Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[SkiBum]

Wicked/Oz: Has a lighter feel and lends towards family friendly. The original movie had some dark areas and the books do as well. However, my guess is that a land would probably reflect the movies more which have a lot more family-friendly moments. In "Oz the Great and Powerful", they had several scenes that would be either a great dark ride or flying theater. Not having seen Wicked, I can't say anything but would guess that it has the same type of experience.

LOTR: Definitely darker. Yes, Hobbiton is lighter but definitely trends towards a darker tone. More thrill ride based. Would probably make Disney's Villains pale by comparison. Yeah, I know. Don't compare.

So, either two different lands or UNI picks which demographic that they want to attract. Oz has a good fanbase and the LOTR movies demonstrate that the franchise has significant interest.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Wicked/Oz: Has a lighter feel and lends towards family friendly. The original movie had some dark areas and the books do as well. However, my guess is that a land would probably reflect the movies more which have a lot more family-friendly moments. In "Oz the Great and Powerful", they had several scenes that would be either a great dark ride or flying theater. Not having seen Wicked, I can't say anything but would guess that it has the same type of experience.

LOTR: Definitely darker. Yes, Hobbiton is lighter but definitely trends towards a darker tone. More thrill ride based. Would probably make Disney's Villains pale by comparison. Yeah, I know. Don't compare.

So, either two different lands or UNI picks which demographic that they want to attract. Oz has a good fanbase and the LOTR movies demonstrate that the franchise has significant interest.

None of the likely locations that might be featured in a LOTR land - Hobbiton, Rivendell, even Gondor - are remotely “dark.” I doubt Isengard or Mordor or Helms Deep would be seen outside of the ride.

 

[belloq87]

Re: the "darkness" of LOTR...

Depends on what you'd want to focus on. I want a giant "Mines of Moria" ride, and that would be pretty dark (literally and tonally!). You balance that out with "lighter" areas (probably the Shire and Rivendell), then.

 

[Brian G.]

Middle-Earth will be a toughie if ever brought to life as there is no "center setting".

 

[Mike S]

Just an FYI - The film created the association but Wicked adheres more closely to the book, and Munchkins are not little people.

I just looked it up and wow. I never knew Munchkin didn’t exist as a word until The Wizard of Oz book itself.

 

[Brian G.]

I just looked it up and wow. I never knew Munchkin didn’t exist as a word until The Wizard of Oz book itself.

That's why I mentioned Oz's impact on pop culture and language. When you see a rainbow, you are most likely to think of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (or "Double Rainbow," depending on your age...)

"There's no place like home" and you click your heels, "If I only had a brain", and "follow the yellow brick road" are instantly recognizable. A big green city, and people automatically think Oz. You show someone Minas Tirith and you're bound to get a few dumbfounded looks.

I love LOTR, I feel Oz might have broader appeal (though both would be great additions). We'll see what the BO does.

 

[Disneyhead]

I think the only park that will get a complete Oz land will be Great Britain. And the land will be VERY similar to the Potter lands in the other parks.

I could see a "Wicked: Defying Gravity" attraction replacing Fallon at USF.

 

[belloq87]

Middle-Earth will be a toughie if ever brought to life as there is no "center setting".

If designers were willing to get a little experimental in terms of concept, you could build a land that you literally have to journey through just like Frodo and the Fellowship: you start in a sub-area for the Shire, proceed through Rivendell and Moria, then into Rohan and/or Gondor, and possibly finally Mordor.

Or some variation of that sort of concept depending on how much space you have to work with. Sub-areas that you progress through. Some of these areas might have attractions (Moria, Mordor), some might have dining (Shire, Rivendell), others might just be transitional (Rohan/Gondor).

 

[DrStarlander]

If designers were willing to get a little experimental in terms of concept, you could build a land that you literally have to journey through just like Frodo and the Fellowship: you start in a sub-area for the Shire, proceed through Rivendell and Moria, then into Rohan and/or Gondor, and possibly finally Mordor.

Or some variation of that sort of concept depending on how much space you have to work with. Sub-areas that you progress through. Some of these areas might have attractions (Moria, Mordor), some might have dining (Shire, Rivendell), others might just be transitional (Rohan/Gondor).

The journey/progression layout is exactly what fans would want, I think. It may have to loop back with an inconspicuous but efficient exit path, but ideally the main walkway has a dominant flow in the direction of the narrative. It could be a very unique and "immersive" approach to a theme park land.

