Mop
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 21, 1999
http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/020807/media_disney_vivendi_1.html
This story reports that Disney is looking at Vivendi's assets. But it would make no sense for Disney to buy Universal's theme parks since Disney has never before been in the business of licensing other people's properties for entertainment purposes. And owning and operating the Universal theme parks would mean Disney having to license a series of properties (E.T., Back to the Future, Jaws, King Kong, Spider-Man, the Hulk, etc.) from several other companies. While it may be more viable if Disney were to buy ALL of Universal's assets (theme parks AND studios - thus eliminating licensing restrictions for several of these properties), it's unlikely that a) regulators would permit Disney to buy another studio and b) other people are already front runners to buy the studios, chief among them is Barry Diller.
Now, let's temper this with the fact that Eisner has been known to make some lameass moves in the past. And I wouldn't put it past him to water down Disney's Orlando and Anaheim properties by buying someone else's theme parks. I just don't see how that would fit into their business plan. It would just pull visitors away from the main WDW and DL attractions.
Raul/Mop
This story reports that Disney is looking at Vivendi's assets. But it would make no sense for Disney to buy Universal's theme parks since Disney has never before been in the business of licensing other people's properties for entertainment purposes. And owning and operating the Universal theme parks would mean Disney having to license a series of properties (E.T., Back to the Future, Jaws, King Kong, Spider-Man, the Hulk, etc.) from several other companies. While it may be more viable if Disney were to buy ALL of Universal's assets (theme parks AND studios - thus eliminating licensing restrictions for several of these properties), it's unlikely that a) regulators would permit Disney to buy another studio and b) other people are already front runners to buy the studios, chief among them is Barry Diller.
Now, let's temper this with the fact that Eisner has been known to make some lameass moves in the past. And I wouldn't put it past him to water down Disney's Orlando and Anaheim properties by buying someone else's theme parks. I just don't see how that would fit into their business plan. It would just pull visitors away from the main WDW and DL attractions.
Raul/Mop