Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[UniversalRBLX]

More Wicked talk from Mark Woodbury at an investor conference:

Mark Woodbury Recalls Thinking ‘Wicked’ Set “Was A Theme Park Waiting To Happen” As Universal Exec Talks Epic Universe, London Plans

Universal parks boss talks possible new Epic Universe lands in Orlando, the upcoming London project., year-round horror attractions and kids resorts.

deadline.com

It's pretty obvious that Wicked will find a more permanent (not just Fan Fest/Wicked Experience) attraction at the park. To what scale or where, no clue. But I think Wicked will be a decent family-friendly addition to the parks that, up to this point, tend to be more action-driven then musical/passive, a type of attraction that UOR hasn't really done yet that I think they could benefit from.

 

[Alicia]

He's commenting about how he stirred the pot by bringing up how great a Wicked land would be. He is saying oops.

 

[fatzingers27]

The trailer for the upcoming "Epic Ride" docuseries has Michelle Yeoh and Jon M. Chu (director of Wicked) both featured in it. Any chance they might be planning to announce the next set of additions to the parks when it's released, whether they're Wicked-related or not?

 

[TheUniC6]

The trailer for the upcoming "Epic Ride" docuseries has Michelle Yeoh and Jon M. Chu (director of Wicked) both featured in it. Any chance they might be planning to announce the next set of additions to the parks when it's released, whether they're Wicked-related or not?

Usually that is a tease. But if something Wicked related is in development at Universal Creative, the question then becomes if Universal Orlando management wants to add a new portal so soon vs expanding SNW, Monsters, or Potter.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The trailer for the upcoming "Epic Ride" docuseries has Michelle Yeoh and Jon M. Chu (director of Wicked) both featured in it. Any chance they might be planning to announce the next set of additions to the parks when it's released, whether they're Wicked-related or not?

I don't think we're getting any announcements in the documentary.

 

[Alicia]

I don't think we're getting any announcements in the documentary.

I don't think we're getting any new "portals" for Epic for a long time.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I don't think we're getting any announcements in the documentary.

I honestly wouldn't expect much from that documentary haha. It's primarily fluff. Just the guy repeatedly going "Wow!" as he walks around the park and looks at stuff.

 

[Scott W.]

I don't think we're getting any new "portals" for Epic for a long time.

The timeline I have in my head, I don’t see it either. I could see 2 new rides by 2028 which should help balance things out a bit.

I also don’t think the park needs it either. IOA waited 11 years before opening a new land.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I honestly wouldn't expect much from that documentary haha. It's primarily fluff. Just the guy repeatedly going "Wow!" as he walks around the park and looks at stuff.

I mean I'm cool with that! I love all the old Disney theme park documentaries so I'm happy they're doing one big one on Universal Parks.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I mean I'm cool with that! I love all the old Disney theme park documentaries so I'm happy they're doing one big one on Universal Parks.

It definitely has that 2000s Travel Channel / Stacey Must-Do Disney energy to it, so I understand the appeal haha!

 

[Tacky3663]

If it were up to me, this is what I would do for the future of this park over the next 10 years

There’s going to be expansions to each of the lands at Epic Universe as well as two new portals

Here’s what I would do for each

Fully indoor Luigi’s Mansion attraction, with an indoor queue for perpetual darkness and midnight, and have a reveal of the haunted mansion that rivals the ministry reveal. Make the ride a trackless shooter ride.

Indoor Quidditch Story-Coaster - Harry Potter lands print money the longer people stay in them, give Ministry land a second attraction to spread the crowds from Ministry of Magic, and ensure people spend more time in the most beautiful land ever built. (Vekoma Thrill Glider)

Add two flat rides to Celestial Park, one in front of the hotel, and one near the entrance to Super Nintendo Land.

How to Train Your Dragon Simulator - go full fop, fly through the Isle of Berk, changed slightly with the epic universe rides added, include exploration of the hidden world and flying above the clouds. Make it high capacity and fully indoors, and not incredibly intense (Flight of Passage Type Ride)

Donkey Kong Country logflume - build out a gigantic banana boat log flume that expands Donkey Kong land, taking advantage of waterfall already there, tie the water through the whole land together to feel like the rides almost blend together, and then an outdoor quick service restaurant with a mini-tiki bar, serving banana floats with alcohol options.

