Dark Universe - General Discussion Thread

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Dark Universe New Ride Expansion Approved for Epic Universe

Recently approved permits confirm a new ride will be built at the Dark Universe area of Epic Universe, and not a show

orlandoparkstop.com

YES. YES. YES.

 

[Clive]

Dark Universe New Ride Expansion Approved for Epic Universe

Recently approved permits confirm a new ride will be built at the Dark Universe area of Epic Universe, and not a show

orlandoparkstop.com

YES. YES. YES.

I am going to feel so very vindicated if I ended up being largely in the ballpark with my spec on what this ride may involve.

To be clear, I don't have any inside info on this specific project. My previous pitch about Creature vs Bride based on that piece of merch was entirely speculation.

 

[DragonSlayer]

So hyped for this. I don’t even care what it is, I’m just happy to get more Dark Universe and not purely attractions based on the latest box office thing.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I am going to feel so very vindicated if I ended up being largely in the ballpark with my spec on what this ride may involve.

To be clear, I don't have any inside info on this specific project. My previous pitch about Creature vs Bride based on that piece of merch was entirely speculation.

A Bride vs Creature ride sounds so fun and could be many different ride systems.

 

[Mad Dog]

@simon has been right on for so much stuff. Thumbs Up.

 

[Freak]

I’m trying to dig through the EU expansion thread and this to recall what exactly this might be again. Anyone able to dig up the posts or give a reminder of what it is?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I’m trying to dig through the EU expansion thread and this to recall what exactly this might be again. Anyone able to dig up the posts or give a reminder of what it is?

There are two rumors right now.

1) "Creature boat ride". What's on the tin, a boat ride with the creature. The implication of the rumor was we'd be the main focus of the creature.
2) Bride/Creature coaster concept. "Coaster" as in how SSE and High in the Sky are coasters, could sitll be a boat dunno, but now it's the creature and bride with the bride being the instigating factor.

 

[DOOMBOT]

Creature VS. Bride, as an indoor slow-moving "coaster" on paper, dark ride in practice, is potentially the best case scenario imo.

 

[MagdolHauntsMe]

I'm also glad the back of this land is getting a draw. The Burning Blade Tavern is great (outside of the wobbly tables and chairs) but was empty the couple of times we visited it in early May.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm also glad the back of this land is getting a draw. The Burning Blade Tavern is great (outside of the wobbly tables and chairs) but was empty the couple of times we visited it in early May.

Good area for an expansion. Even though Monsters Unleashed is the best attraction in the park, and maybe the best attraction in Orlando, it's surely the least visited land in Epic. A new D/E attraction there will help to spread the Epic crowds a bit.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Creature VS. Bride, as an indoor slow-moving "coaster" on paper, dark ride in practice, is potentially the best case scenario imo

Gringotts. Just please lean heavy into real sets and animatronics and less screens, which Unchained balanced masterfully.

 

[Legacy]

I'm also glad the back of this land is getting a draw. The Burning Blade Tavern is great (outside of the wobbly tables and chairs) but was empty the couple of times we visited it in early May.

An all-ages Scooby Doo dark ride would fix that…

 

[Jerroddragon]

I'm all for anything Creature themed

 

[DOOMBOT]

An all-ages Scooby Doo dark ride would fix that…

I know you keep bringing up wanting Scooby and Beetlejuice for Dark Universe, but I genuinely don't think either would fit this land at all.

DU is not just USF/USH-style spooky land. Darkmoor has its' own individual vibe and world-building based narrowly around specific parts of the UCM franchise.

I'm not usually a stickler for world and timelines getting in the way of fun - I want Galaxy's Edge to offer both Anakin and Rey era experiences, and it is fun to see those three spooky IP hanging around at USH - but I think seeing USF-type Beetlejuice or Velma in the current iteration of Darkmoor would pretty instantly crack the very purposeful design that went into making what's essentially an original world for Epic Universe, one with relatively dark and grim tones.

