Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park

[Rob]

I agree, the word 'epic' could become really dated. I wasn't overly keen on Fantastic Worlds either but it would have been better and more likely to stand the test of time. Alas copyright issues put an end to that.

Also is something like How to Train Your Dragon a big enough IP to stand the test of time? I have never seen it and have no idea how popular it is, but will an area themed to this IP still seem relevant in 15-20 years time? I'm not so sure. Something like Nintendo or Classic Universal Monsters is far more timeless. Then again Universal will probably just rip out areas that become redundant and replace them with something else, assuming Comcast are still providing heavy investment.

 

[Tim]

How to Train your Dragon is big enough to work (as a theme there’s a lot of open potential for going beyond the films and adding to the universe) but the 3rd film this year had a pretty definitive ending so I’m not sure if it’ll still be relevant by the time this opens, let alone after that.

But as you’ve said this is universal so if it’s no longer relevant they won’t hesitate to replace it.

Edit: it’s worth noting that the How to Train you Dragon ride in Dubai (The only other Mack Suspended Powered Coaster) is supposed to be more impressive than Arthur, which shows the potential. Not that I’ve ridden it but it’s what I here from people that have.

 

[Maelstrom]

How to Train your Dragon is big enough to work (as a theme there’s a lot of open potential for going beyond the films and adding to the universe) but the 3rd film this year had a pretty definitive ending so I’m not sure if it’ll still be relevant by the time this opens, let alone after that.

But as you’ve said this is universal so if it’s no longer relevant they won’t hesitate to replace it.

Edit: it’s worth noting that the How to Train you Dragon ride in Dubai (The only other Mack Suspended Powered Coaster) is supposed to be more impressive than Arthur, which shows the potential. Not that I’ve ridden it but it’s what I here from people that have.

I have been to motiongate and the How to train your dragon area is very impressive, plus Dragon Gliders is better than Arthur in my view, in fact the ride could be dropped into Universal and it wouldn’t seem out of place. The original rumour I heard was we would see multiple dreamworks fully emersive worlds/mini lands grouped together in the park with a couple of attractions each.

 

[Brad97]

How to Train your Dragon is probably the best series of animated films ever. I think an area could definitely work and have longevity.

 

[Rob]

How to Train your Dragon is probably the best series of animated films ever. I think an area could definitely work and have longevity.

Shows how much I know! There is some thought that the How to Train Your Dragon area could possibly be more of a Dreamworks area with several themes. Same goes for Fantastic Beasts, that could actually be a Ministry of Magic Potter area with influence by Fantastic Beasts.

Here is the full high resolution concept that show a more at the very bottom than the first concept I posted:

And here is a look at the development plans for the new park with labels showing the various lands added by Alicia Stella of Orlando Park Stop:

Apparently most of the attractions in the Hub area will have original themes.

 

[Benjsh]

How to Train your Dragon is probably the best series of animated films ever. I think an area could definitely work and have longevity.

Wooooah that's quite the statement right there.

HTTYD was very good but to even suggest that it's better animated series than the Toy Story series is absolutely baffling. It doesn't come close.

 

[Brad97]

Wooooah that's quite the statement right there.

HTTYD was very good but to even suggest that it's better animated series than the Toy Story series is absolutely baffling. It doesn't come close.

Thinking more about it, I mostly meant among the Dreamworks films. Should have been more clear there!

 

[Benjsh]

Thinking more about it, I mostly meant among the Dreamworks films. Should have been more clear there!

Yeah I think it's a great series too but it's not even my favourite from DreamWorks either. That's got to be Shrek.

It should make a great area for a park though. It's definitely popular enough I agree.

 

[Maelstrom]

After watching some vlogs and reading stuff online it seems like based on the released concept image and some leaked details from Universal insiders the park will have the following attractions - things may change though and some of the buildings it’s unknown what attraction it will be-

Nintendoland

-Mario Kart dark ride
-Yoshi Indoor/outdoor dark ride
- Donkey Kong Coaster (described as family thrill type coaster)
-possible smash brothers show (building next to nintendoland) if no would be an attraction in the Hub.

