[🌎 Universal GB] General Discussion

[Bowser]

Yeah what i meant by that point above is the Universal GB park will definitely start out small and grow over time. Similarly to Epic, I think you will see a decent starting off point with a very obvious expansion pads ready to go for the following decade / two decades.

The issue i found with Epic is because there's not a huge quantity of E ticket style rides yet.....the queues can get ridiculous for the rides everyone most wants to do and obviously they haven't been helped by the persistent breakdowns which have been excessive so far to say the least.

One thing I'd hope they learn from is throughput mistakes. We probably won't get a Super Nintendo World at Universal GB but if we do, they really need to have a rethink about capacity. Both Mario kart and Minecart Madness are not particularly great at getting people through the queues and quite frankly both attractions are frankly underwhelming and not worth the queues they get either. I haven't heard a single person yet rave about either attraction which speaks volumes.

If we go on the artist rendering as what will be there for opening combined with some enthusiast guesswork it's reasonable to think the initial E Ticket rides may be:

- BTTF coaster
- Jurassic Park dark ride
- Jurassic Park coaster
- LOTR dark ride

Then perhaps a step below you'll have the Waterworld/007 show, Minions and Paddington.

I don't know what Mario Kart's throughput is? My two experiences at USJ they were churning through people with the double station but it still rarely went below an advertised 2 hour wait. A ride with peripherals is always going to struggle somewhat in that regard so hopefully that's something they avoid.

That being said, with so few initial attractions having people in long queues will probably be both inevitable and beneficial.

I think one of the best things about Nintendo World is how entertaining the actual land itself is so hopefully that's something they replicate with whatever brands they end up using.

 

[Benjsh]

If we go on the artist rendering as what will be there for opening combined with some enthusiast guesswork it's reasonable to think the initial E Ticket rides may be:

- BTTF coaster
- Jurassic Park dark ride
- Jurassic Park coaster
- LOTR dark ride

Then perhaps a step below you'll have the Waterworld/007 show, Minions and Paddington.

I don't know what Mario Kart's throughput is? My two experiences at USJ they were churning through people with the double station but it still rarely went below an advertised 2 hour wait. A ride with peripherals is always going to struggle somewhat in that regard so hopefully that's something they avoid.

That being said, with so few initial attractions having people in long queues will probably be both inevitable and beneficial.

I think one of the best things about Nintendo World is how entertaining the actual land itself is so hopefully that's something they replicate with whatever brands they end up using.

Yeah you cant knock the immersion. SNW looks amazing and there's lot of stuff to look at and do. I just didn't particularly enjoy either of the main attractions really. Wouldn't be in a rush to re-ride either of them.

As we most likely wont be getting Potter here, I did think would they possibly think about having SNW version 2.0 here in England but I dont think they will. They wont want to replicate too much of Florida as UK tourists is a massive market for them. Jurassic and Minions is probably going to be enough replication as it is.

If they manage to do LOTR then I will be the happiest man alive. Interestingly I was talking to a few thoosies at Epic Universe who had been multiple times and they seem very confident that after the phase 2 additions of what we think will be Luigi's Mansion in SNW and a new Potter ride.... LOTR will be the first expansion pad at Epic.

 

[xtpower]

Yeah you cant knock the immersion. SNW looks amazing and there's lot of stuff to look at and do. I just didn't particularly enjoy either of the main attractions really. Wouldn't be in a rush to re-ride either of them.

As we most likely wont be getting Potter here, I did think would they possibly think about having SNW version 2.0 here in England but I dont think they will. They wont want to replicate too much of Florida as UK tourists is a massive market for them. Jurassic and Minions is probably going to be enough replication as it is.

If they manage to do LOTR then I will be the happiest man alive. Interestingly I was talking to a few thoosies at Epic Universe who had been multiple times and they seem very confident that after the phase 2 additions of what we think will be Luigi's Mansion in SNW and a new Potter ride.... LOTR will be the first expansion pad at Epic.

