Future of Dragon Challenge?

[Galaxy Defender]

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. That is what I believe is replacing Dragon Challenge.

It doesn't make any sense that DC is about to close and we know nothing. Either Universal changed its mind or there are good reasons it is kept so quiet. We know quite a bit about SLoP, F&F and even Ninendo, but nothing about this? FB is not out yet. An attraction/mini land might even incorporate elements from the next couple of movies. This is the kind of thing rich authors and movie studios don't want public.

The more I think about it there is little sense of waiting to put it in the next park. All three movies will be out by then and Rowling might be moving on to the next Wizarding World trilogy. I doubt Universal can sell FB merchandise unless it signs up for a new attraction/land. Better to do this all while you can piggyback on the movie hype. Besides, as others have pointed out if you want the stars to film scenes for a ride now is the time while they are in character and they have the sets.

The rumors have been out there for a little while, but I have seen people that rarely talk about rumors talk about this with a bit of a wink wink. Others are keeping very quiet. I am guessing demolition permits are pretty quick. It is construction permits that tend to give things away, so if you are trying to keep something under your hat better to wait on permits til the last minute.

We know Fallon and Volcano Bay are coming in 2017. F&F was supposed to also until the tracking problem happened with the Kong ride system, so I doubt it was factored into 2018 plans. We also know Nintendo is coming out in 2020. So what is coming in 2018 and 2019? If this were just a Kong style refurb it would be done in 2017. I think FB and SLoP will fill those two years. Not sure which is what year. The second movie comes out in 2018, but that might be pushing the construction.

I have no inside information. I would think an indoor ride would make more sense so as not to intrude on the Hogsmeade atmosphere. There is enough space to do more than just a ride.

 

[Imperius]

But Fantastic Beasts does not thematically fit and JK would not want to break the Hogsmeade theme. So IMO there is 0% it is replacing dragons.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

But Fantastic Beasts does not thematically fit and JK would not want to break the Hogsmeade theme. So IMO there is 0% it is replacing dragons.

At USF you go through a passageway at a London facade and then you're in another world. It's magic. We can go through a facade and into another world and even another time. As long as the two areas can't see the true nature of each other they could be 5 feet away or 500 miles away and it would not matter.

Universal gets more bang for its buck by doing Fantastic Beasts instead of more Harry Potter. You get new creatures, wands, a new Wizarding school with new houses, etc. Last time Universal managed to get Harry Potter open before the movies were done. I think they would like to do the same with Fantastic Beasts.

 

[Disneyhead]

If you want roller coasters go to an amusement park.

Theme parks are amusement parks.

 

[Nick]

At USF you go through a passageway at a London facade and then you're in another world. It's magic.

Yeah... about that. That transition happens because it's like that in the books.

Fantastic Beasts has nothing to do with Hogsmeade.

 

[UAN17]

There's no reason that we can't have a fully fledged Potter phase 3 and also a Fantastic Beasts expansion.

These Potter expansions pay for themselves very quickly. I'd be astonished if we don't see phase 3 - Dark Forrest or Ministry of Magic.

 

[Mad Dog]

Has a contract for Fantastic Beasts even been hammered out yet? Does Universal have the rights to develop the property? Those are kind of key questions if that idea could or would go forward. Edit; Scott Walker's post answered that. The new NBC agreement from August 8th .

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Has a contract for Fantastic Beasts even been hammered out yet? Does Universal have the rights to develop the property? Those are kind of key questions if that idea could or would go forward.

This is a quote from the CEO of Warner Brothers from 2013.

Tsujihara revealed that “an attraction within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at theme parks run by Universal Parks and Resorts” is part of the plans for Fantastic Beasts/Newt Scamander.

 

[shiekra38]

This is a quote from the CEO of Warner Brothers from 2013.

Tsujihara revealed that “an attraction within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at theme parks run by Universal Parks and Resorts” is part of the plans for Fantastic Beasts/Newt Scamander.

3 years ago, plenty of time for planning...I wonder if DC could be gone quicker than we thought...although I don't think FB should go into IOA, but new rides are new rides

 

[Mad Dog]

Anything heavily themed Potter (or Beasts) in that area is fine with me. I just think it's kind of a waste of 8 acres if it's only filled with a coaster. Heck, that's the size of the entire Nintendo expansion in KidZone if rumor is correct.

 

[Scott W.]

If they're going to include FB any where, it will probably be the 3rd gate.

Even though it's pretty much guaranteed to be a success, theme parks don't take risks like that any more. Disney thought Tron 2 was going to be huge and that's how we ended up with Test Track looking the way it does.

 

[Galaxy Defender]

Even though it's pretty much guaranteed to be a success, theme parks don't take risks like that any more. Disney thought Tron 2 was going to be huge and that's how we ended up with Test Track looking the way it does.

The delay on permits could be due to wanting to see how it does at the box office. It comes out in less than 3 months. But I doubt it.

Universal has likely nailed down the rights with a commitment to attraction with a built in time frame. If not, that means anyone (Disney) could get the rights. Can't imagine Universal allowing that.

 

[Scott W.]

The delay on permits could be due to wanting to see how it does at the box office. It comes out in less than 3 months. But I doubt it.

Universal has likely nailed down the rights with a commitment to attraction with a built in time frame. If not, that means anyone (Disney) could get the rights. Can't imagine Universal allowing that.

Comcast have the rights already:

NBC Buys Rights to ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Franchises - Bloomberg

 

[Viator]

Personally speaking, what if FB is only having an attraction specifically designed for Beijing as of now; much like how Jurassic World is seeming to be handled?

 

[Nick]

I would think FB will be a third park anchor if the movies do well. Add Ministry of Magic in the mean time and then finally give fans what they want AGAIN with FB over at Park 3.

Of course, this is all if FB is considered a big success or not.

 

[Mike S]

But Fantastic Beasts does not thematically fit and JK would not want to break the Hogsmeade theme. So IMO there is 0% it is replacing dragons.

Yeah... about that. That transition happens because it's like that in the books.

Fantastic Beasts has nothing to do with Hogsmeade.

Newt Scamander's ghost in the Forbidden Forest showing off all the creatures. It's really simple.

 

[Nick]

Newt Scamander's ghost in the Forbidden Forest showing off all the creatures. It's really simple.

Yeah, but that's a lame way to do a FB attraction. I mean, i'd love to get a Forbidden Forest, but I feel like that would be a weak way to use Fantastic Beasts.

 

[LJGonz]

It's the queue that set it apart. R.I.P.

The que for DC is pretty nice. I first ride DC when I was 10 but I've always had a fast pass, so I never went through the actual que but the on they have now is good. Why is everyone saying its bad. It have a wooden ceiling that looks like it's been damaged. Floating candles. The dragon task tent and sound effects. This is more than any mediocre theme (six flags) que I've seen.

 

[Mad Dog]

The que for DC is pretty nice. I first ride DC when I was 10 but I've always had a fast pass, so I never went through the actual que but the on they have now is good. Why is everyone saying its bad. It have a wooden ceiling that looks like it's been damaged. Floating candles. The dragon task tent and sound effects. This is more than any mediocre theme (six flags) que I've seen.

Probably because the pre Potter queue building was themed much better.

 

[Imperius]

Yeah, but that's a lame way to do a FB attraction. I mean, i'd love to get a Forbidden Forest, but I feel like that would be a weak way to use Fantastic Beasts.

This. With the movies coming out they would want a full themed area for it, not just a random appearance of Newt.