5 Lands We’d Love To See At Universal Parks
In my past two articles, I listed what I believe to be the best and worst themed Universal lands at every Universal park, excluding Universal Singapore, which I haven’t yet visited. Whilst racking my brain to complete these lists, I began to think about what could be. Universal are one of the biggest theme park companies. They are also, of course, one of the biggest film studios. This means they have an incredible catalogue of films for the parks to draw their themes from.
In addition to this, their success as a world class, industry leading, theme park, mean’s many other companies are desperate to have their intellectual properties featured within the parks. This has led to Warner Brothers, DreamWorks, FOX, Netflix and many others, having their films and television shows featured within the parks, both permanently and temporarily.
Staying within these realms of possibility, I am going to list off my top five dream Universal lands. Some of the ideas featured on this list actually stand a good chance of becoming a reality. With the announcement of Epic Universe, a third theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, permits and concept art have given fans rather hopeful hints at what’s to come. Despite continual delays, I’m still hopeful this park will become a reality and won’t stop myself getting ideas. I know they don’t need them, but if Universal wants to steal all my ideas, that would be wonderful…here’s hoping my dreams come true.
5. How to Train Your Dragon
With two sequels and a spin-off television show, How to Train your Dragon is one of DreamWorks most popular, and in my opinion best, animated films. It appears many would agree, as desire and rumours for a themed land have circulated for years. DreamWorks films are currently marketed and distributed by Universal Pictures, meaning they have easy access to the company’s IPs. Shrek and Kung Fu Panda both currently have attractions within Universal parks. Shrek even has a whole land in Universal Singapore. The same, however, cannot be said for How to Train your Dragon. The most presence it has had in a Universal park is a simple meet and greet. Although adorable, this is just not enough for me.
DreamWorks often licenses its intellectual properties to other parks. How to Train your Dragon has actually been given attractions and lands outside of Universal parks. We’ve just returned from Heide Park (Germany) which has a small land, mostly full of flat rides for children, with one rather underwhelming boat ride. Nevertheless, the effort is there. Simply seeing the Viking theming, the baby dragons and the giant statue of Toothless was enough to confirm my suspicions that this IP would work excellently within a theme park. Clearly, I’m not alone in this thought, as the film also has a ride at Motiongate Dubai. The ride is a coaster called ‘Dragon Gliders’ located in the park’s DreamWorks land. It is similar to ‘Arthur’ at Europa Park, and allows guests to ride on the back of a dragon through immersive dark ride sections and thrilling speedy moments.
With both a small land and a world class attraction already existing, you might think I’d have seen enough of this IP within theme parks…but you’re wrong. No one has done it to the scale Universal could manage, or what the permits suggest…yep that’s right this one’s closer to reality than you might think.
Although the details of Epic Universe are still unconfirmed, the concept art and construction permits have given us much more information than the initial announcement. The permits suggest that there will be a coaster, taking guests around the land and through three show buildings. Hopefully these will be full of incredible show scenes, with huge dragon animatronics. Then there appears to be two Gerstlauer sky flyers. A decent flat ride that will allow guests to feel like they are soaring on the back of a dragon.
There also seems to be a Mack splash battle planned, likely themed to Viking ships. The permits also include a large show building, which could potentially house a stage show similar to the films touring arena show. This building could also house a flying simulator. Particularly, as Universal have recently patented a new flying theatre technology, which places a screen in front of and below guests for increased immersion.
Essentially, what Universal appears to have planned would be all my dreams come true. It’s hard to think of anything they haven’t included, although a Viking themed restaurant would be nice. I’m thinking something similar to ‘The Flaming Feather’ at Toverland, with Viking sized food platters. Also, a huge animatronic of Toothless for a meet and greet would be awesome. Or perhaps roaming dragons, similar to the dinosaurs we now see in Jurassic Park.