LOTR has been rumoured for so long that it's almost considered a given by the Americans that it's coming to one of their Florida Parks. Honestly if we're the one's getting LOTR, they'll do Zelda over in Florida to avoid cannibalising Americans coming over here for LOTR.

One thing that has annoyed me is the entitlement from some of the Thoosies over there, they just cannot believe that we would get a major IP in our brand new Park before it's been installed in a Florida Park first. But if Universal wants UGB to hold it's own globally (without the tourist trap that is HP), then we'd need an anchor IP that you won't see in other Universal Parks - LOTR is literally made for that spot, it's a British IP, no other Park has it and it's a major global IP.

 

[Benjsh]

LOTR has been rumoured for so long that it's almost considered a given by the Americans that it's coming to one of their Florida Parks. Honestly if we're the one's getting LOTR, they'll do Zelda over in Florida to avoid cannibalising Americans coming over here for LOTR.

One thing that has annoyed me is the entitlement from some of the Thoosies over there, they just cannot believe that we would get a major IP in our brand new Park before it's been installed in a Florida Park first. But if Universal wants UGB to hold it's own globally (without the tourist trap that is HP), then we'd need an anchor IP that you won't see in other Universal Parks - LOTR is literally made for that spot, it's a British IP, no other Park has it and it's a major global IP.

I think Zelda is now looking most likely for IOA where the Lost Continent attraction sits SBNO. Would be an interesting move to add Nintendo to both IOA and Epic but they did it with Potter so anything is possible I guess.

I'm totally with you on American entitlement btw. They do think the world evolves around them in most walks of life. But when you consider roughly 8 out of every 10 Americans have never left the country once in their lives, then it tells you all you need to know. I guess Universal and Disney are US companies though so naturally they will think that way a bit too.

I think the one thing that massively helps the UK's position with LOTR is the Tolkien estate are said to be incredibly proud of the British countryside and it's huge influence it had on their father's work. This is why I think it's the perfect Potter alternative that ticks all boxes. It keeps the Tolkien estate happy, it doesn't stop UK tourists going to Florida and it also probably makes a few Americans think about a trip to the UK where they probably wouldn't do just for a BTTF coaster alone.

 

[xtpower]

I think Zelda is now looking most likely for IOA where the Lost Continent attraction sits SBNO. Would be an interesting move to add Nintendo to both IOA and Epic but they did it with Potter so anything is possible I guess.

I'm totally with you on American entitlement btw. They do think the world evolves around them in most walks of life. But when you consider roughly 8 out of every 10 Americans have never left the country once in their lives, then it tells you all you need to know. I guess Universal and Disney are US companies though so naturally they will think that way a bit too.

I think the one thing that massively helps the UK's position with LOTR is the Tolkien estate are said to be incredibly proud of the British countryside and it's huge influence it had on their father's work. This is why I think it's the perfect Potter alternative that ticks all boxes. It keeps the Tolkien estate happy, it doesn't stop UK tourists going to Florida and it also probably makes a few Americans think about a trip to the UK where they probably wouldn't do just for a BTTF coaster alone.

There's a podcast that Theme Parkstop did after our concept art dropped that showed to me that we need a marquee IP to get American Thoosies to come over. During the podcast they talked about what our Park would need to get them to specifically come over the pond for the Park alone. The general consensus was that outside of BTTF (and no confirmation of LOTR) there was little reason to come over unless they were coming to do other stuff.

So yea I think we need LOTR, not just for the other reasons we've listed but purely because we need something earth-shattering to shock the thoosies over there into making the trip.

I'm sure the BTTF Coaster and Hill valley would snag a few but LOTR would be such a shock that those, 'it's coming to Epic/IOA first' people might actually want to come here instead of thinking it's not worth the trip cos they've got better over there.

*edit* Had another thought about the podcast, it came from some of the biggest Universal fans, that follow and dig out details on the smallest changes. The fact that such huge Universal fans wouldn't feel compelled to come over with what was shown, proves how insular it is over there and how spoiled they are with the 3 Universal Parks.

