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By D Hindley and DisneyFan18

Map and Initial Concept Outline by D Hindley

 

Universal's Worlds of Wonder

 

A foreword: Every land in Universal's Worlds of Wonder wants to be at the quality level of Hogsmeade.  Whenever possible, land elements are taken verbatim from their IP source, though none works as perfectly as Harry Potter.  Additionally, cast members in each land should roleplay as that land’s residents much as they do in Hogsmeade, playing into the land’s storyline as explorers, scientists, Pokémon trainers, et cetera.  And now, onward!

 

Every shop and restaurant has a tentative name.  Many attractions still do not.

 

 

VICTORIAN LONDON

Entry land set in 1899, the infancy of cinema and birth year of Alfred Hitchcock (both are referenced).  Entry gates resemble the Buckingham Palace gates, and the entry façade is a British structure designed by MonorailRed.  The land begins in a scaled replica of Trafalgar Square.  Like the Eiffel Tower in Epcot, rooftops hold forced perspective models of landmarks like Big Ben or the dome of St. Paul’s, giving the land depth.  Various streets and arcades branch off to the other worlds, some of them classy like Whitehall, others gritty like the East End docks.  There are landmarks like Admiralty’s Arch, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and more.

 

RIDES

·        Universal Ferry Boats – Park-wide transportation

·        Hogwarts Express – Transport from Kings Head Station to Hogsmeade

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        The Royal Victorian Theatre – Broadway-caliber venue for live shows like Les Mis

·        TBD nighttime spectacular – Likely to be held on the waters before Hogwarts

 

PARK SERVICES

·        Universal Park Centre – In a replica of the National Gallery; Stroller/wheelchair rentals, lockers, lost & found, etc.

 

RESTAURANTS

·        Trafalgar Steakhouse – The park’s premiere table service, in the second floor of the entry structure overlooking Trafalgar

·        Jubilee Coffees & Teas – Coffee shop (done Australian-style) and bakery

·        Curry House – London-style Indian and Chinese curries, in an immigrant’s converted pub (perhaps near like a Sherlock Baker St. façade)

·        Cod’s Blessings – Counter service fish ‘n’ chips by the docks

·        Madame Pratt’s Meat Pies – Quick service British bites, in homage to Sweeney Todd and set next to orphanage and opium den facades

·        Street Treats – Snack cart, in like a vintage fire truck or Scotland Yard cart

·        Chimneysweep Snacks – Snack cart, serves London street food like roast nuts

 

SHOPS

·        Alfreds – Main park shop in a department store inspired by Harrods, name and décor/murals in reference to Hitchcock

·        West End Toy Shop – Toys and games in a vintage Victorian toy shop

·        Westminster Dresses – Women’s clothing in a Burlington Arcade setting, with décor based on Royal Ascot fashion

·        Pip & Co. Tailoring – Men’s clothing in a Savile Row setting

·        Laemmle’s Nickelodeon Emporium – Place to purchase photos taken on-ride or by cast members park-wide, inspired by an early nickelodeon movie house and daguerreotype shop

·        Regency Gallery – Artworks and fine collectibles, in a Sotheby’s setting

·        Treacle’s Sweets Shop – Candy store alongside Alfreds, specializes in British puddings

·        Plunder Down Under – A replica of Captain Cook’s ship Endeavor sells goods from the Australian colony (then seeking independence), a fun reference for local guests

·        Emma’s Flowers – Victorian flower cart (think My Fair Lady)

·        Tuppence a Bag – Additional traveling salesman souvenir cart

 

 

WELLS LABORATORIES

Directly inspired by the vintage sci-fi of H.G. Wells (and occasionally others), not based on any later film adaptations.  Setting is a Grand Exposition-style steel palace (a 19th-century World’s Fair) built around the crater of a crashed Martian cylinder.  Earth’s scientists use the Martians’ energy source to power their own inventions, their time machines and spaceships and robots.

 

RIDES

·        The War of the Worlds – Launched outdoor coaster; Tracks resemble an elevated metro and coaster supports resemble Tripods, visually justifying it

·        The Time Machine – Motion-base dark ride like Spider-Man or Transformers

·        Unnamed robot trains – Elevated tours like Peoplemover or High in the Sky Trolley, to give the land movement and provide backstory exposition

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        The Island of Dr. Moreau – Walkthrough of the Dr.’s laboratory/zoo

 

RESTAURANTS

·        First Menu on the Moon – Based on Wells’ “First Men in the Moon” (which would make a cool dark ride, but we have enough), this is a table service experience where guests ride a spherical spaceship to a romanticized lunar surface to feast on fine Selenite cuisine

·        The Food of the Gods – Counter service dining in an observatory and a planetarium, based on a lesser Wells novel about Super Foods

·        The Hungry Martian – Martian quick service served from a crashed Tripod

·        Eloi Fresh Fruit – A fruit stand…from the future

 

SHOPS

·        Things to Come – The land’s main emporium, in a steampunk automaton museum featuring a huge Corliss steam engine and Babbage difference engine

·        The Time Capsule – Post-ride shop for The Time Machine, in a clock storehouse

·        Store of the Worlds – War of the Worlds post-ride shop in a Victorian metro station, with plundered weaponry from the defeated Martians

·        Tesla Gifts – Gift cart made of Tesla coils

 

 

SKULL ISLAND

King Kong’s jungle lair inspired mainly by the 1933 original, with aesthetic upgrades as needed.  Set after the original film (and ignoring Son of Kong), Carl Denham is now hosting research expeditions on the island to document and film its prehistoric fauna, and perhaps discover another giant ape.  Once-stereotypical natives are now tastefully inspired by Ethiopia’s Konso village and similar sources.

 

RIDES

·        Skull Island River Adventure – Reskin of the Jurassic Park boat ride

·        Unnamed wooden coaster – A native-built mine train to the island interior, seemingly built from bamboo; Easy to visually justify and hide, and a fun new ride type for Universal!

·        Unnamed native outrigger canoes – Kinetic peaceful transport along the shores like canoes or gondolas

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        Unnamed musical show – At the ancient gate, combines the natives’ ritual and Denham’s New York show, climaxing with the reveal of a full-size Kong AA

·        Unnamed rock-climbing course

 

RESTAURANTS

·        The Venture – Table service dining aboard Denham’s steamer ship The Venture, akin to the food on DisneySea’s S.S. Columbia

·        Denham’s Diner – “The Best Beast Eats” found around an expedition fire pit amidst exploration gear at jungle’s edge

·        Gondwana Jack’s – Jack Driscoll runs a village cookhouse counter serving exotic, Asian-inspired snacks

·        Sumatran Oasis – A drink counter (beer) from a natural spring flowing from the ancient stone monoliths; Also tropical cocktail drinks, many banana-infused

 

SHOPS

·        Great Ape Outfitters – River Adventure post-ride shop held in base camp tents, full of mementos from Denham’s ill-fated Broadway show

·        Tribal Traders – Native souvenirs sold within the skeleton of a giant ape, decorated with village tapestries

 

 

POKEMON – THE KANTO REGION

Based on Pokémon’s Kanto Region, with mainly bucolic wilderness dotted by scattered towns like Pallet Town or the combined urban areas of Celadon City and Saffron City.  The child-friendly land, with attractions to match, and a land-wide interactive game befitting Nintendo.

 

RIDES

·        Legendary Racers: Mew vs. Mewtwo – Racing junior coasters

·        PokéSnap Photo Safari – Interactive photo-taking dark ride

·        Carousel of Pokémon – Flat ride

·        PokéBall Spin – Teacups; Note both flat rides are in a PokéPark sub-area because I’ve been otherwise unable to conceive of or justify flat rides, which this land needs

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        Gotta Catch ‘Em All – Land-wise scavenger hunt like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, starts at Professor Oak’s Lab collecting Pokédexes, then proceeds to Gyms scattered throughout the land

·        Pokémon League Tournament – Live PokéBattle show in Indigo Stadium, with Team Ash vs. Team Rocket

·        Unnamed meet ‘n’ greet – Meet live Pokémon at the stadium’s entrance

·        Unnamed playground – Set on the Seafoam Islands and Cinnabar Island

 

RESTAURANTS

·        Café Snorlax – Counter service food, all of it Pokémon-themed (like Pokémon sweet buns and mochi balls and such) served in Indigo Stadium

·        Pokémon Center – Snacks in a Pokémon hospital, particularly Razzberry Juice and such

·        Cinnabar Snacks – More Pokémon-themed snacks (e.g. ice cream) in an island hut

 

SHOPS

·        Celadon Department Store – Land’s main shop of Pokémon/Nintendo merchandise, based on a real game setting

·        Safari Zone Photo Shop – A PokéSnap post-ride shop to buy photos taken on the ride

·        PokéMart – The game’s recurring standard souvenir shop

·        Silph Co. HQ – Pokémon-hunting gear in a high-rise, especially Pokédexes and Silph Scopes

·        Rocket Game Corner – A coin-op arcade (as in the games) featuring Nintendo products

 

 

ZELDA’S HYRULE

Nintendo’s Zelda land, primarily inspired by Ocarina of Time.  It’s largely subdivided into sub-areas, with Hyrule Field as a hub leading to the Lost Woods, Death Mountain, Kakariko Village and Hyrule Castle Town.  A second Nintendo land for slightly older kids.

