How Disney's Acquisition Of Marvel Entertainment and Lucasfilms Influenced Guardians Of The Galaxy And Star Wars Into Their Theme Parks

In August of 2009, Disney announced the acquisition of the viral Marvel Entertainment empire. That 4 billion dollar investment would trigger and help intensify the need to acquire Lucas films in 2012. In just a few years apart, Disney was able to add the Star Wars franchise and countless Marvel superheroes to their already long list of intellectual properties. So how exactly would Disney use their new playthings going forward?

Disney immediately started pumping out blockbuster Marvel and Star Wars movies, and it did not stop there. Disney's box office success with their new films allowed Disney to expand those titles into television series on Disney Plus. While Disney's box office and television successes have made the most impact, Disney is also bringing their acquisitions to their theme parks. This is the avenue of Disney's brand expansion I will focus on in this writing.

In early 2017, Disney opened its first Marvel attraction in its Hong Kong Disneyland theme park, the Iron Man Experience. The Iron Man experience is a 3D motion simulator ride that takes you on an adventure to destroy HYDRA robots. A few months later, Disney refurbished the Hollywood Tower of Terror attraction at Disneyland in California into a Guardians Of The Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Attraction. Guardians Of The Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! is an accelerated drop ride with Rocket Raccoon recruiting passengers to help break out the remaining Guardians from Collector's fortress.

Disney is also bringing the popular Guardians Of The Galaxy name to Disney World in late 2021 or early 2022. The highly anticipated Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction will replace an old and outdated Universe of Energy attraction located in the EPCOT theme park. Cosmic Rewind will be an intense roller coaster, and Disney boasts that Guardians Of The Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the world's longest enclosed roller coaster at the time of opening. Cosmic Rewind's vehicles will also have the ability to rotate 360 degrees and will be Disney's first reverse launch coaster.

Star Wars isn't a new name to Disney theme parks. The Star Wars: Star Tours motion simulator ride was already a big part of many Disney theme parks before the mega Lucasfilms acquisition occurred. Disney also already had plenty of Star Wars merchandise exclusive to the parks and all sorts of other Star Wars entertainment. So how would Disney expand the Star Wars universe into their theme parks?

First, the brilliant minds at Disney announced that a Star Wars land would be built at both Disneyland and Disney World theme park locations. The Star Wars Galaxy's Edge section opened in both parks in 2019. First in Disneyland and later followed up in Disney World's Hollywood Studios months later.

Galaxy's Edge is set on the planet Batuu and offers you many Star Wars experiences you can't find anywhere else. One experience Disney brought to its parks is the opportunity to fly the one and only Millennium Falcon. The Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run experience allows you to control the Falcon on a customized secret mission.

Disney's next attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, is a 28-minute-long experience with hundreds of animated objects; housed within one of the largest show buildings Disney has ever built for a dark ride.

Galaxy's Edge isn't all about ride attractions. Olga's Cantina and Docking Bay Seven are places to rest and relax while you try out food and drinks inspired from all over the galaxy. Also, Galaxy's Edge gives you the chance to interact with different Star Wars characters as you browse around. The lovable Stormtroopers, Chewbacca and Rey can all be seen walking around Batuu at various times. Disney will also bring Star Wars fans an exciting hotel experience at their Hollywood Studios park, projected to open in 2021.

Lucasfilms and Marvel Entertainment's acquisition has greatly influenced Disney theme parks. As the brand expansion's success continues, I can only expect more exciting changes to come to Disney parks everywhere.

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Source(s):

Disney Tourist Blog, Observer, The Points Guy