Universal's New Park/Site B Blue Sky Thread

[Magic-Man]

Because it’s a blue sky thread so no me info needed.

Also, it’s not like we haven’t gotten any new info at all. We’ve been getting small tidbits everyday it seems like.

 

[Scott W.]

I have to nitpick, here. Nintendo is not a computer game, lol, nor is it even a game.

Well, obviously. I know that. You know that. Everybody on this forum knows that. It’s the old cliche of somebody calling any computer game a Nintendo.

And I think it will turn very few people off for one very obvious, to me, reason--Nintendo's core IPs are A LOT of fun--not just from a gaming perspective, but from a visual one too. And that kind of fun translates really well into a theme park land. Even if you don't like video games, are you really going to be thinking "Eww!! That super colorful, bright, fun land with a lot of neat stuff going on is, sadly, based on a video game, so we aren't going to touch it. Come along, family--to the movie rides!" as you walk towards or by it? No. Are kids going to care? No. They are going to want to spend some time there and they will enjoy it--and, let's be honest, I'm willing to bet most people will be at least impressed with the quality, if not the land itself--because it will be bright, vibrant, energetic, immersive, etc.

I think it's easy to forget that fact when you're not a fan of video games, and are only looking at this from a gaming perspective, or as someone who has zero interest in video games. But "Nintendo", especially the spirit of Nintendo and their first-party franchises, isn't just about gaming. And though it's a small sample (even if it includes my nearing-70 parents, my sisters who are in their mid-40s, their kids (ages 8 down to 1), myself and my husband and our immediate friends--all in their late 20s to mid-30s, in my case, and only two of whom have children of their own--and a number of my co-workers who are not gamers at all), I've yet to come across anyone who isn't excited at the thought of getting to BE in one of these worlds, and not just playing it. Even if they've never played it, they're familiar enough with it to know it's going to be a blast. And a number of them have heard of or visited the Wizarding World inside Universal--and those that have are that much more psyched to eventually see what Universal and Nintendo can do with their own corner of Universal.

Not everyone who visits the Wizarding World is a diehard Potter fan. Some people who visit it don't become Potter fans after leaving. But very, very few would say that they aren't impressed by Universal's WW, that they didn't enjoy their time in it even if they had next to know idea what it was all based on, that the rides weren't a lot of fun, that the shows weren't very entertaining, that the shops and food and uniqueness of it all didn't blow their minds just a little. Nintendo is as protective of its core IPs as JKR is of her WW--at times in their past, Nintendo could make JKR look downright lazy in this regard, Nintendo is that particular--and they are not going to settle for anything less than absolutely incredible when it comes to any part of their worlds in the Universal parks. That's why I tend to scoff at the people who think that any substantial group of tourists is going to turn away from SNW (or whatever it ends up being) because it's full of video game franchises. Nintendo and their IPs aren't Halo, they aren't Fallout, they aren't CoD or GTA, Overwatch or Fortnight, League of Legends or WoW--those would be a much harder sell to a general theme park audience. Nintendo and it's properties have that appeal to the larger audience--they'll bring in their long-time fans like us, and our families, but they'll also enchant your average theme park guest looking for a AAA experience in a fully-immersive, incredibly themed, incredibly FUN world/land. And it's got worldwide recognition to equal or surpass Mickey Mouse or Harry Potter.

If there are some individuals who are so caught up in not enjoying these lands for the sole fact that they don't like video games and don't want them in their parks or as part of their theme park experience, well, I doubt anything anyone else says will sway them. And some people can be that stubborn, that they WILL close their minds to any aspect of it in the parks. I find that sad, and I hope that's not the case when they see what the spirit of Nintendo has to offer even non-fans. But I also think that, as in the case of the Wizarding World, Nintendo is another set of IPs that can overcome that sentiment and deliver to even that audience.

TL;DR - No worries about Nintendo's ability to draw even non-gaming crowds into its theme park lands. Even if you don't like gaming, you'll love the energy, the color, and the fun of the worlds and characters Nintendo, through Universal, can bring to life.

I think Nintendo will be huge and I think the rides that are being discussed will have the same impact that Spider-Man did when it first opened.

The original point of my comment was that certain Nintendo properties like Metroid or Zelda do not have a big enough draw to command their own land and as popular as computer games are, they’re not as popular as film for the simple reason of accessibility and cost.