 

RIDES

·        Breath of the Wild flight simulator – Paragliders leave from Death Mountain and sail tranquilly over Hyrule

·        Twilight Princess interactive dark ride – Shoot arrows from horseback; A rather screen-based ride which dramatizes the defeat of Gannon

·        Wind Waker boat ride – Mostly for kinetics; Boats using a waterborne version of Uni’s Mario Kart drift cars, like a splashing aquatic whip ride

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        Forest Temple Escapes – Escape room (puzzle solving), with TBD methods to improve capacity

·        Marketplace Games – Game stands in Hyrule Castle Town, such are archery galleries, bomb bowling, and treasure chest guessing games

 

RESTAURANTS

·        Lon Lon Ranch – Counter service fresh-smoked barbecue in a ranch setting, plus a special themed “Lon Lon Milk” drink from a dedicated Milk Cart

·        Kakariko Chicken Kart – A turkey leg cart inspired by those chicken-collecting missions

·        Fairy’s Fountain – A beverage (booze) counter found in a hidden grotto

 

SHOPS

·        Hyrule Marketplace – Bustling bazaar in Hyrule Castle Town, with adventuring equipment as well as fine costumes for Princess Zelda herself

·        The Temple of Time – Cathedral selling Ocarinas and other artifacts which (like Potter’s wands) allow for land-wide interactivity

·        Goron Goods – Flight simulator post-ride shop set in Death Mountain’s caves, where the Goron rock monsters sell their jewels and art

·        The Curious Quiver – Arrow shop in Kakariko Village; Includes a cartography corner operated by “fan favorite” Tingle

·        Majora’s Mask Shop – Buy all manner of themed masks in Castle Town

 

 

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER - HOGSMEADE

Pretty much a clone from Islands of Adventure with a few new attractions.  The most notable difference is a total redesign of Hogwarts Castle into a full-scale boutique hotel so that guests may stay overnight in the park’s center completely immersed in Harry Potter’s world!  Hogwarts doubles as the park’s central icon.

 

RIDES

·        Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – The classic

·        TBD 2nd E-ticket flight simulator – To be based on either quidditch or hippogriffs

·        The Whomping Willow – Swing spinner flat ride

·        Hogwarts Express – Transport to Kings Head Station in Victorian London

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        Hippogriff Encounter – Photo-ops with an AA Buckbeak and a live Hagrid

·        The Frog Choir & The Tri-Wizard Tournament – Live street shows

 

RESTAURANTS

·        Three Broomsticks – Counter service British pub grub

·        Hog’s Head – Drink counter (beer)

·        Butterbeer Cart – The themed drink specialists!

 

SHOPS

·        Filch’s Confiscated Goods – Forbidden Journey post-ride shop

·        Ollivanders – Sells interactive wands

·        Dervish and Banges – Clothing and goods for Hogwarts students

·        Honeydukes – Candy shop

·        Owl Post – Stationary and similar souvenirs

 

 

TRANSYLVANIA

Inspired by the classic Universal Monsters of the 30s and 40s, rather than any later iterations.  Note that this land combines settings which span Transylvania, Switzerland, England and Wales (not that the films’ geography was ever super clear), which I feel is justified for a land celebrating history’s earliest cinematic universe.  Set in the village of Vasaria and nearby Carpathian Mountains.

 

RIDES

·        Revenge of the Mummy – Indoor coaster clone, now Karloff-themed

·        The Ride of Frankenstein – Drop tower, set during Dr. Frankenstein’s experiment

·        Unnamed river raft ride – Similar to Bilge Rat Barges, encompassing any and all Monsters.  (Due to a possible conflict with a UniMK Popeye raft ride, this could be altered into something like a Black Lagoon version of Jaws.)

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

·        Castle Dracula – A supersized permanent scare maze/haunt!

·        Unnamed Wolf-Man scare show – Wolf-Man version of ExtraTERRORestrial, written by the mazethinker

·        Abbott & Costello Meet the Monsters – Humorous live theater show

·        Universal Monsters Meet ‘n’ Shriek – Meet ‘n’ greet of rotating characters

 

RESTAURANTS

·        Chaney’s – Fine table service set in the crypt of Dr. Pretorious and the Phantom’s catacombs; Themed drinks here and elsewhere can include Hyde’s Serum, Griffin’s Serum, and Dracula’s family wine label

·        The Lion’s Head – The inn featured prominently in The Invisible Man, where he (unseen) moves items around; Can play host seasonally to the “Festival of the New Wine” from Frankenstein Meets the Wolf-Man

·        Ygor’s Cottage – Simple quick service in the blind hermit’s cottage from Bride of Frankenstein.  (It’s somewhat TBD precisely what sort of food this land serves.)

·        Caravan Harvest Cookout – Roast quick service foods (heavy with garlic) served in the gypsy camp from The Wolf-Man

·        Windmill Creamery – Ice cream counter in the Monster’s windmill from Frankenstein

 

SHOPS

·        Talbot’s Antiques – Antique shop from The Wolf-Man selling cursed talismans, particularly a silver wolf-headed cane

·        Van Helsing’s Supplies – Monster-hunting supplies in a village shop near the gallows, connected to Goldstadt Medical College (known for its brain-in-jar collection)

·        The Vesta – Dracula’s ghost ship now beached at the river’s edge, its hull filled with worldwide artifacts such as fossils from the Amazonian Black Lagoon.  (Alternately, it could be the schooner Rita.)

·        Kharis’ Treasures – Mummy coaster post-ride shop, selling Egyptian goods held in Goldstadt’s Museum of Antiquities

·        Maleva’s Fortunetelling – Live one-on-one gypsy fortunetelling and palm reading

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