Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[GA-MBIT]

1) thought the LOST attraction was for Discovery Island

2) Wicked is also a book

1) I've heard talk of both, but it's also been a looooong time so who knows haha.

2) I'm willing to bet good money that 98% of Wicked fans are only fans of the musical and movie musical. Wicked the book fits the same niche in my head as the Jurassic Park book. At this point in time, it's only something that hyperfans dig into as another way to appreciate the franchise further. But it does not itself meaningfully contribute in onboarding new fans of the franchise. I do not believe Wicked book fans are a significant amount of any population.

The best way to go about a Wicked land imo is to make it a generalized Oz or Emerald City. Lean into the classic broadway elements and the Wizard of Oz elements. I just feel like this new series of movies' won't age nearly as gracefully long-term, between it's celebrity cast and very 2010's CGI-heavy grimdark-lite aesthetic. Wizard of Oz is the most proven evergreen franchise out there. It's close to 100 years old and it still holds an incredibly significant spot in the zeitgiest. They built a yellow-brick road in USF last year for a reason, and it wasn't because it played a massive part in these new films.

The unfortunate thing is that I doubt Universal would be chomping at the bit for another land with profit-split between them and WB. It would probably be a simulator ride with Cynthia and Ariana, and it would be exclusively stuff from the Wicked movies. And what could be a timeless, permanent land based on one of the most evergreen franchises ever made would be preserved forever in Hunger Games-aesthetic amber.

If it was just Wicked: The Ride within USF or something, I think that could fill a similar niche to Fallon or Nicktoons. Something that obviously won't last forever, but serves its' individual plot of land well for about two decades or so. When we start talking about Epic Portals, these are seemingly permanent expansions that have to carry that weight for far longer than two decades. The Wicked (2024) dining location needs to be popular relevant enough to sustain business in 2052. My grandchildren need to still be posing in the mirror of the Wicked (2024) bathrooms.

Is that completely unthinkable? No. It's a possibility. We saw a Tron coaster this decade. The Muppets are getting an E-Ticket next year. Back to the Future, Jaws, and Ghostbusters are some of the most common UDX fan requests of 2025. The Infinity Saga, which has an incredibly 2010s/CGI heavy artstyle, has a land with an E-ticket being built almost a decade after the last big event film. Harry Potter is very similar to that, and we have 3 lands now as of 4 months ago. Wicked '24 could have legs, but I'm cautious about jumping in too fast and while the hype is at it's biggest.

It's the issue with designing your park with Diagon Alley as the base. You have to be really committed to a concept, because if the hype dies, you're not just stuck with a standalone ride to replace. Every one of these lands are built to such an insane scale that a true misfire means catastrophe, especially for an expansion with the purpose of revitalizing attendance.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've always speculated that Wicked, if greenlit, would go into Studios or IOA as one attraction or a land. Epic expansions are probably another Nintendo attraction, another Potter attraction, and a Lord of the Rings land. I don't see Wicked being squeezed into that schedule. If Universal does Wicked, it will be soon, while the
iron is hot.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I've always speculated that Wicked, if greenlit, would go into Studios or IOA as one attraction or a land. Epic expansions are probably another Nintendo attraction, another Potter attraction, and a Lord of the Rings land. I don't see Wicked being squeezed into that schedule. If Universal does Wicked, it will be soon, while the
iron is hot.

...and the quickest way to add an attraction to a park is through a live theatrical performance. Luckily, they have 3 giant theaters they can utilize.

I think Wicked can be done with an E-ticket show and a handful of shows and dining. Maybe in the long-term add a ride if the IP's popularity continues through spin offs, shows, etc. I can see Wicked being a tremendous gain to IOA's lineup while USF gets bulkier investment.

 

[Mad Dog]

...and the quickest way to add an attraction to a park is through a live theatrical performance. Luckily, they have 3 giant theaters they can utilize.

I think Wicked can be done with an E-ticket show and a handful of shows and dining. Maybe in the long-term add a ride if the IP's popularity continues through spin offs, shows, etc. I can see Wicked being a tremendous gain to IOA's lineup while USF gets bulkier investment.

and....with the 'rumor' of a new live theater show at USO next year....that would certainly be a possibility. Both USF and IOA could use a live show
in one of those three underutilized large theaters.

 

[quinnmac000]

With more than $6 billion in global receipts, the stage musical of Wicked has been seen by 65 million people across 100+ cities in 16 countries. ( Universal already is the developer and main producer)

Everything You Need to Know About ‘Wicked’ Ahead of the Universal Pictures’ Movie

Everything You Need to Know About ‘Wicked’ Ahead of the Universal Pictures’ Movie

www.nbcuniversal.com

So even before the film came out, this property has made Universal money and bank and if you even look at box office/VOD/PVOD/home video numbers, the musical/stage version has outgrossed some properties with substantial presence in a Universal park.

