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[🌎 Universal GB] General Discussion
Of the ones slated to be open when under maintenance notified before hand it is different so yes all ones stated to be open have been open
AltonLover123
TS Member
The Big Mack
TS Member
At the end of the day - a brand new and highly technologically advanced theme park is going to struggle during its initial weeks, which are technical rehearsals anyway. I'd expect similar occurrences at Universal GB when it opens, given Universal's history of undesirable reliability for newly opened parks/attractions. When a brand new Universal park fully beds in, it runs flawlessly, to the extent that it puts regional parks like Alton Towers to shame. Universal GB is going to wipe the floor with Alton Towers, a smaller/regional resort that implements budget cuts galore, in every way imaginable... that is a fact.
I think it'll open with less coasters, as mentioned opening a park full stop is going to be problematic they know this. They are going to want to have the best opening possible, they are introducing the theme park brand to a new country, and are going to want to have the best reputation possible. Maybe we could see another coaster open a year or two after initial opening.
I would however say that we shouldn't think too much into the current concept art, for starters they are going to want to give away too much at this stage, and for another Epic Universe's concept art looked completely differently at this stage to how it ended up.
They'll open with two thrill coasters and 1-2 family coasters. My want is a bonafide e-ticket dark ride that isn't a clone, something exceptional to truly put the Park on the map. As much as Jurassic World Adventure will be great it is still a clone. Hopefully the vague 'Shrek' section will turn out to be LOTR and house an all-new state of the art e-ticket dark ride with a queue on the level of Minstry.
If you go by the concept art there’s definetly what looks like to thrill coasters and no other easily discernible one, though I can’t see them opening without a family thrill coaster and a kids coaster.
I expect that one of the thrill coasters will be widely lauded as the best coaster in the UK - although best is clearly subjective - but the dark rides will be streets ahead of what we have in the country. I’m not even sure what’s regarded as the best dark ride in the country currently - The Curse, Wallace and Gromit, Hex, there’s slim pickings really…
I expect that one of the thrill coasters will be widely lauded as the best coaster in the UK - although best is clearly subjective - but the dark rides will be streets ahead of what we have in the country. I’m not even sure what’s regarded as the best dark ride in the country currently - The Curse, Wallace and Gromit, Hex, there’s slim pickings really…
AltonLover123
TS Member
The early concept art for Epic was probably around 80% correct with some lands having a ride or buildings removed though on the whole it’s fairly accurate.
attractionsmagazine.com
Breaking down the concept art for Universal's Epic Universe
To celebrate the announcement of Universal's newest theme park, Universal's Epic Universe, we're breaking down what we see in the park's concept art.
attractionsmagazine.com
In fairness there is only one area of the concept are people think is inaccurateThe early concept art for Epic was probably around 80% correct with some lands having a ride or buildings removed though on the whole it’s fairly accurate.
Breaking down the concept art for Universal's Epic Universe
To celebrate the announcement of Universal's newest theme park, Universal's Epic Universe, we're breaking down what we see in the park's concept art.
Benjsh
TS Member
I think there's a very valid reason to doubt the Shrek theory......Given the park is clearly going to have a huge Minions land plus seemingly a slightly smaller Paddington land on the other side of the park......a third Children friendly IP seems like massive overkill for a Universal park.
A Back to the future coaster plus 2 major Jurassic Park rides just isn't enough to do for teens and adults in a full day. They know this too. I'd be amazed if they don't add another huge IP in this park.
A Back to the future coaster plus 2 major Jurassic Park rides just isn't enough to do for teens and adults in a full day. They know this too. I'd be amazed if they don't add another huge IP in this park.
coastercoaster
TS Member
Agreed. Given the numbers they're projecting, I can't see this opening without more draw for older audiences and at least one significant IP that's different from what's available in the USA to American audiences while they're visiting London. BTTF covers that second point a bit, but it's apparently not particularly popular there. There needs to be something to make someone in Florida go "wow I wish I could visit that" if they want those numbers, they're so high for UK + NW Europe alone, it needs international appeal even in markets that have Universal parks.
I suspect the concept art is intentionally vague in the Shrek area at least because it allows them to have two major marketing events, the first the reveal then the second for a major new IP. Epic Universe was different in that the IPs were expected. If we were to get LOTR that would be a major announcement that would be totally wasted including in the original reveal.
That said I'm not saying we'll get LOTR, though it would be the obvious thing to do if it's something they have the licence to do. That's my take anyway.
Agree with @coastercoaster the park needs another sizable IP. Shrek land is just a whole load of meh and it's been done before.
