Disneyland Paris, Marne la Vallée, Ile-de-France, France -

Disneyland Paris has signed a deal with the French government to lift the obligation to build a third park by 2017. The original deal was for Disneyland Paris to build a third park by this date in exchange for permanent property rights, but the new deal has pushed this deadline back. If the economy improves, then a third park will be built in stages over the next twenty years.

Also as part of the deal the land Disneyland Paris sits on will increase from 1,194 hectares to 2,230 hectares. This provides room for a new resort named Les Village Nature de Val d’Europe which will include a hotel as well as nature elements such as a forest and lake. It is estimated that this project could bring in 70,000 jobs both directly and indirectly.

On the topic of a third gate for Disneyland Paris, discussion is being brought up about a possible Marvel Superhero themed park. With Disney acquiring Marvel last September for $4 billion it is surely a possibility. The Marvel brand brings along superheros that could appeal to the teenage boy portion of the public.

Universal's Islands of Adventure currently features several Marvel themed rides, which complicates the use of these same characters by Disneyland Paris. The details of the contract between Universal and Marvel is not public, but through filings made by Univeral to the US Securities and Exchange Commission it has been discovered that Universal holds the exclusive rights to the Marvel namesakes in areas of the US east of the Mississippi river for as long as its attractions are in operation. This means that Disneyland Paris is free to use the Marvel theme.