Universal Studios theme park land likely to close (blame Disney)

The legendary property could find a new home at Disney World and perhaps at Disney theme parks around the world.

May 29, 2024 - 02:30

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Universal Studios theme park land likely to close (blame Disney)

Walt Disney and Universal Studios are mortal enemies that also work together.

The two companies compete fiercely, especially in Florida, where they go after the same customers and seek to outdo each other when it comes to rides, innovations and new offerings.

Universal Studios has stepped up that competition with plans for its third Orlando theme Park, Epic Universe. That property, which opens in 2025, will bring the company's Nintendo World to Florida, and feature lands based on "How to Train Your Dragon," and the company's classic monsters like Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolf Man.

Adding Epic Universe isn't about just the buzz of expanding and adding big-name attractions. It's also an attempt by the Comcast (CMCSA) company to change the perception of Universal Studios Florida.

Currently, many Florida tourists view Universal Studios as an add-on to a Disney trip. You can visit all the key attractions at its two theme parks in a single day and experience both parks pretty thoroughly in two.

With four theme parks as part of Disney World, it's much easier to justify a full week spent on the property.

Epic Universe is Universal Studios' effort to tilt that balance in its favor by giving visitors more to do, so Disney World becomes the add-on — perhaps a day to see "Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge" or to visit the classic rides at Magic Kingdom.

The Simpsons land has been a popular Universal Studios destination.
Image source: Shutterstock

Disney and Universal are wary partners

Disney and Comcast are partners in two different major deals, but that was never the plan for either company. Universal Studios has exclusive Florida rights for many of Marvel's biggest characters.

That deal was made well before Walt Disney (DIS) owned Marvel and well before the current superhero-movie boom. It's a complicated deal as Universal Studios has perpetual rights to any Marvel characters it has used.

That ties up Spider-Man, the X-Men and other big Marvel names. but it did not stop Disney World from adding a "Guardians of the Galaxy" roller-coaster at Epcot. Since the Guardians were not big-name characters before their breakout film, Universal had not used them in its parks.

Had the company had a Groot meet-and-greet or used Star Lord or Gamora in some fashion, Disney would have been blocked from creating "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind," which has been an incredibly popular attraction.

In addition, Universal Studios also has a land based on "The Simpsons," a television show Disney acquired when it bought parts of Fox.

The future of that land is very much in doubt.

'The Simpsons' land may be nearing the end

Reports say that the licensing deal between Comcast and Walt Disney for "The Simpsons" ends in 2028. Neither company has confirmed or denied that.

Subtle signs have indicated that Universal Studios does not have a long-term plan to keep "The Simpsons," as the screens at the land's signature attraction, "The Simpsons Ride," have seen better days.

Many expected that the two companies would simply keep the current arrangement until the deal expires. That may not be what happens, according to Theme Park Tourist.

"Last year it was reported that Universal was looking to potentially phase out 'The Simpsons Ride' at both Universal Studios Florida as well as Universal Studios Hollywood by letting their contract to use the Simpsons license expire in 2028," the site reported.

Entertainment:

"And while that is still quite a long way off, rumors suggest that plans have accelerated to bring something new to the area, with a closure potentially happening early next year following the busy Halloween Horror Nights and holiday period."

Theme Park Tourist added that Universal Studios is considering using the area for "Pokemon"-themed attractions.

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Walt Disney, for its part, may be open to ending the deal early so it could add "The Simpsons" to one (or more) of its theme parks. The irreverent TV family would fit well at Disney's Hollywood Studios as there's likely significant overlap between fans of "Star Wars" and "The Simpsons."