Originally Posted By TDLFAN Well folks.. it's official: Universal Studios Japan will open their new park area, Land of Oz, on July 12th, 2006. Just 2 days before TDS's official 5th anniversary celebration begins. I was at USJ a few days ago (without my camera) and checked out the progress of the Land of Oz. While the construction wall is still up.. holes in the wall allow for a great view of the Munchkinland facades, Emerald City and other features in the area. The construction workers were putting on some ornamental touches on the newly erected Land of Oz archway. The transformation of the former Old West area to Oz is amazing. Also, the park has been selling a special bag with a Land of Oz motif on one side and the "Wicked" Musical ad on the sides. Apparently a special version of the musical "Wicked" will be presented in this area as well, along with a brand new "Toto and Friends" animal stage show, feat. Dorothy. I shall return to USJ sometime before the end of summer and shall bring a report in late August I hope. In the meantime... read all about it here: <a href="http://www.usj.co.jp/oz/e_index.html" target="_blank">http://www.usj.co.jp/oz/e_inde x.html</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Good to hear that it isn't just sticking some "Oz" signs on the western facades. Do you have any photos of what the area looked like when it was all western-ey?
Originally Posted By SFH There was once a plan for a whole Oz theme park in the U.S. The project was alive as recently as the mid-90s. SFH
Originally Posted By KachinaBear Yep. The Oz theme park was supposed to be here in Kansas City. I heard about it off and on throughout my childhood, but never really expected them to build it... when I heard the project was finally closed for good I was sad but not surprised.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Good to hear that it isn't just sticking some "Oz" signs on the western facades. Do you have any photos of what the area looked like when it was all western-ey?<< But of course I do... check it out: <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4334673&a=32196732&p=74432504" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4334673&a=32196732&p=74432504</a>
Originally Posted By TDLFAN And this is the area's transformation taking place last month. <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4334673&a=32196732&p=74264999" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4334673&a=32196732&p=74264999</a>
Originally Posted By brotherdave There is another Oz theme park that has been planned near Niagra Falls, NY. I've heard some rumblings that that park might finally get built. We'll see....
Originally Posted By AladdinAZ Amazing pictures of USJ! Can't believe the number and variety of characters they have in the park and in the parade! DlandDug would love all the Hello Kitty things, parade float, store, etc! hahahahaha Pink Panther Cafe is a GREAT touch! Hardly ever hear about the PP these days! Can't wait to see what "Oz" will look like. Too bad they didn't have room to leave West street, and add Oz somewhere else in the park. West Street almost looks better than the main entrance to Frontierland at Disneyland. Do you think something like that Peter Pan show would fit in Paradise Pier lagoon?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Pink Panther Cafe is a GREAT touch! Hardly ever hear about the PP these days!<< You didn't see the PP gift shop next to that PP Cafe. Plus, the PP walkaround rubberhead is very popular and looks just like the cartoon looks in the shows. Really awesome. >>Too bad they didn't have room to leave West street, and add Oz somewhere else in the park. West Street almost looks better than the main entrance to Frontierland at Disneyland.<< Yes it did and it was my favorite area of USJ.. Very authetic looking and loaded with more details than those found at some other Disney parks. But the truth is... were was room to build Oz and keep the Old West. They could have expanded towards the back of the park in between Jurassic Park and WaterWorld... but a section of the parking lot may have had to be used. As for Peter's Neverland.. Yes it would fit in Paradise Pier... but, you will have to sacrifice some park quality just like USJ had to do. First up, the two towers they erected for Pan's flying mechanism are quite unsightly and destroy the look of parts of the lagoon area. Also, DCA would have to build a viewing area to accomodate the flow of guests, which on nightly shows there can be comparable to the crowds at DL's Fantasmic. Even with the newly built 3-tiered viewing area at USJ... the crowds spills past that and into NYC area. It's really a trying show to see.
Originally Posted By AladdinAZ Sacrifice "DCA" park quality??? In Paradise Pier????!?!?!?! How the heck is THAT possible?????? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! As for the towers, DCA already has the Maliboomer, a couple more Towers would hurt. BUT regardless, as you mentioned, the viewing area around the PP lagoon area is pitiful. And one of the major reasons why they need to re-do the entire Pier area. Yay, again for the Pink Panther walk around and shop. Neat! Oh, and interesting to see the Peanut's Gang at USJ. Most of the characters look good, but for some reason, Neither Knotts nor USJ got the right look for the Snoopy walk around.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Sacrifice "DCA" park quality??? In Paradise Pier????!?!?!?! How the heck is THAT possible?????? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!<< Now now.. I actually found DCA to be in much better shape than the MK at WDW has been in recently.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <Now now.. I actually found DCA to be in much better shape than the MK at WDW has been in recently.> Oooooh! Right in your face to the Magic Kingdom in Florida!! Now how do you feel Magic Kingdom? Yeah? How about now? You want some more?
Originally Posted By Dlmusic www.ioacentral.com has a great video of the Wicked show. It looks good to me!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I will be returning to USJ and checking this new areas of the park at it's offerings. Hopefully I will get to post pictures for your enjoyment.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Saw full video of Their cliff notes version of "WICKED" and boy, it sucks! Way too much story and too many characters have been cut. And the flying scene is so poorly done that its truly laughable. Only thing done well was the Dragon Clock above the stage. But even that only came to life once.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN UPDATE, due to reasons beyond my control and against my will.... I was not able to go to Osaka and visit USJ and bring you a report from "Land of Oz". My apologies... Hopefully I will be able to do so no later than sept or Oct. If you still care about this topic that is or else I won't bother.
