PHOTOS & VIDEO: Super Hero Headquarters MARVEL Store Opens at Downtown Disney

The anxiously-anticipated Super Hero Headqaurters store soft-opened today at Downtown Disney West Side, and lucky for us, WDWNT’s own Nick LoCicero was there to check it out:

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The Super Hero Headquarters takes over what was United World Soccer

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There is nothing but tons of MARVEL items in the store

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The location is themed to a S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters

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Hero and villain bios come up on various screens

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There are also wanted posters on the walls

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You can get super-imposed as or with one of your favorite heroes in the store

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The Avengers Vinylmation series will be released May 1st

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There is a hidden reference to the opening date, as well as cast services…

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Due to legal restrictions, there is no sign of the MARVEL logo on the store

We also have a short video walk-through of the store to share with you:

BREAKING: Walt Disney World’s Disability Access Service Goes Digital Today, Linked to MagicBands Now

When the new Disability Access Service went live at Disney Parks in October of 2013, we knew it would only be a matter of time until it was all tied into the MyMagic+ system. Well, that very suddenly happened today.

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Goodbye paper cards

Under the new system starting today, when the guest who needs the DAS arrives at Guest Relations, the rest of the party will have to be there to have their media (tickets, MagicBands) attached to the guest the DAS guest on their account. If anyone is to be added to the party at any point later on, you will have to return to guest relations to get them added.

After this is done, you can start obtaining return times for attractions. Simply go to the attraction, check in with a cast member, and they will scan your media. The cast member will ask who attached to the DAS is riding. The guest is then given a return time to come back at. When they return, all of the guests riding will have to scan their media, just like a FastPass+.

The reasoning behind the change is to eliminate the paper cards and avoid cheating within the system. With the DAS attached to accounts, no one can have more than one. Under the old method, some guests will have multiple people in their party obtain the DAS so they can have multiple return times in their possession at once. With the system going digital and tied to MyMagic+, this will be avoided.

There are a lot of still unanswered questions about this change and we will try our best to address them as soon as possible, so stay tuned for more on this breaking story.

Disneyland Buys Carousel Inn Hotel Across From Park, Will It Be Used For Expansion or Transportation?

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A Portland, Oregon system similar to the proposed Anaheim Streetcar line.

The Orange County Register has reported, that the The Walt Disney Co. has purchased a hotel located directly across Harbor Boulevard from its two theme parks for $32 million. A Disneyland spokeswoman confirmed the purchase.

But the question emerges, is Disney purchasing the Carousel Inn & Suites to operate as a hotel, or is this an “offering” to the overall plan to add a streetcar system to the Anaheim Resort area? The proposed streetcar system is tentatively planned to run between the completed ARTIC train depot, near Anaheim Stadium to the Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center. In the Register article, Disneyland spokesperson Suzi Brown stated that “current management will continue to operate the Carousel Inn.”

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The ARTIC Depot

Public records indicate that Disney, through a limited-liability corporation, Carousel Holdings EAT, purchased the 131-room Carousel Inn & Suites on 1530 S. Harbor Blvd. from Good Hope International. The purchased was finalized on March 23.

Plans for the streetcar system, which are far from solidified, originally proposed Disney Way as the closest point the system would come to the theme parks. Reports in local publications accused Disney of strongly influencing the route selection process, and so increasing the overall cost. The past director of the Orange County Transit Authority went so far as to recommend that Disney contribute to the project, since they would benefit so greatly from it.

Last year Anaheim officials attempted to buy a similar site, an IHOP restaurant and a hotel, to accommodate a route more friendly to Disneyland Resort visitors, but were rebuffed.

Disneyland characterizes the acquisition as “strategic investment” as acquisition of these “legacy properties,” generally long help by families, are rarely sold.

Whatever the fate of the Carousel Inn & Suites, there is no doubt that a light-rail system would revolutionize the area of Anaheim east of Disneyland, help to solve parking issues, greatly reduce the ART bus system, and even possibly determine viability for an eventual third Theme Park.

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The Carousel Inn

“The Walt Disney Co. saw this as a strategic investment, as opportunities to purchase properties in close proximity to the resort are extremely rare,” said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland spokeswoman.

Brown said the current management will continue to operate the Carousel Inn. She added that Disney has no long-term plans for the property at this time.

