http://kotaku.com/nintendo-is-coming-to-universal-studios-theme-parks-1702765346
Think Nintendo Land, but real. Today, Nintendo announced it is bringing its games and characters to Universal theme parks.
“The immersive experiences will include major attractions at Universal’s theme parks and will feature Nintendo’s most famous characters and games,” stated an official release. To be clear, this isn’t a full-on Nintendo theme park. Rather, Universal theme parks will create “spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo’s wildly popular games, characters and worlds.” In short, Nintendo-themed attractions in Universal parks.
This isn’t out of the blue for Nintendo. “Countless times, the idea of a theme park has been debated and discussed, and there have been rumors in various forms,” Nintendo president Satoru Iwata previously said in 2010. “But at the present moment, there are no concrete plans.” At that time, Nintendo felt as though the amusement park would need to have an original spin, and Iwata did not rule out the possibility.
“More details will be announced in the future,” the release added, “as the Nintendo and Universal creative teams work to create specific concepts.”
So, what does everyone think about this? I think it's amazing! My kids would flip out! (And my husband would actually want to visit Universal again).
Although there is no mention of Universal Orlando Resort, specifically, I think it is safe to say that something will come to the Orlando property, given that it is its busiest location. I also think Universal Japan will definitely get in on this action!
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
Just a guess: Mushroom Kingdom (Mario), taking over KidZone... Zelda/Hyrule needs a presence though, so maybe MIB pad? Or an entire land in the long rumored third gate????
The fun will now really start...
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
I vote for gutting Marvel super hero island and retheming!
A Mario Kart ride would be a MUST, as would a dark ride themed to Zelda. That could be amazing!
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
The official release from Nintendo:
http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vsMQJPFdvKCUCn-0T3D4eEAhoWb7jEEp
05.07.15
Nintendo partners with Universal Parks & Resorts to create world's first-ever theme park attractions based on Nintendo's beloved games and characters
Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts today announced plans to bring the world of Nintendo to life at Universal theme parks – creating spectacular, dedicated experiences based on Nintendo’s wildly popular games, characters and worlds.
The agreement brings two icons of entertainment together and represents a significant partnership for Nintendo as it expands the reach and popularity of its characters and intellectual property.
Universal theme parks offer incredibly popular, innovative themed family entertainment experiences based on compelling stories and characters – using powerful storytelling and innovative technology. Nintendo has created remarkable and imaginative worlds filled with captivating stories and beloved characters. Now, for the first time, those stories and characters will be brought to life in entirely new ways – only at Universal theme parks.
The immersive experiences will include major attractions at Universal’s theme parks and will feature Nintendo’s most famous characters and games. More details will be announced in the future, as the Nintendo and Universal creative teams work to create specific concepts.
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
BrerGnat;2455996 wrote: I vote for gutting Marvel super hero island and retheming!
A Mario Kart ride would be a MUST, as would a dark ride themed to Zelda. That could be amazing!
Marvel is rumored to get an expansion... Nintendo is earmarked for KidZone, making it family friendly...
Marvel may be getting an Avengers ride though...
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
DizneyFreak2002;2456001 wrote: Marvel is rumored to get an expansion... Nintendo is earmarked for KidZone, making it family friendly...
Marvel may be getting an Avengers ride though...
Really? That seems like a dumb move. I mean, Disney owns Marvel now. Why would Universal give the Avengers a NEW ride???
Regardless, I think the wording about "major attractions" with the Nintendo deal makes it unlikely that it will just be a kiddie land. Perhaps a kiddie land will be part of it, but I hope there is more in store than that!
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
BrerGnat;2456002 wrote: Really? That seems like a dumb move. I mean, Disney owns Marvel now. Why would Universal give the Avengers a NEW ride???
Regardless, I think the wording about "major attractions" with the Nintendo deal makes it unlikely that it will just be a kiddie land. Perhaps a kiddie land will be part of it, but I hope there is more in store than that!
Cause Universal has the hottest property out there today and are making boat loads of money, other than with Potter? Why wouldn't they want to add an Avengers ride? I mean, they would only make MORE money, so yea I guess Universal wanting to make more money makes no sense what so ever... How silly are they for thinking about making cash... Idiots...
And who said Nintendo would be a kiddie land? It will be FAMILY friendly.. key word, FAMILY.. not kiddie, like Storybook Circus or the current KidZone... One of the planned rides, family friendly with some added thrill... I'm still thinking Mario/Mushroom Kingdom will be a good place to start to replace KidZone...
