Fourth Gate Coming?

[greg9x]

Nintendo, Fantastic Beasts, and Dreamworks is 100% happening. Universal Classic Monsters last I heard is most likely happening but I wouldn’t say 100%.

I've mentioned in other threads... but I really question why they would pursue a Fantastic Beast land. I don't think there's enough content in the movies to build a land around or even a ride really, especially with Hagrid's covering the 'beast' element already.

The only reason the FB movies have done as well as they have is due to Harry Potter fandom.... outside of that (and some even within) the movies aren't that highly regarded.

Yes, Unviersal has made a lot of money off the Harry Potter worlds...but unless they have something really strong, I wouldn't think they would invest too much more in that IP. Diversification would seem a better strategy for the future.

 

[TommyJK]

Fantastic Beasts looks to be for certain.

Someone found online that one of the project numbers for the new park is project 905. They then found on LinkedIn several people who worked for Warners Brothers on Fantastic Beasts, who are now showing they are working for Universal on Project 905.

As for not enough content, Fantastic Beasts is 5 movie series. There will be plenty in content to use.

As for other lands, Comcasts investor meeting earlier in the year had a handout talking about new park plans. Some of the pages of that handout leaked online showing Dracula's Castle in it (along with Nintendo Land) so a Classic Monsters land also looks to be a lock.

Also now that Universal owns DreamWorks, it is very likely that will he represented. Universal already is building a Kung Fu Panda land/attraction in Shanghai and Insiders have heard talk of creating Berk (from How to Train Your Dragon) as a land.

 

[BigRed98]

I've mentioned in other threads... but I really question why they would pursue a Fantastic Beast land. I don't think there's enough content in the movies to build a land around or even a ride really, especially with Hagrid's covering the 'beast' element already.

The only reason the FB movies have done as well as they have is due to Harry Potter fandom.... outside of that (and some even within) the movies aren't that highly regarded.

Yes, Unviersal has made a lot of money off the Harry Potter worlds...but unless they have something really strong, I wouldn't think they would invest too much more in that IP. Diversification would seem a better strategy for the future.

I’ve never seen any of the Fantastic Beast movies so I can’t really speak on it but here’s the link to the poster on Inside Universal that @TommyJK was referring to about the Project number for the Fantastic Beast land. http://forums.insideuniversal.net/t...pansion-news-part-2.13676/page-50#post-782640

Fantastic Beasts looks to be for certain.

Someone found online that one of the project numbers for the new park is project 905. They then found on LinkedIn several people who worked for Warners Brothers on Fantastic Beasts, who are now showing they are working for Universal on Project 905.

As for not enough content, Fantastic Beasts is 5 movie series. There will be plenty in content to use.

As for other lands, Comcasts investor meeting earlier in the year had a handout talking about new park plans. Some of the pages of that handout leaked online showing Dracula's Castle in it (along with Nintendo Land) so a Classic Monsters land also looks to be a lock.

Also now that Universal owns DreamWorks, it is very likely that will he represented. Universal already is building a Kung Fu Panda land/attraction in Shanghai and Insiders have heard talk of creating Berk (from How to Train Your Dragon) as a land.

The Kung Fu Panda Land is being built in Universal Beijing not Shanghai.

 

[TommyJK]

The Kung Fu Panda Land is being built in Universal Beijing not Shanghai.

Sorry. Got the 2 mixed up

 

[TommyJK]

Here's an article of the previously leaked info about a Classic Monsters land

https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/ru...ely-to-appear-in-universals-fantastic-worlds/

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Hogwarts resort will be walking distance to the new park!!!

...............

 

[CPanther95]

I assume this event won't be streamed to the public?

 

[TommyJK]

I assume this event won't be streamed to the public?

Attractions Magazine says they will stream it if Universal themselves doesn't

 

[Monykalyn]

As long as it is a FAMILY park they will really give Disney a run for their money if they do it to Disney's level.
the new park really needs to appeal to small children as well as adults.
I mean, yes Universal get stuff done quicker, but that is because it isn't as good as Disney.
Look at the new Hagrid ride. They churned that out way before it was ready. Disney would never have a ride open before it was ready.

I'm perfectly fine with not appealing to small kids-means less strollers to clog up walkways
As far as Disney never opening a ride before it is ready: Both Frozen and Pandora rides had issues. And Disneylands opening day was a complete disaster (obviously they got it together but it is a fascinating read)

 

[skylock]

I'm perfectly fine with not appealing to small kids-means less strollers to clog up walkways
As far as Disney never opening a ride before it is ready: Both Frozen and Pandora rides had issues. And Disneylands opening day was a complete disaster (obviously they got it together but it is a fascinating read)

Disney also had to shut down test track shortly after opening for about 2 years to get it working correctly.

 

[MoeJ]

I've mentioned in other threads... but I really question why they would pursue a Fantastic Beast land. I don't think there's enough content in the movies to build a land around or even a ride really, especially with Hagrid's covering the 'beast' element already.

The only reason the FB movies have done as well as they have is due to Harry Potter fandom.... outside of that (and some even within) the movies aren't that highly regarded.

