Wizard of Oz - Movie World Arkham Asylum Replacement

[MARK28]

I've gotta say they've struck gold opening this at the same time as Wicked, and that Wicked looks like it's going to be a massive commercial success... it's a different story of course but Wicked realised Oz so well that I think people are really going to be drawn to this.

[Levi]

5 minutes ago, MARK28 said:

I've gotta say they've struck gold opening this at the same time as Wicked, and that Wicked looks like it's going to be a massive commercial success... it's a different story of course but Wicked realised Oz so well that I think people are really going to be drawn to this.

maybe they should’ve somehow gotten Ariana to come up here while she was in Australia… they really would’ve struck gold even harder. 

[Brad2912]

4 minutes ago, Levi said:

maybe they should’ve somehow gotten Ariana to come up here while she was in Australia… they really would’ve struck gold even harder. 

Different studios which is why you won’t see Wicked merch at MW. 

[LoZza]

8 minutes ago, Brad2912 said:

Different studios which is why you won’t see Wicked merch at MW. 

Off topic a bit but I'm surprised Universal didn't try to capitalise off of Wizard of Oz or Wicked at their new Epic Universe. Would've much preferred that than a mish mash of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts 

[TV15]

24 minutes ago, LoZza said:

Universal didn't try to capitalise off of Wizard of Oz

They tried this at Universal Studios Japan from 2006 to 2011. "This mini-land, inspired by L. Frank Baum’s hit children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, invited guests to experience the magical and iconic fantasy world. Including areas themed to Munchkin Town and the Emerald City..." Sounds familiar?

Seemed like it had some decent entertainment with the land too, a Wicked stage show.

Edited November 26 by TV15

[Brad2912]

14 minutes ago, LoZza said:

Off topic a bit but I'm surprised Universal didn't try to capitalise off of Wizard of Oz or Wicked at their new Epic Universe. Would've much preferred that than a mish mash of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts 

Wicked for all its greatness (both theatrically and cinematically) isn’t going to usurp HP. 
 

in saying that, if Wicked holds its own in coming weeks in what is a strong cinema market, and Part 2 lands just a strongly this time next year then a universal land of some sort dedicated to the wicked universe will certainly have demand and relevance 

The movie is a triumph. 

[MARK28]

38 minutes ago, Levi said:

maybe they should’ve somehow gotten Ariana to come up here while she was in Australia… they really would’ve struck gold even harder. 

Yeah Wicked is Universal, but Movie World is gonna be sailing on it's wake regardless and that's awesome! I imagine it was probably a conscious thing on their part. 

[LoZza]

27 minutes ago, Brad2912 said:

Wicked for all its greatness (both theatrically and cinematically) isn’t going to usurp HP. 
 

in saying that, if Wicked holds its own in coming weeks in what is a strong cinema market, and Part 2 lands just a strongly this time next year then a universal land of some sort dedicated to the wicked universe will certainly have demand and relevance 

The movie is a triumph. 

Yeah but it's not just Wicked itself, Wizard of Oz as a brand is just timeless. Harry Potter is popular but that's pretty much all you'll get with the Wizarding World brand since JK hasn't really done well critically outside of the initial series 

[Brad2912]

On 26/11/2024 at 9:56 PM, LoZza said:

Harry Potter is popular but that's pretty much all you'll get with the Wizarding World brand since JK hasn't really done well critically outside of the initial series 

With a HBO quality level tv series coming out 2026 through 2032, HP will be back at the top of the pop culture game. When your source material is of the quality of HP, you work really need to do anything beyond it 

[Baconjack]

On 26/11/2024 at 8:56 PM, LoZza said:

Yeah but it's not just Wicked itself, Wizard of Oz as a brand is just timeless. Harry Potter is popular but that's pretty much all you'll get with the Wizarding World brand since JK hasn't really done well critically outside of the initial series 

Popular is the understatement of the century.

Getting Potter was a game changer for universal and nearly singlehandedly made them a disney rival. Even many years after opening Potter related attractions are near the top of ridership at each of the parks. The fact USJ had timed entry for potter land up until a decade after opening speaks volumes on how big of a brand it is.

Oz rides on an old movie that a lot of people haven't seen (myself included), a musical that people who don't go to theatres have no clue what it is and a movie based on that which has come out this year while sure is making money isn't lighting the world on fire. It's also been tried at a theme park before - USJ - and it lasted 6 years.

It annoys me how people on this forum are engaging in mental gymnastics to suggest the biggest IP get in theme park history doesn't usurp oz instantly. It's a cool land and something different but it's not reinventing the wheel

Edited November 30 by Baconjack

[casey96]

New video up from Movie World with some POV footage of Flight of the Wicked Witch. I don’t like to judge before things are complete, but the fact they have barely touched the old white shed facade of the old Arkham Station where the three coasters are is concerning. It feels like there is no immersion in the land at all outside of the queues and the plaza. It’s just surrounded by white sheds. I hope they do some landscaping or theming around there to make it feel nicer. Wild seeing how immersive Jungle Rush looks in comparison to this. Will hold judgement until it opens though. 
 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDEQUnJJZQ5/?igsh=OHUxbG8zbWs3c3V5

[Levi]

yeah i’m a bit disappointed tbh. where’s the rock work and smoke coming out of the tunnel? why’s there pool fencing surrounding it? why is it just all concrete and commercial looking? the white sheds left over from arkham too… i hope this video is old and more landscaping and theming has been added. it feels like all the budget went towards the indoor queues and emerald city facades, i hope im proved wrong.

