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Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park

Is anyone else a little dubious about How to Train Your Dragon as an IP?

I mean they are decent family films and all but will they last the test of time like Disney films, Harry Potter etc. It doesn't feel like the right move for me for some reason. I can see that franchise losing a lot of steam over next few years. Some would say it already has started to.

Might just be me though.
 
Benjsh said:
Is anyone else a little dubious about How to Train Your Dragon as an IP?

I mean they are decent family films and all but will they last the test of time like Disney films, Harry Potter etc. It doesn't feel like the right move for me for some reason. I can see that franchise losing a lot of steam over next few years. Some would say it already has started to.

Might just be me though.
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Disney opened a new ride in 2011 based on The Little Mermaid, a film that was released in 1989.
A lot of people thought Avatar was past-it and not worth building a ride on but it now seems to be that Flight of Passage is among the best rides in Florida.
If the ride concept or show concept is good, it shouldn't matter what characters are used. Waterworld was a pretty rubbish movie but its a great stunt show at Universal Hollywood. Similarly there used to be a great stunt show at IoA based on Sinbad, I don't think many people know of the character but the stunt show is fun.
Also look an non-IP rides, you don't need to know the Nemesis back-story to find it a fun rollercoaster.
 
In Comcast’s latest earnings results they have said they are now pausing construction on Epic Universe as it’s at the early stages, while they focus on the current challenges faced by the parks. they continuing on other Projects inc Beijing and Nintendo in Japan.

rumours also indicate disney have pulled the funding on a number of projects. Projects like Tron, play pavilion and guardians will continue due to the stage they are at, Ratatouille is also nearly ready to open. Rumours point to the Star Wars hotel being mothballed for time being as they now don’t see the demand for Such a premium high priced project. Some of the Epcot changes for 2022 onwards will also be scrapped/put on hold.
 
Universal have now announced work on epic Universe is paused until the economy starts to recover, rather than just being paused while the existing parks are closed/restrictions in place. Comcast exec stated confidence is high that they will eventually move forward with the project.
 
That is disappointing but not entirely surprising. That would indicate a delay of at least 1 or 2 years.
 
Most economic predictions seem to predict that the economy will begin to recover by next year, with some even going for Q4 of 2020, so for all we know, that may only delay the park by a year or so.
 
Matt N said:
Most economic predictions seem to predict that the economy will begin to recover by next year, with some even going for Q4 of 2020, so for all we know, that may only delay the park by a year or so.
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The economy will begin its road to recovery by then. Exactly. Begin but it will be a while until its back to nornal. I think major theme park additions will be very rare over coming years tbh which is a real shame but inevitable.
 
Benjsh said:
The economy will begin its road to recovery by then. Exactly. Begin but it will be a while until its back to nornal. I think major theme park additions will be very rare over coming years tbh which is a real shame but inevitable.
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Universal said that construction was delayed until the economy “begins to recover”, so my point is that that may only be a delay of a year or so. Most predictions seem to point to a full recovery in around 2022-2023.
EDIT: I’m not sure about the worldwide economy, but a full return to late 2019 economic levels is expected in 2023 in the UK, with the recovery potentially beginning at the end of 2020: https://www.theguardian.com/busines...ke-three-years-to-recover-from-coronavirus-ey

The thing I’ve mostly heard predictions-wise is “sharp but short”.
 
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This will put Epic Universe back by at least one year. Wouldn't be shocked if it even got pushed back to 2025 however for now I will stick to 2024. That could change though.
 
Benjsh said:
This will put Epic Universe back by at least one year. Wouldn't be shocked if it even got pushed back to 2025 however for now I will stick to 2024. That could change though.
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I think that all could be a little more certain by 2021 (potentially even the end of 2020 if we’re being optimistic) in terms of where the economy is going, so presuming construction starts again in 2021, I’d say that 2024-2025 seems like a reasonable guess at the moment. Most theme park companies seem to be delaying major projects by a year or two as opposed to cancelling them completely, so I’ll be very surprised if Epic Universe gets cancelled or delayed beyond 2025.
 
The future of Epic Universe is becoming more uncertain. Comcast have now stated that development (rather than construction) is on pause until the future becomes more certain:



Would be a real pity if this never happened but it would not surprise me if Universal were already thinking of ways to incorporate Super Nintendo World in to Universal Studios as originally planned.
 
Yeah I think we are about to hit a recession and given the way Covid is going in the USA they might be hit for some time. It could be a few years for the tourism market to recover so best for them to wait.
 
Rob said:
The future of Epic Universe is becoming more uncertain. Comcast have now stated that development (rather than construction) is on pause until the future becomes more certain:



Would be a real pity if this never happened but it would not surprise me if Universal were already thinking of ways to incorporate Super Nintendo World in to Universal Studios as originally planned.
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A shame, but yeah, the original Kids World plot/plan is ready to go.
 
jon81uk said:
Yeah I think we are about to hit a recession and given the way Covid is going in the USA they might be hit for some time. It could be a few years for the tourism market to recover so best for them to wait.
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America's position could be good for Disneyland Paris: especially if they can time the Avengers campus for next Summer, and new areas every summer over the next few years (they are already building the attractions).

I know the British market forms a small part of the visitors in Florida; but they probably punch above their weight in profits due to the long stays.

Europe has some Covid pockets of its own to deal with, but broadly the situation is being managed and it looks at least as safe as the UK: whereas the USA just looks dangerous.
 
TheBolt said:
America's position could be good for Disneyland Paris: especially if they can time the Avengers campus for next Summer, and new areas every summer over the next few years (they are already building the attractions).

I know the British market forms a small part of the visitors in Florida; but they probably punch above their weight in profits due to the long stays.

Europe has some Covid pockets of its own to deal with, but broadly the situation is being managed and it looks at least as safe as the UK: whereas the USA just looks dangerous.
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British guests make up 3% of total WDW visitors, imagine Universal similar. Also from what I have read and seen Per cap spending much higher for American guests who typically stay for 3-5 days and happily spend more on extras and expensive onsite meals as only there for a short period.
 
Obviously this is just hearsay and rumours but I have been listening to a few podcasts this week from usually reliable Universal boffins and they think a delay till 2030 is highly probable for this project now due to the pandemic and subsequent global recession. I hate to admit it but they are probably right too.

Interestingly, such is the expected delay that they believe Super Nintendo world could now very much be back on the cards to open in the original Universal Studios parks in Florida again rather than in Epic Universe. With Japan now ready and Hollywood's version racing ahead they probably feel they need to change tactics and get Florida's Super Nintendo World back on the agenda too.

If Epic Universe ever does open later this decade or even in 2030 or later......I think it will be completely different to what they had originally planned.
 
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