The World of Tolkien: A Middle Earth Immersive Theme Park Concept.

 The World of Tolkien: A Middle Earth Immersive Theme Park Concept.

Hello Readers, while my normal focus on this Blog is concepts for Existing Theme Park attractions, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and other Disney IP, i think its time I did some concept Development for an immersive land, that someone needs to do somewhere(my hope is Universal Orlando Resort). That of course being the World of J.R.R Tolkien: Middle Earth. When taught about Transmedia Storytelling and Franchises, the founders of which are J.R.R Tolkien, Walt Disney and George Lucas. George Lucas’ Star Wars is already featured in multiple Disney Parks and so its about time the third founder of Transmedia Franchise got his chance to take on the Theme Park Medium of Storytelling. 

THE LAND.

Throughout Tolkien's works there are many locations throughout the films and books that we discover, from the Elvish lands of Mirkwood, and Rivendell, the Dwarvish Mines of Moria and Erebor, The Dark and Sinister Fortresses of Isengard, Mordor and Dol Guldur, and the Realms of Men: Gondor and Rohan. To fit such a massive world in such a space would be a challenge for any park, but even more challenging would be to choose just one. To bring people into this world it will require no sheer lack of creativity, and forced perspective to build iconic locations and bring them to life. The Land would need to be large enough to have the Backgrounds of Erebor, Minas Tirtith and even Baradur and Mountdoom in the Distance, for photo opportunity and yet still contain the whimsy and sense of adventure for the films. While I am not the biggest Lord of the Rings Fan, I believe that something more similar to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, would be convenient to a Middle Earth Inspired Land. Bringing Guests to all four corners of Middle Earth and even putting guests in the middle of the iconic battles and scenes from the Films. 

The ATTRACTIONS:

THE ESCAPE FROM MIRKWOOD A WATER RAPIDS RIDE:

The first attraction comes directly after watching the film the Hobbit, in one scene, of the film, The Dwarves need to escape the Mirkwood Prison of the Elves and hop into barrels. This attraction will place guests into that same experience.

Guests enter the Forests of Mirkwood, and are soon Captured by the Elves, the hobbits have been freed and so are the guests by the Elves load into a Barrel inspired ride vehicle to track down the company of Thorin Oakenshield, taking them on a journey through the Rapids down the stream from Mirkwood, encountering Giant Spiders, and a battle between, Elves, Orcs and Dwarves.

THE EAGLES: A BIRDS EYE VIEW OF MIDDLE EARTH

The second attraction is a ride upon the backs of the Eagles, a simulator that will have guests fly over middle earth, encountering many sights and a few familiar characters.

Guests are welcomed into the Elvish City of Rivendell, to meet with Elrond and Galadriel. When a butterfly enters the room, Elrond and Galadriel send guests to the eagles perch to rescue Gandalf, this ride will take Guests across many locations, including Izengard, where they will encounter Sauramon, Dol Guldor where they will encounter the Nazgul, through the battle of Minas Tirith and deep into Mordor where they will rescue Gandalf from Sauron himself.

BALROG VS ISTARI: A DUELING COASTER.

The third attraction is a glow in the dark dueling coaster through the mines of Moria and Khazad Dum. where guests will either Team with The Fellowship of the Ring or the Forces of Sauron.

Guests enter the pathway into the mines of Moria, following in the footsteps of The Fellowship of the Ring. they will have a choice as to which path they take as they make their way through the Dwarven mines which will determine their pre show. 

PRESHOW A: guest enter the tomb of Balin, where they are greeted by Gimli and Gandalf, Gandalf and Gimili can’t just leave guests in the tomb with the goblins coming they should make it down deeper into the mines where Gandalf can get them out of there using his Magic. Guests will then be led by Elves and Men to their ride vehicle a mixture of Dwarven Technology and Gandalf’s Magic.

PRESHOW B:Guests enter an Orcish Hold, where they are greeted by one of the Nine, who holds a Palantir where Guests will encounter Sauron himself. Guests are informed that they are now servants of Sauron and as such will help raise a Balrog from the Depths of Khazad Dum. Guests will then be lead by Easterlings to the Ride Vehicle The Balrog

ENT: A SPINNING KIDS RIDE, SET IN THE FOREST OF FANGORN

The fourth ride is designed for all ages as a ride set in the forest of Fangorn, as Tree Beard and his Ent allies give Guests a ride that is both lifted and under the trees of the Forest of Fangorn. 

