What would you do? Building a Marvel theme park at Disneyland Paris

September 16, 2010, 11:45 AM · The holding company which controls the Disneyland Paris resort has signed a deal with the French government that gives the resort more space and a 20-year window to build a third theme park.

The Telegraph in the U.K. quoted EuroDisney CEO Philippe Gas as saying that the third park could be "a superheroes park." Remember, Disney bought Marvel last year and has been looking for a place to launch the Marvel superheroes in its theme parks.

Before any new readers ask: Universal Orlando's deal with Marvel grandfathers Islands of Adventure's use of its current Marvel characters for a long, long time, possibly in perpetuity. And it blocks Disney from using the characters currently at IOA at Walt Disney World, too. That creates a bit of a promotional problem for Disney in maximizing its use of the Marvel characters in the United States. (I've argued that Universal should negotiate a buy-out for those theme park rights with Disney and use the cash to revamp that side of IOA.)

But in Europe? A Marvel theme park at Disneyland Paris could use all Marvel's characters in whatever creative ways Disney's Imagineers could envision, without contractual entanglement.

But why wait for them? Here's your chance to envision a Marvel Superheroes theme park. (And to dream up a good name, too. Please do not let it be "Marvel Kingdom.")

Let's hear your best plans and concepts, in the comments.

Replies (17)

September 16, 2010 at 12:04 PM · I'd honestly prefer them to add more, high quality, attractions to Walt Disney Studios Park before going off and making a new park.

If the proposed Ratatouille dark-ride is added over at WDS, then I'd be happy to consider a third gate.

September 16, 2010 at 12:13 PM · How about "Disney's Impressions de Marvel" as a name ;)
September 16, 2010 at 12:20 PM · From what I've heard, it sounds to me like the build-out at WDS remains the higher priority for DLP, with a Marvel theme park coming online only after the Studios park expansion is completed.
September 16, 2010 at 1:02 PM · If the strategy, as you say, is to further expand WDS then it could be great for the resort.

If a third-gate that's well planned, with a fairly high budget, was added to the current two parks after the WDS development then it would rank DLRP among the best theme park resorts in the world.

September 16, 2010 at 1:04 PM · Marvel Universe;

Lands;
Stark Industries
New York
2099
Marvels

September 16, 2010 at 1:12 PM · Attractions;
New York;
Fantastic Four Adventure(Spinner, Mission Space Style ride)
Ultimate Spider-Man(Dark Ride, HP&FBJ style)
September 16, 2010 at 2:08 PM · I was actually going to post this discussion today! Oh well. In my opinion, Nick Markham gave a stunning representation of a hero based park in the 1st season of theme park apprentice. While not only focussing on marvel character, he utilized the incredibles, hercules, and acknowledged the every day heroes of society. I thought that was a great idea! While not having a complete marvel park, a large marvel land with rides based on the Fantastic Four, Spiderman, Hulk, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, and the X-Men would be great. Possibly devide them up into two lands.
September 17, 2010 at 5:01 AM · I'd be incredibly careful with my use of Marvel in the parks.

Over in France the popularity of the brand is nowhere near what it is in the United States and United Kingdom, so it's important to only chose the most recognisable characters from the brand.

It would also be good, as said, to use the Incredibles and some other Disney/Pixar characters of that ilk.

September 17, 2010 at 5:21 AM · @ Tim W: Thanks, I didn't know my idea was such a success! YEah if I were to put Marvel into a theme park, it would only work as maybe 1 land like in IOA. Sure there is more attractions possible than what is at Marvel Superhero Island, but enough to fill a park the size of Disneyland and then make sure the attractions are popular with as many people as possible? Then you have the problem of what happens when if for some reason in the future, MARVEL looses everyone's interest altogether.
September 17, 2010 at 8:41 AM · See the main problem I have with a complete Marvel theme park is that the idea is much too specific. Heroes in general works as a much better theming.
September 17, 2010 at 11:21 AM · I agree with Tim. Having a Marvel Specific park is too limiting. It doesn't fit with the Disney ideas... there isn't a Pixarland. There isn't a Live Action Disney Channel Land.

A Land of Heroes would work especially in the long run. What happens if Disney loses the license to Marvel like how they did with the Power Rangers? (I know, terrible comparison, but it's similar). It would cost so much to retheme an entire park.

Personally, I'm against having Marvel in Disney Parks. They don't exactly fit in as much as we'd think it would. The Disney Magic kinda conflicts with the vibe of Marvel.

But it should be handled similar to Star Wars if it does end up in Paris. A ride here or there, plus a few characters and/or a parade. Or a large part of another park like Carsland in DCA. Or part of a Hollywood setting.

September 17, 2010 at 12:21 PM · I think that's a terrible idea. Disney shouldn't even have Marvel. As someone else said, there isn't a PIXAR park, so why a Marvel park?
September 17, 2010 at 12:23 PM · Do Europeans really know Marvel?

Not to mention Captain America who, lets face it, would not fly in France!

September 17, 2010 at 12:24 PM · I think that's a terrible idea. DLP already has Walt Disney Studios, and as someone else said, there's no PIXAR park, so why a Marvel park? Disney and Marvel don't mix.
September 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM · Its the Telegraph. The first asumption should always be that whatever they write is a lie. The second asumption should be that Disney just tosses out some very unserious thaughts about big new stuff they are never going to build to justify the new land development contract they got from the French government which is basically a huge subsidy.

Those marvel superheroe comics have not nearly the clout in Europe they have in America. Rather unlikely that they would provide the themeing for an entire new park at Paris if such a park is ever going to be built.

September 17, 2010 at 5:07 PM · First off, since it's in Europe, have all the actresses playing female heroes war thong bikini costumes. LOL. After that, it's all gravy.

BTW, my family and I love Universal Studios in Florida. It's our favorite vacation spot. And the Marvel area is one of our top three areas -- especially the Spider-man ride. We don't care for Disney too much (too kiddy for us), so we'd hate to see IOA lose Marvel.

September 18, 2010 at 11:50 PM · It starts off with a table full of very valuable items and no one watching it.

As you walk up to the table, it is obvious that there is no one around.

The moment you touch one of the items on the table, a group of superheros jump out from nowhere and beat you up.

You could call it "Marvel-verse and the Forbidden Table".

This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Vacation deals

Park tickets

Subscribe by email

Subscribe by RSS

New attraction reviews

News archive