Universal Great Britain - Speculation & Rumors

[tommyhawkins]

Hello and greetings from Munich, Germany!

I thought I would share my thoughts from the perspective of a European or German. The announcement that Universal is coming to Europe has also caused a lot of joy and discussion in europe forums/communities. There is a very large theme park community here in Europe, we also have a lot of large parks and many many more (very) smaller ones.

I think the choice of Great Britain was a very good one. No matter which country in Europe, most people would probably have come by plane anyway. The flight network in Europe is far too well developed for that and cheaper than travveling with the train or even car. Traveling by train from all over Europe through the Eurotunnel is still possible and well connected.

Other points: Great Britain is much further along with cashless payments. Germany for example, is very backward when it comes to cashless payments. And there are way too many regulations for such big projects The UK never had the EURO as a means of payment, which is definitely a disadvantage, but as I said, cashless payment rules here.

Secondly, in my opinion, it's the language. English is simply so widespread that most people in europe can at least understand it to some extent. It is THE common communication option between countries and languages. Or at least know someone in their immediate environment who can speak it well. Anyone who has been to Disneyland Paris knows what I'm talking about. You simply don't understand anything here (even the staff don't speak English well enough) and in the attractions you're more likely to be confused about what's going on. So only French people understand here. It would be the same for parks in Italy, Spain or Germany. You can clearly see that at EuropaPark. They try to combine German, English and French. Sometimes even more languages. But this might be also hard for people from outside germany. Also I think you do not have to translate everything to a specific language (BTTF, or any other IP) because you can already take what you have.

I'm really pleased that I no longer have to fly all the way to Orlando for the Universal Parks. And that's how a lot of theme park fans in europe see it. It remains to be seen whether the annual millions will be realized (also how the economic or political situation develops in europe). In general, however, I see the project as very positive.

Welcome to the discussion, youre making some great points especially about language, this is a key point, that is maybe getting missed by many:

"I think the choice of Great Britain was a very good one. No matter which country in Europe, most people would probably have come by plane anyway. The flight network in Europe is far too well developed for that and cheaper than travveling with the train or even car. Traveling by train from all over Europe through the Eurotunnel is still possible and well connected."

I am happily flying/travelling by train 600KM to get to Europa in a few weeks because its very easy to do so and i think that might be lost on the American car-centric culture, and if the news was Universal was being built anywhere else in Europe I would be just as happy to fly there.

I'd love to know more about what mainland-European forums/communities are saying about this and their speculation

 

[KentNelson]

Welcome to the discussion, youre making some great points especially about language, this is a key point, that is maybe getting missed by many:

"I think the choice of Great Britain was a very good one. No matter which country in Europe, most people would probably have come by plane anyway. The flight network in Europe is far too well developed for that and cheaper than travveling with the train or even car. Traveling by train from all over Europe through the Eurotunnel is still possible and well connected."

I am happily flying/travelling by train 600KM to get to Europa in a few weeks because its very easy to do so and i think that might be lost on the American car-centric culture, and if the news was Universal was being built anywhere else in Europe I would be just as happy to fly there.

I'd love to know more about what mainland-European forums/communities are saying about this and their speculation

Well, according to the people I've spoken to — even random people who aren't theme park fans — the main issue isn't the weather or the location. The main issue is that they can't believe Harry Potter and Nintendo aren't there.

 

[rob@rar]

I think the lack of a Wizarding World land, if that’s what happens, will hurt Universal GB, but if they can’t get the rights they can’t get the rights. That’s just the way of the world. Best for Universal to see if there’s another massive IP which lends itself to immersive theme park place-making, and let their creative juices run freely to make something as good and as popular as Potter. I’d argue that BTTF, Minions, Shrek, Jaws, Ghostbusters Paddington, or Bond are not the solution to the lack of Potter, but Lord of The Rings might be.

 

[DanM]

Agreed, LOTR is the perfect substitute if Universal can make it happen. Wicked would work for the female demographic but LOTR has a broader appeal across all demographics. similar to Potter in that sense.

 

[KentNelson]

I agree that LOTR is the only IP that could somewhat make up for the absence of the Wizarding World. That said, I really hope they base it on Peter Jackson’s version and NOT Amazon’s! And what about the absence of Nintendo? Could it be not because of Universal, but rather Nintendo themselves, who for some reason don’t want their IPs to be part of the GB project? Nintendo are usually very protective of their franchises.

 

[rob@rar]

I agree that LOTR is the only IP that could somewhat make up for the absence of the Wizarding World. That said, I really hope they base it on Peter Jackson’s version and NOT Amazon’s!