RUMOR: Dream Along with Mickey to Conclude in July, New Show on the Way

With Dream Along with Mickey going dark starting July 19th to accommodate stage upgrades and further hub construction at the Magic Kingdom, rumor has it that the show may not be returning as scheduled in August 2015.

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The show debuted during the Year of a Million Dreams

With the show nearing its 9-year anniversary (easily making it the longest running Castle Forecourt Stage show in the history of the park) in September, it is long overdue for a change. There is no word on what the new show would be, but it is should still be a traditional Disney character performance.

It has already been announced that the Villains Mix’N’Mingle show that performs annually on the stage at the Halloween Parties is being replaced, so it would not be unreasonable to think that the regular daily show would also be changed. Perhaps this means that Celebrate the Season (the Christmas Party’s stage show) is also gone forever? We will have to wait and see…

If you don’t believe the show is dated, here’s a video of the original version of the show from when it debuted in 2006…

Disney Testing System That Brings Food Straight to Your Seat at Fantasmic! & Backlot Express

Backlot Express and Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are currently testing a new system where guests can have items delivered to them after pre-ordering through a special app.

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Mickey is now battling long lines at the Fantasmic! concessions

Guests with FastPass+ reservations or dining reservations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during this period are randomly being invited to this test via email. If invited, guests may download a special “Express Order” app. Guests can then order and pay ahead.

At Backlot Express, the test periods are as follows:

  • April 28-May 4: Guests may have a meal prepped at counter for pickup or to go (where they are then invited to bring it with them to their seat at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular).
  • May 5-May 12: Guests may have a meal prepped at counter to-go or have food delivered to their table.

At Fantasmic!, guests can use the app to order select food, beverage, and even merchandise items from their seat and then have it delivered to their seats during the pre-show. On nights with two Fantasmic! shows, this is only available for the first showing.

The app service uses bluetooth and location services on mobile devices.

“The Legacy Collection: Disneyland” 3-Disc Set to Celebrate 60 Years of Disneyland Park Music

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BURBANK, Calif., April 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — The eighth release from The Legacy Collection celebrates the 60th anniversary of Disneyland Resort with a 3-disc set, which features classic music from attractions.  The set was produced and compiled by Grammy®-winning producer Randy Thornton.

This release coincides with the Diamond Celebration and will be available exclusively at Disneyland Resort beginning May 20th, with a wide release set for August 21.

The Legacy Collection Disneyland explores the rich past behind songs and attractions past and present. Beginning with the recordings from the opening day of Disneyland in 1955, the collection guides the listener down Main Street U.S.A., through the greatest attractions, shows and lands that exist today and those that are a happy memory.

Discs One and Two cover the lands beginning with Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland, plus 5 songs from Disney California Adventure Park.   Disc Three features an additional 12 songs from Disney California Adventure Park, plus music from “The Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Fantasmic!”

The liner notes provide extensive historical background by writer Stacia Martin, a 37-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company and Disney Historian, who oversees special projects for many divisions of the company including Walt Disney World, Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Records.

The CD cover and 24-page booklet feature newly created artwork inspired by Disneyland from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios (“Big Hero 6,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Tangled”).  Bove was recently named one of ’10 Animators to Watch’ by Variety (March 3, 2015).

Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection Disneyland 3-disc set will be available exclusively at Disneyland Resort beginning May 20and on August 21 at Disney Music Emporium: disneymusicemporium.com.

4/30/15 Marvel News Mash-Up (Avengers, Guardians 2, Spider-Man, Muppets, ETC.)

“Avengers: Age Of Ultron” Opens This Friday, May 1st! New High Resolution Photos

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Thor (Chris Hemsworth) Ph: Jay Maidment ©Marvel 2015

To celebrate the opening of “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” Marvel and Disney Studios have released a ton of high resolution stills from the movie:

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and War Machine (Don Cheadle) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans)  Ph: Jay Maidment ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Vison (Paul Bettany) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)  Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) Ph: Jay Maidment ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans)  Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Hulkbuster Iron Man armor (Robert Downey Jr.) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Captain America (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) Ph: Jay Maidment ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron L to R: Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

Marvel's Avengers: Age Of Ultron Ultron (voiced by James Spader) Ph: Film Frame ©Marvel 2015

“Avengers: Age Of Ultron” opens this Friday, May 1st!

