I demand my cut! I predicted that
a month before TORn came out with it! Clearly Universal are ripping me, an unknown internet forum poster, off!
Snark aside... Middle-earth isn't a theme park. A Middle-earth
immersive experience could potentially be fantastic* - I think Disney is doing something of the kind with
Star Wars, making a whole in-character land for it. But 'the chance to wander through Rivendell, Lorien, Minas Tirith (and Barad-Dur)' doesn't mesh well with 'Universal theme park' (and even worse with 'Universal theme park crowdedness').
*Fantasticness will vary depending on what degree it actually matches Tolkien's version, rather than Movie!M-e.
But what we'll get is the Barrel Ride white-water ride, the Erebor Mine-Cart Rally, the Rollercoaster of Khazad-Dum, and the Hobbiton Shopping Village and Picnic Area.
hS