I still think they are hiding something top right where the supposed Shrek area is. There is also land behind which has been classed as an expansion pad but what if it's part of a larger LOTR area that we don't know about?
The park is already well covered for children's areas so I think it's entirely possible we see another announcement or an update to the park map at some point.
I still think they are hiding something top right where the supposed Shrek area is. There is also land behind which has been classed as an expansion pad but what if it's part of a larger LOTR area that we don't know about?
The park is already well covered for children's areas so I think it's entirely possible we see another announcement or an update to the park map at some point.
Benjsh
TS Member
1. Potter - Guaranteed Money spinner. However as we know this is going to prove almost impossible to pull off unless Universal buy out Warner Bros.
2. Lord of the Rings. It's long been rumoured that they have tried and failed multiple times to acquire the franchise for the parks. Would Great Britain be the perfect location given it's where Tolkien lived most of his life and took inspiration from? I really hope so.
3. A new Nintendo Land but maybe with different attractions to the ones that already exist.
If they can't pull off number 1 or 2 they will build another Nintendo land I think. Guarantees crowds and merch sales and is without a doubt a big enough and timeless IP. If they do go that way I just hope they build some different attractions to what epic has.
I'm personally hoping for LOTR though as that's my favorite franchise / IP / Fictional world that has ever been created.
2. Lord of the Rings. It's long been rumoured that they have tried and failed multiple times to acquire the franchise for the parks. Would Great Britain be the perfect location given it's where Tolkien lived most of his life and took inspiration from? I really hope so.
3. A new Nintendo Land but maybe with different attractions to the ones that already exist.
If they can't pull off number 1 or 2 they will build another Nintendo land I think. Guarantees crowds and merch sales and is without a doubt a big enough and timeless IP. If they do go that way I just hope they build some different attractions to what epic has.
I'm personally hoping for LOTR though as that's my favorite franchise / IP / Fictional world that has ever been created.
Interestingly there have been rumours for sometime now that Universal/Comcast possibly purchasing Warner brothers who are currently struggling.
Not sure of the rights ownership situation between Nintendo and the Pokemon company, but Pokemon would be an outstanding addition.
It’s worked itself into evergreen IP territory, is instantly recognisable, has great gamification potential, and great merchandise options.
The Legendary Birds battling in the sky every night as part of a drone show. Amazing.
IUniversal have the theme park rights for Pokémon. Japan is expected to get a Pokémon ride to replace Spider-Man.
I think would more likely see Pokémon going into the American parks first rather than being the big draw at the UK park.
Been lots of rumours for Pokémon in Orlando- from an additional portal at Epic to more recent rumours of it replacing the whole of the Simpsons land in the studios area- (with the Simpsons ride completely demolished and a new ride built it ins place). But with so many projects that are being talked about for Orlando they won’t do them all anytime soon. With Zelda, Pokémon, wicked lands being talked about, plus the new coaster in studios, possible back to the future replacement for the poorly received fast and furious. Then there is the phase two expansions to epic. So who knows what they will actually end up building and what will come to the UK instead.
I think would more likely see Pokémon going into the American parks first rather than being the big draw at the UK park.
Been lots of rumours for Pokémon in Orlando- from an additional portal at Epic to more recent rumours of it replacing the whole of the Simpsons land in the studios area- (with the Simpsons ride completely demolished and a new ride built it ins place). But with so many projects that are being talked about for Orlando they won’t do them all anytime soon. With Zelda, Pokémon, wicked lands being talked about, plus the new coaster in studios, possible back to the future replacement for the poorly received fast and furious. Then there is the phase two expansions to epic. So who knows what they will actually end up building and what will come to the UK instead.
Thought I’d give a unique update on this - the government have prioritised this project and as such it’s going through a pre-planning process that’s government led currently. I know that a number of regulators/key planning stakeholders have been required to meet with Universal in person within the last few weeks to identify any potential issues at short notice but, very unusually, the regulators also had to identify ways in which Universal could overcome any identified issue (normally it’s up to the applicants to propose options).
From what I’ve heard so far my speculation is I don't think this will undergo a local planning application, which would be the normal process, but is likely to go through a process such as a nationally important infrastructure project (examples include HS2, large wind/solar farms etc.), potentially customised specifically for Universal.
From what I’ve heard so far my speculation is I don't think this will undergo a local planning application, which would be the normal process, but is likely to go through a process such as a nationally important infrastructure project (examples include HS2, large wind/solar farms etc.), potentially customised specifically for Universal.