I don’t think Nintendo will overthrow Harry Potter in popularity. Nintendo has a huge fan base, sure but it’s a relatively tame crowd. Harry Potter fans are nuts.

 

[Magic-Man]

Just going to turn this back towards the Jurassic World/Classic Monsters speculation for a sec.

In an ideal world, we’d probably see whatever E-Ticket Beijing is getting, Flying Dinosaur (actually, I kinda wonder if the U.S.A.’s first launched flyer could be built in Orlando somehow), a indoor water-ride themed to Creature from the Black Lagoon, and a dark-ride themed around Frankenstein, Dracula, and other monsters.

Or, they could add WaterWorld into the mix to form some kind of Adventure area.

Well, obviously. I know that. You know that. Everybody on this forum knows that. It’s the old cliche of somebody calling any computer game a Nintendo.

I think Nintendo will be huge and I think the rides that are being discussed will have the same impact that Spider-Man did when it first opened.

The original point of my comment was that certain Nintendo properties like Metroid or Zelda do not have a big enough draw to command their own land and as popular as computer games are, they’re not as popular as film for the simple reason of accessibility and cost.

I don’t think Nintendo will overthrow Harry Potter in popularity. Nintendo has a huge fan base, sure but it’s a relatively tame crowd. Harry Potter fans are nuts.

Zelda is certainly big enough to have its own land, and is certainly creative enough to get its own land anyways.

As for Metroid, I absolutely agree.

 

[Scott W.]

Just going to turn this back towards the Jurassic World/Classic Monsters speculation for a sec.

In an ideal world, we’d probably see whatever E-Ticket Beijing is getting, Flying Dinosaur (actually, I kinda wonder if the U.S.A.’s first launched flyer could be built in Orlando somehow), a indoor water-ride themed to Creature from the Black Lagoon, and a dark-ride themed around Frankenstein, Dracula, and other monsters.

Or, they could add WaterWorld into the mix to form some kind of Adventure area.



Zelda is certainly big enough to have its own land, and is certainly creative enough to get its own land anyways.

As for Metroid, I absolutely agree.

I don’t doubt that Zelda has enough to have its own land at some stage but there needs to be a draw. Mario and Donkey Kong are certainly engrained into pop culture to get people curious enough but I don’t think, Zelda has that power.

Super Nintendo World is the gateway drug to draw people in and when the public see what’s available, it will get them hungry for more.

 

[belloq87]

indoor water-ride themed to Creature from the Black Lagoon, and a dark-ride themed around Frankenstein, Dracula, and other monsters.

 

[tielo]

I am a gamer, have been for about 40 year. I don't give a crap about Nintendo. I couldn't care less about their games nor the way their games look. Above that I hate Nintendo fanboys who will defend their console as if it was the holy grail in gaming (look for it in reactions after this comment) and tell you endlessly your console and games are wrong for whatever reason.

But I have a ton of respect for Nintendo and the impact they had and have on the gaming industry. I don't judge anyone liking Nintendo or playing their games. I'm glad people enjoy them and the diversity the games deliver to the market.

Even then I look forward to Nintendo World because I know they will hold Universal to the highest standards and it will result in unique and fun rides (no mater if it's the kid with the ball that fights monsters, the monkey with the banana or racist stereotypical Italian plumber guy with 70's porn mustache or the androgynous Spock character game of finding weed to cook and stuff. I feel the same about super hero's who I think are the most stupidest thing there is. I hate the comics and movies (except Deadpool) but I love Marvel Superhero Island.

 

[Mad Dog]

I am a gamer, have been for about 40 year. I don't give a crap about Nintendo. I couldn't care less about their games nor the way their games look. Above that I hate Nintendo fanboys who will defend their console as if it was the holy grail in gaming (look for it in reactions after this comment) and tell you endlessly your console and games are wrong for whatever reason.

But I have a ton of respect for Nintendo and the impact they had and have on the gaming industry. I don't judge anyone liking Nintendo or playing their games. I'm glad people enjoy them and the diversity the games deliver to the market.

Even then I look forward to Nintendo World because I know they will hold Universal to the highest standards and it will result in unique and fun rides (no mater if it's the kid with the ball that fights monsters, the monkey with the banana or racist stereotypical Italian plumber guy with 70's porn mustache or the androgynous Spock character game of finding weed to cook and stuff. I feel the same about super hero's who I think are the most stupidest thing there is. I hate the comics and movies (except Deadpool) but I love Marvel Superhero Island.

