Universal to Build Lord of the Rings Theme Park?
According to the ever vigilant blastr, a number of people over at the Disney bulletin boards have been receiving surveys from Universal that are essentially testing the enthusiasm for a Lord of the Rings themed park a la The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Posts quote the survey as saying:
Imagine if you will a world unlike any you’ve ever visited before: it’s Middle Earth, the ancient and beautiful land forged by J.R.R. Tolkien as the backdrop for his two most well known creations, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Walk as a human among dwarves, elves, orcs and hobbits—all faithfully recreated and portrayed in the spirit of the original characters as they appeared in both the books and the movies.
In this land you’ll experience one-of-a-kind rides and attractions that bring to life some of the most memorable experiences of Tolkien’s world including Bilbo’s hobbit hole, the fortress at Isengard (before it was destroyed) and even the dark world of Mordor—including the terrifying volcanic Mount Doom.
This immediately raises a lot of questions; questions that need answering. Like “Will it ever actually happen?” and then “Will it be any good?” and ultimately “Would you even go?” I can only answer one of them, as a fairly cynical person who can, in some cases, be a stickler for accuracy
Yes. Yes, I would go. I don’t care if they’ve got a ride called The Balrog, or Shadowfax, or a floom ride down out of the dungeons of Thranduil, or a mine-cart coaster in Moria, or beach area in the ruins of Isengard. Or Mount Caradhras themed ice cream. Or a stage show of… hobbit folk dancing or something. I would go.
Besides, what could be a better way to make people feel like they were experiencing The Lord of the Rings than to make them walk around outside all day, not exactly sure where they’re going and uncertain of what they’ll find when they get there? Sounds like every family theme park trip I’ve ever been on.
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