What other franchises would work in Universal?

[Sue_Vongello]

I am on a bit of a Universal kick right now and I know they are pursuing Lord of the Rings but what other franchises would make good attractions that they might be able to go after?

Here's my ideas;

Alien - A cool, simulator, naturally with big AA xenomorphs!

James Bond - I think something akin to Radiator Springs Racers but in an Aston Martin car that zooms around and engages with nameless henchmen, or something like that.

Classic Universal Monsters Ride - I think they should embrace these guys more, I know they have the show but I think a ride that kinda starts out as a film explaining the history of Dracula, Wolfman, Black Lagoon, etc ... then the monsters escape the film and you have to get away etc ..

Ghostbusters! - I actually think they should just overlay MIB with Ghostbusters ... but that's really just personal preference in franchises.

2001 A Space Odyssey - Maybe I am dating myself but I think you could make a really cool, creepy attraction off of this.

Planet of the Apes - No idea, just think it'd be cool.

 

[DaveN1996]

They should have taken the terminator the next step and made an actual ride out of it (similar to spider man perhaps?). I also think they need to expand on the JP universe (which is possibly coming).

Like the idea of a classic universal monster ride mentioned above too......

 

[JT3000]

I'd like to see them bring King Kong (back) to the east coast (preferably in dark ride form.) Unfortunately, they've probably squandered any chance of that by waiting so long. Other than that, I just want them to expand on what they already have, with as little replacements as possible.

I also think they need to expand on the JP universe (which is possibly coming).

It's definitely happening, the details have just been in flux.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

The Matrix would make an awesome ride.

 

[disney fan 13]

Bond. And a classic Universal Monster island replacing Toon Lagoon.

 

[Sue_Vongello]

Bond. And a classic Universal Monster island replacing Toon Lagoon.

Oh now that I would love ... even though I am old enough to remember all the toons in toon lagoon I just don't think they are relevant or timeless enough to warrant all that space ... I would love a retheme of that land and Uni Monsters would be GREAT.

 

[bsiev1977]

Ghostbusters was an attraction at Universal.

Fast and the Furious ride could be fun. Rumored to be being built in Russia.

I think Willy Wonka but I'm not sure who even owns the rights to that.

I'm pretty sure it's still Warner Brothers that owns the right to Wonka.

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

I'd love to see a ride based on Jaws, or maybe King Kong.

Kidding aside, a Fast and Furious ride could be cool, especially since Fast Five was so good. And I feel like the Universal Monsters are under-utilized. Maybe a Great Movie Ride-esque attraction?

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Ghostbusters was an attraction at Universal.

Fast and the Furious ride could be fun. Rumored to be being built in Russia.

I think Willy Wonka but I'm not sure who even owns the rights to that.

Warner Bros has them, and seeing how much Universal is teaming up with them I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[DaveN1996]

As I said on a different thread, I'm not sure it would make a lot, but I think it would be cool if Universal could open a third park themed "Universal Classics" that they could put Jaws, BTTF, ghostbusters, kong and others back into that have been "out dated" in the main park...... I at least know I'd go!

 

[Sue_Vongello]

As I said on a different thread, I'm not sure it would make a lot, but I think it would be cool if Universal could open a third park themed "Universal Classics" that they could put Jaws, BTTF, ghostbusters, kong and others back into that have been "out dated" in the main park...... I at least know I'd go!

Yea while I love what Uni is doing ... I think the biggest hurdle they will have to overcome is the, let's call it, "nostalgia" factor we have with Disney, that connection to timeless characters. I do think Harry Potter will be around but to me ... Shrek, Twister, MIB, Despicable Me, even Dudley Do Right etc ... just don't resonate on that timeless, instant connection feeling.

So yes I think while it's moving forward, I wish they didn't remove the "classic" stuff like Jaws and Kong. I would love that to be brought back and some of the things I mentioned above ... incorporate some timeless classics like Jaws, Kong, James Bond, Alien, Universal Monsters, Planet of the Apes ... stuff that won't go away.

 

[RozFan]

id love to see a lord of the rings attraction. a sprawling land would be amazing but the sheer size of middle earth is mind boggling, imo. where would you evens start?? i mean the wizarding world is amazing but lotr is just...how would you encompass it...i want to see it all!

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

Yea while I love what Uni is doing ... I think the biggest hurdle they will have to overcome is the, let's call it, "nostalgia" factor we have with Disney, that connection to timeless characters. I do think Harry Potter will be around but to me ... Shrek, Twister, MIB, Despicable Me, even Dudley Do Right etc ... just don't resonate on that timeless, instant connection feeling.

So yes I think while it's moving forward, I wish they didn't remove the "classic" stuff like Jaws and Kong. I would love that to be brought back and some of the things I mentioned above ... incorporate some timeless classics like Jaws, Kong, James Bond, Alien, Universal Monsters, Planet of the Apes ... stuff that won't go away.

I think what Universal is learning is that it's tough to predict "classics." When Shrek first came out, it was very popular and well-liked. Most people probably expected it had staying power (like another box office hit I can think of...).Was it obvious, when the attractions were being built, that Twister would be mostly forgotten by now? It was the second-highest grossing movie of 1996. Did Uni know that people would still be watching Jurassic Park, but not Twister? (full disclosure: I am watching Jurassic Park on Encore right now. It holds up well.)

I think that the Studios park is ultimately flexible in terms of what can go into that main park, but it should make efforts to get a good mix of attractions that will last, basically, forever (ET, Jurassic Park, Potter, T2:3D) and attractions that can be re-purposed when the subject goes out of fashion (Shrek, soon, hopefully).