 

at this point, i am more excited for Rivertown and Jungle rush overall.

Edited December 2 by Levi

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

34 minutes ago, casey96 said:

It’s just surrounded by white sheds

Objection your honor, this question has been asked and answered. It's a 'movie set'. Nobody in a cinema can see whats behind the camera. You're BEHIND THE SCENES!

[Ash]

26 minutes ago, Levi said:

yeah i’m a bit disappointed tbh. where’s the rock work and smoke coming out of the tunnel? why’s there pool fencing surrounding it? why is it just all concrete and commercial looking? the white sheds left over from arkham too… i hope this video is old and more landscaping and theming has been added. it feels like all the budget went towards the indoor queues and emerald city facades, i hope im proved wrong.

 

at this point, i am more excited for Rivertown and Jungle rush overall.

Just remember Movieworld hardly theme rides now, they are trying but are failing. The park theming wise has looked the same for years. Bring back a dark river ride like Looney Tunes ride. I feel as with a lot of others Jungle Rush is gonna be the hit. The theming is amazing so far. 

[themagician]

1 hour ago, Levi said:

smoke coming out of the tunnel?

The ride is in testing, so if there is smoke they probably wouldn’t bother turning it on for testing.

[Levi]

10 minutes ago, themagician said:

The ride is in testing, so if there is smoke they probably wouldn’t bother turning it on for testing.

yeah i know that but you can’t even see any smoke machines in the tunnel to create smoke… unless they add it last second? 

Edited December 2 by Levi

[themagician]

6 minutes ago, Levi said:

can’t even see any smoke machines in the tunnel to create smoke

That’s a good thing! You don’t want to see a smoke machine. If you look closely there are a couple of pipes a few hundred millimetres above the floor in the tunnel that could house the machines

[Levi]

23 minutes ago, themagician said:

That’s a good thing! You don’t want to see a smoke machine. If you look closely there are a couple of pipes a few hundred millimetres above the floor in the tunnel that could house the machines

i mean you might be (and i hope you are) right, but even aside from that, i was expecting more then just indoor queue theming and… concrete.

lets just hold out hope it looks better when it opens soon.

[Baconjack]

6 hours ago, casey96 said:

New video up from Movie World with some POV footage of Flight of the Wicked Witch. I don’t like to judge before things are complete, but the fact they have barely touched the old white shed facade of the old Arkham Station where the three coasters are is concerning. It feels like there is no immersion in the land at all outside of the queues and the plaza. It’s just surrounded by white sheds. I hope they do some landscaping or theming around there to make it feel nicer. Wild seeing how immersive Jungle Rush looks in comparison to this. Will hold judgement until it opens though. 
 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDEQUnJJZQ5/?igsh=OHUxbG8zbWs3c3V5

Whats funny is that the shed was painted in a rusty colour when originally built for lethal weapon, so they clearly went into the effort of repainting the building (and recoating the white parts of it)

Go away green (like what Dreamworld did with the side of the jungle rush building facing Tiger Island) would have looked better

Edited December 2 by Baconjack

[TV15]

https://themeparks.com.au/unlock-the-magic

“Limited Edition The Wizard of Oz(TM) Collector Coin” 

Do only new annual pass purchases get this?

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

43 minutes ago, TV15 said:

Do only new annual pass purchases get this?

It would seem that renewals get it also

Quote

Own a piece of magic with the Village Roadshow One Pass! Purchase now to receive an exclusive, limited edition The Wizard of Oz coin – a priceless collectible available only when you purchase or renew a Village Roadshow One Pass. Available for a limited time only, don’t miss out!

Now we know why they had to put up the prices...

[aussienetman]

1 hour ago, TV15 said:

https://themeparks.com.au/unlock-the-magic

“Limited Edition The Wizard of Oz(TM) Collector Coin” 

Do only new annual pass purchases get this?

Lmao..... this cheapens the product so much.... as Dorothy and the gang would say "hahaha hohoho" VRTP just keep disappointing. 

 

[Ashley Jeffery]

Work walls down, just some temporary fences at the land entrance. Must be close to soft opening?

Edited December 10 by Ashley Jeffery

[Rabbit2014]

36 minutes ago, Ashley Jeffery said:

Work walls down, just some temporary fences at the land entrance. Must be close to soft opening?

Qld school holidays start this weekend, so makes sense to open before the larger crowds start arriving from Boxing Day.

[Park Addict 93]

They did plan to have it open by now, I’m not taking the fence being down as sign of an imminent soft opening however.