Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Casper Gutman]

Perhaps the all-ages franchise that’s very popular with children should have an all-ages dark ride with no height restrictions…

 

[Jake S]

Perhaps the all-ages franchise that’s very popular with children should have an all-ages dark ride with no height restrictions…

You'll take Hogwarts Express and you'll like it!

 

[fryoj]

I'm having trouble imagining how they'd even build a broom ride with no height restriction

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I'm having trouble imagining how they'd even build a broom ride with no height restriction

Not everyone in the wizarding world can ride a broom due to age and height!

 

[RFRees]

Perhaps the all-ages franchise that’s very popular with children should have an all-ages dark ride with no height restrictions…

I know you're talking about Potter, but what Universal Orlando attraction fits this criteria?

It just seems the criticism is not Potter specific but is a general Universal criticism. No one seems to actually delve into why this might be other than it being an 'oversight' and/or 'not within Universal's target demographic.' I'm thinking it's actually safety related.

 

[SkiBum]

I know you're talking about Potter, but what Universal Orlando attraction fits this criteria?

It just seems the criticism is not Potter specific but is a general Universal criticism. No one seems to actually delve into why this might be other than it being an 'oversight' and/or 'not within Universal's target demographic.' I'm thinking it's actually safety related.

To me, it seemed that Universal basically said that they were going to get the pre-teen, teen, and young adult audience and let Disney have the toddlers and young children. However, with three theme parks, it might be time to start having the rides for children of all ages. I thought HTTYD would benefit from a good dark ride instead of the spin and spew. SNW has Mario Cart, which I think is good for all ages. I mean, it has a 40 in height requirement but that is basically a three year old. I always question how much a toddler under three years old can remember or enjoy a ride, aside from funny colors or maybe a character or two.

 

[RFRees]

To me, it seemed that Universal basically said that they were going to get the pre-teen, teen, and young adult audience and let Disney have the toddlers and young children. However, with three theme parks, it might be time to start having the rides for children of all ages. I thought HTTYD would benefit from a good dark ride instead of the spin and spew. SNW has Mario Cart, which I think is good for all ages. I mean, it has a 40 in height requirement but that is basically a three year old. I always question how much a toddler under three years old can remember or enjoy a ride, aside from funny colors or maybe a character or two.

I mean there's Yoshi as well (which is the same ride vehicle as SLoP?) and is essentially a baby ride, but that also has a height requirement. Disney does 'no height requirement,' but as far as I'm aware, Universal does not. (Some exceptions for flats like Constellation Carousel, but the criteria in question is dark rides.)

 

[Andysol]

Why? Getting familes with kids - and the grandparents -- is Universal's biggest untapped opportunity for attendance growth. Not only is it a market right there, arm's reach, that's relatively easy to target, looking for an alternative to Disney, it's a chance to form a lifelong brand relationship rather than waiting until kids are in their teens and totally distracted by real life and maybe not even going on vacation with their parents anymore.

To me, it seemed that Universal basically said that they were going to get the pre-teen, teen, and young adult audience and let Disney have the toddlers and young children. However, with three theme parks, it might be time to start having the rides for children of all ages.

This keeps getting brought up. As someone who has gone through it personally with different aged kids and my youngest going to universal as early as 2; Universal has always been not good for <40”. Is it better than being at home? Absolutely. They can still enjoy certain things and just the environment, but it’s not built for them. For a fun experience, sesame place or peppa pig is. For a highly themed experience everyone can enjoy, Disney is.

Universal is addressing this gap with Universal Kids Park. They would rather spend $500m on a regional park than $500m on 1 highly themed all-age ride.

Ops are certainly more at the regional park, but they believe the return is worth it. The Orlando parks are the “next step” park for kids. Not the “all ages” park yall are asking for. They made their decision. Regional kids park (if successful, which it should be) + international theme/thrill park. That’s their play to cast the wider net.

If Universal Kids fails spectacularly, yall can say “I told you so”. But until then, talking about them building all-ages rides to cast a wider net in Orlando is talking about what they have clearly decided against.

And, let’s be honest; casting a wider net is exactly what epic universe doesn’t need. Capacity to handle the current audience is what they need.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I know you're talking about Potter, but what Universal Orlando attraction fits this criteria?

It just seems the criticism is not Potter specific but is a general Universal criticism. No one seems to actually delve into why this might be other than it being an 'oversight' and/or 'not within Universal's target demographic.' I'm thinking it's actually safety related.

Disney's fine with looser guidelines for guests on rides, Universal has a "100% confinement" policy. Some say it's because they self insure the rides, I think it's them having a lot of rides built before the amusement industry insurance purge of the 80s and 90s that Universal was largely born into and it's a cultural thing. Say what you will about Universal's accessability issues and "rides for young kids", but they don't have articles coming out every few weeks about someone jumping out of a ride vehicle like Disney has.

 

[maxairmike]

Disney's fine with looser guidelines for guests on rides, Universal has a "100% confinement" policy. Some say it's because they self insure the rides, I think it's them having a lot of rides built before the amusement industry insurance purge of the 80s and 90s that Universal was largely born into and it's a cultural thing. Say what you will about Universal's accessability issues and "rides for young kids", but they don't have articles coming out every few weeks about someone jumping out of a ride vehicle like Disney has.

My understanding is that (at least on the ops side), it’s a result of specific incidents over time that has really shaped policies and how they view things, with a culture that is now much more…conservative (not sure that’s the best word) regarding risk tolerance in that regard.

But yeah, the 100% confinement policy specifically will restrict the kinds of attractions that many say they would like to see to address that market.