thought it was a wise idea to invest on it right now is beyond me.

[jazzflower92]

If they are doing Marvel characters,how about promoting the heck out of Spiderman?

I mean they are going to put out a new animated series with him so I think it would be good that they would advertise the crud of him so that they can rake in lots of money.

Yes,I am thinking like a true greedy businesswoman who knows a good moneymaker when there is one.

[jpanimation]

The Turtles didn't have a section, they had a street show (I know, I saw them and have them on video). They were treated just like The Power Rangers are now. I assume Disney wants to make rides and most likely an entire area based around these characters. At the moment, there really isn't room outside the Asian parks for an expansion like that.

[pap64]

The Turtles didn't have a section, they had a street show (I know, I saw them and have them on video). They were treated just like The Power Rangers are now. I assume Disney wants to make rides and most likely an entire area based around these characters. At the moment, there really isn't room outside the Asian parks for an expansion like that.

When I said "found a place" I mean Disney Hollywood Studios as you could see and meet them there, not at EPCOT or the Magic Kingdom.

I think they might start with meet and greets in themed areas first since it is the easier thing to do while they work out theme park attractions ideas and solve those legal issues.

[jpanimation]

solve those legal issues.

I don't think there is anything Disney can do about that. Universal isn't going to budge, since the Marvel characters are second only to Harry Potter in their resort. Spider-Man just reopened from it's costly upgrade and many consider it their best ride (myself included). I think Universal will do everything in their power to keep Marvel out of WDW.

[DisneyAnimation88]

So why did Disney thought it was a wise idea to invest on it right now is beyond me.

If rumours from very credible sources within the company are to be believed, the project is on life support. Disney are supposedly at odds with Cameron over budgets and their respective visions for the land and, at the moment, it seems there's a strong possibility that it won't happen. I found it interesting that at the recent stockholder meeting, Iger made no mention of Avatarland, despite it being a flagship project and Disney's response to Harry Potter's success at Universal. Then, when he was asked about, he appeared quite irritated and simply said that they expect to open the land in 2015. Personally, I would love to see Avatarland get cancelled and the sources I've read the information from have proven their credibility many times in the past so I think there must be some truth to this rumour, especially when Iger seemed so reluctant to directly address it at a meeting with the company's stockholders when he should have been trying to drum up as much excitement for it as possible.

As for Marvel, I'm a WDW regular and as I understand it, Disney are contractually prevented from doing anything with the characters in Florida so I'm not too concerned about that. I don't see any way that Universal would allow Disney to use the Marvel characters when they are soprominent and popular at Island's of Adventure.

[jazzflower92]

Hey,but I am serious about the spiderman thing because I know every grown person in this forum will see Ultimate Spiderman's tv premeire when it comes out.

I also think that Disney should pair up a few Disney stars with Marvel characters.I was thinking Storm with Princess Tiana,Jubilee with Mulan,The Scarlet Witch with Esmerelda,etc.

[DisneyAnimation88]

I also think that Disney should pair up a few Disney stars with Marvel characters.I was thinking Storm with Princess Tiana,Jubilee with Mulan,The Scarlet Witch with Esmerelda,etc.

Disney is Disney, Marvel is Marvel, it just seems like a complete non-starter to me.

[jpanimation]

If rumours from very credible sources within the company are to be believed, the project is on life support. Disney are supposedly at odds with Cameron over budgets and their respective visions for the land and, at the moment, it seems there's a strong possibility that it won't happen. I found it interesting that at the recent stockholder meeting, Iger made no mention of Avatarland, despite it being a flagship project and Disney's response to Harry Potter's success at Universal. Then, when he was asked about, he appeared quite irritated and simply said that they expect to open the land in 2015. Personally, I would love to see Avatarland get cancelled and the sources I've read the information from have proven their credibility many times in the past so I think there must be some truth to this rumour, especially when Iger seemed so reluctant to directly address it at a meeting with the company's stockholders when he should have been trying to drum up as much excitement for it as possible.

I really hope this is true. I'm sure Iger doesn't want to scare shareholders off by saying it's dead and we know letting it just fade away until they have something equally big to announce as a replacement is best.

Hey,but I am serious about the spiderman thing because I know every grown person in this foru

You know I will but every clip released so far has only lowered my expectations.

BTW, doesn't this belong in the Disney Theme Parks section?

[jazzflower92]

Hey,but I am serious about the spiderman thing because I know every grown person in this foru

You know I will but every clip released so far has only lowered my expectations.

BTW, doesn't this belong in the Disney Theme Parks section?[/quote]

I kinda of have to disagree with that because of the fact that Paul Dini the guy who has written the Batman The Animated Series is the main writer for the Ultimate Spiderman.All I can say it will be a big hit espically with people who miss The Spectacular Spiderman.

