Middle Earth coming to UOR?

[StarTrekGeek]

This needs an update


From Parckscope sean via twitter

"FWIW Martin Smith is reiterating that Uni got LOTR."

Also, HTF tweeted that Toon Lagoon isn't going anywhere.

So if Universal really has LOTR and Toon Lagoon isn't an option, I think this could be part of the supposed 3rd gate.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

Also, HTF tweeted that Toon Lagoon isn't going anywhere.

So if Universal really has LOTR and Toon Lagoon isn't an option, I think this could be part of the supposed 3rd gate.

He didnt confirm that TL was fine tho... He said

This is safe...

It could have ended with

"For now" or "but for how long?"

 

[novawildcat18]

This needs an update


From Parckscope sean via twitter

"FWIW Martin Smith is reiterating that Uni got LOTR."

I could've just been very confused, but I think "marni" may have hinted at this as well on WDWMagic. Don't know who Martin Smith is, but that could be the "marni" that I'm talking about.

 

[StarTrekGeek]

He didnt confirm that TL was fine tho... He said

This is fine...

It could have ended with

"For now" or "but for how long?"

Ah I see. So it looks like Toon Lagoon will just stay for a little more, and it's not a priority at the moment? Makes sense since Middle Earth isn't supposed to happen for a long time.

 

[Milla4Prez66]

Why does Middle Earth have to replace TL anyways? There are more options for a possible LOTR attraction and who knows if Universal will build an entire land to it.

 

[StarTrekGeek]

Why does Middle Earth have to replace TL anyways? There are more options for a possible LOTR attraction and who knows if Universal will build an entire land to it.

Middle Earth doesn't necessarily have to replace TL, but if Middle Earth comes to IOA and replaces an island, Toon Lagoon would be the most likely option. Lost Continent does not have nearly as much land for Middle Earth, unless they *maybe* tear out some backstage buildings and expand into the parking behind Dragon Challenge (I'd prefer that and maybe cover the Hogwarts Express tracks to match the scenary; but that is not likely to happen). Still that would require rerouting maintenance roads, causing a nightmare for backstage employees.

 

[JungleSkip]

who knows if Universal will build an entire land to it.

Come on now. You don't NOT build a land off of Middle Earth.

If it comes, it's replacing Toon Lagoon.

best to put the third gate out of mind for now.

 

[shiekra38]

Why does Middle Earth have to replace TL anyways? There are more options for a possible LOTR attraction and who knows if Universal will build an entire land to it.

I think the days of single attractions are somewhat over for Universal...it's all about place making and F&B options now..which is fine with me

I think if LOTR comes it will be a land with a few rides and nothing less

 

[fryoj]

How about going from Fear Factor, through MIB, the mystery plot, around behind the simpsons, up through Kidzone to ET and making that all Middle Earth? Merch wise, you are losing a lot of properties, but that is a lot of land that doesn't have anything that can't be removed on it.

 

[GAcoaster]

Just a thought--what if Middle Earth becomes literal? Imagine filling in all or part of the lagoon in the middle of Islands, or even just expanding something like the remainder of Lost Continent into the middle of the lake to create more space.

Yes, it's pretty and offers great views and is the reservoir for the water rides but it doesn't have to be that big...

 

[StarTrekGeek]

Just a thought--what if Middle Earth becomes literal? Imagine filling in all or part of the lagoon in the middle of Islands, or even just expanding something like the remainder of Lost Continent into the middle of the lake to create more space.

Yes, it's pretty and offers great views and is the reservoir for the water rides but it doesn't have to be that big...

I thought they were planning on doing a lagoon show soon (is it dead now?). Regardless, for some reason, I can't see them expanding into the lagoon, lol. It would take a while to build a new land in the lagoon, and it would create quite an eyesore (construction vehicles and what not).

And yes, if Middle Earth comes, I'm expecting a full on land, not one attraction.

How about going from Fear Factor, through MIB, the mystery plot, around behind the simpsons, up through Kidzone to ET and making that all Middle Earth? Merch wise, you are losing a lot of properties, but that is a lot of land that doesn't have anything that can't be removed on it.

I can't see them tearing out World Expo. IF World Expo goes, I'm expecting Tokyo. And please, for the love of Spock, don't take away my MIB!

 

[MrRoamer]

Just a thought--what if Middle Earth becomes literal? Imagine filling in all or part of the lagoon in the middle of Islands, or even just expanding something like the remainder of Lost Continent into the middle of the lake to create more space.

Yes, it's pretty and offers great views and is the reservoir for the water rides but it doesn't have to be that big...

That could be really cool. Put up the Eye of Sauron in the middle of the park and you got a huge instantly recognizable weenie.

Unfortunately, construction would be an absolute nightmare for it and it seems there is less space than what one would think.