Love your post. You told it like you feel it. But , bottom line, you gave a rational, reasonable & fair opinion of how you think it will turn out, regardless of your feelings. .

 

[Moose84]

Just a quick say...

I love the idea of a Classic Monsters World but I will be f&@?ing livid if the Wolf Man is not included. He is part of the big 3!

Sorry but it has blown my mind that for some reason over the last week everyone has said Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. When did the Creature overtake Wolf Man anyways?

Dracula-flying coaster(themed not just Flying Dinosaur clone but have it intertwine with a town buildings, trees, cave, etc.), a Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man dark ride(with thrill elements), and lastly(?) a Creature From the Black Lagoon boat Ride. Just thoughts on a ride line up.

Sorry but I’m a huge Wolf Man(werewolf’s in general) fan and on top of that he is part of the big 3, how can he not be a part if the classic monsters do come.

 

[Magic-Man]

Just a quick say...

I love the idea of a Classic Monsters World but I will be f&@?ing livid if the Wolf Man is not included. He is part of the big 3!

Sorry but it has blown my mind that for some reason over the last week everyone has said Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. When did the Creature overtake Wolf Man anyways?

Dracula-flying coaster(themed not just Flying Dinosaur clone but have it intertwine with a town buildings, trees, cave, etc.), a Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man dark ride(with thrill elements), and lastly(?) a Creature From the Black Lagoon boat Ride. Just thoughts on a ride line up.

Sorry but I’m a huge Wolf Man(werewolf’s in general) fan and on top of that he is part of the big 3, how can he not be a part if the classic monsters do come.

I'm not really familiar with the Wolf Man at all, so that's why I haven't included him in my blue-sky predictions. But, if he really is that big, he needs to be in there.

As for the Dracula flying-coaster idea, it would probably be easier to just clone Flying Dinosaur. It's one of the most popular rides at USJ, and it's cheaper to clone an already-existing coaster than to create one from scratch. However, as I said in an earlier post, I wouldn't be surprised if Orlando got the first launched flying-coaster in the USA. But it might be too risky to include a launched flyer in the plans, considering the fact that FLY at Phantasialand hasn't opened yet. There's probably going to be a ton of issues, and it might be too late to take that risk.

 

[Horror Lover]

I would love to see The Phantom of the Opera get some sort of representation in Classic Monsters World

 

[Ryan]

Weird that somebody mentioned the observatory as the icon, that’s actually what I’ve been hoping for myself. (not based on anything btw)

 

[Imperius]

There should be some space world. Not Star Trek.

 

[Magic-Man]

There should be some space world. Not Star Trek.

There is no IP's you could use for it.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

There is no IP's you could use for it.

Who's to say it can't be a original area, with the most large IP being a clone of the Singapore BSG attraction?

 

[Scott W.]

There is no IP's you could use for it.

Battlestar Galactica. Not that I particularly care about that at all.

 

[Magic-Man]

Who's to say it can't be a original area, with the most large IP being a clone of the Singapore BSG attraction?

Battlestar Galactica. Not that I particularly care about that at all.

I hate to sound rude here, but Battlestar Galactica? Really? O:

 

[AlexanderMBush]

I hate to sound rude here, but Battlestar Galactica? Really? O:

I would like to remind people that it doesn't have to be a big IP to catch people's attention. And to be honest, I would look at BSG as the superior dueling coaster when compared to DD and DC.

 

[Scott W.]

I hate to sound rude here, but Battlestar Galactica? Really? O:

Yeah.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Yeah.

I was actually going to post the updated version.

 

[Scott W.]

I was actually going to post the updated version.

Good because I don't want to give TPR any more clicks.

How about a large Observatory Telescope as the icon, since the park is about different WORLDS.

I mean, if Islands of Adventure can have the Alexandria Lighthouse, something like a giant telescope could work here.

I love the idea of an observatory as an icon but I have a few reservations. It makes me think of Planet Hollywood and the park could be about visiting and exploring different worlds, not viewing them.

A spaceport or a spaceship though, that will get you to where you need to go.

Edit: I'm not suggesting this as an icon but as an IP, Futurama? Wasn't there a concept for this years ago?