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LOTR being revisited for Epic Universe?
- Thread starter bhg469
- Start date
Vacationeer
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
I’m already so excited for EU. This would be extra awesome!
Right? I drove by that site almost daily. I'm so excited for it.
wdwfan4ver
Well-Known Member
I wait to see it, to believe it. I don't trust screamcape and the IP in question has been teased for a very long time like the video mentioned.
If Lord of the Ring does happen as an early expansion, it would be a huge addition for Epic Universe.
If Lord of the Ring does happen as an early expansion, it would be a huge addition for Epic Universe.
I didn't think the lineup could get anymore impressive..
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
While I don’t argue that Lord of the Rings is a huge IP…but is it really “timeless?”
Are there teens and children that even care about it anymore?
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s more deserving of a theme park land than Toon Lagoon or How to Train Your Dragon but is it an IP like Star Wars, Marvel, Potter, or Nintendo that kids and adults of all ages have interest in?
If it comes true, it will be a beautifully themed land. Off the top of my head I can’t really think of a scene from the movies or books that make me say, “That would be a great ride!” It’s almost as if it’s too big to cut up into a few attractions.
Are there teens and children that even care about it anymore?
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s more deserving of a theme park land than Toon Lagoon or How to Train Your Dragon but is it an IP like Star Wars, Marvel, Potter, or Nintendo that kids and adults of all ages have interest in?
If it comes true, it will be a beautifully themed land. Off the top of my head I can’t really think of a scene from the movies or books that make me say, “That would be a great ride!” It’s almost as if it’s too big to cut up into a few attractions.
Were there ever teens and children that cared about LOTR? As someone who was a teenager when the movies came out, I appreciated the spectacle of them, but could not be more lost. I had no idea what was even going on. It's really not a children's IP, even if you include The Hobbit. That being said, I think it could still have legs as a theme park land despite that fact. It just has to capitalize on the same spectacle as the movies. I'm not sure what the rides would be, unless they're just condensed versions of the stories ala a Fantasyland dark ride but on a bigger scale, but there's plenty of scenes that would translate well to a ride in that format. Only potential problem is that Harry Potter already covers some of the same territory, Forbidden Journey specifically (dragons, giant spiders, wraiths, etc.)
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WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
True. I guess the movies gave it the resurgence with the next generation.
I do think it will be an amazing land to visit no matter the age but aside from the visuals of the lands how does one translate any of the film into a ride? Maybe “Escape the Balrog?”
I guess riding into battle against an army of Orcs could be made into an attraction.
I just think of the IPs that we have recently got lands for and how well they translated into theme park lands (except one). I’m hoping that Lord of the Rings connects with the younger crowds. Lost Continent was focused around a similar lore and it got replaced.
Star Wars: piloting the Millennium Falcon. Who didn’t want to do that? Flying the snow speeders to trip up the AT-ATs… Trench run trying to nail the shot! Grabbing a drink at the cantina…. For as vast as the Star Wars universe is, there are clearly locations and scenes you wanted to play out.
Avatar: flying on a banshee. Visiting the planet itself. (This is the land I’d see being most akin to Lord of the Rings. Visiting the locations is the draw more than the actual scenes in the books or films)
Marvel: Let’s face it, once you get past the meet and greets it’s pretty bland in the
way of attraction ideas. Universal did it better decades ago. Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is vastly superior to the Avengers Campus attraction.
Jurassic Park: the books/movies were based around a theme park. And dinosaurs will always be timeless. A Jeep ride seemed inevitable but never got one. Even a Gyrosphere attraction would’ve been cool.
Harry Potter: very distinct locations and scenes. The one scene that I wanted to experience is Quidditch. Flying around on a broom playing a high-intensity game seemed like a no-brainer. Also, riding in the flying car. Pair the attractions with the treats and shops and you have the perfect land(s). I hope they eventually have a “Great Hall” restaurant added with floating candles and themed to different holidays.
My95cobras
Well-Known Member
I don’t know if I’m in the minority or majority, but I don’t give two s about lord of the rings. I didn’t enjoy the movies or books.
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
I read the books when I was 12 or 13 and loved them. So yeah. But I was a nerdy kid who hung out with other nerdy kids, so...
The amount you care about lord of the rings is where I am with avatar... Completely garbage movie.. translated to a pretty impressive land... Same with me for Potter, and frankly diagon alley is still the best themed land in Orlando..
You don't need to enjoy the IP for it to be impressive.
Well, after 12 years of rumors, it must be true!!
I especially place my faith in the rumor that both Disney and Uni had signed contracts eight years ago. So... both of them will be creating a LotR land any day now!...
I especially place my faith in the rumor that both Disney and Uni had signed contracts eight years ago. So... both of them will be creating a LotR land any day now!...
Smugpugmug
Well-Known Member
I'm unsure if this would ever happen but I would LOVE a Lord of the Rings land at Universal. TBH I would have more faith in Universal to properly make a Middle Earth area than Disney. The movies came out 20 years ago so I really don't know if the IP is "relevant" enough but if Disney can make an entire land based on a movie absolutely no one cares about, anything's possible.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It’s gonna open right after the Brazil Pavilion
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
I've never even seen the films or read the books, but I would love for them to consider this over more Potter stuff.
IMO If the lands are still impressive, which they have been... Bring on more Potter.. Hogsmeade, pretty impressive albeit a little small, Diagon Alley?? They knocked it out of the park and managed a way to make park hopping an attraction... Obviously there will be no magical transport to epic universe but I have faith they will make it inspiring for everyone to visit that section of the park.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Agreed…the problem is the IP is in the worst shape it’s ever been…but still has huge potential and draw
Disney fans don’t really like to hear it…and since I’m primarily a fan of design more than IP I still can’t believe it…but hogmeade is the best repurposed land in a park ever - not close - and Diagon is in the running for the best themed area as well. World showcase is the gold standard for me…harambe…New Orleans square. Diagon may be just as effective as all.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
I like LOTR, but also agree it sort of died on the vine. The Hobbit really didn't reinvigorate the early 2000's experience.
Now that said, this exudes theme park land. I've been to Matamata for the shire farmland movie set, which frankly already has the entire makings of a theme park land. A natural berm with clear queuing winding through the various hobbit holes and F&B overlooking a lake with the Green Dragon. That's a pretty easy copy and paste that really nothing but Potter has to offer. Even Star Wars doesn't have such a discrete and photogenic contained set.
I was also 13 when the movies started coming out and they were reasonably popular amongst Teens at the time. I agree these aren't Children's books (Hobbit yes). LOTR didn't stick on an attempted read through like Potter did when I was 11, but revisiting them at 13/14 went well.
Now that said, this exudes theme park land. I've been to Matamata for the shire farmland movie set, which frankly already has the entire makings of a theme park land. A natural berm with clear queuing winding through the various hobbit holes and F&B overlooking a lake with the Green Dragon. That's a pretty easy copy and paste that really nothing but Potter has to offer. Even Star Wars doesn't have such a discrete and photogenic contained set.
I was also 13 when the movies started coming out and they were reasonably popular amongst Teens at the time. I agree these aren't Children's books (Hobbit yes). LOTR didn't stick on an attempted read through like Potter did when I was 11, but revisiting them at 13/14 went well.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
What will the merch and food be?
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Smoked Pork Shanks, Twisted Taters, and lots of Ale, and Mead. And, of course, a $250 custom build-a-sword experience at the Elvish Forge (daggers are only $125).