You either love it or you hate it, but without question the future of theme park attractions are IP based experiences. Disney and Universal have been doing it for almost 60 years, it’s hard to think of any large theme park without one IP within their park, and this trend is only going to continue as parks are trying to cash in on already established brands. If you think Alton Towers already have 10 within their park, although most of them are of course Cbeebies related. With the success of Cbeebies land which was only really an effective repaint of an existing area, IPs seem very much part of Merlin’s future. With Shrek opening this year, a new IP based dark ride going to Thorpe, and recognisable international IPs already established at Alton, Chessington and of course Legoland.
Now this is where I discuss the future, what IPs are available, but most of all what are attainable. After all it is very costly to secure any IP. First of Merlin already have a good catalogue of IPs. With agreements with Dreamworks, Lionsgate, BlueSky Studios/ 20th Century Fox and the BBC.
Shows are obviously fairly simple way of using these animated characters, which are already being used in a rather poor fashion. Just compare the Madagascar show at Chessington to the one at Bucsh Gardens. I feel this show would fit perfectly to Katanga Canyon.
Busch Gardens Madagascar
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a Shrek attraction open up within the theme parks, much like the Sharkbait reef, a smaller attraction based on the same principle of the Shrek’s Far Far away Adventure.
Shrek London Plans
Here are some Ip’s that as far as I can see are available.
eg Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to train your Dragon.
Dreamworks are working with multiple theme parks around the world; they don’t operate exclusivity so a deal would be available for any of their characters at a reasonable price. Plus they are already working with Merlin on a number attraction.
eg The Hunger Games, Twilight
One of the rumoured Ip’s for the Thorpe park dark ride
eg. Ice Age, Rio
Again already working with Merlin, but as they are building a they’re very own theme parks so maybe they will soon stop selling there IP’s
planned 20th Century Theme Park
Many possible IPs
Also working with Merlin but with a deal with Paramount may limit possible IP’s
Here are some of my personal favourites/Dreams.
Narnia – (20th Century Fox)
With Disney giving up the rights to Narnia after the films weren’t a Harry Potter style success, Narnia is now under the ownership of 20th Century Fox after Disney literally gave them away. A themed area based around Narnia was in the plans for Disney but they too were scrapped. But still it would have been an amazing experience one that I would fit perfectly with Alton it they could pull it off. But they wouldn’t be able to, and such an iconic brand still wouldn’t be cheap.
Dracula / Van Helsing – (Universal)
Dracula and Van Helsing Movies, Shows and attraction have been popular for nearly 100 years. This Ip too would be very attainable with Universal already penning a deal with Movie World Germany. Universal also had rather extravagant plans for the Van Helsing franchise with a themed land to the extent of Harry Potter planned. It was actually going to be placed were the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is, but again with the movie not doing as well as planned the development got cancelled.
Middle Earth
Really the only theme park that can build a theme park land based on middle earth is Universal. Disney and Universal have been negotiating a deal for the best part of a decade. Interestingly Tolkien on his death bed showed his disdain for Disney and requested that his works not sold off to them. If Merlin ever showed any real ambition then this would be truly amazing. Alas they don’t have it and this will never happen.
Having a good IP and ambition can be a very profitable way to go. The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter and Diagon Alley for example cost around £350 million. But both areas returned a profit within 4 month.
I fear nothing of this scale will ever get built in the UK, even with Paramount’s interest. So I guess I will have to go back to Florida!
Now this is where I discuss the future, what IPs are available, but most of all what are attainable. After all it is very costly to secure any IP. First of Merlin already have a good catalogue of IPs. With agreements with Dreamworks, Lionsgate, BlueSky Studios/ 20th Century Fox and the BBC.
Shows are obviously fairly simple way of using these animated characters, which are already being used in a rather poor fashion. Just compare the Madagascar show at Chessington to the one at Bucsh Gardens. I feel this show would fit perfectly to Katanga Canyon.
Busch Gardens Madagascar
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a Shrek attraction open up within the theme parks, much like the Sharkbait reef, a smaller attraction based on the same principle of the Shrek’s Far Far away Adventure.
Shrek London Plans
Here are some Ip’s that as far as I can see are available.
eg Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to train your Dragon.
Dreamworks are working with multiple theme parks around the world; they don’t operate exclusivity so a deal would be available for any of their characters at a reasonable price. Plus they are already working with Merlin on a number attraction.
eg The Hunger Games, Twilight
One of the rumoured Ip’s for the Thorpe park dark ride
eg. Ice Age, Rio
Again already working with Merlin, but as they are building a they’re very own theme parks so maybe they will soon stop selling there IP’s
planned 20th Century Theme Park
Many possible IPs
Also working with Merlin but with a deal with Paramount may limit possible IP’s
Here are some of my personal favourites/Dreams.
Narnia – (20th Century Fox)
With Disney giving up the rights to Narnia after the films weren’t a Harry Potter style success, Narnia is now under the ownership of 20th Century Fox after Disney literally gave them away. A themed area based around Narnia was in the plans for Disney but they too were scrapped. But still it would have been an amazing experience one that I would fit perfectly with Alton it they could pull it off. But they wouldn’t be able to, and such an iconic brand still wouldn’t be cheap.
Dracula / Van Helsing – (Universal)
Dracula and Van Helsing Movies, Shows and attraction have been popular for nearly 100 years. This Ip too would be very attainable with Universal already penning a deal with Movie World Germany. Universal also had rather extravagant plans for the Van Helsing franchise with a themed land to the extent of Harry Potter planned. It was actually going to be placed were the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is, but again with the movie not doing as well as planned the development got cancelled.
Middle Earth
Really the only theme park that can build a theme park land based on middle earth is Universal. Disney and Universal have been negotiating a deal for the best part of a decade. Interestingly Tolkien on his death bed showed his disdain for Disney and requested that his works not sold off to them. If Merlin ever showed any real ambition then this would be truly amazing. Alas they don’t have it and this will never happen.
Having a good IP and ambition can be a very profitable way to go. The Wizzarding World of Harry Potter and Diagon Alley for example cost around £350 million. But both areas returned a profit within 4 month.
I fear nothing of this scale will ever get built in the UK, even with Paramount’s interest. So I guess I will have to go back to Florida!