Middle Earth coming to UOR?

[Accio Butterbeer]

I love LOTR but I really wish it would go somewhere else in the park. Everyone I know LOVES Toon Lagoon. And when I tell them they could be getting rid of it, they all get really pissed off and upset. If they get rid of these two fan favorite attractions there will be a lot of upset people.

 

[TylerDurden]

I love LOTR but I really wish it would go somewhere else in the park. Everyone I know LOVES Toon Lagoon. And when I tell them they could be getting rid of it, they all get really pissed off and upset. If they get rid of these two fan favorite attractions there will be a lot of upset people.

when these people get upset, do they know whats supposedly replacing it?

I actually hate LotR, but I get the appeal. If Universal can land the rights it would be ridiculous not to use them. However, I feel like it would be better suited in LC, simply because LC is closer in aesthetics to LotR...that means less demolition for Uni and less repetition in theme-qualities.

 

[Bryce]

when these people get upset, do they know whats supposedly replacing it?

I actually hate LotR, but I get the appeal. If Universal can land the rights it would be ridiculous not to use them. However, I feel like it would be better suited in LC, simply because LC is closer in aesthetics to LotR...that means less demolition for Uni and less repetition in theme-qualities.

Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings side by side? It just wouldn't work. One half of the park would be swarmed due to these two massive, timeless IPs, while the land themed after dying cartoon characters, on the other side of the park, would be empty.

Honestly, Toon Lagoon is the worst island. It looks like they ran out of money in quite a few places, it has an odd layout and the main drag feels like a well-themed shopping mall. The Sweet Haven area (including Popeye) and Dudley's facade are the highest points in the land. For me at least.

 

[IzzyB]

No property can carry their own park.

This.

One IP won't have enough Merchandise pull. Yes, people buy a lot of HP stuff, but when you go into IOA and buy HP stuff, you may get a want, robe, etc. But then you go to JP and there is stuff you want there, or DM and stuff there. But one IP means if you go there and buy a book and something else, you may not want to buy anymore from that IP. If that is the only IP that park has, well that is all the money you are spending. And what if you are like me and don't really care for LoTR? Now you are telling those people, don't even BOTHER coming to this park (BTW, I would still go, but others wouldn't), which no one wants that. You want a park that has multiple IPs hoping that one of those IPs will attract you. The more IPs the better chance you have of attracting someone into the park and taking their money on Merchandise.

Is there enough content for one IP in a park. Yes, I think SW, LoTR, and HP all have enough content to be a park, but it would not be a good financial move on Unis part.

 

[Marni1971]

Leave the Barges intact as per the plan and it'll work.

Don't trash such a great attraction or people will think Kali is good again.

 

[JungleSkip]

Leave the Barges intact as per the plan and it'll work.

Don't trash such a great attraction or people will think Kali is good again.

So I'm guessing the plan right now is transform Barges into the Barrel Escape from Hobbit?

 

[Cheezbat]

So I'm guessing the plan right now is transform Barges into the Barrel Escape from Hobbit?

Or leave Popeye and the Sweethaven area and just build LotR everywhere else in Toon Lagoon.

Seriously, if they're going to do a dark ride I would prefer to see a boat ride similar to Pirates of the Caribbean for Lord of the Rings. Then EVERYONE can ride. I think after Gringotts and Lorax Uni needs to take a serious break from screen based dark rides. Well, I guess screens can be used, I just don't want them to be a central part of the ride.

 

[Teebin]

I looked over Google maps today with Tolkien in mind. I think some form of the shire could go where the theater is now. A mega dark attraction (huge building) where Dudley is and then the downtown toon area would be used as a transition between those two and the barges. Fun to dream dreamy dreams.

 

[KRAKENvsMANTA]

I looked over Google maps today with Tolkien in mind. I think some form of the shire could go where the theater is now. A mega dark attraction (huge building) where Dudley is and then the downtown toon area would be used as a transition between those two and the barges. Fun to dream dreamy dreams.

I like the idea of the shire in the theater's spot.

Perhaps the Toon Lagoon shops/restaurants can be demoed and turned into Rivendell.

An idea for Dudley's replacement. I think a mine-train style dark ride through the Misty Mountains/Mines of Moria would be cool. You can encounter stone giants, the watcher in water, goblins/orcs, and culminate the adventure with a battle against the balrog.

I like the idea of turning Bluto into The Hobbit barrel escape. You could even retheme that surrounding area(The Olive, restrooms, shops) into Mirkwood Forest.

 

[IzzyB]

My only issue with a mine style train ride is that right next door is JP and it is going to have a mine style ride. I mean even if they use different techs (dark ride vs. coaster) the theme would be way too similar.