 

[DufflesMcGee]

I thought they were planning on doing a lagoon show soon (is it dead now?). Regardless, for some reason, I can't see them expanding into the lagoon, lol. It would take a while to build a new land in the lagoon, and it would create quite an eyesore (construction vehicles and what not).

And yes, if Middle Earth comes, I'm expecting a full on land, not one attraction.



I can't see them tearing out World Expo. IF World Expo goes, I'm expecting Tokyo. And please, for the love of Spock, don't take away my MIB!

That Tokyo idea of adding godzilla, f&f and pokemon, hello kitty store and Asian cuisine/bistro would be incredible.

As for kidzone, that would be a totally different IP.

And as I said many times before, build LOT at TL and build a small version of Lake town, with a restaurant lookong over the lagoon and a small river ride like in Mexico Pavillion of epcot within with some dwarf A'S


MIB will be gone tho in time

 

[Felipe]

If it goes into IoA, it's most likely going in Toon Lagoon. No way around it. Lost Continent is way too small and wouldn't make it justice. LotR has Potter and Star-Wars level popularity, so I don't think a LC-size space is gonna cut it. And the lagoon should not be built onto. It's not that big, and covering it up would make the whole park look like a cluster-you-know-what.

I don't think LotR suits USF. Diagon Alley / London work there because of the urban aspect of it, but anything LotR is too fantastical and would work WAY better in IoA, or a third gate, or... maybe even as part of the water park. Hmm... I don't think we've given that one much consideration... It could really work to have LotR in a deluxe themed Universal water park!

 

[DufflesMcGee]

If it goes into IoA, it's most likely going in Toon Lagoon. No way around it. Lost Continent is way too small and wouldn't make it justice. LotR has Potter and Star-Wars level popularity, so I don't think a LC-size space is gonna cut it. And the lagoon should not be built onto. It's not that big, and covering it up would make the whole park look like a cluster-you-know-what.

I don't think LotR suits USF. Diagon Alley / London work there because of the urban aspect of it, but anything LotR is too fantastical and would work WAY better in IoA, or a third gate, or... maybe even as part of the water park. Hmm... I don't think we've given that one much consideration... It could really work to have LotR in a deluxe themed Universal water park!

Really, not build into the lagoon bcus it will look too busy?

"Pulls out photo of Lake in universal

 

[Felipe]

Really, not build into the lagoon bcus it will look too busy?

"Pulls out photo of Lake in universal

If you're implying it already looks busy, then you're making my case even stronger

Plus, theme parks really need those areas to cleanse your palette, so to speak, and maximize the impact of each land. Be it vegetation, or water, or just a less busy area to rest the eyes and mind. Then you can arrive at the next land and it can have a stronger impact on you.

 

[GAcoaster]

If it goes into IoA, it's most likely going in Toon Lagoon. No way around it. Lost Continent is way too small and wouldn't make it justice. LotR has Potter and Star-Wars level popularity, so I don't think a LC-size space is gonna cut it. And the lagoon should not be built onto. It's not that big, and covering it up would make the whole park look like a cluster-you-know-what.

The CURRENT area of Lost Continent is probably too small, but there is room for expansion both on the lagoon side as well as on the other side (backstage areas). Backstage there is what I have been told is the fiberglass shop and a parking area along with other support buildings which could easily move to make more space:

 

[Felipe]

The CURRENT area of Lost Continent is probably too small, but there is room for expansion both on the lagoon side as well as on the other side (backstage areas). Backstage there is what I have been told is the fiberglass shop and a parking area along with other support buildings which could easily move to make more space:

I agree that it seems like a very feasible option, but unfortunately, even if you relocate whatever is in those backstage buildings, you've still got the Hogwarts Express and main backstage roads running across the middle of that area, so it would be very hard to pull off.

 

[GAcoaster]

I agree that it seems like a very feasible option, but unfortunately, even if you relocate whatever is in those backstage buildings, you've still got the Hogwarts Express and main backstage roads running across the middle of that area, so it would be very hard to pull off.

The area I showed would not interfere with the Hogwarts Express and if done right would actually help to hide it from view.

 

[Felipe]

The area I showed would not interfere with the Hogwarts Express and if done right would actually help to hide it from view.

Sorry, I should have expressed that more clearly, as I meant that the Hogwarts Express is in that area, and then also you have two backstage roads running across. Those roads are the main concern. While it's possible to make the backstage roads go around this area, I don't think it would be something they'd go for. Not only do they need those for supplies and all that which they run backstage, but also for emergency vehicles, they probably need to have a well-laid-out and fast path. I think it would be too complicated.

I definitely agree that it would be pretty awesome if they built something like a facade of mountains there, and it would hide the HE very well!