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Potential New Universal UK Park

I don’t actually mind exactly what the themed areas are.

I’m under the impression that if they do them well, and the IP isn’t too obnoxious it can stand well on its own two feet.

I really don’t know what’s with LOTR, but an area of that could be pretty cool
 
If LOTR is an option (I was under the impression the Tolkien estate actively didn't want anyone to build a Theme Park from the IP, hence why it hasn't happened already) then it would undeniably be a great choice.

However I do think it would be an incredibly hard IP to actually turn into a themed world. When you look at all the great themed worlds they are all based on very iconic places that act as a hub for the story. Harry Potter takes place at Hogwarts Castle, Cars takes place in Radiator Springs. Avatar is on Pandora*.
LOTR doesn't have a primary location to base the area on. It has too many iconic locations, all of which are only visited briefly in the story. The Shire** and Rivendale would be my top picks for a themed land. But I don't think either of them especially lend themselves to rides. Moria, Helms Deep, and Mordor would all be better suited for rides, but not as good as themed areas.

This is why I see it as quite a challenging IP to adapt, it would likley work better as an entire park. But that's a huge gamble, especially for a 1st gate.

* Star Wars is an exception to having a single iconic location, which is why they built the fictional world of Galaxy's Edge. But GE only works because some of the locations in Star Wars are generic enough that they could recreat the feel of places from the films without specifically making it the place from the films.

** The challenge with The Shire is hiding it from other themed lands. A key point in the story is that it feels far removed from the rest of the world. If they can achieve that I could see a large Hobit Hole acting as the show building for a Forbidden Journey style 'highlights ride' (There and Back Again) being the best starting point for a LOTR land.
 
I think The Shire makes the most sense as an area as it’s very recognisable and family-friendly. Also, it’s very ‘English’

I understand the point of The Shire not being a super natural fit for different ride types. But, I’m sure they could hypothetically get round this issue by introducing Gandalf and his big eagle as a starting point to take riders to other parts of the LOTR world.

Undoubtedly, a Mines of Moria ride has incredible potential. But, the massive scale of the mines makes it hard to picture it as an area (in my brain anyway). The scale might only be achievable with clever use of screens and stuff as part of a dark ride.
 
There are a few options for LOTR area. The shire makes the most sense but Minas Tirith would also be a good option. Lots of potential for a variety of rides. As some has said the Mines of Moria would a be a must
 
Bowser said:
Universal have an excellent precedent for achieving this tbf.
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Actually I'd disagree with this. Epic Universe looks to have done a good job, but as it is not open yet I think it's too early to judge.
But at their other parks themed areas clash all the time. Just look at Japan's new Donky Kong area* with Hogwarts looming over one side of it. Or Island's of Adventure, which has all the lands facing into the lake (which I love), but it does mean that VelociCoaster and The Hulk are visible almost anywhere you are.

To achieve the Shire they really do need to properly Isolate it from everything else. As they've done in New Zealand. And I think the only way they could do it at this site is to artificially surround the area with a mountain backdrop, like how Phantasialand encase some of their areas.

Speaking of Donky Kong it makes me laugh watching the videos of it and seeing half the guests dressed up either as Wizards or Minions!
 
Tim said:
Actually I'd disagree with this. Epic Universe looks to have done a good job, but as it is not open yet I think it's too early to judge.
But at their other parks themed areas clash all the time. Just look at Japan's new Donky Kong area* with Hogwarts looming over one side of it. Or Island's of Adventure, which has all the lands facing into the lake (which I love), but it does mean that VelociCoaster and The Hulk are visible almost anywhere you are.

To achieve the Shire they really do need to properly Isolate it from everything else. As they've done in New Zealand. And I think the only way they could do it at this site is to artificially surround the area with a mountain backdrop, like how Phantasialand encase some of their areas.

Speaking of Donky Kong it makes me laugh watching the videos of it and seeing half the guests dressed up either as Wizards or Minions!
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It's funny you say that because Universal Osaka is what i had in mind when i made the comment!

Having recently been i thought it was remarkable how well hidden the Nintendo World is. It's basically inside a giant hole so you can't see into it until you enter via the warp tube (and equally can't see out). Donkey Kong wasn't open but again you couldn't see the area at all except the tip of the Monkey Temple from the top of Hollywood Dream as far as i could tell.

