Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
'Huge opportunity for Marvel' at Shanghai Disney, says Iger
POSTED 09 May 2019 . BY Tom Anstey

There are great opportunities long term given the affinity people have in China for these characters. That's a hint to our parks and resorts group. We should be hard at work already designing and developing a Marvel presence in Shanghai
– Bob Iger
Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger, has hinted at an expanded Marvel presence for its Shanghai theme park in China, with the brand currently booming as its latest blockbuster – Avengers: Endgame – continues to surge at the box office.

Speaking during an earnings call, Iger revealed that regulations in China were limiting Disney's distribution of over-the-top media such as its upcoming Disney+ subscription service in the country. Iger also revealed that Avengers: Endgame has made more than US$600m (€536.2m, £461.8m) in the Chinese box office alone, showing the strength of the brand in China. This success on screen, says Iger, will flow down into Disney's parks.

"As it relates specifically to Shanghai Disney, we have a huge opportunity for Marvel there," he said.

"When we began designing the park, we'd only just purchased Marvel and we weren't really in early enough to do it, so we built something somewhat temporary in nature – just a tent that features Marvel franchises and characters.

"But there are great opportunities long term given the affinity people have in China for these characters. That's a hint to our parks and resorts group. We should be hard at work already designing and developing a Marvel presence in Shanghai."

The park's existing Marvel Universe attraction is set in the park's Gardens of Imagination. Inside, visitors can explore the world of Marvel, as well as get the chance to virtually try on an Iron Man suit and fight off an army of enemies, including Hulk. Guests can also enjoy Marvel-inspired merchandise, food and drink, as well as take part in an Avengers training session with characters such as Iron Man, Black Panther and Captain Marvel.

Iger hinted at the plans as Disney revealed its results for the last quarter, with the company's Parks, Experiences and Products division increasing revenues for the period by 5 per cent to US$6.2bn (€5.4bn, £4.8bn), with operating income increasing 15 per cent to US$1.5bn (€1.3bn, £1.15bn).

The increases were attributed to growth at Disney's domestic theme parks and resorts, increases in its consumer products business and cruise line and higher attendance and occupied room nights at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Results at Shanghai Disney were comparable to the prior-year quarter as an increase from higher average ticket prices was largely offset by lower attendance.
RELATED STORIES
  Ant-Man leads the way as Disney unveils future Marvel additions for its parks


Disney has unveiled a new interactive attraction based on its Ant-Man IP, with a raft of other Marvel super-hero experiences lined up for the operator's parks worldwide in the coming years.
  The Void signs deal with ILMxLAB to create Disney and Marvel VR projects


Location-based virtual reality (VR) specialist The Void has partnered with ILMxLAB – a subsidiary of Lucasfilm – to create five new VR-based attractions featuring IP content from Disney and Marvel.
  Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars to feature, as Bob Iger announces major €2bn expansion of Disneyland Paris


Disney has announced a major expansion of Disneyland Paris, with the operator unveiling €2bn (US$2.46bn, £1.77bn) plans which will include new areas based on its Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars IPs.
  Chapek spills beans at D23 Japan as parks chief reveals details on multiple park projects


Disney’s parks and resorts chair Bob Chapek has shared details about the company’s development pipeline, revealing new details about its Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar bands across its theme park portfolio.
MORE NEWS
Smaller wellness hotels recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts introduces emotional dance classes to offer experiences that foster connection
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social connection.
Robert Thurman: a life dedicated to enlightenment
Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual director of Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Woodstock, has died, aged 84.
BBSpa Group to launch holistic bathhouse Atera in Glasgow
International spa, wellness and longevity consultancy, BBSpa, will launch a new bathhouse called Atera in Glasgow, Scotland, in September.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Agilysys UK Ltd

Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), is a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions that [more...]
Capsix

Founded in 2016 by Carole Eyssautier, PhD in AI, François Eyssautier, robotics engineer, and Stéphan [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
'Huge opportunity for Marvel' at Shanghai Disney, says Iger
POSTED 09 May 2019 . BY Tom Anstey
There are great opportunities long term given the affinity people have in China for these characters. That's a hint to our parks and resorts group. We should be hard at work already designing and developing a Marvel presence in Shanghai
– Bob Iger
Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger, has hinted at an expanded Marvel presence for its Shanghai theme park in China, with the brand currently booming as its latest blockbuster – Avengers: Endgame – continues to surge at the box office.