Why does it have to be Peter Jackson’s version or Amazon’s? There was a whole industry of artists interpreting Tolkien’s work before Peter Jackson brought the book to the big screen. If it goes ahead I’d guess it will be based on Universal’s original creations, using the source material for inspiration not Peter Jackson’s work.

 

[mainejeff]

20million people visit London every year and 10% of them are going to Harry Potter tour. Of course they will go to a theme park too, especially that's easier to get to. 120milion people live inside a 300mile radius of the park, they only want 8.5m of them. This notion that there no market there is in your head. As is it being a "Bad weather park" is simply your opinion. As planning will be made for how much is inside/covered for the few months of the year it's not great, just like they had to do with Beijing.

You're talking like you're someone that's very active in the Porta Ventura forum and probably wants the park built there instead

Regarding the weather.....a lot of people on here are used to FL or SoCal weather.....it's not going to be like that. There will be many more cloudy and chilly days.....but also plenty of nice ones as well. Not every theme park operating schedule is going to be 80 or 90-something degree days. I think that jacket/sweatshirt weather in a theme park is a welcome change sometimes. No one is traveling to GB for the weather...but they will travel there in droves for the history, castles, gardens, theme parks, etc.

 

[KentNelson]

Why does it have to be Peter Jackson’s version or Amazon’s? There was a whole industry of artists interpreting Tolkien’s work before Peter Jackson brought the book to the big screen. If it goes ahead I’d guess it will be based on Universal’s original creations, using the source material for inspiration not Peter Jackson’s work.

Imagine if the Wizarding Worlds had been based not on the Warner Bros versions, but on the illustrations from the book covers. Good luck with your multi-million investment.

 

[tommyhawkins]

Well, according to the people I've spoken to — even random people who aren't theme park fans — the main issue isn't the weather or the location. The main issue is that they can't believe Harry Potter and Nintendo aren't there.

this reminds me of eveytime people stated quite matter of factly that no one will be interested in Classic Monsters or HTTYD at epic and there's "not enough IPs that people want" and yet the reviews of these areas from people who were fairly indifferent tell a different story today.

Regarding the weather.....a lot of people on here are used to FL or SoCal weather.....it's not going to be like that. There will be many more cloudy and chilly days.....but also plenty of nice ones as well. Not every theme park operating schedule is going to be 80 or 90-something degree days. I think that jacket/sweatshirt weather in a theme park is a welcome change sometimes. No one is traveling to GB for the weather...but they will travel there in droves for the history, castles, gardens, theme parks, etc.

We had huge discussions right at the beginning when we first dropped the video about the weather, many said how there's no way they'd build it in England cos it's too cold etc.....I believe I brought receipts of how mild this part of the country is versus the North where the stereotypes come from. Also pointed out we get less rain than most believe.
It's also worth noting that USF is something like 65% indoors, I have the numbers somewhere I did a bunch of analysis on it, I would expect USGB to be a much higher % indoors and covered

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

Imagine if the Wizarding Worlds had been based not on the Warner Bros versions, but on the illustrations from the book covers. Good luck with your multi-million investment.

Amazon's LotR is imitating Jackson's style so that's kinda like splitting hairs, but i reckon you mean showing lands and landmarks from Jackson's films as opposed to Amazon's, which i understand and agree with.
If it's not based off of Jackson's interpretation and doesn't show things we know from the films, with music from the films, featuring products we can buy and take home that are emblematic of the films, that would be the biggest mistake Universal has ever made.

 

[KentNelson]

this reminds me of eveytime people stated quite matter of factly that no one will be interested in Classic Monsters or HTTYD at epic and there's "not enough IPs that people want" and yet the reviews of these areas from people who were fairly indifferent tell a different story today.


We had huge discussions right at the beginning when we first dropped the video about the weather, many said how there's no way they'd build it in England cos it's too cold etc.....I believe I brought receipts of how mild this part of the country is versus the North where the stereotypes come from. Also pointed out we get less rain than most believe.
It's also worth noting that USF is something like 65% indoors, I have the numbers somewhere I did a bunch of analysis on it, I would expect USGB to be a much higher % indoors and covered

The well-informed fan might feel a special attraction to the lesser-known IPs, but what draws in the general public are the big-name brands — especially Harry Potter and Nintendo, like at EPIC. Once they're in the park, drawn by Super Mario and Harry, they might then discover how wonderful the Monsters and HTTYD areas are — but those weren't the initial hook. There's an obvious reason why Universal has implemented Potter in all of its parks (except for Sentosa, although they are including Nintendo) — and, paradoxically, not in GB.