4. Pokémon
Out of all the choices on this list, this is probably the least likely. I’ve heard others mention it a few times, but never with any real likelihood, only ever as an out of reach dream. There are no permits for this one. Whilst I always saw potential for it in Epic Universe, it seems the originally planned Nintendo Land will find a home there instead. Originally, when it seemed this would be located at Universal Studios, I thought a Pokémon counterpart at the then rumoured third gate would work perfectly. Maybe my dreams could still become a reality, but rumours have since shifted to just an attraction within future expansions of either the built Nintendo Land Japan, or the announced Nintendo Land in Orlando, wherever this will be located.
There’s no doubt it would be popular and any theme park should clamour to get the IP. However, no park has ever managed to get the rights. The Pokémon Company is owned by Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures, who all share the Japanese trademark. However, Nintendo is the sole owner of the trademark everywhere else. This makes it rather complicated to access the IP, although Nintendo and Universal clearly have a good working relationship, so perhaps if they impress them with Super Nintendo Land, they’ll gain access to more of the company’s IPs. The only presence of Pokémon within a theme park is at the defunct travelling Poke-Park, which unfortunately only few ever got to experience as its time was short lived.
In my opinion, just one attraction wouldn’t be enough. Pokémon is a huge IP, spanning across numerous games, anime and much more. Universal could choose one region, most likely Kanto as this is home to the Pokémon most people are familiar with, and build this as the land. The land could then be split into multiple habitats, with animatronic and roaming Pokémon. Trainers could walk the areas with their Pokémon, interacting with guests who perhaps too could have their own Pokémon. Guests could obtain a Pokémon in a similar way to a wand, either purchasing it normally or experiencing an Ollivanders type attraction. This attraction could be similar to the start of most Pokémon games, allowing guests to catch their starter Pokémon, in this situation the choices being Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle.
Shops could include a Poke Mart and a Pokémon centre, both functioning as regular shops and experiences similar to those within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. An attraction surrounding catching Pokemon would of course be popular and could utilise technology similar to Ninjago at Legoland. The attraction could mix screens and physical sets, taking guests on their own journey through the Kanto region before encountering the mythical Mewtwo. The land would of course have to have a Pokémon Gym. This could house a battle show with guests in amphitheatre seating, similar to many scenes from the anime. This show could draw on nostalgia for Universal Park fans. It could merge huge practical effects like seen in Twister and Disaster, with the comedic action of Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters.
A flight simulator, like the one that is in reality going to end up in the How to Train your Dragon land, could also be popular. Like Disney’s Flight of Passage, guests could ride a flying type Pokemon rather than a Banshee. It would also be incredible if guests could choose this Pokemon before, like how you can design your car in Test Track. This could then slightly alter your ride experience. Perhaps, guests could only choose from a Pokemon they have caught that day. These Pokemon could be caught all around the land, with a poke ball purchasable like a wand. The attraction of course would have to provide a standard Pokemon to fly on for those who didn’t want to purchase this additional feature.
It’s not hard to imagine what could feature in a Pokemon land, there’s just so much to pull from. I’ll stop myself before I get carried away, but my final request is that if this ever happens, the land has to bring with it a Pokemon Cafe. I’m a sucker for themed food.
3. Stranger Things
Again, not a Universal IP, however this time it is clearly something they have access to. With an already established relationship, featuring Stranger Things at Halloween Horror Nights in 2018 and 2019, Universal seems to be the company which stands the greatest chance of obtaining this IP.
Stranger Things is one of the most popular franchises of recent years. We’ve already seen what Universal can do with this property within a Halloween Horror Nights house, so just imagine if they could expand this into a whole land. Guests could enter past a ‘Welcome to Hawkins’ sign, before arriving in the small town. Star court Mall could feature, housing the lands merchandise shop and featuring various facades which replicate the stores featured in the show. Alongside a store, the mall would of course have to include Scoops Ahoy. The fan favourite location would obviously serve delicious frozen treats. This would truly allow guests to feel as if they have stepped into the show. Moving on from the obvious, the land would also need some attractions.