Yes, Unviersal has made a lot of money off the Harry Potter worlds...but unless they have something really strong, I wouldn't think they would invest too much more in that IP. Diversification would seem a better strategy for the future.

Just IMO, but I think that having a Fantastic Beasts land would lure people visiting Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley over and up their passes from 2-park to 3-park if they're on a Potter crusade.

 

[greg9x]

I’ve never seen any of the Fantastic Beast movies so I can’t really speak on it but here’s the link to the poster on Inside Universal that @TommyJK was referring to about the Project number for the Fantastic Beast land. http://forums.insideuniversal.net/t...pansion-news-part-2.13676/page-50#post-782640

Fantastic Beasts looks to be for certain.

Someone found online that one of the project numbers for the new park is project 905. They then found on LinkedIn several people who worked for Warners Brothers on Fantastic Beasts, who are now showing they are working for Universal on Project 905.

As for not enough content, Fantastic Beasts is 5 movie series. There will be plenty in content to use.

Well, the new movies better step things up considerably then.. because the only things I could see for a theme park so far are the beasts (as said, already done with Hagrid's), but suppose they could double up... and Kowalaski's Bakery as a snack shop.

There are no central locations in the FB movies to theme areas after like HP with Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, etc. No iconic events like the train ride, quidditch, Gringotts, etc to put in rides.

Imagine Universal will push for things to be in the movies that they can 'theme park-ize' . With so many other IP's to use, i'd rather see something new with those, than something that is questionable at the moment to lasting success. But guess Avatar was a gamble for Disney and it's paid off pretty well so far.

 

[skylock]

I think there will be something related to HP in the new park just to get those "only coming for HP stuff" people to get a three park ticket. Otherwise, they would have no interest in the third park and there are a lot of them.

 

[marcais]

How long would it take to build a new park from scratch? 5 years? More? Less?

I could wait till Thursday to see what's announced, but that takes all the fun out of speculating.

 

[verleniahall]

I read - and cant remember where - that they were doing something with lord of the rings goes the new park- this would make my heart happy if so!

 

[bchbetha]

Crossing my fingers for Nintendo!

 

[fatmanatee]

This is obviously me being unfamiliar with Fantastic Beasts but count me among those who can't really figure out what they'd do with that.

I'm really curious about this though and I'm excited to see what they'll have. I have a weird feeling that there might be a surprise, maybe an IP or two we're not expecting. After all, Nintendo isn't a Universal property, and they can always do more deals like that.

 

[luvsJack]

Well, the new movies better step things up considerably then.. because the only things I could see for a theme park so far are the beasts (as said, already done with Hagrid's), but suppose they could double up... and Kowalaski's Bakery as a snack shop.

There are no central locations in the FB movies to theme areas after like HP with Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, etc. No iconic events like the train ride, quidditch, Gringotts, etc to put in rides.

Imagine Universal will push for things to be in the movies that they can 'theme park-ize' . With so many other IP's to use, i'd rather see something new with those, than something that is questionable at the moment to lasting success. But guess Avatar was a gamble for Disney and it's paid off pretty well so far.

There are still two more movies to go.

Personally I love the FB movies. Without books like HP, its hard to compare but they are well written and linked forward to HP.

So far, the movies have taken place mostly in and around NYC but there is the American ministry of magic. You also have the inside of his suitcase where all the beasts are kept. Not sure what that is or would be called but its a whole little world itself.

Also, the Fantastic Beasts of the movies and the Magical Beasts of Hagrids aren't the same or at least not all the same.

As for "lasting success", these movies will enjoy longevity simply by being in the same realm as HP. Fans of HP are going to be fans of FB just because of the association. And just as Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade have been huge money makers for Universal, so would FB. And if they find a way to link the three, park to park tickets will be a must.

 

[atricks]

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1155855506638016512

Same image brightened up to see more detail (The Center of logo was intentionally blacked out)


The general rumor is the new park is going to be called "Universal's Fantastic Worlds" and the entire southern complex (Including the new park) will be called the Epic Universe. We'll see what they announce specifically on Thursday



The leaked image from an employee only event last year was below for comparison, mostly matches the preview logo from twitter, but just cleaned up quite a bit.


I'm almost certain a rail connection to the area from the airport/sunrail is going to be announced as well, which is in cooperation with the Orange County Convention center (And one of the reasons the conference is being held there).

 

[TommyJK]

How long would it take to build a new park from scratch? 5 years? More? Less?

I could wait till Thursday to see what's announced, but that takes all the fun out of speculating.

5 years is probably a good end to end estimate, but they've already been doing a ton of work on the land to get it ready to start building the actual park.

The land is pretty much graded. Now a ton of new permits just went in before the weekend for sewage any whatnot. They have to get all of the underlying infrastructure in place and then start going vertical with the park stuff itself.

If we look at IOA, the actual park build itself (after all of the underlying infrastructure was done) was about 2.5 years (from late 96/early 97 to a soft open in March of 99).

So many are speculating that based on where things are today, we're likely looking at a 2023 open.