Those Darn DC Characters

[SeventyOne]

These has been alluded to in other threads over the years, but this recent, well-made video makes me think it's earned its own thread:

Two very interesting points:

• Bloomberg, as legit a source for corporate news as you'll find, is reporting WB is looking to sell the theme park rights to DC characters to someone besides 6 Flags, preferably Universal
• At some point in the last 18 months or so, the Las Vegas carve-out to the 6 Flags/DC deal was expanded to include Florida (meaning 6 Flags has the rights everywhere except Vegas and Florida)

Before anyone asks, I've perused the Marvel contract, there's nothing resembling a non-compete, not even for IoA. So in theory could go anywhere, although as a practical matter USO or EU seem more likely. I doubt Disney would like it, but don't have a legal defense.

Definitely sounds more WB driven, but would Universal be able to resist the prestige and merch sales from, say, a Diagon Alley-level Gotham City? I don't know but should make for some interesting discussion.

 

[Disneyhead]

These has been alluded to in other threads over the years, but this recent, well-made video makes me think it's earned its own thread:

Two very interesting points:

• Bloomberg, as legit a source for corporate news as you'll find, is reporting WB is looking to sell the theme park rights to DC characters to someone besides 6 Flags, preferably Universal
• At some point in the last 18 months or so, the Las Vegas carve-out to the 6 Flags/DC deal was expanded to include Florida (meaning 6 Flags has the rights everywhere except Vegas and Florida)

Before anyone asks, I've perused the Marvel contract, there's nothing resembling a non-compete, not even for IoA. So in theory could go anywhere, although as a practical matter USO or EU seem more likely. I doubt Disney would like it, but don't have a legal defense.

Definitely sounds more WB driven, but would Universal be able to resist the prestige and merch sales from, say, a Diagon Alley-level Gotham City? I don't know but should make for some interesting discussion.

What if the big expansion plot at Epic between Stardust and Potter became one "Land" split in two? Left side, Metropolis. Right side, Gotham City.

 

[Viator]

I've actually been kind of wondering about this for a bit, to be honest. I think there's some fun to have considering, but I do wonder about the mental gymnastics.

 

[mccgavin]

What if the big expansion plot at Epic between Stardust and Potter became one "Land" split in two? Left side, Metropolis. Right side, Gotham City.

I've also thought this would be a good location if Orlando was able to get DC somehow. It would allow for a contained immersive area, and it would offer something very distinct from the existing lands at Epic.

 

[Jerroddragon]

So can they just take the DC rights from Six Flags?

I'm pretty sure six Flags within the last year few confirmed they can use the characters until 2050ish


Anyway, for sure would be a win for Universal

 

[belloq87]

It could be quite a feather in Universal's cap to have UOR as the home of the biggest comic book characters from both Marvel and DC.

But let's stop trying to give all the interesting lands to the parks other than USF; if this were to happen, it should replace Springfield (and cannibalize DreamWorks as well, if need be).

 

[rabbitsmoon]

So can they just take the DC rights from Six Flags?

I'm pretty sure six Flags within the last year few confirmed they can use the characters until 2050ish


Anyway, for sure would be a win for Universal

Seems like, with the carve out mentioned in the first post, they might be planning for them to coexist. Which I think would actually be fine. I feel like consumers mostly understand the difference between what Universal offers vs. Six Flags.

And Universal has shown with properties like Dreamworks that they're not going to hold back on something just because iterations already exist in other places.

 

[Brian G.]

It could be quite a feather in Universal's cap to have UOR as the home of the biggest comic book characters from both Marvel and DC.

But let's stop trying to give all the interesting lands to the parks other than USF; if this were to happen, it should replace Springfield (and cannibalize DreamWorks as well, if need be).

Leave DreamWorks, but improve it.

 

[SeventyOne]

So can they just take the DC rights from Six Flags?

I'm pretty sure six Flags within the last year few confirmed they can use the characters until 2050ish

2053 to be specific--except in Vegas and, as of last year suddenly, Florida. Presumably WB gave up something for that--not sure anyone outside of the respective c-suites knows what that was.

 

[belloq87]

Leave DreamWorks, but improve it.

If there's still plenty of room to do something significant on Springfield's acreage, then yes.

(Not necessarily talking DC here, but just in general.)

 

[Brian G.]

If there's still plenty of room to do something significant on Springfield's acreage, then yes.

(Not necessarily talking DC here, but just in general.)

USF desperately needs a dedicated kids' area like that. Regardless of what people think of the final product, we can’t lose it unless it’s replaced with more stuff that is kid-aimed.

Improve it? Sure, and I'm looking at you, Panda, but it can't be outright cut for something like Gotham (at least in this scenario).

I'd be more interested in what the plans are with the old HHN tents.