 

[Bowser]

There's a podcast that Theme Parkstop did after our concept art dropped that showed to me that we need a marquee IP to get American Thoosies to come over. During the podcast they talked about what our Park would need to get them to specifically come over the pond for the Park alone. The general consensus was that outside of BTTF (and no confirmation of LOTR) there was little reason to come over unless they were coming to do other stuff.

I don't think they need to do anything to get Americans to come over. There are over 500m Europeans within a few hours of the park. Does Disneyland Paris market itself to Americans? I'd imagine the only concern is cannibalising their existing market of Europeans who go to the US and even that is probably overplayed as they are quite different destinations.

Obviously having a combination of familiar and unique attractions would still be very beneficial.

One thing that has annoyed me is the entitlement from some of the Thoosies over there, they just cannot believe that we would get a major IP in our brand new Park before it's been installed in a Florida Park first.

There's already precedent for this with Super Nintendo World in Japan. I think you can reasonably compare that being a Japanese franchise with LOTR being a British franchise

 

[Blackrock]

I have faith that the Shrek area is LoTR, I can’t seem them building the same land (even with different rides) across both sides of the pond so I think it’ll be for the British park at least for a fare while before anything transpires over there.

Like others have said there’s been rumours about universal acquiring the rights for years, long before UGB was even being discussed by universal themselves, maybe everything’s just lining up perfectly.

 

[Benjsh]

I have faith that the Shrek area is LoTR, I can’t seem them building the same land (even with different rides) across both sides of the pond so I think it’ll be for the British park at least for a fare while before anything transpires over there.

Like others have said there’s been rumours about universal acquiring the rights for years, long before UGB was even being discussed by universal themselves, maybe everything’s just lining up perfectly.

I seriously hope so. Would make me so so happy.

We've had the Mario bands at Epic, Wands at Potter lands.....so could we have interactive rings for Lord of the Rings? Would be so cool.

 

[xtpower]

I seriously hope so. Would make me so so happy.

We've had the Mario bands at Epic, Wands at Potter lands.....so could we have interactive rings for Lord of the Rings? Would be so cool.

If you don't recite the One Ring mantra when you receive the ring it should be taken from you and thrown into the UGB Mount Doom equivalent.

 

[TBoy535]

A quick Maps check shows a 3hr7 drive from my Northern house to the site. And these drives for some of the major Northern (including Scottish) urban areas:
Manchester: 2:47
Liverpool: 3:10
Leeds: 2:46
Bradford: 3:07
Sheffield: 2:10
Newcastle: 4:10
Teesside: 3:36
Edinburgh: 6:23
Glasgow: 5:52
Aberdeen: 8:19

So, it’s not as though it’s built to be great for Northerners. Just less terrible than it could have been.

Completely missing out the whole of the midlands, Leicestershire, Birmingham all great locations for most theme parks.

 

[jon81uk]

Completely missing out the whole of the midlands, Leicestershire, Birmingham all great locations for most theme parks.

The post you quoted stated "And these drives for some of the major Northern (including Scottish) urban areas". The discussion was about whether it is viable for Northerners to drive to.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Although nowhere near official confirmation, the chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury is on record as saying that:

“I think I must stir that pot. When I saw the Wicked sets, (I) said it was a theme park waiting to happen.”

As consistently suggested by @tayspru, the comments above could indicate that a Wicked land could launch with Universal Great Britain.

I am of the belief that this is the more likely fantasy IP land which we would see at launch.

Original reporting by Deadline:

Mark Woodbury Recalls Thinking ‘Wicked’ Set “Was A Theme Park Waiting To Happen” As Universal Exec Talks Epic Universe, London Plans

Universal parks boss talks possible new Epic Universe lands in Orlando, the upcoming London project., year-round horror attractions and kids resorts.

deadline.com

 

[dave___]

Although nowhere near official confirmation, the chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury is on record as saying that:

“I think I must stir that pot. When I saw the Wicked sets, (I) said it was a theme park waiting to happen.”

As consistently suggested by @tayspru, the comments above could indicate that a Wicked land could launch with Universal Great Britain.