After “Avengers: Age Of Ultron”, What Is Next For Joss Whedon?

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This is complete speculation on my part, but I am calling it right now, Joss Whedon is going to leave Marvel for either Warner Brothers or Sony.

Over the last few weeks I have been watching and reading interviews with Joss Whedon promoting “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” and he just doesn’t seem very enthusiastic in most of his interviews. In fact he seems to be kind of negative towards Marvel at times. Whedon is contractually obligated to promote the film, but once “Ultron” is released, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear an announcement that he will be doing another superhero movie, just not with Disney and Marvel.

Here are my clues:

  1. He’s not coming back to direct “Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and 2.” I really was expecting to hear that Joss Whedon would be directing “Infinity War,” or at least one of them, but it was recently announced that The Russo Brothers (“Winter Soldier”, “Civil War”) would be directing probably the biggest movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s going to be big because not only will the Avengers be in it, but also The Guardians Of The Galaxy and Spider-Man and even more superheroes. Either Disney/Marvel think the Russo Brothers are really that good or they asked Whedon and he said no. It’s more likely the later because although I really enjoyed “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” I wouldn’t bet the farm just on the results of one movie.
  2. Whedon recently came out and said that Edgar Wright’s “Ant-Man” script was the best script that was ever written for a Marvel movie. For those that dont know, Edgar Wright has been attached to Marvel’s “Ant-Man for years. He pushed hard to get this movie made and more than likely we have him to thank that it is coming out. But something happened where Wright and Disney/Marvel disagreed about the direction and future of Ant-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Wright and Disney/Marvel parted ways. Wright has a huge following of comic book fans and most were very upset to hear that he was no longer attached to the project. Whedon said the following, “I thought the script was not only the best script that Marvel had ever had, but the most Marvel script I’d read. I don’t know where things went wrong but I was very sad because I thought, this is a no-brainer. This is Marvel getting it exactly right. Whatever dissonance that came, whatever it was, I don’t understand why it was bigger than a marriage that seemed so right.” For Whedon to come out and say that Wright’s “Ant-Man” script was the best Marvel script he has ever written, to me, was the start of burning his bridges with Marvel.

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  1. He recently saw the “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice” and gushed like a little girl about it. The trailer was good, but it aint that good. Whedon said,“People with power, who are good, do not always agree and it makes perfect sense for me that (Batman and Superman) would fight. And besides… Batman and Superman are gonna fight! I’m so excited! I’m so excited!” He also said that Superman would destroy all of the Avengers. I’m not going to deny that if I had to choose who would win, I would pick Superman, but I wouldn’t say that while promoting a Marvel property.
  2. He recently said that “Marvel’s Agents Of SHIELD” is basically all a dream because Agent Coulson is dead. Whedon said, “Yeah he’s dead. The entire television series is just a fever dream. It’s a Jacob’s Ladder moment he’s having at the point of death, but we don’t give that away until after season seven. And there’s a snow globe. Now I’ve given it away. Bollocks!” I’m sure Marvel and Disney are not happy that he is telling fans that this show is just basically one big waste of time.
  3. He came out and said that he was disappointed that he never got to work with Spider-Man in the Avengers. Spider-Man is Marvel’s most popular character and to many, including me, he is Marvel’s best character. Whedon is a comic book fan and it’s obvious that if he had a choice, this would be his next Marvel movie. Whedon said,“Yeah I’d like to have worked on Spider-Man, he’s the poster child. He’s the first book I read, and I think that’s true for a lot of people. There are so many things I would want to do, even with these characters The Avengers, even with just one of these characters. But the fact of the matter is: they’re doing fine, and I’ve probably got to move on.” He said it right there, he’s moving on. Whedon would be an excellent choice because he is a big Spider-Man fan and I think he would bring back the magic of Peter interacting with J Jonah Jameson and the Daily Bugle.

In all honesty as a comic book fan, I think it would be great if Whedon directed a non Marvel superhero movie. The perfect movie for him to direct would be “Justice League”, but Zack Snyder is directing that one. Whedon gets the team dynamic really well and feel he is best suited for a superhero movie. Whedon also did Firefly and you can tell he works really well with an ensable. If I had to guess, I would say that the one movie that he wants to do is “Spider-Man”, but Sony is still being run by poor management and probably will go with someone less experienced. The other property that he has said that he wants to do is “Batman” but have a feeling that WB will go with either Ben Affleck as director or maybe even Snyder. Which leaves “Superman” and I would love for him to do a “Superman” movie. Whedon could bring back some of the light heartedness that “Man Of Steel” was lacking and some nice colors that are not hidden behind a dark camera filter. Again, this is all speculation on my part but I doubt we will ever see Joss Whedon ever do another Marvel movie again, but he’ll be back again and I’m sure whatever superhero story he tackles, he will do a great job.

“Guardians Of The Galaxy 2” To Introduce Starlord’s Father

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In the Guardians Of The Galaxy movie, there was a bit of mystery surrounding Peter Quill’s (Starlord) father. We do see his mother in the beginning and she does mention Peter’s father briefly. Soon after we hear that Yondu was hired by Quill’s father to retrieve Peter from Earth shortly after his mother death. And that’s it.

While being interviewed about the “Guardians Of The Galaxy 2,” James Gunn, director of the first film and the sequel, made the following comments to Vulture.com:

“There’s a lot of stuff I’m excited about in the new movie,” he said. “Listen, I’m still excited about Star-Lord’s character and where he goes. At its heart, Guardians is a story about families, and if the first film was about him and his mother, this is a story about fathers. So it’s exciting to go there.”

So who is Peter Quill’s (Starlord) father?

In the comics, Starlord meets Emperor Jason of the planet Sparta and he reveals that he is Peter’s father. Jason explains that he had crashed on Earth decades earlier and been rescued by Meredith Quill. During the year that he had spent repairing his ship, Jason and Meredith fell in love. When it came time to leave, Jason, for Meredith’s safety, had placed a mindlock on her memories of him, causing her to remember their year together as only a dream.

Yeah, I’m pretty sure they aren’t going with that father story. From the rumors that I have heard, again rumors, more than likely, Starlord’s father will be Adam Warlock.

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Adam Warlock is an artificially created human who was born in a cocoon at a scientific complex called The Beehive. The goal of his creators, the Enclave, was to create and subsequently exploit the perfect human. While in the cocoon, he became aware of his creators’ plans for him. He awoke from the cocoon and rebelled. Adam Warlock definitely has a long and unusual history that I am not going to get into but he is also a very prominent character in “The Infinity Gauntlet.” “Guardians Of The Galaxy 2” would be the perfect way to introduce Adam Warlock into the Marvel Cinematic Universe before he is seen in “Avengers: Infinity Gauntlet.” No guarantees, but it seems like the it would all fit perfectly.

Source: Vulture.com

“Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 And 2” To Begin Filming Back To Back For 9 Months In Late 2016

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Chris Evans recently revealed that the prospective back-to-back shoot for Avengers: Infinity War will take nine months, with production due to start sometime in the “fall or winter of 2016.”

The two-part “Infinity War” will be directed by The Russo Brothers. Marvel has slated part one of “Infinity War” for release on May 4, 2018, with the second installment hitting theaters on May 3, 2019.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Sony To Release A Theatrical Animated “Spider-Man” Movie In 2018

Amazing Spider-Man 2 face (585 x 300)

Sony announced recently that there will be an animated “Spider-Man” movie that will hit theaters on July 20, 2018. The movie will be directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who directed the highly successful “The Lego Movie.”

Sounds good, right? The only issue that concerns me is that Marvel will not be involved with this and the people behind “Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach and Amy Pascal will be producing the movie.

Source: Variety

Sesame Street And The Cookie Monster Spoof “The Avengers”

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Just in time for the release of “Avengers: Age Of Ultron,” Sesame Street put together a little Avengers spoof featuring the Cookie Monster as The Hulk and a bunch of vegetable loving Muppets as the rest of the Avengers.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHPn5d7wRtk]

Source: Sesame Street

Sideshow Collectible Corner

“War Machine Mark II”

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I was glad to hear that Don Cheadle was reprising his role as James Rhodes/ War Machine in “Avengers: Age Of Ultron.” Now thanks to Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles, we finally get a good look at the new Mark II armor for War Machine.

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Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys are excited to present the new War Machine Mark II Sixth Scale Collectible Figure as a Hot Toys Exclusive item! The newest addition to the MMS Diecast series is made of diecast material and is realistically designed to look even more like the armor as it appears in the film!