 

[Brian G.]

If designers were willing to get a little experimental in terms of concept, you could build a land that you literally have to journey through just like Frodo and the Fellowship: you start in a sub-area for the Shire, proceed through Rivendell and Moria, then into Rohan and/or Gondor, and possibly finally Mordor.

Or some variation of that sort of concept depending on how much space you have to work with. Sub-areas that you progress through. Some of these areas might have attractions (Moria, Mordor), some might have dining (Shire, Rivendell), others might just be transitional (Rohan/Gondor).

Presents the same issue as Oz concerning space. You got 20 acres. That's Diagon-size. Some sort of compromise is going to have to be found.

I think the journey would have to come from the ride.

 

[Legacy]

I think the only park that will get a complete Oz land will be Great Britain. And the land will be VERY similar to the Potter lands in the other parks.

I could see a "Wicked: Defying Gravity" attraction replacing Fallon at USF.

A boat ride similar to Frozen Adventure is what it needs. Queue in Emerald City celebrating the Witch’s Death. Ascend as the Time Dragon awakens. Float through Act 1 (Munchkinland, Shiz (start moving backwards in Dancing Through Life), EC). Drop in Defying Gravity. Start going forward in March of the Witch Hunters. Finale at For Good.

A flying theater is something… but not enough.

 

[Mad Dog]

They might do like Disney did with the unexpected success of Frozen. Do a quick redo of an existing attraction to capitalize. And then, like @Disneyhead says, do a full land later in Great Britain. Fallon or F&F could work as a quick redo.

 

[Brian G.]

They might do like Disney did with the unexpected success of Frozen. Do a quick redo of an existing attraction to capitalize. And then, like @Disneyhead says, do a full land later in Great Britain. Fallon or F&F could work as a quick redo.

If the film is an OK success, then yeah - I could see an attraction instead of a full-fledged land.

 

[Legacy]

I will say, Wicked: The Musical: The Ride works well as a standalone ride to replace Fallon. Retheme “30 Rock” into a Broadway theater. Flying theater ride system works as is.

Only disappointing aspect of this idea is that just becomes a glorified clip show with movement unless they can figure out a way for our active participation pulling us through the story.

 

[Mike S]

Give Epic Universe full on Oz and Great Britain full on Middle Earth.

Oz is the quintessential American fairy tale as much as LotR is for Britain. Then a smaller presence for each at the other resort.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Add a permanent installation of Here Lies Love if we're talking musicals. Throw in Sleep No More too and I'll be there daily. I mean if we're just wishcasting why not?

 

[Milo Davis]

I mean... i completely understand the hate and Universal has done the IP no favors with junk like Supercharged, but opinions would change if they actually spent the time and money to create something great.

The IP has done the IP no favours. The biggest issue with any Fast and Furious ride or land (god forbid) is that franchise sucks ass and has for a long time now. It's diminishing returns with no way back up. It's done. Deader then dead. I think any further investment in the IP would be an immense waste of money.

 

[AvoidTIMtation]

The IP has done the IP no favours. The biggest issue with any Fast and Furious ride or land (god forbid) is that franchise sucks ass and has for a long time now. It's diminishing returns with no way back up. It's done. Deader then dead. I think any further investment in the IP would be an immense waste of money.

LOL Its perfectly fine for you to hate the movies but calling it a dead franchise with diminishing returns is just factually incorrect.

 

[TheUniC6]

Presents the same issue as Oz concerning space. You got 20 acres. That's Diagon-size. Some sort of compromise is going to have to be found.

I think the journey would have to come from the ride.

Actually Diagon is about 5 acres. IIRC, The EU expansion plot is around 20 acres. It will house several lands. As mentioned earlier I don't think OZ would go into EU because that 20+ acre expansion plot is not going to be touched for a long time when you consider all the existing lands at EU already have expansion pads of their own waiting to be filled.

 

[Brian G.]

Actually Diagon is about 5 acres. IIRC, The EU expansion plot is around 20 acres. It will house several lands. As mentioned earlier I don't think OZ would go into EU because that 20+ acre expansion plot is not going to be touched for a long time when you consider all the existing lands at EU already have expansion pads of their own waiting to be filled.

1. This is all assumed with the understanding this is a blue sky convo.

2. No. Diagon is not 5. It’s about 20.