Universal seeks rights to Lord of the Rings Attractions

[crazy4wdw]

It's rumored that Universal is in negotiations with the Tolkein family to secure the rights to the Lord of Rings with the intention of developing theme park attractions based on the books.

If this is true, it will be interesting to see if there's any action from Disney in terms of putting more steel and concrete in WDW.

 

[mbrou24]

It's rumored that Universal is in negotiations with the Tolkein family to secure the rights to the Lord of Rings with the intention of developing theme park attractions based on the books.

If this is true, it will be interesting to see if there's any action from Disney in terms of putting more steel and concrete in WDW.

If this becomes solid it will be interesting to see how quickly the dwarf coast gets done

 

[jamarmiller]

hope this goes through and it pushes disney to do more. I keep hoping for a Star Wars Land and a Cars Land to be placed in Hollywood studios !

 

[wiigirl]

If this becomes solid it will be interesting to see how quickly the dwarf coast gets done

LOL...that could be pretty awesome...

 

[mrsR123]

It would take lots and lots of capital, and vision to do it well. With any luck at all, anyone starting on it would benefit both WDW and Universal simply through competition and the raising of the bar.

 

[Kronk N Tink]

With Tolkiens legendary hate for Disney and Jacksons previous success working with Universal wouldn't be surprised to see this happen.

Harry Potter merely made me curious.... this would get me definately back to Universal for the first time in 20 years.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It's rumored that Universal is in negotiations with the Tolkein family to secure the rights to the Lord of Rings with the intention of developing theme park attractions based on the books . . .

1) Like Harry Potter, Universal would do a smashing good job !
2) It wouldn't make Universal bigger than Disney.
3) But, like Potter, would siphon a considerable amount of business from WDW.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We are already planning on checking out Uni and HP once the kids are older, but a LOTR area would make it a must do for me!

 

[disneyworld1977]

It's rumored that Universal is in negotiations with the Tolkein family to secure the rights to the Lord of Rings with the intention of developing theme park attractions based on the books.

If this is true, it will be interesting to see if there's any action from Disney in terms of putting more steel and concrete in WDW.

With the the Lucasfilm acquisition, Marvel (limited of course) and all the other things they have a hold on, Disney I think has alot at their disposal to do some big things at WDW (and other parks) Unfortunately, it takes time. And sometimes that's a good thing. Although we all want to see it now, let's hope they take that time to get it right in whatever they are planning to do with regards to HS, AK, etc.

 

[pilferk]

It would be interesting to see how they incorporate it. Studio side? A single attraction, maybe..but I'm not sure t would "fit" all that well over there (esp considering the substantial real estate the London half of HP looks to be taking up).

Which leaves IOA. I think Suess stays put...it almost has to in order to maintain any family type appeal.

I don't think they pull out any more of the Mythic/Mythos area..because I don't think either IP owner would be happy with them putting LOTR and HP almost literally on top of each other..

Which leaves Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, or Marvel Island.

I think (and I'm sure there will be some debate and loud disagreement) that Marvel is safe.

My opinion? Jurassic park is the one to go. I think it's attractions are woefully out of date (and, in some cases, disrepair). I think the IP is a bit long in the tooth. I think the landscaping there would be easiest to adapt to LOTR. The only question is: Is it STILL too close to WWOHP (basically, it's right across a bridge) for Rowling/Tolkein estate's taste.

Both toon and JP have sort of been neglected, recently. There hasn't really been any significant money spent in those two areas, that I can remember, in a LONG time.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

With the the Lucasfilm acquisition, Marvel (limited of course) and all the other things they have a hold on, Disney I think has alot at their disposal to do some big things at WDW (and other parks) Unfortunately, it takes time. And sometimes that's a good thing. Although we all want to see it now, let's hope they take that time to get it right in whatever they are planning to do with regards to HS, AK, etc.

I agree that Disney has the tools to work with, I differ with you that in order to do anything worthwhile it will take a commitment to things that Disney no longer wishes to commit to.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

If the rumors that Universal is getting LOTR's gains traction you can bet that if there are actually any talented imagineers left at Disney there will soon be a stack of resume's on somebody's desk at Universal.

