Is it time for a Marvel store or theme park?

[hedrap]

It's really non one companies fault. Marvel, like usual, oversold its rights in the 90's when they had nothing going on. Universal had been battling theme park headwinds for most of the 2k's, (IIRC), and Disney needed to time to do an overhaul. I believe Universal intended a major overhaul when Hulk was in production, and then it sank so they pulled back.

As for WB, they tried a massive branding campaign in the 90's when they had bosses who believed in that. From the WB Stores to their theme parks, DC was very abundant. The AOL merger killed off a lot of those divisions. IMO, I think Disney/Marvel didn't jump ship from Universal because 1. they needed time to figure out what works 2. Star Wars is coming and 3. WB is more than willing to fill that Universal spot. In the near future at Universal you're going to see Kong, Jurassic and Uni Horror revamped areas, plus a Pacific Rim area and possibly Godzilla, Toho willing. All you're missing is DC and it's fanboy heaven. That's not huge, it's yuge.

Also keep in mind both Marvel tours were Disney-backed, and one is puttering along while the other big bonanza tanked hard. "The Experience" closed, re-started, then permanently shut down. Outside the Avengers-centric movies, Marvel is in full deceleration but it gets no coverage out of fear of Disney. Gaming, live tours, network tv...all misfires. DD has done well by Netflix standards, which is about equal to Agents of Shield numbers. And Ant-Man...very well received, but a big step back in box office for something they actively tied into the Avengers, moreso than Guardians. And Marvel knew it wasn't tracking well, which is why they bailed on SDCC a week before Ant-Man opened.

[The Toyroom]

Imagine a DC theme park with Mullet Superman, AzBats, and Parallax Hal Jordan plastered all over the place and pushed on today's consumers...

[Hedji]

just got back from Universal earlier this month...The Marvel section of IOA sucked. It was built in the 90s and everything still looks like it. Poor selection of merchandise also. I didn't buy a thing there. Very disappointed.

Yup. It's like it's frozen in time by Rob Liefield. It's in the interest of both Universal and Disney to come to some sort of agreement, because there's a LOT of money being left on the table.

[The Toyroom]

^ That was playing on a video screen at the Coke booth at CityWalk...

[thunderbolt]

Its always been a yawn fest as far as I'm concerned. The best part was the Ramones Spider-Man theme cover used in the parking garage.

[The Toyroom]

just got back from Universal earlier this month...The Marvel section of IOA sucked. It was built in the 90s and everything still looks like it. Poor selection of merchandise also. I didn't buy a thing there. Very disappointed.

[toys2cool]

the contract is open ended as long as Islands stays in business and keeps up the rides. The Hulk Coaster and Doom rides are supposed to either go away or be repurposed later this year for sure.

no!! I love the hulk ride

[madmarva]

Disney should do Marvel Land in its parks, and WB should do a theme park with its toon and DC characters.

I've often thought about a DC park based on the Disney model. A Trip to Krypton area/ride would be fun. Similar with Atlantis, Paradise Island, Skartaris, OA, Batcave, Fortress of Solitude, Flash Museum, several different JLA headquarters incarnations. Smallville could be similar to Disney Mainstream with the Kent's store and other 40s and 50s themed stores. Planet Krypton the super hero themed restaurant from Kingdom Come begs to be built. The Looney Tunes cartoons could be worked in as well as the HB characters. Scooby Doo Haunted Ride would be so much fun. Jetsons, Flintstones and goes on and on. All with appropriate rides.

Obviously, similar ideas from Marvel could be done by Disney as Dwayne suggested. The Savage Land, Planet Hulk, the Mircoverse or whatever it was called in the Antman movie, the X-Men Danger Room playhouse or obstacle course, Avengers mansion, Stark's workshop with all the armor and so on.


A Marvel park or section at Disney will no doubt happen when the Universal hurdle is cleared, but my WB/DC dream is probably a pipe dream, but fun to consider.

[thunderbolt]

well the contract with Universal and Marvel ends this year right? Hopefully they stay and make it even better

the contract is open ended as long as Islands stays in business and keeps up the rides. The Hulk Coaster and Doom rides are supposed to either go away or be repurposed later this year for sure.

[toys2cool]

Disney wants the theme park rights back realllll bad. So I bet there is something in the works. Universal is the only party that can break the contract. The way the Marvel stuff is set up there it could be changed over to something else in a matter of days. Its almost all just cut outs and signs. Very cheap looking.

I think Disney could really make it way better but let's see. I haven't been to Universal is 5+ years

[thunderbolt]

Disney wants the theme park rights back realllll bad. So I bet there is something in the works. Universal is the only party that can break the contract. The way the Marvel stuff is set up there it could be changed over to something else in a matter of days. Its almost all just cut outs and signs. Very cheap looking.

[toys2cool]

rumor has it that there is a deal forthcoming between Disney and Universal, may see rebranding of the marvel portion of Islands of Adventure as early as this winter.

well the contract with Universal and Marvel ends this year right? Hopefully they stay and make it even better

[thunderbolt]

rumor has it that there is a deal forthcoming between Disney and Universal, may see rebranding of the marvel portion of Islands of Adventure as early as this winter.

[wayne foundation 07]

I never heard why the Marvel store in Niagara Falls changed to just Adventure City. It was a great place when it first opened.





I still have game tokens that never got used. It was a great place with lots of toys and games and a couple rides . And it was right there by the Falls.

[PNGwynne]

Doesn't Universal have the corner as the Marvel amusement-park venue?

I'd love to see Disney Store-type outlets for Marvel. I miss our Disney Store, and WB's for that matter.