• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Potential New Universal UK Park

Craig said:
There's lots said about Labour wanting to reduce planning red tape, but as it stands it's just just that - talk. Of course there's legislation that needs to be written and put through parliament in order for that to happen. A law change that would have a knock on effect for planning law across the country isn't going to be an easy feat, more so than an SDO would. I agree there needs to be some reform to planning law, but with everything going on in the world at the moment, I don't see it happening any time soon resulting in spades on the ground in a matter of weeks.
Click to expand...
It is just talk in the sense that the legislation hasn't been presented to Parliament yet, but there's plenty of policy papers to read that give an idea of what they intend to do.

Here's one about streamlining planning:
www.gov.uk

Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

Here's one about introducing brownfield passports:
www.gov.uk

Brownfield Passport: Making the Most of Urban Land

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

And responses to a massive consultation on planned changes:
www.gov.uk

Government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system consultation

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

Of course none of it would lead to a stratacoaster being built in the next few months but there's some interesting stuff in there that I could see being beneficial
 
As someone who has experience of the planning process, I will defend some aspects of it, for example is there something already there that cause serious harm to members of the public, though agree there is too much weight given to trivial aspects.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Does anyone think the park will be based on Universals Studios concept or more like Epic Universe or IOA?

Universals other newesr park in Beijing followed the studios layout, Will we get similar?

Also surely we get Jurrasic World & Harry Potter I.P's?
 
Bones said:
Does anyone think the park will be based on Universals Studios concept or more like Epic Universe or IOA?

Universals other newesr park in Beijing followed the studios layout, Will we get similar?

Also surely we get Jurrasic World & Harry Potter I.P's?
Click to expand...
I'm thinking it's going to be the Studios concept or very similar.

I'm also quite sure we'll get familiar IPs and will have to wait and see exactly what we'll get.

The debate about Harry Potter is a big if because of the Studio Tour however at the same time, Japan have one in Tokyo and have Universal in Osaka so it might not be as big of an issue as it's been discussed before. We might get wizarding world in some form but you'd be setting yourself up for disappointment if it's like the Orlando areas.
 
While Beijing follows a studios style its a
more evolved version that’s more a mix between the studios and IOA. I would expect similar style hear. A studio style entrance street (maybe more British than Hollywood themed) and a couple of shows/attractions like an indoor special effect shows or like Orlando’s underrated borne show). This is the area i suspect we will see some more UK themed IPs used. Then a central lagoon with themed lands/world around it. If 4 themed lands I would place my bets on Jurassic World (almost identical to Beijing) some kind of Nintendo area, an illumination or DreamWorks area then the 4th with something unique to UK or Harry Potter if can be used (which I don’t know if can be or not)
 
I still believe we could see a Wicked-themed land in the future. I can definitely see the UK introducing a new land that hasn't been done yet, and given how popular Wicked is worldwide, it seems like a strong contender.
 
JT01 said:
I still believe we could see a Wicked-themed land in the future. I can definitely see the UK introducing a new land that hasn't been done yet, and given how popular Wicked is worldwide, it seems like a strong contender.
Click to expand...

I don’t think Wicked has been demonstrated to be an Evergreen IP, certainly not compared to the likes of Potter, JP and Nintendo so dedicating a new land to it at a new park seems quite risky, especially with the park not opening till well after the films have been released.

Presumably whilst not set in stone the potential themes have already been outlined.

That being said Chessington have a Jumanji land which is a comparatively weak IP.
 
Bowser said:
I don’t think Wicked has been demonstrated to be an Evergreen IP, certainly not compared to the likes of Potter, JP and Nintendo so dedicating a new land to it at a new park seems quite risky, especially with the park not opening till well after the films have been released.
Click to expand...
The Wicked stage musical has been running in the US since 2003 and London since 2006 and still going strong. Don't think it is that risky, probably no worse than the other suggestions of Lord of the Rings, or some of the things Universal are using in Florida like Shrek or Trolls.
 
Bowser said:
I don’t think Wicked has been demonstrated to be an Evergreen IP, certainly not compared to the likes of Potter, JP and Nintendo so dedicating a new land to it at a new park seems quite risky, especially with the park not opening till well after the films have been released.

Presumably whilst not set in stone the potential themes have already been outlined.