Classic Monsters

-large scale dark ride (described as modern take on the haunted mansion with all the classic Monsters)
-large arena show; possibly something like a nighttime monster themed show on the scale of Fantasmic at Hollywood studios

Fantastic Beasts

-2 large scale indoor E -ticket sized rides. Not a lot is known about these but one possibly themed to the ministry of magic

How to train your dragon

- large scale Family coaster
- Boat ride
- possible flying simulator- think Avatar flight of passage but actually sat on back of a dragon and suspended above the screen.
-play structure
-a number of flat rides
-possibly inc a Gerstlauer skyfly (multiple ride systems to increase throughput)

Hub Area

Will inc attractions apparantly not linked to the themed worlds (ips being used unknown at this point)
-large scale duelling/racing launched coaster (thrill) ins inversions
-there are a number of other buildings that will possibly contain attractions which are likely to big to contain restaurants/shops.
Nighttime firework show (fireworks launched from behind the hotel.

Plus I am sure lots of meet and greets and other smaller scale shows.

Lots of time for plans to change/budgets to change etc and some inside info obviously maybe incorrect. But the above would give it similar number of attractions to when IOA Opened and what you find in non magic kingdom Disney parks.

 

[EuroSatch]

It sure whether I have missed something, but is there an expected opening year for this? Being an avid Nintendo fan, I will definitely hold back my next trip to Florida until this is built now. Simon is amenable to the idea with the promise of goombas

 

[Matt N]

It sure whether I have missed something, but is there an expected opening year for this? Being an avid Nintendo fan, I will definitely hold back my next trip to Florida until this is built now. Simon is amenable to the idea with the promise of goombas

RCDB says 2023, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet!

 

[Rob]

2023 is the expected year but I doubt we will see an announcement of that for a good while yet, partly because they will not want to put people off visiting in the meantime.

 

[Benjsh]

The way Universal get on with their business I'd say 2023 is achievable. I'm going to stick to my hunch of 2024 but I wouldn't be shocked if they get it open by 2023 one bit.

They seem to have made good progress with the land clearing so far. The transport links and new infrastructure is definitely going to take time though in addition to the resort.

This project could very well be up with Tokyo Disney Sea standards and if it is then boy are we in for a treat.

 

[Tim]

...
This project could very well be up with Tokyo Disney Sea standards and if it is then boy are we in for a treat.

It could be but I don't think it will be.

The people behind Disney Sea spared no expense in making the most immersive themed park they could possibly imagine. Universal have created 2 of the most immersive themed areas but only because Harry Potter (as a brand) demanded it of them. Their other investments since Hogsmede first opened (nearly 10 years ago!) have failed to achieve the same wow factor.

Based on the what I can tell from the plans I'd say:
Fantasic Beasts will undoubtbly follow in Diagon Alleys footsteps as a great themed area.
The Universal classic monsters could be outstanding if the right people are behind the project. Build something that's new and fresh but feels classic. Play on the fact the IP is very open-ended.
Nintendoland will be good but I'm not convinced it'll be a great immersive area, just a well done kids zone with family appeal.
Likwise for Dragons, although the island of Berk would be an amazing rival to Nintendoland if it was at IOA (you need a waterfront setting to go fully immersive).
But it's the centre area that really concerns me. No central feature like Prometheus at Disney Sea, or the lake at IOA. And the theme is general IP's that don't fit elsewhere. Not exactly inspiring.

Which comes down to my biggest concern, what is the parks mission statement? With the 2 existing parks I feel they both have a different purpose. The Studio is about cinematic experiences and IOA is about adventuring into these worlds. The new park just feels like IOA 2. Which I guess is fine given that IOA can't expand and they have to build the new rides somwhere, but it would be nice if all the themes were linked in some way.

