Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Tyc00n96]

Id say break ground in late 2028. Gotta let this new shiny baby get all the glory for a couple years. I agree with it. I dont want to see an cranes at this park for atleast 3 years. Lets just let it rock !

Depending on attendance/ demand, I could see them doing something small within a year of opening like how IOA added Stormforce/ Unicorn. There are a few small open plots around celestial that can add a small attraction or flat ride. A major addition should probably be a few years down the line.

 

[jarmor]

I think Islands is missing an all-ages indoor dark ride and a stage show and Wicked in LC gives the the opportunity to knock both of those things out.

Back to being on topic, how soon do we feel they move on an expansion of any kind in Epic? A year? 3?

Not really though. The Cat in the Hat is an all age dark ride IMHO. It's as "all age" as Pets is.

 

[Myah1220]

Not really though. The Cat in the Hat is an all age dark ride IMHO. It's as "all age" as Pets is.

Respectfully disagree, The Cat in the Hat is really showing it's age and I don't think it's something that random refurbs to keep it up and running is going to fix. Unless they completely revamped it with all new animatronics and a better track (which doesn't seem worth the investment/time to shut down the one and only dark ride they have/the money to invest in an old IP) it's not good. IOA needs a dark ride that it deserves, not one that they just keep running because it's there.

Edit: Sure, Pets and Cat in the Hat might both be "all age" but I don't think you can really fairly compare hem because Pets is also brand new and running smoothly, whereas Cat in the Hat looks like the stuff of nightmares these days.

 

[Ryuniversal]

Soo as u guys can see there is an easy gate to bulid a portal to Zelda

 

[jarmor]

That "easy" gate is direct access to service roads and emergency access. . .

Respectfully disagree, The Cat in the Hat is really showing it's age and I don't think it's something that random refurbs to keep it up and running is going to fix. Unless they completely revamped it with all new animatronics and a better track (which doesn't seem worth the investment/time to shut down the one and only dark ride they have/the money to invest in an old IP) it's not good. IOA needs a dark ride that it deserves, not one that they just keep running because it's there.

Edit: Sure, Pets and Cat in the Hat might both be "all age" but I don't think you can really fairly compare hem because Pets is also brand new and running smoothly, whereas Cat in the Hat looks like the stuff of nightmares these days.

The notion was the park is missing an all-ages indoor dark ride. Not whether or not the current one is up to par to somes standard when it comes to animatronics and track. Nor was it about how new an IP is (even though the "Old IP" has more name recognition than Pets probably ever will. . .)

I'd hate to hear what you'd have to say about E.T. lol.

 

[Tyc00n96]

That "easy" gate is direct access to service roads and emergency access. . .



The notion was the park is missing an all-ages indoor dark ride. Not whether or not the current one is up to par to somes standard when it comes to animatronics and track. Nor was it about how new an IP is (even though the "Old IP" has more name recognition than Pets probably ever will. . .)

I'd hate to hear what you'd have to say about E.T. lol.

I should clarify. I think the park needs another type of this ride, especially in the age of how advanced some of this new technology is. Islands could benefit from having balance across its lineup, as it needs more indoor rides and more rides that aren't high thrill in nature IMO.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

That gate is necessary, but it's easy as moving the gate closer to the perimeter road and then creating a ramp for a bridge/flyover for access. Add a portal between Pizza Moon & Oak Star and you have a nice SNW land that doesn't require guests to backtrack.

 

[tommyhawkins]

I think it was mentioned not too long ago the Nintendo expansion pad is split in a way that looks like it can accommodate two different types of lands in the plot. If Zelda goes into EU, maybe Wicked can go to IOA instead.

only rumoured to split, its not designed for that, few messages ago i outlined the scenarios. but splitting a seven acre plot gives barely anything to either side. like a messy divorce




The Expansion pad needs to win sole custody of one IP, that way you have room for something fully fleshed out

 

[saint.piss]

I still hope the huge expansion for SNW is Luigi's Mansion. I really want Zelda too but not at Epic...

 

[Dragontrainer2]

A Zelda log flume ride through hyperia would be a great addition, I think epic would really benefit from a more thrilling water ride down the line and I think Super Nintendo world is the perfect place for it

 

[Myah1220]

That "easy" gate is direct access to service roads and emergency access. . .



The notion was the park is missing an all-ages indoor dark ride. Not whether or not the current one is up to par to somes standard when it comes to animatronics and track. Nor was it about how new an IP is (even though the "Old IP" has more name recognition than Pets probably ever will. . .)

I'd hate to hear what you'd have to say about E.T. lol.

Cool. I still maintain that it would be nice to have a more modern family friendly dark ride option in IOA. I love Cat in the Hat as an IP. I really love E.T as an IP. I definitely believe in a healthy mix of maintaining the classics alongside the new rides, I'm not in favor of scrapping the old collectively - on the contrary - I think that's something great that Disney has over Universal - the larger variety of classics and new. But it would be nice to have another, secondary option to have as well, because frankly having Cat in the Hat as the sole family friendly dark ride in IOA, when it's in the condition it's in is kind of sad. Sorry.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The fun thing about speculating what Epic needs, is how it fits in with USF & IOA's needs and how it'll impact Epic.