 

[Mad Dog]

Interesting. Price might be a critical component of a possible deal. Universal seems to have a lot on the table with their commitments/dealings with Nintendo. How much more are they willing to spend on expansions in the next few years. A DC deal would only be worth it if it was major land with at least two D/E tickets and a C ticket. Still lurking out there is Wicked also. Bottom line though, this bears watching.

 

[fryoj]

USF desperately needs a dedicated kids' area like that. Regardless of what people think of the final product, we can’t lose it unless it’s replaced with more stuff that is kid-aimed.

Improve it? Sure, and I'm looking at you, Panda, but it can't be outright cut for something like Gotham (at least in this scenario).

I'd be more interested in what the plans are with the old HHN tents.

Easiest answer? Just have to figure out how much space they have to dedicate queues. That leaves alot of area that could be used for something.

 

[AustinT]

What if the big expansion plot at Epic between Stardust and Potter became one "Land" split in two? Left side, Metropolis. Right side, Gotham City.

I like this idea most. If LOTR is to stay over at the UK park if that's indeed going there, this massive plot makes most sense for another massive IP. I'm not sure what else there is aside from DC characters. Metropolis and Gotham are very visually distinct so even though they would both be be DC lands, they'd feel totally different. Both could have all indoor attractions, and whatever is up against the Stardust side of the plot could possibly even use some large city buildings to hide some of the coaster from view within the land.

Universal having both Marvel and DC lands still feels unrealistic, but WB going out of their way to change the contract for the Florida exclusion adds a bit more plausibility. But imagine the poor TMs attempting to explain to everyday guests which characters are Marvel vs DC and then which land is in which park on top of it

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

If Universal gets DC, they might as well allow me to setup a direct deposit straight from my bank account. MSHI is great, but stuck as far as any big improvements. If Universal could add Gotham? OMG. The merch they'd sell would be insane. DC, Nintendo/Pokemon, and Marvel, all at the same resort?

Let's play this out a bit - Could they split a pad between Gotham/Metropolis, with some type of gimmick to transport us between the two, ala Hogwarts Express?

 

[AustinT]

Could they split a pad between Gotham/Metropolis, with some type of gimmick to transport us between the two, ala Hogwarts Express?

With distinct areas being separate but within the same plot of land, no transportation system makes sense. It would just waste a ton of space when you would only be traveling mere feet over from one area to the next. There's plenty of ways to explain a portal of sorts within the DC-comic canon ('boom tubes' which are basically just an open portal that teleports. Featured in comics and the DCEU movies) so a simple walkthrough portal like those to enter any of Epic's worlds or the Metro Floo fireplaces in Ministry is all that would be needed.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

It's fungible like most things in the DC Universe, but Metropolis and Gotham are usually depicted as right across the water from each other. I think there could be interesting ways to depict that in a contained space, but any new body of water they built probably wouldn't be big enough for a ferry, and I'm not sure Uni's gonna dip back into Island Skipper Tours territory again.

 

[MAC]

What if the big expansion plot at Epic between Stardust and Potter became one "Land" split in two? Left side, Metropolis. Right side, Gotham City.

Yeah, this sounds great right out of the gate. The idea of Gotham City as a dirty NYC would be great while Metropolis as a clean DC would be a stark contrast and provide plenty for people to see. DC is a hot property right now with Superman, Supergirl, Batman, and Man of Tomorrow all being recent or future movies that is getting a ton of attention. The question becomes how gritty do you want to make Batman/Gotham.

USF desperately needs a dedicated kids' area like that. Regardless of what people think of the final product, we can’t lose it unless it’s replaced with more stuff that is kid-aimed.

Improve it? Sure, and I'm looking at you, Panda, but it can't be outright cut for something like Gotham (at least in this scenario).

I'd be more interested in what the plans are with the old HHN tents.

And you don't need to have the kids area be over the top. I took my kiddos over there the last time we were there and they loved the area. They don't need it to be Springfield-levels. That's what's great about it and they can rotate things in and out over the years if they do it right.

Interesting. Price might be a critical component of a possible deal. Universal seems to have a lot on the table with their commitments/dealings with Nintendo. How much more are they willing to spend on expansions in the next few years. A DC deal would only be worth it if it was major land with at least two D/E tickets and a C ticket. Still lurking out there is Wicked also. Bottom line though, this bears watching.

I'd be surprised if they truly invest more money into Wicked.

If Universal gets DC, they might as well allow me to setup a direct deposit straight from my bank account. MSHI is great, but stuck as far as any big improvements. If Universal could add Gotham? OMG. The merch they'd sell would be insane. DC, Nintendo/Pokemon, and Marvel, all at the same resort?

Let's play this out a bit - Could they split a pad between Gotham/Metropolis, with some type of gimmick to transport us between the two, ala Hogwarts Express?

Used to be a time you could get DC merch in USF in the old Terminator store... and I think in the MIB store. Not sure if they're there anymore though.