So why does this property need to prove itself compared to others when even without the film. it has already done more than other properties within the park?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

USO

imma be that guy here… USF. USO is a very different organization.

 

[rageofthegods]

I think the question of whether or not Wicked has staying power was definitively answered when the film adaptation of the 21 year-old stage musical made $750m at the global box office. This is irrespective of what we think of the aesthetic of the films (a bit washed out, definitely).

 

[Disneyhead]

Everyone wants Wicked in LC but it is literally a pink and green potter esthetic/theme. They even used Minalima for some of the Wicked merchandise. A school for Witches and Wizards with choose your favorite character interactive wands right next door to a school for witches and wizards with choose your favorite character interactive wands seems...redundant.

I am convinced the film adaptation of Wicked was specificlly designed to be the Potter replacement for USGB since they can't use Potter there.

 

[Mike S]

Everyone wants Wicked in LC but is is literally a pink and green potter esthetic/theme. They even used Minalima for some of the Wicked merchandise. A school for Witches and Wizards with choose your favorite character interactive wands right next door to a school for witches and wizards with choose your favorite character interactive wands seems...redundant.

I am convinced the film adaptation of Wicked was specificlly designed to be the Potter replacement for USGB since they can't use Potter there.

Makes it hard to put Wicked anywhere in Orlando then.

“Oops, All Potter!”

 

[Disneyhead]

Makes it hard to put Wicked anywhere in Orlando then.

“Oops, All Potter!”

That's why I think Orlando will get a stand alone Wicked attraction and not a full blown Wicked land.

I think the flying theater attraction in the NYC section of USF would be a great place for a stand alone Wicked attraction.

Sorry Jimmy.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Everyone wants Wicked in LC but is is literally a pink and green potter esthetic/theme. They even used Minalima for some of the Wicked merchandise. A school for Witches and Wizards with choose your favorite character interactive wands right next door to a school for witches and wizards with choose your favorite character interactive wands seems...redundant.

I am convinced the film adaptation of Wicked was specificlly designed to be the Potter replacement for USGB since they can't use Potter there.

What wands in Wicked? No really, point me to one.

Just build Oz, you can get both Elphaba and Dorthy invovled and still be different than Potter.

 

[Mike S]

That's why I think Orlando will get a stand alone Wicked attraction and not a full blown Wicked land.

I think the flying theater attraction in the NYC section of USF would be a great place for a stand alone Wicked attraction.

Sorry Jimmy.

Would you reuse the flying theater or tie into New York and make a show with a Broadway facade?

 

[Disneyhead]

What wands in Wicked? No really, point me to one.

Just build Oz, you can get both Elphaba and Dorthy invovled and still be different than Potter.

Glinda uses the ridiculous wand/septer in the opening scene. Madame Morrible gives Glinda a training wand at the Ozdust Ballroom and...

Don't think Universal wouldn't create a wand for each "popular" character. Without seeing it, I would totally buy a Pfannee (Bowen Yang) wand. I am sure it's fabulous.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Glinda uses the ridiculous wand/septer in the opening scene. Madame Morrible gives Glinda a training wand at the Ozdust Ballroom and...

Don't think Universal wouldn't create a wand for each "popular" character. Without seeing it, I would totally buy a Pfannee (Bowen Yang) wand. I am sure it's fabulous.

So it's used in one scene vs a series that literally makes it the defining aspect of starting school there. Got it. Yeah you're "the same" comparisons are falling apart. Shrek has magic too, and magic wands!

 

[Clive]

Wicked is very different than Potter in terms of aesthetics, substance, and story. We're at a resort that has like, what, five attractions featuring dragons at this point?

I think if Wicked Part 2 does well (I hate the "For Good" bit), they'll greenlight whatever they're developing. If it crashes and burns, they'll either scale back plans (maybe a stand alone attraction similar to what Disneyhead is proposing) or scrap the idea entirely. But I think Wicked Part 2 will do very well even if it's shakier than the first.

 

[Disneyhead]

So it's used in one scene vs a series that literally makes it the defining aspect of starting school there. Got it. Yeah you're "the same" comparisons are falling apart. Shrek has magic too, and magic wands!

Reverse engineer it. Universal can't use Potter in USGB. They still have a desire to sell $$$ wands (that's kind of a Universal thing now, like Mouse ears at Disney), they have a hot IP that did VERY well on the west end that includes witches, wizards and MAGIC!