Speaking during an earnings call, Iger revealed that regulations in China were limiting Disney's distribution of over-the-top media such as its upcoming Disney+ subscription service in the country. Iger also revealed that Avengers: Endgame has made more than US$600m (€536.2m, £461.8m) in the Chinese box office alone, showing the strength of the brand in China. This success on screen, says Iger, will flow down into Disney's parks.

"As it relates specifically to Shanghai Disney, we have a huge opportunity for Marvel there," he said.

"When we began designing the park, we'd only just purchased Marvel and we weren't really in early enough to do it, so we built something somewhat temporary in nature – just a tent that features Marvel franchises and characters.

"But there are great opportunities long term given the affinity people have in China for these characters. That's a hint to our parks and resorts group. We should be hard at work already designing and developing a Marvel presence in Shanghai."

The park's existing Marvel Universe attraction is set in the park's Gardens of Imagination. Inside, visitors can explore the world of Marvel, as well as get the chance to virtually try on an Iron Man suit and fight off an army of enemies, including Hulk. Guests can also enjoy Marvel-inspired merchandise, food and drink, as well as take part in an Avengers training session with characters such as Iron Man, Black Panther and Captain Marvel.

Iger hinted at the plans as Disney revealed its results for the last quarter, with the company's Parks, Experiences and Products division increasing revenues for the period by 5 per cent to US$6.2bn (€5.4bn, £4.8bn), with operating income increasing 15 per cent to US$1.5bn (€1.3bn, £1.15bn).

The increases were attributed to growth at Disney's domestic theme parks and resorts, increases in its consumer products business and cruise line and higher attendance and occupied room nights at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Results at Shanghai Disney were comparable to the prior-year quarter as an increase from higher average ticket prices was largely offset by lower attendance.
RELATED STORIES
Ant-Man leads the way as Disney unveils future Marvel additions for its parks


Disney has unveiled a new interactive attraction based on its Ant-Man IP, with a raft of other Marvel super-hero experiences lined up for the operator's parks worldwide in the coming years.
The Void signs deal with ILMxLAB to create Disney and Marvel VR projects


Location-based virtual reality (VR) specialist The Void has partnered with ILMxLAB – a subsidiary of Lucasfilm – to create five new VR-based attractions featuring IP content from Disney and Marvel.
Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars to feature, as Bob Iger announces major €2bn expansion of Disneyland Paris


Disney has announced a major expansion of Disneyland Paris, with the operator unveiling €2bn (US$2.46bn, £1.77bn) plans which will include new areas based on its Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars IPs.
Chapek spills beans at D23 Japan as parks chief reveals details on multiple park projects


Disney’s parks and resorts chair Bob Chapek has shared details about the company’s development pipeline, revealing new details about its Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar bands across its theme park portfolio.
MORE NEWS
Smaller wellness hotels recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts introduces emotional dance classes to offer experiences that foster connection
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social connection.
Robert Thurman: a life dedicated to enlightenment
Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual director of Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Woodstock, has died, aged 84.
BBSpa Group to launch holistic bathhouse Atera in Glasgow
International spa, wellness and longevity consultancy, BBSpa, will launch a new bathhouse called Atera in Glasgow, Scotland, in September.
Ananda in the Himalayas publishes Ayurvedic cookbook
Ananda in the Himalayas, India, has published its first cookbook, built on the wellness retreat’s 25 years of Ayurvedic cuisine expertise.
Minor Hotels appoints Aditya Saluja as commercial director for MSpa International
Aditya Saluja, an industry leader in luxury wellness hospitality, has been appointed as commercial director of spa and wellness for the spa management division of Minor Hotels, MSpa International.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Zerobody Cryo: Starpool's contrast therapy solution
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]

HPO Tech brings design-led hyperbaric systems to the spa floor
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has moved well beyond the clinic and spa operators represent the fastest-growing market for the technology. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Agilysys UK Ltd

Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), is a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions that [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS