Mr. Stark, We've Been Expecting You!

Greetings true believers!

As if yesterday’s announcement of Disney buying Lucasfilm wasn’t enough to keep the drums beating for months, another amazing release followed shortly on its heels.  In fact it blasted those heels with its gauntlet-mounted energy repulsors (geek check . . . here!)

For the last few years, since Disney inked the deal with Marvel many of us have been clamoring for one thing . . . to see our heroes up close and personal.

Now let me stop here and say if you’re of the “We don’t want Marvel characters in our sacred Princess parks . . . snivel snivel . . . meep” then stop reading now.  Or else cinch up your diaper and buckle up!

Cue Black Sabbath:  “I am Iron Man!!!”  Dun, dun, du-du-dunn . . .!

The world is about to become a safer place.  At least Anaheim anyway.  Disneyland has announced come February, they be shuttering Innoventions in Tomorrowland to clear the way for Tony Stark!  Finally, in the second phase of making the Marvel acquisition pay off in spades, an Iron Man themed attraction is coming!  This will be the first Marvel attraction in a Disney park, and like it or not (Catch 22: if you vote not, you get no vote) will be the first of many!

As to what kind of attraction we don’t know yet.  It pains me to give them credit, but what Universal did with their Harry Potter attraction would translate well to Iron Man.  The very idea of flying through a combination of 3-D video and animatronics in the Iron Man universe = mind blown!

If they’re considering bringing Cars Land to Orlando, they’d better have a plan in place to deliver Iron Man as well!  Once they build one, cloning it is easy.  If I may speak heresy, bulldoze the boring speedway!  That plot of land would be a great spot to build a Stark Industries facility!

Plus they could probably get Stan Lee to serve burgers at Cosmic Rays!

Even though Disney is a little limited, contractually to what Marvel properties they can play with right now, there are still many titles in the toy box!  How awesome would an Incredible Hulk attraction be?  Watch Bruce Banner transform right before our eyes before chasing us through a frantic dark ride!  Get knocked around a track as Hulk and Abomination duke it out through the city!  

 

Again, hate to say it but that studio park across town paved the way.  What they did with Spiderman could serve as a blueprint for incredible Marvel attractions.  And of course Disney would plus it!  For instance Of course Disney would have to make vehicles suitable for everyone to ride.  Have you seen the average comic book fan?  We’re men of stature!  You want our money make sure there’s room for our butts!

They wouldn’t have to limit the Marvel presence to any one park.  I know many critics (whiners) say “keep Marvel to Hollywood Studios!”  Why?  By that rationale every attraction connected to any film franchise would have to be shoehorned into DHS!  Magic Kingdom would be a pretty empty place.  If they fit the theme somewhere else, use them.  Incorporate them so it feels organic of course, but don’t deny them just because they don’t come with mouse ears!

Imagine a Black Panther tie-in at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  Some kind of attraction based around the tales of the strong, wealthy African prince who dons a costume to fight crime and corruption and protect all life, human and animal in his country.  

 

You say that doesn’t sound tailor-made for DAK?

 

This news is amazing!  This week has been like Christmas in late-October!  To those who continue to be critical, I can only say you got your new princess land this year.  Be honest,you know it is!  Give another demographic a chance.  Marvel characters don’t bastardize the brand; they add yet another layer making it accessible to a wider audience.  That means more revenue, more excitement, and more Disney for everybody!

Excelsior!