Middle-earth amusement park

[Sauron the White]

Its a slow day here. HURIN is not out for two more weeks. There seems no news on the HOBBIT film front. Pretty boring. May I suggest a light topic that could be some fun. Apologies if this was done before but I am new here and could not find this in the archives.

Pretend you turned on the news and heard that the Disney company (or some other mega big bucks outfit if you hate Disney) had just bought all rights from both the Tolkien Estate and the Saul Zaentz company to build a massive park called MIDDLE-EARTH. It would contain attractions, restaurants, shows, rides, and everything else you find at an upscale amusement park but be based on the world created by JRRT in books and film. It would not be a disneyfication of Tolkien but care would be taken to assure reasonable accuracy. So please do not repeat the letter from JRRT about Disney and LOTR. People such as Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith would be hired to help design and build it.

Here is my question: what would you like to see in such a place? Imagine a place as large as EPCOT CENTER or MGM STUDIOS completely devoted to Middle-earth. Budget - a billion dollars, maybe two.

My opening suggestion would be a Mines of Moria attraction. In part a slower "look at that" ride and part roller coaster, it would start with the doors opening taking you into the dark, then illumination, up the stairs along the graveyard, along the cliffs looking down into the abyss, deciding which track to take of 3 passegeways, the Great Hall, Balins Tomb complete with orc attack and cave troll, those crazy stairs crumbling, of course the Balrog and the Bridge, and exit into daylight.

Next?

[Boo Radley]

Falls of Rauros Water Slide?

"Here kid, just have mommy or daddy sign this waiver..."

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

My opening suggestion would be a Mines of Moria attraction. In part a slower "look at that" ride and part roller coaster, it would start with the doors opening taking you into the dark, then illumination, up the stairs along the graveyard, along the cliffs looking down into the abyss, deciding which track to take of 3 passegeways, the Great Hall, Balins Tomb complete with orc attack and cave troll, those crazy stairs crumbling, of course the Balrog and the Bridge, and exit into daylight.

Interesting idea. However, I'd prefer an "enhanced version"... at the bridge, you'll suddenly stop and then the Balrog will appear in its full height (only the designers would have to decide whether he'd have wings or not), and then the bridge will fall and you with it That's what I call adrenaline ride!

[Boo Radley]

Just had a really weird stream of consciousness where you have an amusement park full of disgruntled Hobbits because all the really cool rides have signs posted saying "You must be this tall to ride this ride" and of course, none of them are.

[Lalwendë]

Oh dear me, not Disney! Nor would I be pleased with Blackpool Pleasure Beach taking on the job after they destroyed Southport's Pleasureland. Maybe Camelot would be an appropriate company? Or Alton 'Two' Towers?

Now I can see Shelob's Lair, a rollercoaster in total darkness. It would be one of those where you sit with your legs and arms dangling freely. As you go hurtling through the darkness vast spiderwebs hit you in the face and eerie voices scream "precioussss". The air is chill and dank. Then at the height of the coaster, a blinding bright light flashes on and this huge animatronic spider bears down on you as you plummet to your doom.



There would be two carousels. Bill The Pony would be for the kiddies, nice and gentle, the 'horsies' soft and cuddly. However Shadowfax would be strictly for grown ups who would be held down upon their steely steeds by mere G Force as the carousel hurtled round like a mad thing.

[Boo Radley]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Oh dear me, not Disney! Nor would I be pleased with Blackpool Pleasure Beach taking on the job after they destroyed Southport's Pleasureland. Maybe Camelot would be an appropriate company? Or Alton 'Two' Towers?

Now I can see Shelob's Lair, a rollercoaster in total darkness. It would be one of those where you sit with your legs and arms dangling freely. As you go hurtling through the darkness vast spiderwebs hit you in the face and eerie voices scream "precioussss". The air is chill and dank. Then at the height of the coaster, a blinding bright light flashes on and this huge animatronic spider bears down on you as you plummet to your doom.



There would be two carousels. Bill The Pony would be for the kiddies, nice and gentle, the 'horsies' soft and cuddly. However Shadowfax would be strictly for grown ups who would be held down upon their steely steeds by mere G Force as the carousel hurtled round like a mad thing.

... You frighten me.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Boo Radley

... You frighten me.

You're not the only one then. I have to keep away from mirrors.

I aim to please.

[goldfinger]

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

Its a slow day here. HURIN is not out for two more weeks. There seems no news on the HOBBIT film front. Pretty boring. May I suggest a light topic that could be some fun. Apologies if this was done before but I am new here and could not find this in the archives.

Pretend you turned on the news and heard that the Disney company (or some other mega big bucks outfit if you hate Disney) had just bought all rights from both the Tolkien Estate and the Saul Zaentz company to build a massive park called MIDDLE-EARTH. It would contain attractions, restaurants, shows, rides, and everything else you find at an upscale amusement park but be based on the world created by JRRT in books and film. It would not be a disneyfication of Tolkien but care would be taken to assure reasonable accuracy. So please do not repeat the letter from JRRT about Disney and LOTR. People such as Alan Lee, John Howe and Ted Nasmith would be hired to help design and build it.

Here is my question: what would you like to see in such a place? Imagine a place as large as EPCOT CENTER or MGM STUDIOS completely devoted to Middle-earth. Budget - a billion dollars, maybe two.

My opening suggestion would be a Mines of Moria attraction. In part a slower "look at that" ride and part roller coaster, it would start with the doors opening taking you into the dark, then illumination, up the stairs along the graveyard, along the cliffs looking down into the abyss, deciding which track to take of 3 passegeways, the Great Hall, Balins Tomb complete with orc attack and cave troll, those crazy stairs crumbling, of course the Balrog and the Bridge, and exit into daylight.

Next?

You took the words right out of my mouth and all these other ideas are awesome too! I was recently in Disney World and as I was enjoying MGM Studios I started thinking about LotRs rides. And "The Balrog" as I called it, was one of them, (your Mines of Moria) Except it was mainly a roller coaster, but you would go throught the halls following the fellowship and stuff and when you got to the bridge you follow Gandalf down and would spiral or something downward while watching Gandalf fight Durin's bane. Then when you reached the lake you would be get a little wet whiel beign in complete darkness. Then all of a sudden your going up the endless stair with Gandalf till you reach Durin's tower, where you see them fight and then Gwaihir whisks Gandalf after dying and it ends.
It would a be a bit long but pretty cool I would think.


I also realized something. New Line partly owns MGM (the company) so it is possible for them to make a ride at MGM Studios.

[Sauron the White]

Lots of good stuff here -- I really like the idea of Mordor with fog machines - that would be extremely cool. I see in todays news that universal in Orlando is going to do a Potter Park. Not being a Harry fan - it means little to me but holds out a hope that maybe some of these ideas may someday see fruition. I would think that the possibilities and variety of Middle-earth exceed that of Potter.

[Elfchick7]

Is there anyone we can send these ideas to in the form of something like a petition? That might get some results, provided there are enough people who want it to happen. What is your take on that?

[Sauron the White]

I would take a guess that if someone wanted to make such a park based on the film or books that the rights that Saul Zaentz owns just may cover it. However, anytime you get into this type of thing its all in the contract and that has never been made public.

Funny thing is that if Disney had kept to their plans to make the films this just might be something that achieved reality. Not that I would trade the excellence of PJ's version for it...

[Elfchick7]

Then I suppose the only solution is to build a time machine and show Disney that they should let PJ do he films in conjunction with Weta workshops and then give them our plans for the theme park. Any mad scientist dwelling in the downs want to offer the time machine creating expertise?