It’s hard to plan an attraction without setting a specific timeline for the land. With the shopping and dining locations I’ve already chosen, it seems that during season three would work best. Thus, an attraction which takes guests into the tunnels under Star Court Mall appears to be the most obvious choice. A drop tower, similar to Tower of Terror, could take guests into the elevator that Steve, Dustin, Robin and Erica get stuck in. This would then of course drop between floors, one which could show the gate, then the mind flayer, the Russians and even some familiar characters along the way.
Despite my decision for the land to revolve around season three, it is also important that the land should allow guests to experience their favourite locations from the other two seasons. Now, this idea might be a bit of a reach, but hear me out. Beyond the main centre of Hawkins could sit the facades of many familiar character homes. The queue could begin in the Wheeler house, taking guests down into the basement, where backstory for the attraction is overheard on Mike‘s walkie talkie. Then, the line would go back outside and through Steve Harrington’s house and back out past the famous pool.
The attraction would begin in the woods, hidden within a show building that transports guests into the night. Similar to E.T.s Adventure, mixed with a typical Booster Bike coaster (such as Disney‘s Tron), guests would board their own bike like the kids within the show. The coaster would then begin slowly establishing the narrative with show sequences. Now, the narrative I have in mind is only loose, but, if you haven’t already guessed from the queue, should surround the missing character Barb. Guests would get to do what the show never chose to…enter the upside down to look for Barb.
This would allow us to visit iconic upside down locations such as the Byers House, Castle Byers and Hawkins Middle School. Of course, the conclusion of this attraction couldn‘t be successful, as it’s confirmed already that Barb is dead. But, hey, at least this way someone tried to look for her.
That’s about it for my Stranger Things land dreams. Although, I’m sure as new seasons are released they will completely change. Oh, and roaming Demadogs would also be a great addition, because who doesn‘t love Dart.
2. Universal Monsters
Like How to Train your Dragon, this is another land which appears to be rather likely. It’s clear that many Universal fans have a thirst for horror, with the immense popularity of Halloween Horror Nights. Even the Monster Cafe at Universal Studios Orlando, manages to draw in quite a crowd of cult fans. The Universal Monsters have never really had much more of a presence within the parks than this. Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue, the filming locations on the Hollywood tram tour and the short lived Creature from the Black Lagoon musical show at Universal Hollywood…that’s about it. As one of the company’s most iconic and defining groups of films, it’s undeniable that they deserve more.
Permits for a land at Epic Universe suggest that these films are finally going to get what they deserve. The plans centre around a large castle, rumoured to be Castle Frankenstein. A small European village sits at the bottom of the hill, similar to the setting of most of these films.
It is likely that the main attraction will be located within the castle. This is rumoured to be a high tech dark ride. The ride will supposedly feature all the classic monsters and will utilise technology similar to Forbidden Journey. A slightly newer version of this G2 Robo Coaster, named aptly the G3 Robo Coaster, has since been developed. This new version runs along a coaster track which can, unlike the G2, run on multiple levels and change elevation. This would add more possibilities for the attraction and could make it even more thrilling. As far as theming goes, I’m imagining something similar to the Universal Monsters house at Halloween Horror Nights 2019. A mashup of all the classic monsters, each with their own individual scenes…a monster mash you might say.
The village looks like it will centre around a town square, the perfect place for monster meet and greets. It’s likely that much of the village will just be shops. However, one of the buildings seems to be built to house a table service restaurant. There’s no details on this, but I would love to see a Dracula restaurant, offering gory blood related items. Alright, this might not be the most appetising but if Frankenstein gets the castle…Dracula gets the restaurant.
Another building planned appears to be either the watchtower where Dr Frankenstein carries out his experiments or the windmill from the film’s conclusion. Many believe this will house a horror walk through. As a massive Halloween Horror Nights fan, you might think I’d love this idea, but I just don’t. Permanent horror houses don’t work in my opinion.
The Walking Dead attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood is just a poor Horror Nights house. Whilst it does let you experience the show’s iconic scenes, I can’t help but think how much better it would be as a dark ride. Even Universal’s House of Horrors, The Walking Dead’s predecessor, didn’t quite work. These attractions get pretty boring rather quickly and only attract a limited number of guests. I’m not completely against it, in fact I have what I think is the perfect solution. The team who work on the houses for Halloween Horror Nights are immensely creative.