[DancingCrab]

Letting Universal keep the exclusive rights to Marvel characters seems like a win/win for Disney. As owners of Marvel Comics, they are now getting a cut of Universal Studios attendance. Let Universal do all the work, and reap the royalty fees.

BUT, IF Disney were to move the characters someday, they are in dire need of a complete overhaul of the horribly dated, Disney's Hollywood Studios. That would be, as others have said, the best place for Marvel.

[slave2moonlight]

Like I said, Disney knows where their characters and stories belong.

I would feel more confident about that if they hadn't put at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in the Magic Kingdom. Would have been a perfect addition to Disney Hollywood Studios, where a PIXAR themed area in general would make a lot of sense, but no, they put that in the Magic Kingdom, and that makes no sense. Granted, I haven't been to the parks in quite a while now (maybe the Laugh Floor isn't even there anymore), but I still say they should put a REAL Pizza Planet at Disney Hollywood Studios (instead of the half-assed one they've had) and make a general Pixar-land around it.

Talking about a total revamp of Disney Hollywood Studios makes me nervous because there's a lot of great stuff that could be lost if they do that, the way they ruined FutureWorld of EPCOT. I would love them to add a PIXAR area, and a superhero area would be cool too. I don't want to lose the Muppet or Star Wars sections, but I don't expect that will happen anytime soon, but my main concern is losing the wonderful early Hollywood theming of the park's main entry street. That already was altered/harmed drastically by blocking the view of the Chinese Theater with that lousy Sorcerer's hat, and the loss of MGM in the name and the strong Hollywood history presence within the shops (in terms of the merchandise selection) didn't help, but I don't want to see them lose that theme/style even more. Maybe that's unlikely, especially since Tower of Terror works into it a bit. I also fear for the long called for revamp of The Great Movie Ride. I just don't have confidence in their ride replacements these days. I suppose I might need to fear for the future of Indy Jones at that particular park too.

[jpanimation]

I kinda of have to disagree with that because of the fact that Paul Dini the guy who has written the Batman The Animated Series is the main writer for the Ultimate Spiderman.

I like the fact that Paul Dini and Brian Michael Bendis are involved and I think the character designs are a million times better then Spectacular's but those are all things that initially raised my expectations. I was talking about the clips released as lowering my expectations. Let me know your opinion on those as they really give off a bad vibe.

All I can say it will be a big hit espically with people who miss The Spectacular Spiderman.

Like I said, watch the clips. The tone of this show seems more like Teen Titans and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. They seem to be going for goofiness, while Spectacular was a pretty well written drama (despite the cartoony voice acting and bad character designs).

I would feel more confident about that if they hadn't put at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor in the Magic Kingdom. Would have been a perfect addition to Disney Hollywood Studios, where a PIXAR themed area in general would make a lot of sense, but no, they put that in the Magic Kingdom, and that makes no sense. Granted, I haven't been to the parks in quite a while now (maybe the Laugh Floor isn't even there anymore), but I still say they should put a REAL Pizza Planet at Disney Hollywood Studios (instead of the half-assed one they've had) and make a general Pixar-land around it.

Talking about a total revamp of Disney Hollywood Studios makes me nervous because there's a lot of great stuff that could be lost if they do that, the way they ruined FutureWorld of EPCOT. I would love them to add a PIXAR area, and a superhero area would be cool too. I don't want to lose the Muppet or Star Wars sections, but I don't expect that will happen anytime soon, but my main concern is losing the wonderful early Hollywood theming of the park's main entry street. That already was altered/harmed drastically by blocking the view of the Chinese Theater with that lousy Sorcerer's hat, and the loss of MGM in the name and the strong Hollywood history presence within the shops (in terms of the merchandise selection) didn't help, but I don't want to see them lose that theme/style even more. Maybe that's unlikely, especially since Tower of Terror works into it a bit. I also fear for the long called for revamp of The Great Movie Ride. I just don't have confidence in their ride replacements these days. I suppose I might need to fear for the future of Indy Jones at that particular park too.

Holy crap, everything you just said, I'm in total agreement with. I've actually outlined what should be done to the Disney-MGM Studios to fix it up (outside of a billion dollar makeover like DCA):

http://www.studioscentral.com/board/ind ... st&p=93999

I would have them add Maroon Studios between Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Hollywood Blvd. but that will never happen due to rights issues. I'd also have them add the Indiana Jones ride but I'm not sure there's enough room even when taking out the stunt show (unless they cut out all the outside queueing and a good chunk of the inside queue). It's a BIG ride.

[Super Aurora]

I also think that Disney should pair up a few Disney stars with Marvel characters.I was thinking Storm with Princess Tiana,Jubilee with Mulan,The Scarlet Witch with Esmerelda,etc.

dear god no.



Marvel if need a place, best fits in Hollywoods studio. or it's own separate theme park.