Thie is all speculation on my part, but the math's working out

 

[TheUniC6]

Reverse engineer it. Universal can't use Potter in USGB. They still have a desire to sell $$$ wands (that's kind of a Universal thing now, like Mouse ears at Disney), they have a hot IP that did VERY well on the west end that includes witches, wizards and MAGIC!

Thie is all speculation on my part, but the math's working out

The early concept art of UGB does show an area with a green coaster, which many believed is a Wicked land.

One key thing to keep in mind though is the no Orlando clone mandate in place for UGB. IMO, this means if Wicked comes to Orlando taking over lets say LC or Springfield, the area will probably have a single massive E ticket dark ride, while the UGB concept art shows that coaster and what appears to be a smaller showbuilding for a D ticket dark ride.

 

[GA-MBIT]

That's why I think Orlando will get a stand alone Wicked attraction and not a full blown Wicked land.

I think the flying theater attraction in the NYC section of USF would be a great place for a stand alone Wicked attraction.

Sorry Jimmy.

This would sell it for me. Retheme the NBC exterior as if you were walking into a broadway theatre, and once you've entered the theatre itself you are transported into the actual world of Wicked, a la the queue of Revenge of the Mummy. Flying theatre attraction set to Defying Gravity. Send it to print, let's get that going now.

Generally, I think Wicked '24 / Oz Land fits substantially better in USF than Epic. It just feels more poppy, modern, trendy, while still having it's roots seeped deep into the world of film and Hollywood. Both aspects are very USF-coded. I think an individual ride fits the IP far more than an entire land expansion for a number of reasons.

 

[TheUniC6]

This would sell it for me. Retheme the NBC exterior as if you were walking into a broadway theatre, and once you've entered the theatre itself you are transported into the actual world of Wicked, a la the queue of Revenge of the Mummy. Flying theatre attraction set to Defying Gravity. Send it to print, let's get that going now.

Generally, I think Wicked '24 / Oz Land fits substantially better in USF than Epic. It just feels more poppy, modern, trendy, while still having it's roots seeped deep into the world of film and Hollywood. Both aspects are very USF-coded. I think an individual ride fits the IP far more than an entire land expansion for a number of reasons.

A better route IMO would be to replace Simpsons/Springfield with Wicked. Some people believe that plot of land is too small for a massive IP like Pokemon, but maybe something more modest like Wicked/OZ could fit there.

Plus unlike trying to retrofit into the flying theater that is Fallon, you can demo the Simpsons Ride building and expand into the outgoing sprung tent area to do a ground up bespoke E-ticket dark ride to do the IP justice. Simtech's HEXaPOT dark ride sounds like it would fit the Wicked/OZ IP well:

 

[quinnmac000]

I think Wicked deserves more than a singular attraction because the property lends itself to more than that. The story has a lot of rich story building that people are missing out on that lends itself to an incredible theme park land that UDX can have so much fun with.

The entire one short day sequence of the film highlights why it is perfect.....they built the street entertainment already within the source material with the Oz City players acting troupe. The Emerald City version of the Bippity Boppity Boutique also already made and showcased in the film where they get Elphaba and Glinda get their nails done.



The Ozdust Ballroom is essentially the Catina from Star Wars with an animatronic animal band and more seating so people aren't stuck eating with strangers if they get a booth.

The best opportunity is the ease in which UDX can make things that are canon to the franchise. The Wizard is practically Walt Disney if they use the film characterization. He is a architect/an engineer/a entertainer who utilizes his skills to push his dreams and wants to collect power and you even see it within the Part 2 trailer where Glinda and Elphaba are going through a suspended dark ride style attraction. That allows for a lot of opportunity in creating things that fit the world to include flat rides within the Emerald City allowing for a land reach in attractions to help with capacity concerns.

For attractions:
The Train can be a indoor family based ride through the areas of Oz since they are mentioned throughout the film but never seen.

Oz: The Great and Terrible show within the emerald city in the day time (10 minutes) ; then the nightly spectacular telling the story of Elphaba and Glinda (abridged version of Wicked that is roughly an hour similar to the duration of Frozen at DCA) or if Universal is worried about the money stream being impacted, an original show that takes place from a different perspective like Lion King 1 1/2...maybe from Pfannee and Shen Shen.

Defying Gravity: an interactive story coaster ride based on the night Elphaba escaped and the flying monkeys were created.

The Wizard's Playground: the theme park within the theme park with flats and thrills for the people of Oz and emerald city with a variety of flats and a coaster.

And for those who love Nostalgia...we can bring twister back...Twister: Ride it Out Madam Morrible edition where you start in Kansas and then you end up in Oz with a house falling on someone!