Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[SkiBum]

Wicked/Oz: Has a lighter feel and lends towards family friendly. The original movie had some dark areas and the books do as well. However, my guess is that a land would probably reflect the movies more which have a lot more family-friendly moments. In "Oz the Great and Powerful", they had several scenes that would be either a great dark ride or flying theater. Not having seen Wicked, I can't say anything but would guess that it has the same type of experience.

LOTR: Definitely darker. Yes, Hobbiton is lighter but definitely trends towards a darker tone. More thrill ride based. Would probably make Disney's Villains pale by comparison. Yeah, I know. Don't compare.

So, either two different lands or UNI picks which demographic that they want to attract. Oz has a good fanbase and the LOTR movies demonstrate that the franchise has significant interest.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Wicked/Oz: Has a lighter feel and lends towards family friendly. The original movie had some dark areas and the books do as well. However, my guess is that a land would probably reflect the movies more which have a lot more family-friendly moments. In "Oz the Great and Powerful", they had several scenes that would be either a great dark ride or flying theater. Not having seen Wicked, I can't say anything but would guess that it has the same type of experience.

LOTR: Definitely darker. Yes, Hobbiton is lighter but definitely trends towards a darker tone. More thrill ride based. Would probably make Disney's Villains pale by comparison. Yeah, I know. Don't compare.

So, either two different lands or UNI picks which demographic that they want to attract. Oz has a good fanbase and the LOTR movies demonstrate that the franchise has significant interest.

None of the likely locations that might be featured in a LOTR land - Hobbiton, Rivendell, even Gondor - are remotely “dark.” I doubt Isengard or Mordor or Helms Deep would be seen outside of the ride.

 

[belloq87]

Re: the "darkness" of LOTR...

Depends on what you'd want to focus on. I want a giant "Mines of Moria" ride, and that would be pretty dark (literally and tonally!). You balance that out with "lighter" areas (probably the Shire and Rivendell), then.

 

[Brian G.]

Middle-Earth will be a toughie if ever brought to life as there is no "center setting".

 

[Mike S]

Just an FYI - The film created the association but Wicked adheres more closely to the book, and Munchkins are not little people.

I just looked it up and wow. I never knew Munchkin didn’t exist as a word until The Wizard of Oz book itself.

 

[Brian G.]

I just looked it up and wow. I never knew Munchkin didn’t exist as a word until The Wizard of Oz book itself.

That's why I mentioned Oz's impact on pop culture and language. When you see a rainbow, you are most likely to think of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (or "Double Rainbow," depending on your age...)

"There's no place like home" and you click your heels, "If I only had a brain", and "follow the yellow brick road" are instantly recognizable. A big green city, and people automatically think Oz. You show someone Minas Tirith and you're bound to get a few dumbfounded looks.

I love LOTR, I feel Oz might have broader appeal (though both would be great additions). We'll see what the BO does.

 

[Disneyhead]

I think the only park that will get a complete Oz land will be Great Britain. And the land will be VERY similar to the Potter lands in the other parks.

I could see a "Wicked: Defying Gravity" attraction replacing Fallon at USF.

 

[belloq87]

Middle-Earth will be a toughie if ever brought to life as there is no "center setting".

If designers were willing to get a little experimental in terms of concept, you could build a land that you literally have to journey through just like Frodo and the Fellowship: you start in a sub-area for the Shire, proceed through Rivendell and Moria, then into Rohan and/or Gondor, and possibly finally Mordor.

Or some variation of that sort of concept depending on how much space you have to work with. Sub-areas that you progress through. Some of these areas might have attractions (Moria, Mordor), some might have dining (Shire, Rivendell), others might just be transitional (Rohan/Gondor).

 

[DrStarlander]

If designers were willing to get a little experimental in terms of concept, you could build a land that you literally have to journey through just like Frodo and the Fellowship: you start in a sub-area for the Shire, proceed through Rivendell and Moria, then into Rohan and/or Gondor, and possibly finally Mordor.

Or some variation of that sort of concept depending on how much space you have to work with. Sub-areas that you progress through. Some of these areas might have attractions (Moria, Mordor), some might have dining (Shire, Rivendell), others might just be transitional (Rohan/Gondor).

The journey/progression layout is exactly what fans would want, I think. It may have to loop back with an inconspicuous but efficient exit path, but ideally the main walkway has a dominant flow in the direction of the narrative. It could be a very unique and "immersive" approach to a theme park land.

 

[Brian G.]

If designers were willing to get a little experimental in terms of concept, you could build a land that you literally have to journey through just like Frodo and the Fellowship: you start in a sub-area for the Shire, proceed through Rivendell and Moria, then into Rohan and/or Gondor, and possibly finally Mordor.

Or some variation of that sort of concept depending on how much space you have to work with. Sub-areas that you progress through. Some of these areas might have attractions (Moria, Mordor), some might have dining (Shire, Rivendell), others might just be transitional (Rohan/Gondor).

Presents the same issue as Oz concerning space. You got 20 acres. That's Diagon-size. Some sort of compromise is going to have to be found.

I think the journey would have to come from the ride.

 

[Legacy]

I think the only park that will get a complete Oz land will be Great Britain. And the land will be VERY similar to the Potter lands in the other parks.

I could see a "Wicked: Defying Gravity" attraction replacing Fallon at USF.

A boat ride similar to Frozen Adventure is what it needs. Queue in Emerald City celebrating the Witch’s Death. Ascend as the Time Dragon awakens. Float through Act 1 (Munchkinland, Shiz (start moving backwards in Dancing Through Life), EC). Drop in Defying Gravity. Start going forward in March of the Witch Hunters. Finale at For Good.

A flying theater is something… but not enough.

 

[Mad Dog]

They might do like Disney did with the unexpected success of Frozen. Do a quick redo of an existing attraction to capitalize. And then, like @Disneyhead says, do a full land later in Great Britain. Fallon or F&F could work as a quick redo.

 

[Brian G.]

They might do like Disney did with the unexpected success of Frozen. Do a quick redo of an existing attraction to capitalize. And then, like @Disneyhead says, do a full land later in Great Britain. Fallon or F&F could work as a quick redo.

If the film is an OK success, then yeah - I could see an attraction instead of a full-fledged land.

 

[Legacy]

I will say, Wicked: The Musical: The Ride works well as a standalone ride to replace Fallon. Retheme “30 Rock” into a Broadway theater. Flying theater ride system works as is.

Only disappointing aspect of this idea is that just becomes a glorified clip show with movement unless they can figure out a way for our active participation pulling us through the story.