Avengers Assemble... at Disneyland?

Imagine a bright day at Disneyland, with Winnie the Pooh halumphing over to your kids and a man dressed in black aiming a sniper rifle at Pooh... Relax! It's all part of the show. The gentleman with the rifle is the Punisher - would you like a photo?

- by Bob McLain, April 20, 2011

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When Disney bought Marvel, they didn't want the comic books, they wanted the characters.

Disney understands characters. Disney makes a fortune from characters. So does Marvel, though most of its characters would rather pummel you into paste rather pose for a photo.

Can Pooh ever co-exist with the Punisher?

According to Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, yes. In an interview scheduled to appear in the summer issue of Disney twenty-three Magazine (on sale May 3), Feige said:

"The notion of walking into a theme park and going into Asgard or the X-Mansion - Disney does this better than anyone. That is why I've gone to Disney parks multiple times every year for my whole life. It's that next step in fully immersive storytelling, whether it's a dark ride, a stunt show, or a thrill ride. The options are endless when it comes to how Imagineers can turn our characters, our adventures, and our films into amazing experiences."

There's nothing definite in that snippet, and if Marvel characters (or attractions) do start popping up in Disney parks, they'll appear in Disneyland way, way ahead of Disney World.

Universal has a potent super-power (called a legal contract) that bars Marvel characters from Disney World, and bars them indefinitely, unless Universal and Disney cut a deal.

I can't think of one good reason why Universal should cut that deal, especially given the massive capital they've spent on Marvel rides and attractions, and especially since those rides and attractions appeal primarily to a crucial demographic - young male adults - that eludes the Disney juggernaut.

But there's nothing to keep Marvel out of Disneyland.

Building a themed Marvel park, or even a few themed Marvel attractions, in Anaheim is a marvelous idea, and one whose time seems near.

Mouseketeers Assemble!