I am of the belief that this is the more likely fantasy IP land which we would see at launch.

Original reporting by Deadline:

Mark Woodbury Recalls Thinking ‘Wicked’ Set “Was A Theme Park Waiting To Happen” As Universal Exec Talks Epic Universe, London Plans

Universal parks boss talks possible new Epic Universe lands in Orlando, the upcoming London project., year-round horror attractions and kids resorts.

deadline.com

Having never seen Wicked, is it set in the same Oz world - i.e. emerald city, yellow brick road etc?

Yellow brick road seems like some ideal theming.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Having never seen Wicked, is it set in the same Oz world - i.e. emerald city, yellow brick road etc?

Yellow brick road seems like some ideal theming.

Yes and no. The first act takes place before the events of the Wizard of Oz, the second act is a retelling of the events of Wizard, but from a different perspective.

The yellow brick road is about to start construction in the first half, it is constructed by the second. The Emerald City is present in both. There are additional lands developed in Wicked, however, Shiz University being a prime example (a school of magic...).

There are some limitations to the use of the Oz IP; Dorothy's ruby slippers being a famous example as they were an MGM invention, with the rights now being owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

If you would like to get an idea of the visual theming they could offer, I would at least watch a trailer for one of Wicked films.

 

[Plastic Person]

Having never seen Wicked, is it set in the same Oz world - i.e. emerald city, yellow brick road etc?

Yellow brick road seems like some ideal theming.

Yes, although my instinct is that the Emerald City would be the environment they go for, as it's full of kinetic energy, retail, restaurants, and so on.

When I saw Wicked Part I last year, the aesthetic of the Emerald City portion reminded me of a greener take on Rookburgh at Phantasialand. I would not be opposed to a Vekoma Flyer ala FLY, with additional menacing monkey encounters.

 

[tayspru]

Whether it’s at EPIC or USGB, I’m confident Wicked will have a large presence somewhere in the future. To add more fuel to the fire (and indeed this could indicate Epic being the first to add Wicked) , the upcoming Epic documentary was delayed by a few weeks. The only change that seems to be made is that Jon M Chu and Michelle Yeoh are now credited in the documentary. Weird choice unless Wicked is in the pipeline

 

[Plastic Person]

It is possible that Michelle Yeoh is simply keen to share her enthusiasm for Fast and Furious: Supercharged, but it seems unlikely.

Previewing an upcoming Wicked expansion would be a solid topper for Epic's opening year, and something investors and shareholders would get behind. But, given the alleged "no property share" rule between UO and UGB, it doesn't necessarily increase the chances of the IP landing at either side of the Atlantic. From what I understand, the Florida property will need all the UK visitors it can get over at least the next three years, and maybe even beyond...

 

[tayspru]

It is possible that Michelle Yeoh is simply keen to share her enthusiasm for Fast and Furious: Supercharged, but it seems unlikely.

Previewing an upcoming Wicked expansion would be a solid topper for Epic's opening year, and something investors and shareholders would get behind. But, given the alleged "no property share" rule between UO and UGB, it doesn't necessarily increase the chances of the IP landing at either side of the Atlantic. From what I understand, the Florida property will need all the UK visitors it can get over at least the next three years, and maybe even beyond...

There’s certainly enough space for both. Shiz and the Emerald City for example are two very different locales that could easily both anchor the same marquee attraction with the right creative thoughts

 

[Matt N]

I think the rule was no ride duplicates from Orlando rather than no brand duplicates, if I’m not mistaken.

 

[xtpower]

I'm not sold on Wicked coming to UGB, but that's mostly cos I want LOTR and feel it's the perfect IP for our Park. As much as people insinuated the BBC was touting twitter rumours, they did state LOTR, Bond and Paddington was part of UGB, there was no mention of Wicked and I'm of the mind BBC had an actual source and wasn't spreading conjecture.

*edit* Reading the article it very much hints at Epic being the place for Wicked. UGB was just a comment on where we're at in the process and there was nothing about IP's or anything of that sort.