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
DizneyFreak2002;2456005 wrote: Cause Universal has the hottest property out there today and are making boat loads of money, other than with Potter? Why wouldn't they want to add an Avengers ride? I mean, they would only make MORE money, so yea I guess Universal wanting to make more money makes no sense what so ever... How silly are they for thinking about making cash... Idiots...
And who said Nintendo would be a kiddie land? It will be FAMILY friendly.. key word, FAMILY.. not kiddie, like Storybook Circus or the current KidZone... One of the planned rides, family friendly with some added thrill... I'm still thinking Mario/Mushroom Kingdom will be a good place to start to replace KidZone...
Settle down, dude. Seriously.
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
BrerGnat;2455996 wrote: I vote for gutting Marvel super hero island and retheming!
A Mario Kart ride would be a MUST, as would a dark ride themed to Zelda. That could be amazing!
I've still got the original Nintendo and play it once in awhile so I love this! Anything Zelda and a Mario Kart ride would be my two choices as well! Can you imagine a life-size Mario Kart simulator? It seems like there's great intellectual property with Nintendo to draw from, hopefully it turns into some cool attractions.
dnickels;2456008 wrote: I've still got the original Nintendo and play it once in awhile so I love this! Anything Zelda and a Mario Kart ride would be my two choices as well! Can you imagine a life-size Mario Kart simulator? It seems like there's great intellectual property with Nintendo to draw from, hopefully it turns into some cool attractions.
I think we will be very happy with the offerings... Nintendo is very protective of their IP, much like JK Rowling is... They won't allow Universal to cheap out or screw it up...
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
Universal isn't going to stop using the Marvel Characters in their theme parks. Regardless of Disney's purchase of Marvel, because of old contracts between Universal and Marvel, Disney can not use the Marvel characters in their theme parks east of the Mississippi indefinitely.
IMO Universal using Marvel characters in their theme park doesn't do anything for Disney. A lot of people love the Hulk and Spiderman attractions.
I think that the attractions in Marvel Land are just fine and that Universal has other areas of IOA that need to be updated before that section.
Rita (aka NJGIRL)
NJGIRL;2456032 wrote: Universal isn't going to stop using the Marvel Characters in their theme parks. Regardless of Disney's purchase of Marvel, because of old contracts between Universal and Marvel, Disney can not use the Marvel characters in their theme parks east of the Mississippi indefinitely.
IMO Universal using Marvel characters in their theme park doesn't do anything for Disney. A lot of people love the Hulk and Spiderman attractions.
I think that the attractions in Marvel Land are just fine and that Universal has other areas of IOA that need to be updated before that section.
Understanding is some negotiations have gone on regarding Uni and Marvel... And just flushing out, tweeking a bit of the gray/cloudy areas of the contract, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, who, at one time, were members of the Avengers... According to the contract, Uni has the rights to the characters and associated families... So, Guardians could technically fall into the Avenger family... And with the way they are building the MCU, the Guardians WILL be part of the Avengers family... However, like I said, it is a gray area, which may have recently been resolved, thus paving the way for Universal to build an Avengers attraction, retheme Hulk, and redo the entire island so it isn't stuck in the 90's comic book look... They may have even gotten the OK to use the cinematic MCU... And let's face it, Disney isn't doing anything with Star Wars, you think they'd do something other than a stinking meet and greet with Marvel?
Back to Nintendo... Mario should be featured, obviously, and should have the e-ticket... But leaving Zelda out, that's a no no...
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
I'm not a video game person so I do not know any of the characters, but as long as the new attractions are good, not knowing the back story won't bother me.
Rita (aka NJGIRL)
Zelda and Mario will likely be the spotlight, along with Pokemon. How cool would a Luigi's Mansion ride be? Or a Hyrule Castle?
There seems to be plenty of space in the northeast corner of the Studios. Or, they could take out that lame Sinbad attraction along with the other one in that area near Mythos. That whole land can go, as far as I'm concerned.
Natalie
INTERCOT Staff: Disneyland Resort-California, The Water Cooler
There's always that rumor of Disney swooping in and buying Universal out of the marvel theme park attractions contract. And honestly, other than spider man it really wouldn't be hard for Universal to retheme the attractions. We shall see if it happens, I doubt it will but with a bank account the size of Mickey's it's never out of the question.
I think the Universal-Nintendo partnership is great. Universal's go to attractions are 3D and heavily screen based. Works perfectly for video games.
Where would a Universal third gate go? Just looking at the map it would have to be "off property", yes?