Equally the Harry Potter area is partly concealed down a lengthy tree lined winding path (obviously it's rather tall).

If Epic Universe is another example then it would seem to indicate it is something they are prioritising with their more recent constructions.
 
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Nintendo World is definitely done well, but I think it helps that there's a lot of verticality to the land. Funnily enough practically like an actual video game they've built a skybox around the area. The buildings extend so high only the patch of sky directly above the land is visible.
That's a lot harder to achieve on a land that is meant to spread all the way to the horizon / distant mountains.

Having said all that Universal are one of the few companies who could pull this off.
 
Just to pipe in to the LOTR discussion for a second as I'm a huge Tolkien nerd.

Rivendell could look absolutely incredible if done to the same standard as the Potter verse. The only issue is I think that particular land lends itself to water based attractions as it's essentially a valley with lots of waterfalls.
So given our climate I'd say that's rather unlikely for a 365 park. If in the future they added Middle Earth to Epic Universe in one of the expansion plots then I see that being a better fit there personally.

I think if it was to happen in GB, it will be The Shire for sure that they go with. Being able to stand in Hobbiton and take pictures outside the hobbit homes is basically what people will want to see and do.

And then the major E ticket style ride could be a dark ride re-telling the journey to Mordor and back by the fellowship so that's when you could possibly fit in scenery from Rivendell, Moria, Rohan, Gondor etc.

I genuinely think I will ball my eyes out if they create a middle earth land. I will be so so happy with whatever they came up with though as the source material just means so much to me.
 
As we've seen with Epic Universes Potter area it's completely possible that the area could be Hobbiton but the rides could easily be set in other areas of Middle Earth.

And if anyone questions the logic you can just say a wizard did it. (or an eagle)
 
Im not a LOTR fan but googling Hobbiton / shire and its basically fields with small houses in... I would not of thought that would make for an impressive land.
I think it would need to be something more architecturally impressive to hold itself against lands like Potter
 
JT01 said:
Im not a LOTR fan but googling Hobbiton / shire and its basically fields with small houses in... I would not of thought that would make for an impressive land.
I think it would need to be something more architecturally impressive to hold itself against lands like Potter
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I imagine it'll all come down to what IPs they decide to use in the park.
If say they port over the Nintendo Land, that has Bowsers Castle.
Or even a Potter area based around Hogwarts Castle. If you're also including LOTR you'd probably want something that's very different to what's in the other lands.
 
Whilst the Lord of the Rings Middle Earth area does sound exciting - I'm almost certain because Potter is a UK set franchise that we'd see some form of Potter area. It'd be a completely missed opportunity if it doesn't happen. I'm pretty sure that the Studio Tour and the Theme Park can quite easily co-exist as a lot of people will likely do both especially internationally.

I'd also like to think that some form of adaptation on their most popular IPs such as Nintendo and Jurassic Park/World will be included.
 
owenstreet7 said:
Whilst the Lord of the Rings Middle Earth area does sound exciting - I'm almost certain because Potter is a UK set franchise that we'd see some form of Potter area. It'd be a completely missed opportunity if it doesn't happen. I'm pretty sure that the Studio Tour and the Theme Park can quite easily co-exist as a lot of people will likely do both especially internationally.

I'd also like to think that some form of adaptation on their most popular IPs such as Nintendo and Jurassic Park/World will be included.
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All the chatter online is that Potter is definitely a no go. And to be honest, I think that makes sense. We don’t need a fake Kings Cross or Diagon Ally to be built when the real deal is 60mins away.

I’d expect Jurassic World and Nintendoland to be built but am unsure on others.

A How to Train Your Dragon area would be nice; and this is also a UK authored book remember.

I would also really hope for some kind of James Bond attraction; seems like a no brainer to me.
 
jon81uk said:
Not really given that Universal Creative (their equivalent of Imagineers) would be doing design well ahead of construction. Also its possible the vacancy would still exist designing for the other parks round the world.
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Sure but he’s presumably working on the assumption he’d live in Europe still for the next 10 years rather than getting shipped off to Orlando or Beijing if it’s cancelled.
 
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