 

[DanM]

<iframe width="360" height="203"
src="That's the first thing you said that wasn't bat-poop crazy!"
frameborder="0"></iframe>

Amazon's LotR is imitating Jackson's style so that's kinda like splitting hairs, but i reckon you mean showing lands and landmarks from Jackson's films as opposed to Amazon's, which i understand and agree with.
If it's not based off of Jackson's interpretation and doesn't show things we know from the films, with music from the films, featuring products we can buy and take home that are emblematic of the films, that would be the biggest mistake Universal has ever made.

I think he is referring to the characters mostly, but the settings as well. People will want to interact with the most loved characters which are undoubtedly the characters from Warners LOTR.

It’s be interesting to know what’s required commercially to produce a theme park land based on LOTR. Embracer now own the theme park rights but Warner will have the footage needed to make the rides world class. Perhaps the distribution of IP ownership is the reason nothing has happened to date.

 

[rob@rar]

Imagine if the Wizarding Worlds had been based not on the Warner Bros versions, but on the illustrations from the book covers. Good luck with your multi-million investment.

You think the only LotR art is a just few children’s book covers and that’s all they have to work with. Ah, bless.

 

[Spike101]

Hi everyone, first time poster here, be gentle with me!

Regarding the Great British weather vs Spain etc, I've tried to point out elsewhere online and to people I know that everyone seems to think it rains here 50 weeks of the year and we never see any sun, and its really not the case, and if DLP can be open all year round then so can our nice new shiny park.

Anyway glad to be part of this community, I'll be going to Epic in October so following those threads with interest too!

 

[yepthatguy]

I’ve seen a few people on various platforms mention citywalk is not in the concept art…

I have a feeling that it might actually be just that area between security / entrance, the globe, and the park arches, as we can’t see what’s on the hotel side at ground level due to the angle.

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Where is citywalk?

 

[EllieB]

Hi everyone, first time poster here, be gentle with me!

Regarding the Great British weather vs Spain etc, I've tried to point out elsewhere online and to people I know that everyone seems to think it rains here 50 weeks of the year and we never see any sun, and its really not the case, and if DLP can be open all year round then so can our nice new shiny park.

Anyway glad to be part of this community, I'll be going to Epic in October so following those threads with interest too!

Welcome! I'm quite new too and everyone has been nice to me so far.

People who think the UK gets nothing but rain should have seen our last few weeks, it's been glorious!

 

[KentNelson]

You think the only LotR art is a just few children’s book covers and that’s all they have to work with. Ah, bless.

Ok, go ahead. Base your first global theme park area on Ralph Bakshi’s versions, on Amazon’s, or on Tolkien’s own artwork—without Howard Shore’s music, without the movie sets from the Warner films, and without the faces of Wood, McKellen, Bloom, or Mortensen. If you think you’re going to have the same commercial success with any iteration of the story prior to WBros. as you would by associating your theme area with one of the most historic, awarded, well-known trilogies that has remained in the public imagination since its release, let me just say I hope Universal thinks differently—for their own good and for the future of UGB. I suppose if it were up to you to design Super Nintendo World, instead of Mario, Donkey Kong, or Zelda, you'd go with Ice Climber and Kid Icarus.

 

[tommyhawkins]

The well-informed fan might feel a special attraction to the lesser-known IPs, but what draws in the general public are the big-name brands — especially Harry Potter and Nintendo, like at EPIC. Once they're in the park, drawn by Super Mario and Harry, they might then discover how wonderful the Monsters and HTTYD areas are — but those weren't the initial hook. There's an obvious reason why Universal has implemented Potter in all of its parks (except for Sentosa, although they are including Nintendo) — and, paradoxically, not in GB.

Without Nintendo and Harry Potter, youre right the situation sounds absolutely dire!

If only there were some other IPs going into the park that have made $billions in box office sales, and incredibly popular in the UK then perhaps the park could be saved from everyone you spoken to saying they wont go

 

[bedfordmassive]

@KentNelson I get Nintendo and Harry Potter are very popular, but theme parks can be successful without them, right? Theme parks pre-existed both franchises and there will no doubt come a time when something supplants them.

 

[rob@rar]

Ok, go ahead. Base your first global theme park area on Ralph Bakshi’s versions, on Amazon’s, or on Tolkien’s own artwork—

Silly. You know Universal have a bunch of creative people of their own? The clue is in the title - Universal Creative. They’ve already designed LotR set pieces.

Sure, in a perfect world they’d lean heavily in to Peter Jackson’s design, I’d be delighted. But what happens if they can’t get/don’t want to afford the money they’d need to pay WB/Wingnut? What then? You have trouble imagining a Universal park in the UK, thinking it can only work in Spain. I’m not sure you’re capable of seeing beyond stuff you already know.