For example, while Wicked would make a great portal... a Wicked land would likely host a stage show which Epic Universe doesn't need (at least yet) unlike Islands of Adventure. However, Wicked could also fit into USF's cityscapes and fit well into the Springfield area.

Lord of the Rings, can fit at either USF or IOA, but the scale they'd probably want to achieve would only be realistically available at the large north Epic expansion pad.



The IPs I utilized for this are not the only projects being considered, they are just the ones mostly discussed.

 

[jarmor]

I think we are forgetting that IOA was earmarked to be the thrill park of Central fla. Where large roller coasters and thrill/flat rides reigns.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I think we are forgetting that IOA was earmarked to be the thrill park of Central fla. Where large roller coasters and thrill/flat rides reigns.

...it is. Now it needs to focus on adding family-friendly offerings. If you want a family to experience all 3 parks at UOR and increase length of stay at the resort, you need more diverse offerings throughout the park. It has more than enough thrill rides.

 

[OrlLover]

I think we are forgetting that IOA was earmarked to be the thrill park of Central fla. Where large roller coasters and thrill/flat rides reigns.

I’m confused is it not meeting that specification ?

It has plenty of thrills to go around but needs more entertainment and dark ride or two.

 

[jarmor]

^
^^
We gotta stop wanting the parks to be the "same" across the board. You want dark rides and entertainment/shows, go to universal studios. You want thrills and ex itement, go to IOA. Now, if you want a hybrid of both plus immersion out of this world, you to epic. The funny thing is most all non coasters at IOA are, in fact, dark rides. Kong, dark ride. Forbidden journey, dark ride. Spiderman, dark ride. Hagrid, hybrid dark ride/coaster. Ripsaw falls, darkride water ride. River adventure, darkride water ride.

As far as height restrictions, IOA is accessible to all families. Could it use a show, yes. I'll give you that. But to say it needs more "dark rides" is kinda a stretch when most all their rides have dark ride elements.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

^
^^
We gotta stop wanting the parks to be the "same" across the board. You want dark rides and entertainment/shows, go to universal studios. You want thrills and ex itement, go to IOA. Now, if you want a hybrid of both plus immersion out of this world, you to epic. The funny thing is most all non coasters at IOA are, in fact, dark rides. Kong, dark ride. Forbidden journey, dark ride. Spiderman, dark ride. Hagrid, hybrid dark ride/coaster. Ripsaw falls, darkride water ride. River adventure, darkride water ride.

As far as height restrictions, IOA is accessible to all families. Could it use a show, yes. I'll give you that. But to say it needs more "dark rides" is kinda a stretch when most all their rides have dark ride elements.

In terms of dark rides, IOA is in a weird situation.

You have your family dark ride in Cat in the Hat, but then you have a family dark ride that has a low height requirement, but its content is somewhat mature.

The remaining dark rides have an additional element of thrill that can't be handled by a good percentage of guests and lose their re-rideability (Forbidden Journey, Spider-Man). I can go on VelociCoaster a hundred times with ease, but one ride on FJ is enough for me.

The water rides, while fun, are missed out by most guests as they really drench you. So if you don't want thrill or your socks wet, your options are quite limited.

 

[Mad Dog]

One important factor. Universal states that 80% of all tickets sold (USF &IOA) are park hoppers. Lot of that is due to HE. Bottom line is that they're two parks, but they basically function as one huge park.

 

[Myah1220]

^
^^
We gotta stop wanting the parks to be the "same" across the board. You want dark rides and entertainment/shows, go to universal studios. You want thrills and ex itement, go to IOA. Now, if you want a hybrid of both plus immersion out of this world, you to epic. The funny thing is most all non coasters at IOA are, in fact, dark rides. Kong, dark ride. Forbidden journey, dark ride. Spiderman, dark ride. Hagrid, hybrid dark ride/coaster. Ripsaw falls, darkride water ride. River adventure, darkride water ride.

As far as height restrictions, IOA is accessible to all families. Could it use a show, yes. I'll give you that. But to say it needs more "dark rides" is kinda a stretch when most all their rides have dark ride elements.

The reality is, families make up the largest demo that visit these parks, and even in a park that is geared to be "thrill" oriented, it's smart for them to have some consistency when it comes to including offerings for families across the board, across all parks. I don't think anyone here is suggesting to water down or remove the thrills - I certainly am not (big thrill ride fan and I don't even have kids) but I still think is smart/fair to have options so that everyone can enjoy and you don't have to break up families to be sent off to different parks depending on their interests or the intensity level of attractions like you're suggesting. It also isn't really a smart move to alienate part of your crowd because they don't like thrill rides. It's really a simple fix: you can keep thrills the focus while still adding some more family-oriented, less intense offerings.

Also, I edited my previous post because when I said dark ride, I meant more family-friendly, less intense, traditional dark rides. I am aware Spider-Man and Forbidden Journey are also technically dark rides, but they are definitely more on the thrill side and not the "family friendly" traditional dark ride I was trying to suggest like the E.T, Cat in the Hat, Secret Life of Pets variety.

 

[belloq87]

Every theme park should strive to have a balance of attraction offerings for a range of guest tastes.

Let the themes of those theme parks provide the differentiation/distinction.