Acquired Franchises at Disney Parks

In relatively recent years , The Walt Disney Company has acquired franchises such as Pixar, Lucas Films, and Marvel Studios. Just recently the news was announced that the company is one step closer to acquiring 21st Century Fox. 

Some Star Wars fans may feel that the acquisition has not done their franchise justice, while many Marvel fans would more than likely argue that Disney has breathed life into what was once a flat franchise of movies. Regardless of where you sit on the spectrum, there should be no surprise that we are starting to see these these acquired franchises permeate the Disney Parks segment.

Now it's important to note, that the use of external entities is nothing unique at Disney parks. We've seen Disney utilize titles such as 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea in Magic Kingdom Park and Hollywood Studios Park, formerly known as MGM Studios has always used images from films not owned by Disney. 

Over the last 6 years or so, Disney has full force shut many of these external franchises out of the park, which as a result has currently left Hollywood Studios as a shell of what it once was. I'm guessing this probably has something to do with the cost of using these images. However, they are looking to fill the space with characters from their newly acquired franchises over the next few years.

 So let's backup and start with taking a look at the most obvious.

Pandora - The World of Avatar.

Now technically Disney does not own this franchise, but they have gained the rights to use these images and sell merchandise based on this film in a huge way. This is the first time Disney has used an external franchise to this degree. I don't think there will be any turning back on this one, like some of the others. Most of us will admit initial shock and confusion as to why Disney would create a world based on this film, but later forgot all about that because of how stunning the area turned out. This land was suppose to open in light of a new Avatar film, but it's over a year later we really haven't heard much news about the film franchise. Regardless, most Disney fans are pleased with the scale and detail of this land even if there is no real attachment to the film. 

Pixar Pier/ Toy Story Land

To most of us, the use of these characters make a lot more sense. Even before the acquisition, it was pretty much assumed that Pixar and Disney were basically synonymous! Back in the early 2000's we really saw the beginning of deep infiltration of Pixar into Disney Parks, when Finding Nemo and Monster's Inc were brought in. Then, again in the 2010's when Cars Land revived DCA(Disney's California Adventure). But let me tell you!! If you haven't already noticed, Pixar is out in full force, 2018. Just this past week we've seen Pixar Fest and the opening of Pixar Pier at DCA, and the opening of Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios Park. Judging by the crowds at Hollywood Studios Park, this is one of the biggest openings for a land ever, even bigger than Pandora, which saw crazy wait times. Toy Story definitely has more of a nostalgia/fan following.

Star Wars - Galaxy's Edge

I'm just going to put it out there that I am not a Star Wars fan. I was never into the movies as a child, and even though I have tried recently to get into the franchise because of all the hoopla, it has been an incredibly slow process for me. That being said, I absolutely cannot wait to see how this land turns out, even though the name sounds like a new Samsung phone... I anticipate that the scale of this project will be more on par with the amazing Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, which makes me stoked to see. I'm expecting a pretty epic result. Unfortunately, I do think it will change the crowd level at Disneyland park significantly for the worst, which in turn will change the whole vibe of the park ☹. Walt Disney World will always be my home park, but unfortunately the combination of heat and high crowd levels drive the hostility and hustle and bustle attitude there. Disneyland will more than likely get a taste of this after Galaxy's Edge is open. For Walt Disney World, lets just pray because Hollywood Studios is tiny. I'll leave it at that!

Marvel Land at DLR/ Marvel at WDW

This is probably my favorite utilization out of them all. I love the MCU, and I've been waiting for the use of this franchise for a long time! I must say, I never thought it would happen in the states because that little place called Universal Studios has their paws on the theme park rights to many of these characters. We've slowly seen Marvel characters pop up at Disneyland Resort. However, now we have received word that over the next few years Walt Disney World will receive some Marvel of it's own. This makes me super giddy! I'm interested to see what happens as Disney acquires fox and introduces more Marvel in the Florida parks. Side note: I screamed when the Guardians coaster was announced for Epcot!!

Overall, I'm excited for all of these franchises to get a space at Disney Parks, but I won't lie. I get upset when I see one of these franchises  get re-themed over a classic. I would rather them get their own new expansion in the park and brand new rides. I don't want Disney to lose it's nostalgia factor because that is what keeps generation coming back. There is a reason Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the world. That classic world of fantasy in Magic Kingdom and Disneyland shouldn't be tampered with. We shall see what all happens prior to the WDW 50th.

Happy Disnerding!