Creature of the Black Lagoon boat ride with an outdoor swamp-land introduction section that can be skipped when the weather is poor. Underwater animatronics, a mild drop or two, and a spooky queue (Mack Rocking Boat)

After this 10-year plan, build two new portals for Lord of the Rings & Legend of Zelda. A major thrill coaster would be included in one of these plots by either Intamin or Mack Rides.

 

[illumination]

Wicked needs to happen, 100%, doesn't matter which park they add it to.

Oz: Emerald City with fantastic dining and shops, then a dark corner of the land with a Wicked Witch ride. Then a munchkin land area of the land with a kiddie ride. Based on the books which are now public domain and also pulling characters from Wicked.

The Wizard of Oz is more popular than ever with the 4D movie show at Sphere Las Vegas on track to be a permanent show (in between concert residencies) on track to earn $100 billion. I realize this is not owned by Universal but there is so much overlap that it will be mutually beneficial with constant promotion and continued popularity.

This is Universal's answer to Disney Princesses, and nobody doubts the success of Princesses and castles down the street at the competition.

 

[AustinT]

The Wizard of Oz is more popular than ever with the 4D movie show at Sphere Las Vegas on track to be a permanent show (in between concert residencies) on track to earn $100 billion

On track to possibly earn 1 billion. Let's not be ridiculous. But yes, I think the Sphere show further proves that the Oz/Wicked IP has strong cross-generational appeal which would surely help it to be a strong contender for a theme park land

 

[Parkscope Joe]

On track to possibly earn 1 billion. Let's not be ridiculous.

You should see the ticket prices!

 

[Stitch_101]

If it were up to me, this is what I would do for the future of this park over the next 10 years

There’s going to be expansions to each of the lands at Epic Universe as well as two new portals

Here’s what I would do for each

Fully indoor Luigi’s Mansion attraction, with an indoor queue for perpetual darkness and midnight, and have a reveal of the haunted mansion that rivals the ministry reveal. Make the ride a trackless shooter ride.

Indoor Quidditch Story-Coaster - Harry Potter lands print money the longer people stay in them, give Ministry land a second attraction to spread the crowds from Ministry of Magic, and ensure people spend more time in the most beautiful land ever built. (Vekoma Thrill Glider)

Add two flat rides to Celestial Park, one in front of the hotel, and one near the entrance to Super Nintendo Land.

How to Train Your Dragon Simulator - go full fop, fly through the Isle of Berk, changed slightly with the epic universe rides added, include exploration of the hidden world and flying above the clouds. Make it high capacity and fully indoors, and not incredibly intense (Flight of Passage Type Ride)

Donkey Kong Country logflume - build out a gigantic banana boat log flume that expands Donkey Kong land, taking advantage of waterfall already there, tie the water through the whole land together to feel like the rides almost blend together, and then an outdoor quick service restaurant with a mini-tiki bar, serving banana floats with alcohol options.

Creature of the Black Lagoon boat ride with an outdoor swamp-land introduction section that can be skipped when the weather is poor. Underwater animatronics, a mild drop or two, and a spooky queue (Mack Rocking Boat)

After this 10-year plan, build two new portals for Lord of the Rings & Legend of Zelda. A major thrill coaster would be included in one of these plots by either Intamin or Mack Rides.

I love the idea of the Mack Rocking Boat for a Creature attraction, but down the line when they have issues worked out on it. It has a theoretical capacity of 1000 per hour, but the prototype built in Futuroscope has had a lot of safety system problems, so they tend to max out at less than 500 guests an hour. Hell, even with 1000 an hour capacity, thats an issue for the park. For comparison, Mine Cart Madness has an estimated 1000 hourly capacity and that's obviously way too low for the park at the moment. It'll be interesting to see how they (Mack) address the issues in the new instillation going in at Dollywood.

 

[AustinT]

You should see the ticket prices!

HOLY! I had no idea they started at over $100 and go up to about $400 each. Alright, that possible billion dollar haul is still a lot, but sounds a lot less impressive now

 

[Mad Dog]

Woodbury mentions Wicked nearly every time he speaks publicly about theme parks. I think the odds of an attraction or show or land, in
one of the parks at least, is pretty damn high.

 

[GAcoaster]

The sheer volume of Wicked: For Good merchandise tie ins is INSANE! There was a lot for the first film, but this time they’ve got the name one everything you can imagine. This movie seems on track for big numbers and if it does over 1 billion it almost definitely gets fast tracked as a land in one of the parks…