 

[Benjsh]

It could be but I don't think it will be.

The people behind Disney Sea spared no expense in making the most immersive themed park they could possibly imagine. Universal have created 2 of the most immersive themed areas but only because Harry Potter (as a brand) demanded it of them. Their other investments since Hogsmede first opened (nearly 10 years ago!) have failed to achieve the same wow factor.

Based on the what I can tell from the plans I'd say:
Fantasic Beasts will undoubtbly follow in Diagon Alleys footsteps as a great themed area.
The Universal classic monsters could be outstanding if the right people are behind the project. Build something that's new and fresh but feels classic. Play on the fact the IP is very open-ended.
Nintendoland will be good but I'm not convinced it'll be a great immersive area, just a well done kids zone with family appeal.
Likwise for Dragons, although the island of Berk would be an amazing rival to Nintendoland if it was at IOA (you need a waterfront setting to go fully immersive).
But it's the centre area that really concerns me. No central feature like Prometheus at Disney Sea, or the lake at IOA. And the theme is general IP's that don't fit elsewhere. Not exactly inspiring.

Which comes down to my biggest concern, what is the parks mission statement? With the 2 existing parks I feel they both have a different purpose. The Studio is about cinematic experiences and IOA is about adventuring into these worlds. The new park just feels like IOA 2. Which I guess is fine given that IOA can't expand and they have to build the new rides somwhere, but it would be nice if all the themes were linked in some way.

Might be just me being optimistic but I don't think this will be your typical park with a few good areas. I think they are going all out here looking at the plans.

Nintendo area looking off some of the artwork and rumoured plans looks a hell of a lot better than some 'kids' land too.

 

[Tim]

Jury is out on Nintendoland, but as I said in anouther topic I'm not convinced it'll look as good in real life as it does digitally. Nintendo games tend to work (visually) because they rely on bold and bright colour pallets. But I speak from my own experience of Lego bold and bright is hard to maintain In the real world.
I'm imagining Toy Story land but without natural foliage and weathered elements which nicely bring in a bit of reality.

 

[Rob]

Comcast confirmed during their third quarter earnings call that Epic Universe will open in 2023, as expected by many.

Their CEO also said that this is the single biggest investment they have made in their theme park business as well as in Florida as a whole.

 

[Maelstrom]

Universal have recently filed permits for the how to train your dragon area. The permits show the layout and some of the buildings and attractions for the area and match the layout seen in the concept art and previous rumours for some of the attractions, plus its clear it s themed to how to train your dragon due to some of the theming elements which are on the permits. Based on the permits the land includes-

-Large family coaster- traveling around the land, includes a duel station and 3 short indoor sections (1 or two of which are possibly lift hills)
-Gerstlauer Skyflyers (2 side by side)- Clearly shown on the plans
-Mack Splash Battle- the boat ride layout and interactive points off ride plus insiders point to being a Mack.
-Large outdoor play area- Huge out door play area
-Large Indoor theatre show- insider info points to the biggest building featuring a large indoor theatre show with, based on the How to train your dragon touring arena show which features huge puppets and other special effects to bring the characters and film to life
-Another ride building- not large enough for a dark ride but insiders again as rumoured before point to a new style flying theatre with you riding a dragon, so like Flight of passage. However universal have filled patents for a few different flying theatres that have you riding on a themed seat much like flight of passage but actually suspended with a screen below and in front of you.

The rest of the area features multi other buildings for food and shops, facilities etc. Universal also filled the Nintendo plans not long ago and they match exactly what has been rumoured including the Donkey Kong coaster.

Will be now interesting to see the other three areas especially the Hub as a number of unknown attractions are apparently planed for this area that don't fit into the theme of the 4 other themed lands.

 

[Rob]

Here is a look at the site plan for the area, annotated by Orlando ParkStop:

 

[Danny]

I have a sneaking suspicion their boat ride may be slightly better than the one at Heide...