The movie-accurate War Machine Mark II Collectible Figure is crafted with great detail and is based on the image of Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine in Avengers: Age of Ultron. It features a highly detailed head sculpt, metallic black and dark silvered colored armor with decals, LED light-up functions, rotatable machine gun, and a specially designed Avengers: Age of Ultron figure stand. 

War Machine Mark II is now available exclusively through Sideshow Collectibles for preorder at a price of $339.99 and will ship in the third quarter of 2015.

Source: Sideshow Collectibles

That’s it for this time!

PHOTO: Disneyland Hosts Marvel’s “Avengers: Age Of Ultron” Fan Event

(April 27, 2015) ÐÐ Avengers: Age of Ultron Fan Event. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

This week, over 300 fans dressed as their favorite Avengers visited Disneyland and met Captain America, Thor and Hawkeye before attending a special advance screening of Marvel’ “Avengers: Age Of Ultron.”

(April 27, 2015) ÐÐ Avengers: Age of Ultron Fan Event. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk and Chris Evans as Captain America. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine, Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.

Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, p.g.a., Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963. Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015.

 

FROZEN, Beauty & The Beast, & Alice in Wonderland Areas Announced for Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea

Oriental Land Co.,Ltd. released more information regarding the new expansions at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea! Fantasyland in Tokyo Disneyland will be receiving areas themed to Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland. Tokyo DisneySea will get a new port themed after Scandinavia with a portion of it specific to Frozen. The projects are scheduled for after fiscal year 2017.

The Full English press release is on the OLC website. More information regarding the expansion available over at TDR Explorer.

Frozen Scandinavia Tokyo DisneySea Expansion

Frozen Scandinavia Tokyo DisneySea Expansion

Tokyo Disneyland Beauty and the Beast Expansion

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Tokyo Disneyland Alice in Wonderland Expansion

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RUMOR: Is Disney Nearing a Deal with Universal for MARVEL Theme Park Rights?

When Disney purchased MARVEL in 2009, the first question every theme park fan had was “What does this mean for MARVEL at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and can Disney build MARVEL attractions at Walt Disney World?”

In the 6 years since then, we have come to learn that the contract Universal and MARVEL etched out in the 1990’s was pretty iron clad and has prevented Walt Disney World from even thinking about the possibility anytime soon. In 2012, Universal spent a ton of money to upgrade the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction, even though Disney owns the property. Just to host a movie preview of Guardians of the Galaxy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney couldn’t use “Marvel” in any marketing materials or at the preview. Hell, they can’t even mention “Marvel” or “the Avengers” to promote a Vinylmation release at Walt Disney World this week…

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So, what are these? 😉

However, things seem to be changing. Rumors indicate that some of the MARVEL attractions at Islands of Adventure are closing or being re-themed. Before the end of the year, the Incredible Hulk coaster and Dr. Doom’s Fear-Fall are expected to close. Hulk is expected to get a huge renovation that includes a completely new theme, while Dr. Doom’s Fear-Fall is rumored to simply be removed.

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Is Fear-Fall coming down? What will replace it?

What’s interesting about removing the Fantastic 4 themed “Fear-Fall”l is the current war MARVEL is waging on FOX. FOX of course is re-booting the Fantastic Four despite the wishes of MARVEL Studios, and in return, Marvel is killing off the Fantastic Four in comic books in order to not offer any promotion for the film. So, does MARVEL want Fantastic Four gone from Islands of Adventure until FOX decides to work with them? It’s possible. While the Universal deal gives them the theme park rights, it also still includes rights that allow MARVEL some creative control to protect their characters and brands.

It’s no secret that MARVEL theme park attractions are in the works for Disneyland Resort down the road (As early as 2018), but the Iron Man Experience ride is already set to open in Hong Kong Disneyland next year. To avoid any “brand confusion”, one would assume Disney and Universal would like to reach some agreement before then, but Universal’s mindset on the property being in their parks is unclear.

While all speculation at this point, inside sources have told us that something is up over at Universal. Whether or not they will relinquish all rights or be changing themes to incorporate different MARVEL characters is unknown at this point, but one of these two scenarios seems likely. Either way, communication is definitely open between Disney and Universal and the option of reaching an agreement to bring MARVEL to Disney World is seeming more likely that it did several years ago.