Scolding Universal: A Quick Critique

News broke recently that Universal would open a new theme park in Beijing, and based off of concept art, while it isn’t necessarily what will occur, it deserves some addressing.

Before I go further, I should mention that this theme park, while it will be under Universal’s name and use the properties they have for theme park use in China, it will not be operated by Universal directly, akin to it’s sister park in Japan, or the Disney parks in Japan and China.

This is part of two major problems I have right now towards the new park. The first would be the inclusion of Diagon Alley and Hogsmede. Now the problem isn’t having them both in one park, as a Mummy area separates the two. The real problem I have is in whether or not the location and “lands” will be treated with the due care they have been treated in Orlando.  I’m not quite certain of Japan’s treatment, but given what I know of the treatment of Disney Sea and Tokyo Disneyland, my concerns were not high. Given that if this happens, there could be a cookie-cutter approach to Potter franchise in regards to theme parks, and in all honesty, make me wish that, perhaps to save the pretense, that Universal may just go out and make Potter its own park (though highly infeasible as theme parks need change, and Rowling in those circumstances would have to appoint a new keeper for Harry to ensure Potter continues to “grow” and not simply persist as it would be for Lord of the Rings or the Twilight Saga).  Potter is a special thing, and deserves to be treated with some respect to make it special, and while I have been relatively fine with the thought of three Hogwarts, I keep in mind that the castles between the parks have some differences (Japan’s has a Black Lake and live owls, Hollywood’s is still under construction) and I would hope that there would be some difference to the Bejing park to warrant the addition of yet another castle.

That brings me to my second concern. Namely that I believe that this could, or should have been a reveal for something far grander, and to make some way for Universal to land a rather nasty blow against Disney. Fantastic Beasts. An attraction, or land, based off of the Fantastic Beasts films would be a wonder, and Fantastic Beasts itself could theoretically be added to a New York area seamlessly. This would be a killer blow against Disney, which is still trying to comprehend how Potter has ever-so-soundly kicked its rear, especially in Japan where attendance fell (coinciding with the opening of Potter in Osaka).  This is a wasted opportunity, and one where Universal could have planted a firm foot in China, though I do have my own personal hopes that, if it does not occur there, it may occur in the US, where Universal can use it’s top-notch quality control to ensure perfection and test it out to the global market. (I have my hopes this would be in Hollywood, but  assimilating the area that is the remains of the Lost continent would be more likely to put in a small area themed to Fantastic Beasts).

That’s it for now! If you would like to read more on the issue, or anything  Theme park related, check out the following links!

Sources
http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/travel/universal-studios-japan-harry-potter/
http://www.screamscape.com/html/universal_studios_beijing.htm

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2014/10/universal-officially-announces-34b.html