By Jim Carchidi
December 8, 2025
The holidays are a time for wishes, and recent media industry buzz is opening the door for daydreams about new DC super hero rides that could possibly come to Universal Orlando Resort.
Big News, Big Rumors
According to a Bloomberg report, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. has been exploring licensing opportunities for its DC properties with theme park operators, including Universal's parent company, Comcast Corp. The news broke shortly before the Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. was announced but if the possibility of new DC licensing survives, Universal has proven it’s more than qualified to develop the rides and even has experience with DC Comics theme park designs.
Super Hero Land: An Unbuilt Era
Marvel Super Hero Island debuted with Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure in May 1999, however the original plan featured DC characters. As detailed in a 2020 Orlando ParkStop feature, early concepts for a Universal “Cartoon World” park included a DC Comics “Super Hero Land,” developed with The Goddard Group (now Legacy Entertainment). The proposed area would have included a Superman 3-D motion simulator ride, a Batman & Robin stunt show, and a dual-track roller coaster featuring Batman versus the Penguin.
Illustrations show vehicles and graphics for the Superman and Batman rides, proposed for Universal's scrapped "Super Hero Land" park. Images courtesy of The Goddard Group/Legacy Entertainment
The deal ultimately fell through, leading Universal to feature Marvel Comics characters at Islands of Adventure while DC ride rights went to Six Flags Entertainment Corp. Still, the question remains: what could those early designs look like with today’s technology?
The 325-foot Superman: Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Over Texas kind-of resembles Dr. Doom's Fearfall at Islands of Adventure, launching riders up and down with airtime and G-forces. Image courtesy of Six Flags over Texas.
Recent Rumblings and Park Changes
A September post by Inside the Magic suggests two lands at Islands of Adventure could be on the chopping block. The Lost Continent, already reduced to make room for the Wizarding World’s Hogsmeade in 2010, is likely on its way out due to declining guest interest. Rumors about a Legend of Zelda land have circulated for years and Lost Continent signage has already been removed.
The same post raises the possibility of Marvel Super Hero Island’s eventual exit – not due to low attendance, but because Disney’s ownership of Marvel complicates Universal’s theme park rights, which remain exclusive only east of the Mississippi. While Universal is under no immediate pressure to address its Marvel rights, no design changes or new rides can be introduced without Disney’s approval. The comic book aesthetic and ride technology used at Marvel Island differ significantly from the cutting-edge experiences and MCU character designs at Disneyland’s Avengers Campuses in California and Paris. The inability to update could soon clash with Universal Orlando’s evolving park landscape.
What If?
Universal Orlando has demonstrated its willingness to make big changes, as seen with the removal of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in August to make way for a new, unnamed attraction. Should a DC deal move forward, it raises the question: what could the company behind Epic Universe achieve with these iconic properties?
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster reimagined as a Batman-themed thrill ride?
- Spider-Man replaced by Supergirl?
- Entirely new attractions featuring the Joker, Suicide Squad, and Darkseid?
One final note: Netflix has already shown interest in immersive fan experiences with its Netflix House destinations in Philadelphia and Dallas, suggesting the acquisition may not hinder future theme park licensing discussions.
More to come... hopefully.
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About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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