 

[chimilady]

hope this goes through and it pushes disney to do more. I keep hoping for a Star Wars Land and a Cars Land to be placed in Hollywood studios !

Carsland won't entice the world of geekdom. Betwen LOTR and Harry Potter, man, that would severely cut down the amount of time we spend at Disney as the girls get older. My first ever trip to Orlando was to Universal to see the Wizarding World, not Disneyworld. I doubt any teen or adult is going to say "Yay, Carsland!" Stars Wars however, is a different story.....

 

[Lewisc]

If this becomes solid it will be interesting to see how quickly the dwarf coast gets done

Why? Dwarf coaster is scheduled to open sometime in 2014. At least a year, more likely 3 or more years, before LOR could open.

It would be interesting to see if Disney sees the need to push Avatar (land?) to make sure it opens before LOR.

 

[mbrou24]

Why? Dwarf coaster is scheduled to open sometime in 2014. At least a year, more likely 3 or more years, before LOR could open.

It would be interesting to see if Disney sees the need to push Avatar (land?) to make sure it opens before LOR.

Exactly. I meant more in terms of getting an official open date

 

[rebeccaariel]

It's rumored that Universal is in negotiations with the Tolkein family to secure the rights to the Lord of Rings with the intention of developing theme park attractions based on the books.

If this is true, it will be interesting to see if there's any action from Disney in terms of putting more steel and concrete in WDW.

As cool as I think it would be, the Tolkien family has always been very hesitant to give anyone the rights to his work, and understandably so. It took A LOT to get the movies made. I'm not sure they will agree to this, but I'm excited to find out.

 

[jamarmiller]

Carsland won't entice the world of geekdom. Betwen LOTR and Harry Potter, man, that would severely cut down the amount of time we spend at Disney as the girls get older. My first ever trip to Orlando was to Universal to see the Wizarding World, not Disneyworld. I doubt any teen or adult is going to say "Yay, Carsland!" Stars Wars however, is a different story.....

Cars Land would bring in the familys. Which I would classify my current situation. So for the next 10 years at least Cars land is what my family and I would be interested in. I doubt my kids are not going to say YAY LOTR ! And when I have grandkids I expect the same.

My first trip was to Orlando was to Disney World ( and the many trips afterwards too ). I am sure when the kids get older they will enjoy LOTR and Harry Potter and such but right now, Disneys HS needs to attract the families more and Cars Land would be perfect for HS in doing this. As of right now its the one Disney Park I skip most years

 

[chimilady]

It would be interesting to see if Disney sees the need to push Avatar (land?) to make sure it opens before LOR.

LOTR is way bigger than Avatar. Yes, Avatar pulled ina lot of money when it was new, but as a franchise I am friends with geeks galore and it's like meh. It's not a draw. LOTR coupled with HP though.... It will be a geek's Mecca. Myself and my husband included.

 

[chimilady]

Cars Land would bring in the familys. Which I would classify my current situation. So for the next 10 years at least Cars land is what my family and I would be interested in. I doubt my kids are not going to say YAY LOTR ! And when I have grandkids I expect the same.

My first trip was to Orlando was to Disney World ( and the many trips afterwards too ). I am sure when the kids get older they will enjoy LOTR and Harry Potter and such but right now, Disneys HS needs to attract the families more and Cars Land would be perfect for HS in doing this. As of right now its the one Disney Park I skip most years

But Disney already brings in the families, adding a Carsland won't bring in new families, it will just be a bonus for the existing ones. In fact I can see a sort of Carsland for free by walking around the Art of Animation resort. And I doubt any kid over 10 is into Carsland, it's a little kids movie. By then they've moved on to Marvel. I doubt my almost 5 year old girls will still be into princesses at 10.

 

[jamarmiller]

But Disney already brings in the families, adding a Carsland won't bring in new families, it will just be a bonus for the existing ones. In fact I can see a sort of Carsland for free by walking around the Art of Animation resort. And I doubt any kid over 10 is into Carsland, it's a little kids movie. By then they've moved on to Marvel. I doubt my almost 5 year old girls will still be into princesses at 10.

Well I cant speak for everyone but here is one family ( mine ) that would go to HS more often ( right now we go once every 5 years because it offers very little for family's ) if it had a cars land.