THE SIEGE OF MINAS MORGUL: A WALK THROUGH HORROR 

ATTRACTION

The fifth ride i would like discuss is a walk through haunted house attraction, set in Minas Morgul.

The rangers of Gondor have beat back the Orcs from Osgilliah, they now March on Minas Morgul, the Castle of Witch King of Angmar. Guests will enter the Dark Castle and encounter, Nazgul, Orcs, Spiders, Fellbeasts and may even encounter Gollum as they make their way through the Darkness of the Dark Tower.

THERE AND BACK AGAIN: HOBBIT THE RIDE.

The next ride concept is the Dark Ride attraction, that is intended as a ride through the story of the Hobbit. 

Guests travel to the Shire to the Home of Bilbo Baggins who is supposed to tell guests the story of the Hobbit, Gandalf however crashes the party and using his magic pulls guests into the pages of the story written by Bilbo, where they will encounter Trolls, Gollum, Orcs, Goblins and Smaug the Dragon, taking them from the Shire to Erebor all from Bilbo’s perspective.

GANDALF'S FIREWORKS:

Guests will see a fireworks display nightly done by Gandalf himself

THE JOURNEY INTO MIDDLE EARTH

This ride concept is an interesting one, what if guests rather than walking into middle earth had to take a ferry into the Gray Havens 

The food?

The Prancing Pony:possibly the most iconic food location in middle Earth The Prancing Pony Inn is a great place to have food, it would a quick service restaurant focusing on Mead and Ale, and Non-alcoholic Mead and Ale for the Halflings(children)

Tom Bambadils: it is known that Tom Bambadil wasn’t in the films and is a jolly sole who feasted with Frodo and his friends, its about time guest got to experience eating with Joyous Tom. 

The Banquet Hall of Eduras: Join the court of King Theodin and the Riders of Rohan as you and drink and feast on victories, perhaps even getting into a drinking game with an Elf and A Dwarf.

Elvish Rations stand: in the lore, The Fellowship is gifted Lembas, a bread that can feed a man for an entire Day. The Elves are also known for having Wine and other such foods that will entice and excite guests, including Ent Draught and Miruvor

Hotel Immersion

As my readers know an article wouldn’t be complete without me including somesort of Hotel immersion to it, and being able to stay and live and LARP in this world is exciting to me.

The Shire Experience

This immersive new experience, makes guests hobbits living in a hobbit hole, they can visit the Green Dragon inn and perhaps even visit Bilbo at Bag End for dinner of all the places in Middle Earth, guests would want to stay. I think that The Shire is top of that List.

Rivendell

Guests can have the experience of staying near the house of Elrond in the Elven City of Rivendell to basque in the beauty of the waterfalls and natural wonder of this fan favorite elvish city.

The rooms at the Inn of the Prancing Pony

As mentioned when talking about food, the Inn of The  Prancing Pony was featured multiple times in the films and books, as one of the towns of Brie, for guests to be able to have a room at this inn could prove interesting and exciting for guests, and it is places like this that other theme parks didn’t take an opportunity with in the past with areas similar(The hogs head, and Leaky Cauldron at Wizarding World) to allow guests to stay in these similar areas.

Immersive Middle Earth Campground.

Guests can stay in hovels or tents sleeping under the stars under the trees of the forests of Middle Earth, perhaps even under Mallorn Trees.

Elvish Treehouses

Guests can stay in the elvish treehouses of Lothlorien, and visit the sites familiar and new from the films and books.

Dale

Under the Lonely Mountain sits the city of Dale, and giving guests and opportunity to stay here amongst the northmen and dwarves could prove to be an exciting experience.

Conclusion:

According to countless sources, the Realms of Tolkiens Middle Earth is the third of the great film franchises amongst which are: Star Wars, Harry Potter and the Godfather(that i don’t recommend becoming a theme park attraction) and as a fan of immersive world and LARP entertainment, its about time that Tolkien one of the founders of the study of Transmedia Storytelling and LARP had his worlds brought to life through the medium of the Theme Park. as long as there is a need for escapism in this world I hope that one day guests at a theme park(hopefully Universal when it comes to Middle Earth in particular) and hopefully my creativity will not be in vain.