Perhaps this location could work like any other tent or sound stage, providing another location for the team to design a house for each year. However, this house could stay up all year, functioning as a sort of advertisement for the event. Ok, it might have to be limited to only the Classic Monsters as source material so it always fits the land, but come on how limiting is that…not very. Maybe there could even just be around 5 different versions that could rotate annually. I’m not sure how practical this truly is, but I think it could work.
The planned land also seems to have a large theatre, perfect for a stunt show or another musical show. If Beetlejuice was to make an appearance, I wouldn’t complain. In addition to this, there’s a large expansion plot left for future attractions. A Creature from the Black Lagoon boat ride has been heavily rumoured and would, in my opinion, be perfect. I’m thinking Jaws but with the Creature instead.
Basically, what’s rumoured sounds perfect…although I do have some more ideas. Beyond just more Classic Monster attractions, such as a Wolfman coaster or a Phantom of the Opera live show, I’d also love to see a Universal horror land that spans beyond just the classics.
There’s no reason this land couldn’t be split into two, with a second section for 80s slashers. Imagine if this land could also feature a Chucky meet and greet, a Halloween dark ride which puts guests in Michael‘s point of view, hunting the baby sitters of Haddonfield. Or better yet, a The Thing shooting ride which takes us through the icy research station to hunt for Things. Points could be rewarded depending on how assimilated with the host the parasite is. Points could even be deducted if guests guess wrong.
Now, I‘m definitely getting carried away, but this is my list and there’s no limit on unobtainable outlandish ideas here.
1. Hill Valley
Now my number one is something I‘ve longed for forever…a Back to the Future themed land. Of course there was once an attraction, located in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan, but sadly all three no longer exist. The simulator attraction, from what I can remember, was an excellent translation of the films. However, it was never enough. Now that Back to the Future is criminally absent. Aside from a few vehicles and the presence of Doc, I think it‘s time the series gets what it deserves.
One of the greatest trilogies of all time (this isn’t up for debate), should definitely get a whole land. The films remain incredibly popular and are of course, owned by Universal Pictures. So, whilst unlikely as it’s not necessarily current, there’s no reason good enough for me to accept why Universal has never built this. Hill Valley, the fictional location from the movies would fit perfectly within a theme park.
The land should centre around the town square, as seen when Marty travels to 2015. Cafe 80’s should feature as the lands table service restaurant. This should appear rather similar to how it does in the films, although slightly larger for capacities sake. Most importantly, guests should be able to receive bottles of Pepsi from a tube like Marty does in the film.
The Clock tower could house the main attraction, which like Back to the Future: The Ride, should allow guests to travel in a DeLorean. However this time, the attraction should be similar to the likes of Test Track and Radiator Springs Racers. First guests would travel back in time to 1985, before chaos ensues (caused of course by Biff) and a new destination is entered into the time machine. This could vary, similarly to how on Radiator Spring’s Racers you can visit either Ramone’s or Luigi’s.
Doc and Marty should of course roam the land, acting out familiar scenes as miniature shows for guests to enjoy. Another attraction featured in the land could be a hoverboard experience. I’m unsure what technology could be used and truly hope that if it did happen, Universal could come up with something better than what I’m about to suggest. The only thing I’ve experienced that could simulate a hoverboard is the ‘Halfpipe Tokyo’ at Joypolis in Japan. An extended and themed version of this would work adequately. Although, it would need a lot of improvement on what currently works. Perhaps a screen could add to the experience, taking guests on a journey alongside Marty.
There’s so many possibilities when it comes to this land. My ideas could completely change if I changed my ideas to Hill Valley in 1985, 1955 or even 1885.
That’s my top five dream lands that I’d love to see in a Universal park. Some seem far more likely than others, with Universal Monsters and How to Train your Dragon supposedly planned for Universal’s Epic Universe. Perhaps my other ideas are not quite as likely, but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming.