Universal Great Britain

[MangoDance]

What if the reason why no Potter at this park isn't just due to the studio tour but because WB is using different sets and designs for the tv show?

It's a combination of the existing WB contract, and J.K herself being a bit of a liability here in the UK due to her highly publicised and very divisive opinions on gender-identity. Tolkien's worlds may not be quite as profitable these days, but they already have the licence and they don't have to worry about him coming back to life and tweeting hate messages.

Personally I think it's the right decision, the "Wizarding World" has been very much fleshed out in the US parks at this point, I can't really think of any movie area I'd like to visit, that does not already exist in the parks, so I'd much rather have a new attraction than yet another Forbidden Journey.

The UK ministry of magic ride would have been ideal, large indoor area etc, but given they've just gone and built it at Epic which they are heavily promoting in the UK, no point in cannibalising that, not to mention the ride-system seems to have it's fair share of teething problems, best let Orlando iron those out before considering cloning it.

 

[tommyhawkins]

It's a combination of the existing WB contract, and J.K herself being a bit of a liability here in the UK due to her highly publicised and very divisive opinions on gender-identity. Tolkien's worlds may not be quite as profitable these days, but they already have the licence and they don't have to worry about him coming back to life and tweeting hate messages.

It's not anything to do with her being problematic - WB will not license this as it literally boils down to not selling the same products in different locations to the same market. That works both ways, for WB having their own Studios Tour and extremely high rent retail locations (selling the same Merch as Universal), and for Universal needing Brits to continue to go Florida for longer trips as well as this park for shorter trips. Replicating anything is going to cannibalize Orlando.

And yes theres a small chance Minion Mayhem will be in both parks, but nobody is flying to florida for that ride

 

[EllieB]

It's not anything to do with her being problematic - WB will not license this as it literally boils down to not selling the same products in different locations to the same market. That works both ways, for WB having their own Studios Tour and extremely high rent retail locations (selling the same Merch as Universal), and for Universal needing Brits to continue to go Florida for longer trips as well as this park for shorter trips. Replicating anything is going to cannibalize Orlando.

And yes theres a small chance Minion Mayhem will be in both parks, but nobody is flying to florida for that ride.

I agree that there are some rides / attractions / properties that aren't enough of a draw on their own to be subject to the "US exclusivity". What else do you think couple fit into that category? Some of the DreamWorks stuff?

 

[TheUniC6]

I agree that there are some rides / attractions / properties that aren't enough of a draw on their own to be subject to the "US exclusivity". What else do you think couple fit into that category? Some of the DreamWorks stuff?

A full fledged Shrek land would fit the bill

 

[tommyhawkins]

I agree that there are some rides / attractions / properties that aren't enough of a draw on their own to be subject to the "US exclusivity". What else do you think couple fit into that category? Some of the DreamWorks stuff?

good question, I think some stuff in the C Ticket category is interchangeable, like we see with minions. However I think the Illuminations/Dreamworks is fair game for being in both which is why we may see Minion Mayhem in both, but at same time that is such a broad IP they have lots of options. I have said this before but, the Sing franchise has performed really really well in UK markets, so I wouldn't be surprised if they built something to compliment that. Shrek is probably a solid bet too, i cant remember what the licensing agreement with that is now though, as i believe Merlin run the rather run down shrek experience in central london

 

[EllieB]

good question, I think some stuff in the C Ticket category is interchangeable, like we see with minions. However I think the Illuminations/Dreamworks is fair game for being in both which is why we may see Minion Mayhem in both, but at same time that is such a broad IP they have lots of options. I have said this before but, the Sing franchise has performed really really well in UK markets, so I wouldn't be surprised if they built something to compliment that. Shrek is probably a solid bet too, i cant remember what the licensing agreement with that is now though, as i believe Merlin run the rather run down shrek experience in central london

Currently they do, yes, and there are a few DreamWorks IPs represented there, not just Shrek (for example last time I visited I remember seeing Dragons and Madagascar in the virtual bus ride at the start and the photo opportunities at the end of the experience). I think I read somewhere that Merlin recently renewed that licence? But I don't know how long for, and I would have thought Universal would pay more for it than Merlin would, given the chance.

Interestingly, this link (from way back when the partnership was first announced) implies that the London site was supposed to be the first of a collection of these experiences. They never built any others as far as I'm aware though. https://www.licenseglobal.com/entertainment/dreamworks-plans-shrek-attraction

 

[Altonsky]

Warner are currently building all the sets at Leavesden for the new HP TV series, part of which is the whole street for privet drive that looks slightly different to the movies.

There’s no doubt in my mind this set will form part of an expanded studio tour way down the line when they’ve finished using it. So I don’t ever see there being HP at this park.

First look at Leavesden set for Harry Potter TV series

Pictures have been shared of the Leavesden set for the eagerly-awaited Harry Potter HBO television series.

uk.news.yahoo.com

There were rumours about them creating a dark ride as well at some point.

 

[tommyhawkins]

Warner are currently building all the sets at Leavesden for the new HP TV series, part of which is the whole street for privet drive that looks slightly different to the movies.

There’s no doubt in my mind this set will form part of an expanded studio tour way down the line when they’ve finished using it. So I don’t ever see there being HP at this park.

First look at Leavesden set for Harry Potter TV series

Pictures have been shared of the Leavesden set for the eagerly-awaited Harry Potter HBO television series.

uk.news.yahoo.com

There were rumours about them creating a dark ride as well at some point.

Yeah I have been hearing they want to do a few things attractions-wise.

I think eventually we could see collaboration between USGB and WB Tour not competition - on ticketing in the same way we see UK ticket package deals for Orlando - Universal will try capture foreign visitors for at least two days, maybe 1 day at the tour. Shared marketing costs.

Makes me wonder how long most American visitors would have a trip to London for, 7 days?

 

[EllieB]

I can see Americans taking a multi-week "European" holiday where they spend a week or part of one in London then travel to see Paris, DLP, and so on. Places like Efteling if they're theme park people, places like Rome or Barcelona if they're not. Or combine the trip with a Europe DCL sailing maybe?

 

[tommyhawkins]

I can see Americans taking a multi-week "European" holiday where they spend a week or part of one in London then travel to see Paris, DLP, and so on. Places like Efteling if they're theme park people, places like Rome or Barcelona if they're not. Or combine the trip with a Europe DCL sailing maybe?

I don't wanna speak for all Americans but I know generally they get much less vacation days that Europeans so might not have that time/money

 

[EllieB]

That's true, in that case a week might be about right. I can still see London being combined with some of continental Europe though, especially DLP.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I don't wanna speak for all Americans but I know generally they get much less vacation days that Europeans so might not have that time/money

Unfortunately most Americans' trips are a week or less for larger vacations/trips. Most Americans who visit Europe will spend a week at 2-3 different countries/cities. With Rome, London and Paris being the top 3 destinations.

 

[GAcoaster]

Unless I win some FU money in a lottery, a week is about all I (and most Americans) could swing.