As you may know, in August of 2009 the Walt Disney Company announced their plan to acquire Marvel Comics for $4 Billion dollars. Marvel comics has over 5,000 different characters, some of which are: Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor. Marvel’s appeal to Disney was the fact that many of their comic characters are geared towards young boys and adult males; which is very different from Disney’s younger children and girl oriented line-up of characters.
Anyway, the acquisition became official late in December (2009). The question that Disney hasn’t addressed is how they plan to incorporate Marvel characters into their theme parks. For the most part that question still remains unanswered. However, little by little Marvel merchandise is showing up in Walt Disney World shops.
For instance, when I went into MouseGear recently I found Marvel women’s T-shirts, books, children’s T-shirts, games and toys. I found it peculiar that they didn’t have any men’s Marvel clothing. Considering that’s a big part of the market they’re trying to reach with these Marvel characters. Oh well, I’m sure they know what they are doing.
I took some pictures of the Marvel items that are in MouseGear now:
Here’s what the women’s T-shirts looked like:
There were two Marvel books for sale:
The rest of these pictures were taken in the children’s section of MouseGear. As you can see they had quite a bit of toys and other Marvel merchandise for sale:
Let me know if you’ve seen other Marvel merchandise in Walt Disney World.
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I enjoy the idea of Marvel merchandise being in the parks. That said, when if ever will we see Disney licensed Marvel pins? I know Universal is trying to get a grasp on the pin trading craze, but I know Disney could do Marvel justice. Thoughts?
DizneyMike replies: Mike, personally I haven’t seen any Marvel pins yet, but I can’t imagine that Disney isn’t working of them…Mike
I was at Walt Disney World from 7/22-7/30. During that time frame my Brother-in-law and I both bought men’s adult shirts from the Legends of Hollywood store in Hollywood Studios. I was at Disneyland from 9/16-9/22 and I remember seeing children’s Marvel items in the Greetings from California store in California Adventure.
I’m interested in seeing how Disney will incorporate the Marvel characters into Disneyland. It’s ashamed that Disney will never be able to incorporate the Marvel characters into Walt Disney World, since the agreement with Universal says that the characters can not appear in a theme park east of the Mississippi River as long as Marvel Super Island is operated at Universal Studios in Florida. The Marvel characters would make a great replacement for the Power Rangers in Hollywood Studios.
I wonder if this merger has anything to do with Universal building the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I’m pretty sure that Disney had the movie rights to the films and I never quite understood why they didn’t get, or weren’t given, the rights to build a land.
I’m probably wrong because I would hate to think Disney would do something so petty.
As for the merger it really doesn’t bother me. I don’t think most boys care about princesses all that much. In my opinion, the characters and action of Marvel will suit them pretty good. However I do agree that perhaps it should be limited to HS, and perhaps Disney Marketplace. I just can’t see Marvel merchandise being a big sold in Fantsyland.
I’m amused by all the people complaining about Marvel merchandise in the parks. I wonder if these same people also complain about merchandise from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Twighlight Zone, pre-2006 Pixar, etc. None of those characters/themes were created by Disney either, but Disney has a partnership (of one form or another) with each of them, and their merchandise has been there for years now. Like it or not, Marvel *IS* a Disney subsidiary now, and their characters *ARE* Disney characters.
I think that the Marvel stuff is fantastic and I look forward to seeing how it’s used in the parks. My son will be absolutely thrilled to see his favorite marvel character toys when we go to WDW (2 days, yay!) I don’t think there’s any shortage of classic disney merchandise in the parks and there’s plenty of duplicates everywhere, so if the Marvel stuff adds some variety, we all win. Besides, I want to see a Mickey Hulk, an Iron Duck, etc. =)
I sort of agree with everyone’s posts regarding the Marvel/Disney Combo. Personally, I think to make it distinct, Marvel should stay out of the MK, but HS is a great outlet for it. I’m sure a lot of people thought the same thing when Disney allowed Star Wars to enter in, but that merchandise is ONLY at HS, which is how I think Marvel should be handled. But how funny do you think a T-Shirt saying, “You think it’s tough to be a bug? Try being a Spider-Man!” for AK. That would be a great Shirt!
DizneyMike replies: Too funny!
When we were in Disney Land back in June of this year, the World of Disney store had quite a bit of Marvel merchandise on sale. I knew and followed the merger story but it still floored me when I walked in and they had it all displayed by one of the main doors.
We just came back from Disneyland and saw some of this merchandise, and some different, at Downtown Disney. We saw it in the D28 Vault store and one other (don’t remember seeing it in World of Disney).
I don’t think it degrades the Disney experience by being present but, I do agree it doesn’t really “go” with the rest of the Disney characters/philosophy. I would prefer Disney kept the Marvel stuff to DTD, and maybe DHS/DCA.