I suspect that the next time a Potter-sized franchise becomes available, Uni will replace Toon Lagoon. Until then, I would anticipate big franchises, as they arise, to start popping up in the studios, gradually replacing older attractions.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I think what Universal is learning is that it's tough to predict "classics." When Shrek first came out, it was very popular and well-liked. Most people probably expected it had staying power (like another box office hit I can think of...).Was it obvious, when the attractions were being built, that Twister would be mostly forgotten by now? It was the second-highest grossing movie of 1996. Did Uni know that people would still be watching Jurassic Park, but not Twister? (full disclosure: I am watching Jurassic Park on Encore right now. It holds up well.)

I think that the Studios park is ultimately flexible in terms of what can go into that main park, but it should make efforts to get a good mix of attractions that will last, basically, forever (ET, Jurassic Park, Potter, T2:3D) and attractions that can be re-purposed when the subject goes out of fashion (Shrek, soon, hopefully).

I suspect that the next time a Potter-sized franchise becomes available, Uni will replace Toon Lagoon. Until then, I would anticipate big franchises, as they arise, to start popping up in the studios, gradually replacing older attractions.

Well said. I have a feeling Twister and Shrek are out next, with the latter leaving first. Shrek 4D turns 10 this year and Hitchcock lasted 12 years with the transition only taking 6 months. A quick new 4D show would be an easy thing to do. Twister would require more work, or they could clone the Spielberg show from Singapore for a quick transaction. Terminator can stay for a while since the last movie was only 4 years ago, a 5th is in the works, and the first two are regarded as classics. As for the other franchises around the park, let's see:

Despicable Me- I can see this having staying power. The first movie was huge and the sequel comes out in July, but it has some competition with The Lone Ranger. I thought the first movie was ok. I personally don't see the hype in it and think it's overrated, so hopefully the sequel will be better. I enjoy the ride and think it can last a while without an update.

Mummy- I can see this getting a refurb if the reboot is a success to freshen it up. The Brendan Fraser movies are forgotten by now by alot, and the reboot has the chance to bring new life into the franchise. The ride is excellent of course and the public doesn't care what Mummy movie it's based on.

Transformers- This is one of Hollywood's biggest franchises right now, of course you'll need to cash in on it. It also has nostalgia power behind it with the folks wo grew up with the 80's toys and cartoon. I personally hate the Michael Bay movies and think they're some of the worst movies ever made, but the ride looks great.

Beetlejuice- Irrelevant property is irrelevant. Does the general public even remember/know Beetlejuice?

Fear Factor- Same as Beetlejuice.

Men in Black- Now that the third movie was a success this can stay for a while longer. The ride's great and I enjoy the 1st and 3rd movies (2nd one sucks)

The Simpsons- They've lasted 25 years, I think they can last at least another 10. Coming from a big Simpsons fan I love it.

E.T.- The film and ride are classics, but sadly alot of kids don't know who E.T. is, which is a shame. I think at this point the ride has to stay, it's the only opening day ride left and is an important part of Universal's history.

All other Kidzone propertys- Irrelevant properites are irrelevant.

 

[HTF]

Other franchises I think would work well,

How to Train Your Dragon (Sequel in 2014)
Croods
Van Helsing (Remake is coming)
Fast and Furious (Two more sequels)
Grinch (Illumination is doing the new one) and Lorax (Sequel coming)

 

[Californian Elitist]

Universal is known for their classic horror films, so I think an entire section dedicated to films such as The Wolf Man, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, Psycho, etc. would be amazing. The possiblities... This would have been better than Potter at USH.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Other franchises I think would work well,

How to Train Your Dragon (Sequel in 2014)
Croods
Van Helsing (Remake is coming)
Fast and Furious (Two more sequels)
Grinch (Illumination is doing the new one) and Lorax (Sequel coming)

Universal is known for their classic horror films, so I think an entire section dedicated to films such as The Wolf Man, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, Psycho, etc. would be amazing. The possiblities... This would have been better than Potter at USH.

I would love for them to do a Horror ride. To name a few, Universal has:

Dracula
Wolfman
Frankenstein
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Norman Bates
Hannibal Lecter

Now imagine them in one ride. That'd be awesome

 

[Californian Elitist]

I would love for them to do a Horror ride. To name a few, Universal has:

Dracula
Wolfman
Frankenstein
Creature from the Black Lagoon
Norman Bates
Hannibal Lecter

Now imagine them in one ride. That'd be awesome

Right?! Even better... Imagine one large space, with individual sub-lands dedicated to each film represented. My gosh, talk about amazing! Imagine walking into Bates Motel or the lab where Frankenstein was created... Ugh, amazing.

 

[Sue_Vongello]

Right?! Even better... Imagine one large space, with individual sub-lands dedicated to each film represented. My gosh, talk about amazing! Imagine walking into Bates Motel or the lab where Frankenstein was created... Ugh, amazing.

I like the way you think, girl!

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Right?! Even better... Imagine one large space, with individual sub-lands dedicated to each film represented. My gosh, talk about amazing! Imagine walking into Bates Motel or the lab where Frankenstein was created... Ugh, amazing.

Mm hmm. I could see a land with walkthroughs on individuals then have them come together and more in one big ride. The walkthroughs could be:

Dracula's Castle
Frankenstein's Lab (like you mentioned)
Bates Motel (like you mentioned)
Baltimore State Hospital