There's a reason just about every UCM character got a huge redesign for the new land, plus new adapted shared backstories. Classic Gillman would not fit the vibe of Monsters Unchained, so they had to adapt them a bit; and same with the rest. The hope would be that Beetlejuice or the Mystery Gang would be Darkmoor-ified, and who knows how much and for how long WB would be game for that.

I just don't necessarily think that anything the UCM can do, means it should happen in Darkmoor. I think seeing Dracula and Victoria dancing to the Monster Mash would give a lot more Star Wars Weekends camp than Galaxy's Edge prestige. The latter is pretty clearly the vibe Darkmoor is trying to go for. We're working off the Potter template here. High standards all around.

 

[Mike S]

I know you keep bringing up wanting Scooby and Beetlejuice for Dark Universe, but I genuinely don't think either would fit this land at all.

DU is not just USF/USH-style spooky land. Darkmoor has its' own individual vibe and world-building based narrowly around specific parts of the UCM franchise.

I'm not usually a stickler for world and timelines getting in the way of fun - I want Galaxy's Edge to offer both Anakin and Rey era experiences, and it is fun to see those three spooky IP hanging around at USH - but I think seeing USF-type Beetlejuice or Velma in the current iteration of Darkmoor would pretty instantly crack the very purposeful design that went into making what's essentially an original world for Epic Universe, one with relatively dark and grim tones.

There's a reason just about every UCM character got a huge redesign for the new land, plus new adapted shared backstories. Classic Gillman would not fit the vibe of Monsters Unchained, so they had to adapt them a bit; and same with the rest. The hope would be that Beetlejuice or the Mystery Gang would be Darkmoor-ified, and who knows how much and for how long WB would be game for that.

I just don't necessarily think that anything the UCM can do, means it should happen in Darkmoor. I think seeing Dracula and Victoria dancing to the Monster Mash would give a lot more Star Wars Weekends camp than Galaxy's Edge prestige. The latter is pretty clearly the vibe Darkmoor is trying to go for. We're working off the Potter template here. High standards all around.

I miss Star Wars Weekends style fun so much.

 

[Legacy]

I know you keep bringing up wanting Scooby and Beetlejuice for Dark Universe, but I genuinely don't think either would fit this land at all.

DU is not just USF/USH-style spooky land. Darkmoor has its' own individual vibe and world-building based narrowly around specific parts of the UCM franchise.

I'm not usually a stickler for world and timelines getting in the way of fun - I want Galaxy's Edge to offer both Anakin and Rey era experiences, and it is fun to see those three spooky IP hanging around at USH - but I think seeing USF-type Beetlejuice or Velma in the current iteration of Darkmoor would pretty instantly crack the very purposeful design that went into making what's essentially an original world for Epic Universe, one with relatively dark and grim tones.

There's a reason just about every UCM character got a huge redesign for the new land, plus new adapted shared backstories. Classic Gillman would not fit the vibe of Monsters Unchained, so they had to adapt them a bit; and same with the rest. The hope would be that Beetlejuice or the Mystery Gang would be Darkmoor-ified, and who knows how much and for how long WB would be game for that.

I just don't necessarily think that anything the UCM can do, means it should happen in Darkmoor. I think seeing Dracula and Victoria dancing to the Monster Mash would give a lot more Star Wars Weekends camp than Galaxy's Edge prestige. The latter is pretty clearly the vibe Darkmoor is trying to go for. We're working off the Potter template here. High standards all around.

I think the key aspect (for me) in the idea is that - No - the Scooby Gang doesn’t get “Darkmoor-ified.” It’s the instantly recognizable, bright-colored Scooby Gang within Darkmoor. The juxtaposition is part of the point (and fun).

Ultimately, for me, the key narrative draw of those characters in Darkmoor is “why wouldn’t they?” From my understanding of the world, Darkmoor is set in modern times in a village that just happens to have monsters. A Scooby story allows the village to get fleshed out by focusing on how the locals interact or feel about the monsters. I’m looking at “Abbott and Costello Meet…” and Scooby Doo! Frankencreepy as inspiration for this.

It’s unconventional, but it’s a way to attract and introduce kids to the Monsters in a far less intimidating way.