I agree with those who don’t like this. Marvel and Disney are two completely different products. I don’t want Spiderman having anything to do with the whoe princessey Disney theme. It takes away from it! Marvel needs to stay at Universal and Disney can collect their portion of the profits from it that way. I am not liking this one bit. To add insult to injury, the announcement of the new “promotion” last week which was also a terrible idea, leaves me to wonder why in the heck is making decisions over at Disney??? Come on!
Saw some men’s t-shirts last week (9/22) at World of Disney in Downtown Disney. I believe there were four different designs and they were sizes S-XXL. They look like they run a little small though. My husband, who is a big guy, looked at the XXL and laughed. Said it would never fit him.
I do not agree with the Disney-Marvel association. The Disney name is getting so dispersed that it no longer represents the special magic and quality that used to be associated with it. They are making a buck on someone else’s work. Maybe it’s about surviving in a corporate world, but Walt worked hard to preserve the unique qualities that the current company is now diluting down to commonality. I find myself less and less interested.
Why???????? Disney doesn’t need these items at the park!!!!!!!!! Are we at universal????????? Keep it Disney………..Deb
While I think the T-shirt sayings are cute and I like the vintage style…Marvel and Disney just do not mesh together at all in my book. Those shirts and toys would look better on the racks at Target (not knocking Target, it’s my favorite store) than at MouseGear. I wasn’t impressed with the acquisition last year and I’m not impressed now. 🙁
I’m just curious about the legal ramifications that pertain to this. Universal also has Marval themed attractions, and characters such as the hulk attraction and Spiderman. How does this work now that Disney owns the rights, will Universal have pay them a fee to continue to use the logo and character names. Or will they have to cease using anything relating to the Marval brand.
DizneyMike replies: Gina, i’m not an expert on this subject, however, from what I’ve read all agreements and contracts that Marvel had with other companies (like Universal) will continue to be honored. So, if Universal was paying Marvel fees they will continue to do so, however, now that will end up as part of Disney’s income/profit….Mike
I HATE Marvel and Disney combo. If I want to see Spiderman and all the rest, I will go to Universal. Bad choice all around, DISNEY! You are about MAGIC, not MAYHEM!!
I really think this just degrades the Disney experience. No need for Marvel characters or merchandise in Disney parks, it diminishes the fantasy aspect. I’m disappointed!
As a girl who loves comics, particularly the Marvel ones, this is definitely something for me to look forward to when I take my next trip! Thanks so much for posting these. I’m sure the mens shirts are on their way.. it would be a little silly not to include them.
Last weekend, I found Marvel merchandise at World of Disney and Once Upon a Toy at Downtown Disney. I didn’t see any at Magic Kingdom, the only park I visited. I, for one, am excited about the merge of Marvel and Disney. Obviously, I trust the Disney brand to do something new and different from Universal Studios! I’m hoping that most of the Marvel integration will be at Hollywood Studios, which I think could use some more attractions.
I am a massive comic collector, mostly DC. I love the stands that Disney uses for the actual comics. These are great. They keep the books flat and sturdy. I never buy comics outside of comic shops, but I would with the box like stands that Disney uses.
I am sort of surprised that none of the clothing merch is designed for men–I thought that was the target audience and the reason behind the purchase! Who knew that women are the real comic fans! Unless they think that men are buying presents for the women in their lives?
I know it’s great that Disney also owns Marvel but it seems so WRONG to be in a store that sells Disney merchandise. There must be a store at Down Town Disney that could cater for all of the Marvel range. Disney Parks shouldn’t carry them. I an beginning to feel that Disney Management are losing the plot….
Hi Mike, Love to read your posts 🙂 “Legends of Hollywood” merchandise shop at DHS (sunset blvd) has been carring the Marvels merchandise for a while. I first saw it back in the summer. (It’s been a few weeks since i’ve stopped there though) They had the same items that Mousegears is now selling. It’s a good sign that they are spreading it across property. I try to keep track, as myself and friends can’t wait until Disney decides to do some crossover merchandise. I’d like to see some big figs of the Disney Characters as Marvel Superheors (or villains) Thanks again for keeping us informed.
We were at Walt Disney World from 8/26/10-9/6/10 and found Marvel merchandise at Downtown Disney. Team Mickey had plenty of the Marvel superhero key chains. World of Disney had books and comic books, action figures/toys, and tee shirts for children in the “boys” section. I’m looking forward to our next trip so we can pick up some of the newer merchandise that is mentioned above.
What? Why does anyone need Marvel characters ruining the purely Disney atmosphere of the parks? This is what I’ve feared would happen ever since I read that Disney had aquired the rights. This is really what Universal Studios is about – not Disney World.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for this information. My young
grandson is a Spiderman fan so it looks like
we will be shopping for Christmas gifts when we
go to WDW in Dec!