That being said Chessington have a Jumanji land which is a comparatively weak IP.
Click to expand...
Don’t forget that many of the visual motifs are closely tied to The Wizard of Oz, something that has been around for nearly a century. They could go Wicked specific and still have the broad appeal of the stories it is based on. Nevermind that the musical is also 20 years old, and that it’s the closest Universal currently have to a “Princess” brand
 
It’ll be fascinating to see what they propose for the new park. One thing’s for sure: there’s definitely going to be at least one unique land that sets this park apart from the others. Given the global nature of Universal, it’s crucial that the lands appeals to a wide audience outside the UK, so I can’t imagine them just creating a carbon copy of the lands they’ve already established in their other parks. They’ll want something fresh and exciting that stands out, rather than just following the same formula. Also, it’s hard to picture them just replicating what they've done in Florida— I can imagine this new park will have its own distinct identity, especially since they’ll want it to offer something new for the millions of european visitors who have already experienced the Florida parks.
 
Bowser said:
I don’t think Wicked has been demonstrated to be an Evergreen IP, certainly not compared to the likes of Potter, JP and Nintendo so dedicating a new land to it at a new park seems quite risky, especially with the park not opening till well after the films have been released.

Presumably whilst not set in stone the potential themes have already been outlined.

That being said Chessington have a Jumanji land which is a comparatively weak IP.
Click to expand...
It’s more evergreen than How To Train Your Dragon and that’s getting an entire land in Orlando
 
benpicko said:
It’s more evergreen than How To Train Your Dragon and that’s getting an entire land in Orlando
Click to expand...

The film series getting a live action reboot/remake for some reason?

HtTYD could well become a timeless film series (the first one came out 15 years ago!). And as a theme park area makes great sense and is easy to implement compared to other Dreamworks IPs, even if they've given a go on them elsewhere (Shrek, Madagascar getting areas in Singapore).

Dunno if Wicked would transfer well into a theme park setting. But I also have zero interest in it as a film (and have only seen the show once and thought there was only one good song) so it don't have much going for it from me.
 
There are lots of insider talk that Unjversal executives have tasked universal creative to come up with some wicked concepts for an area at Orlando parks. Locations being considered are the three areas that are likely for re-development- the fear factors stage area or the Simpsons area in the studios. The with a smaller development ie single attraction possibly a show on factor location or more full land with ride for Simpsons area. it’s thought that studios will see most development following the opening of Epic this year with the new coaster and then what ever they decide to move forward with. I could see maybe Orlando getting a single ride/show at the fear factor location and then fully developed land for the UK park.
 
Benzin said:
The film series getting a live action reboot/remake for some reason?

HtTYD could well become a timeless film series (the first one came out 15 years ago!). And as a theme park area makes great sense and is easy to implement compared to other Dreamworks IPs, even if they've given a go on them elsewhere (Shrek, Madagascar getting areas in Singapore).

Dunno if Wicked would transfer well into a theme park setting. But I also have zero interest in it as a film (and have only seen the show once and thought there was only one good song) so it don't have much going for it from me.
Click to expand...
Everything in the Wicked movie was designed to be lifted off the screen into an immersive environment. Just because *you* haven’t seen the movie doesn’t mean it isn’t suitable for this kind of adaptation.

And again, by your yardstick it’s been around longer than HTTYD, something which you give the grace of potentially growing into what you call evergreen
 
Can’t recall who first suggested the idea of a Hogwarts Hotel in this thread, but I can’t get it out of my head.

Feels like an open goal for Universal (albeit with a few defenders on the line in the form of planning permission, IP conflicts, other stuff).

Endless options for upcharges (house-specific bedspreads, anyone?)
 
jon81uk said:
The Wicked stage musical has been running in the US since 2003 and London since 2006 and still going strong. Don't think it is that risky, probably no worse than the other suggestions of Lord of the Rings, or some of the things Universal are using in Florida like Shrek or Trolls.
Click to expand...

By that logic a Phantom of the Opera land would be more appropriate :D
 
Bert2theSpark said:
I mean, Phantom of the Opera is going to be in Dark Universe, and there's already Phantom of the Opera VR experience, which is adapted from the musical version.

So yes, IP from musicals are relevant for adaptation within a theme park...
Click to expand...
And it's based on a serialised novel, which was written at the turn of the century, which isn't too dissimilar to Oz.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
And it's based on a serialised novel, which was written at the turn of the century, which isn't too dissimilar to Oz.
Click to expand...
If anything, they’re willing to use Phantom so why wouldn’t they use Wicked?

Wizard of Oz is literally one of the most recognisable and beloved brands of all time, and Wicked is something they actually have rights to that brings it up to date

As already mentioned, Universal are 100% working on concepts for Wicked, it could easily end up in USGB as well as their existing parks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top