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Here's Why Disneyland Hasn't Built A Marvel Land
Disneyland is rife with our favorite cartoon characters, and they're working on a massive Star Wars land. But why hasn't Disney built an attraction dedicated to its other money-maker: Marvel? According to the Orange County Register, Disney doesn't have a Marvel attraction because of legal reasons. Disney bought Marvel in 2009, but theme park rights were actually sold to Universal Studios in 1990.
While Universal built a Marvel land in Orlando, they didn't build one at Universal Studios Hollywood, and those rights expired in 2007. But, for proximity reasons, Disney can't use certain Marvel characters at Walt Disney World in Orlando because of Universal Orlando's Marvel attractions. Disney could only put an attraction at Disneyland and therefore, properties like Star Wars are just a better deal for them. There's also some speculation that Star Wars is more attractive to people in their 30s and 40s who fell in love with the franchise as children. And those people are now parents with kids of their own, and they're the ones who choose their families' vacation destinations.
Disney could possibly create attractions around characters in the Marvel universe not used by Universal Orlando, which could include those from Guardians of the Galaxy. Word on the street is that Tower of Terror will be turned into a Guardians ride to coincide with the release of the new film in 2017.
If you're looking to go on a superhero ride in the meantime, you could head up to Six Flags Magic Mountain. They have DC characters, with rides inspired by Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and more. They also have the U.S.'s first VR coaster.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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