 

[Disneyhead]

My only issue with a mine style train ride is that right next door is JP and it is going to have a mine style ride. I mean even if they use different techs (dark ride vs. coaster) the theme would be way too similar.

Not to mention Gringott's will also fairly fresh. I would actually like a giant eagle/soarin'-esque flight over Middle Earth. I think something like that would be novel to the resort and pretty darned cool. That way we could actually get a glimpse of Modor.

 

[Enbee]

Not to mention Gringott's will also fairly fresh. I would actually like a giant eagle/soarin'-esque flight over Middle Earth. I think something like that would be novel to the resort and pretty darned cool. That way we could actually get a glimpse of Modor.

Exactly what I was thinking. Although I think Soarin' can be improved upon in a lot of respects, and would really hope UC figures out how to do that.

 

[KRAKENvsMANTA]

I like the Soarin' over Middle Earth idea, but aren't there enough screen-based attractions? Why not utilize that idea with a suspended track system? Obviously Peter Pan's Flight is seriously outdated, but I like the idea of perhaps updating that type of ride. I'd envision something a lot more fast-paced with AAs/props, pyro/special effects(Mordor/Mount Doom), and some HD screen effects.

 

[badlactose]

I like the Soarin' over Middle Earth idea, but aren't there enough screen-based attractions? Why not utilize that idea with a suspended track system? Obviously Peter Pan's Flight is seriously outdated, but I like the idea of perhaps updating that type of ride. I'd envision something a lot more fast-paced with AAs/props, pyro/special effects(Mordor/Mount Doom), and some HD screen effects.

I agree. I'd love to see a mixture of all those technologies mixed with a suspended ride system. We've already heard lots of hinting at the way they will use 3D screens to 'extend' space in the Gringotts ride, mixed with large scale physical sets. Imagine what they could accomplish applying that technique to Middle Earth?

 

[mahnamahna]

I like the idea of the shire in the theater's spot.

Perhaps the Toon Lagoon shops/restaurants can be demoed and turned into Rivendell.

An idea for Dudley's replacement. I think a mine-train style dark ride through the Misty Mountains/Mines of Moria would be cool. You can encounter stone giants, the watcher in water, goblins/orcs, and culminate the adventure with a battle against the balrog.

I like the idea of turning Bluto into The Hobbit barrel escape. You could even retheme that surrounding area(The Olive, restrooms, shops) into Mirkwood Forest.

Hmm... I'd say:
Shire with Hobbit house walkthroughs (TL theatre spot)
Rivendell (shops/restaurants) with an Elvish flat ride (something for little kids)
Lonely Mountain or Mines of Moria (indoor shoot 'em up suspended coaster in Dudley's location) - 42"-46"
Mirkwood Forest with Barrel Escape (Sweet Haven/Popeye)/Spider Treehouse (Olive) and with The tower of Sauron and Mt. Doom facades signaling the transition between Middle Earth and JP

Honestly... save World of Warcraft for a video game themed 3rd gate :thumbs:

 

[Accio Butterbeer]

All I know is if they do replace Toon Lagoon, it BETTER be with LOTR and NOT Word of ******* War craft!

 

[DK745]

All I know is if they do replace Toon Lagoon, it BETTER be with LOTR and NOT Word of ******* War craft!

I have a hard time believing the WOW rumor. Even if it had 10M subscribers, that's still way too niche. They need properties that are a lot better known than that.

 

[Drew]

I have a hard time believing the WOW rumor. Even if it had 10M subscribers, that's still way too niche. They need properties that are a lot better known than that.

World of Warcraft is a known brand.. the problem is just how known? I have never played the games and can't tell you anything other than the fact that it exists. I don't know how it'd translate to the parks at all.

Lord of the Rings however... there may not be a person on this earth that doesn't recognize the brand. There's way more familiarity amongst the general public... it sounds like a home run. Sure it's no Star Wars... but it's in the same class.

 

[mahnamahna]

World of Warcraft is a known brand.. the problem is just how known? I have never played the games and can't tell you anything other than the fact that it exists. I don't know how it'd translate to the parks at all.

Lord of the Rings however... there may not be a person on this earth that doesn't recognize the brand. There's way more familiarity amongst the general public... it sounds like a home run. Sure it's no Star Wars... but it's in the same class.

Plus LOTR fits the underlying literature theme of IOA :thumbs: honestly Comcast should save WoW for a video game 3rd gate... and try to negotiate with Sega, Capcom, Microsoft, and most importantly... NINTENDO. Like crazy!!!

 

[Disneyhead]

yeah, I'd rather go to Hyrule than WoWland any day.