Middle Earth coming to UOR?

[TomTheRiddle]

Someone please tell me how they could use employee parking for an addition to US. They are completely boxed in on that side with attractions that cannot be removed at present. I would quicker think they would rip out ET and the entire childrens area or move the fireworks bunkers off site and put something there.

This. The main Universal infrastructure buildings are in place (logically) next to the parking lot. And then they are boxed in by the WWoHP 2.0, Disaster, and RoTM. They will not do anything over there.

And to be quite honest, I don't see them bringing any LOTR properties near USF. Books have always belonged in IoA and it will stay that way. USF is real life locations and comparable to real life locations. (Springfield is comparable to an average city)

[jmercer25]

Not saying it's very likely, but if WWOHP 2 facilitates a means to access that side near the employee parking, it's possible. Heck, they're connecting the two parks by weaving a train through nearly their entire backstage. If they want to do it, they'll figure out how. Given the distance, I'd say a covered walkway would be more likely. They could still hide park infrastructure; Busch Gardens does a great job of hiding its backstage areas with tunnels, bridges covered with ivy and other berms.

As for books belonging to IOA, Diagon Alley.

[SweeneysGalMegz]

I wouldn't necessarily say books belong in IOA (though I know someone else said that), I just think the architecture in Diagon Alley is clean enough to work in the Studios.

[ThemeParks4Life]

I'm very excited if this happens! I'm a little surprised you said LC was too little for this, but who cares, the bigger the better! As for where to put it, I'd guess either Toon Lagoon or somewhere in USF. I'll check space in a few minutes.

UPDATE: If they created a pathway between WWOHP and FFL, you could access Middle Earth.

[Kevin38]

I'm very excited if this happens! I'm a little surprised you said LC was too little for this, but who cares, the bigger the better! As for where to put it, I'd guess either Toon Lagoon or somewhere in USF. I'll check space in a few minutes.

UPDATE: If they created a pathway between WWOHP and FFL, you could access Middle Earth.

they would have to put in more people movers if they did that

wait for it

wait


Because one doesn't simply walk into Mordor

[Smitty]

I think if LOTR happens, it will be in Korea

[hatetofly]

I think if LOTR happens, it will be in Korea

You have Korea and Singapore over there and IMO one would get LoTR and the other would get Potter. Neither gets both.

[JungleSkip]

LOTR makes the most sense taking over Toon Lagoon.

Lost Continent isn't big enough for the property.

And, as I talked about on Twitter a few days ago, LOTR can easily take over chunks of Toon Lagoon without affecting the overall park much.

Phase 1 - Area around Toon Lagoon Theater becomes The Shire. Theater becomes a Bag End walkthrough. This can be done without affecting any existing attractions.

Phase 2 - Retheme the Main drag of Toon Lagoon to Rivendell. Comic Strip Cafe becomes a table service restaurant better than Mythos themed to Elrond's table. Also during this time, retheme Sweet Haven and Popeye to the barrel escape in The Hobbit.

Phase 3 - Once Phase 2 is complete, knock down Dudley for an "Escape from Erebor" E-ticket. Basically a ripoff of Dragon Tower, I know. But I don't care.

[ThemeParks4Life]

I don't know if just making it all based on The Hobbit would be a good idea Skip. The Shire works good as the beginning, then Rivendell (Mirkwood too for the Barrel Escape), but instead of Erebor I would put a Mordor ride with Mount Doom.

[JungleSkip]

I don't know if just making it all based on The Hobbit would be a good idea Skip. The Shire works good as the beginning, then Rivendell (Mirkwood too for the Barrel Escape), but instead of Erebor I would put a Mordor ride with Mount Doom.

Eh. Erebor is more interesting than Mordor, IMO. Mount Doom is just a volcano. Only thing I see coming out of that is a generic coaster.

[ThemeParks4Life]

Eh. Erebor is more interesting than Mordor, IMO. Mount Doom is just a volcano. Only thing I see coming out of that is a generic coaster.

Then what would be your ideal Erebor ride?

[JungleSkip]

Then what would be your ideal Erebor ride?

Everest style coaster, but with more dark ride scenes. I think Gringotts could be a great proof of concept for something in Erebor.

[ThemeParks4Life]

Everest style coaster, but with more dark ride scenes. I think Gringotts could be a great proof of concept for something in Erebor.

Even then I would still take a Mount Doom coaster over Erebor. Sure, you would get to see a Smaug AA, but Sauron is better. Just sayin'

[Disneyhead]

I am surprised no one has mantioned the Mines of Moria. I think that is ready made for a dark ride. And I think a water ride seems to be a natural fit for a lot of the LOTR. But I am perplexed as to how they would present places like Rivendell, Helms Deep, Minus Tirith, or even The Black Gate of Mordor. I think that the only way to do something with those locals would be some sort of Soarin' 3D screen based attraction. And the only flying that takes place is on a Giant Eagle.

[ThemeParks4Life]

Mine of Moria would be great and I would have said that, but they ARE building an Amber Mine not too far away