What Do Superheroes, Droids, and Archeologists Have in Common? A Bright Future

With Disney's recent buy-out of Paramount to put Iron Man 3 and The Avengers under the Disney label, it's obvious the company doesn't want to sit and wait for deals to expire to make good use of it's 2009 purchase of Marvel. Is it possible Disney won't hold back much longer on theme park tie-ins? While Universal Orlando has an entire island at Islands of Adventure dedicated to Marvel, it's no secret that they are actively looking at how to drop those Disney owned franchises as soon as possible. Once Universal pulls the trigger on removing the Marvel characters and attractions, what will Disney do? Will they mix Iron Man, Spider Man, and the Incredible Hulk with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy? While I would fully expect Disney to build Marvel attractions as soon as possible, I wouldn't expect to see the comic book heroes at the Magic Kingdom. Management at Disneyland Paris has already hinted that concepts for a third Disney theme park in Europe revolve solely around the Marvel franchises. Can we expect the same in Orlando? Only time will tell, but rest assured you will see Marvel in the Disney Parks as soon as it is legally possible. Marvel isn't the only franchise Disney will be cashing in on during the next decade.

"Star Tours: The Adventures Continue" Coming 2011

Star Wars has been a popular franchise for the Disney Theme Parks since they struck their first deal with George Lucas in the mid-80's. As many of you are probably aware, the 20-plus year old Star Tours attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios is currently receiving a multi-million dollar refurbishment to bring it into the 21st century. The talk of random ride sequences sending guests to multiple planets in the Star Wars universe (all in 3-D and High Definition might I add) has guests excited for the re-opening of the attraction in 2011. With the current popularity of the Star Wars franchise leading from a hit animated series, upcoming 3-D release of the six feature films, and talk of a live action television show in the works, is it crazy to think Disney will want to work with Lucas to have more than a single Star Wars attraction in Orlando? Probably not. It's a smart bet to make that we'll see another ride through the "galaxy far, far away" before too long.

"The Indiana Jones Adventure" at Disneyland

Let's also not forget that the talks with Lucas include another important franchise, "Indiana Jones". Guests who visit Disneyland in California have be treated to an amazing attraction called the "Indiana Jones Adventure" since 1995. In Florida, guests only get to see their favorite collector of rare antiquities in a 20 year old stage show and a short scene in the aging Great Movie Ride. Guests have been begging for an attraction half as amazing as the "Indiana Jones Adventure" in Florida, and with any luck we'll be riding along with Indy at Disney's Hollywood Studios someday.