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Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park

Benjsh said:
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 park 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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I've read that as part of the agreement with Nintendo it may have to open within a couple of years of the agreement, so if it doesn't go in Epic Universe soon they almost have to put it in USF soon.
 
jon81uk said:
I've read that as part of the agreement with Nintendo it may have to open within a couple of years of the agreement, so if it doesn't go in Epic Universe soon they almost have to put it in USF soon.
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Yeah i think the Kids Zone at Islands of Adventure will make way for it now as previously planned before Epic Universe was a thing.

What replaces Nintendo world at Epic Universe if and when it eventually does open will be very interesting. I think Pokemon would be the obvious choice and make most sense.
 
Benjsh said:
Yeah i think the Kids Zone at Islands of Adventure will make way for it now as previously planned before Epic Universe was a thing.

What replaces Nintendo world at Epic Universe if and when it eventually does open will be very interesting. I think Pokemon would be the obvious choice and make most sense.
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I think if Mario was in Epic U then Pokemon would have gone into kidzone anyway. Although for a new park I' not sure if Pokemon is a big enough draw if they do it this way round now.

There was some talk of Zelda replacing Poseidon's Fury and what else is left of Lost Continent too, but I think that is very unlikely.
 
jon81uk said:
I think if Mario was in Epic U then Pokemon would have gone into kidzone anyway. Although for a new park I' not sure if Pokemon is a big enough draw if they do it this way round now.

There was some talk of Zelda replacing Poseidon's Fury and what else is left of Lost Continent too, but I think that is very unlikely.
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I wouldn't underestimate the draw of Pokemon. It's a huge IP and probably more popular over there than it is here. Me n my son play the card game and love it.

Also....yeah find that Zelda rumour a bit unlikely too.
 
Benjsh said:
I wouldn't underestimate the draw of Pokemon. It's a huge IP and probably more popular over there than it is here. Me n my son play the card game and love it.

Also....yeah find that Zelda rumour a bit unlikely too.
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I think Zelda would be a perfect replacement for Poseidon as its basically the same thing of explore an old temple/dungeon and find some stuff. But I don't think it would draw more guests than Poseidon does anyway. I'm also not sure if they replaced what other attractions could be done with Zelda.

I think Pokemon is popular, but I just thought that it would be better as the kidzone replacement rather than a big new park.
 
jon81uk said:
I think Pokemon is popular, but I just thought that it would be better as the kidzone replacement rather than a big new park.
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I don’t know... I think Pokemon in Epic Universe could prove to be a pretty big home run for Universal if they did it. According to this Wikipedia list (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_media_franchises), Pokemon is the highest grossing media franchise in the world, with an estimated $95billion in revenue.

By comparison, Harry Potter, Universal’s arguable golden property, has made a mere $32billion. Star Wars has made $70billion.

By that metric, I’d say that Pokemon on a large scale could be very successful, and I’m sure there’s a lot that could be done with the brand.
 
Wonder if they'll be sticking with the initial plans and ideas.
The universal monsters drive through cinema ride plans that appeared a few months ago looked amazing.
Wheras the Fantastic Beasts franchise just seems like it's collapsing on itself with issues, and with it jumping around there isn't exactly a singular iconic location to build around.
 
Brilliant news, it would have been a real pity to lose this project! Plans may well have been changed but hopefully they are just as exciting.
 
John_P said:
Wonder if they'll be sticking with the initial plans and ideas.
The universal monsters drive through cinema ride plans that appeared a few months ago looked amazing.
Wheras the Fantastic Beasts franchise just seems like it's collapsing on itself with issues, and with it jumping around there isn't exactly a singular iconic location to build around.
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Fantastic Beasts idea was changed to a more generic Potter / Wizard theme wasn't it in the revised plans / rumours?

I sincerely hope they do this if they're intent on going down yet more Wizard themed rides. Fantastic Beasts is simply not the hit they'd hope for is it? It always has to battle with the fact it's not HP.

Personally though I wish they'd do something entirely new with the land. Pokemon, Middle Earth etc.....just something new. I think there's enough HP related stuff already at the other parks.
 
LoTR would be an amazing theme to see brought to life by Universal Creative, but I don't think it's likely at all. If they are going to bring another HP land to life, I'd love to see a quidditch world cup themed area.
 
From what I understand is this version of the wizarding world will feature both the french and British ministry’s. It will feature two rides and one indoor show. The ride set in the Paris ministry will be themed to fantastic beasts. The other attraction will possibly be Harry potter themed. Those where the original rumoured plans, things could have changed, but the fact construction is picking back up with around a years delay I would imagine there haven’t been too many changes.

Pokemon is rumoured as either a second phase expansion in land next to Nintendo land or to replace the kids land at universal. I think we will get original planned lands for this parks opening- Nintendo, monsters, wizzarding world/fantastic beasts, how to train your dragon plus the hub which will feature the parks big coaster.

With the coasters it was expected the how to train your dragon coaster will be an Intamin and the big coaster was set to be from Mack (which apparently would be the biggest coaster they have ever done) I have a feeling it could be a launched extreme spinner, as that’s something different for the Orlando market (that’s just a guess on my part).
 
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How to train your Dragon seems such a bizarre choice too. I'm not fully convinced that's an IP that will stand the test of time like Nintendo or say Pokémon will.

Feels like that IP has already had its day to me and started to fade away. I'm assuming they must have more films planned though.
 
I adore Harry Potter, but feel there's just no reason to further the IP in this park. Fantastic Beasts isn't anywhere near on the same level of popularity.

Pokémon please, dammit! Lord of the Rings, please!
 
Benjsh said:
How to train your Dragon seems such a bizarre choice too. I'm not fully convinced that's an IP that will stand the test of time like Nintendo or say Pokémon will.

Feels like that IP has already had its day to me and started to fade away. I'm assuming they must have more films planned though.
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At least even if you don't know the IP, dragons are still cool, so coaster type rides will be fun.
 
AstroDan said:
I adore Harry Potter, but feel there's just no reason to further the IP in this park. Fantastic Beasts isn't anywhere near on the same level of popularity.

Pokémon please, dammit! Lord of the Rings, please!
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100% Potter will be in epic universe. It's a draw that is beyond going to a theme park or universal studios attracting people just for Potter itself. Can't sell a three park ticket to that crowd without a reason for them to go to EU. At one point wasn't there plans for a ministry of magic area? Maybe that will be the Potter attraction...

LOTR would be fantastic though.
 
I'm really glad the project has started again but I still can't find any reason to be excited about it. We don't need anouther generic park to dump IPs in. This park should have an identity and make some form of statement to set it apart.

If Universal Studios is about being in the movies, and Islands of Adventure is about the fantasy worlds of the movies then what does this park do different to them?

Universal have an amazing opportunity to do something new and different on this land. But I worry that all they seem to be doing is using it as overflow space for areas they can't fit in the other 2 parks.
 
A LOTR land, done to the standard of the Potterverse, would seriously make me question living in the UK any longer and moving my family to Florida. Hahahahaha
 
During a business update a couple fo weeks ago Universal stated that epic universe would feature Ip's from Nintendo, Dreamworks, both of which we already knew about) but also illumination (universal animation studio). I wonder I plans have changed and they have now added in a themed area based on an Illumination property or maybe its the theme for one of the two attractions in the Hub area. Hopefully this hasn't replaced the monsters land as the big E-ticket ride is meant to be an updated and even higher thrill version of the Kula arm tech from forbidden journey, but with more physical sets and not major use of screens.

It still expected the Wizzarding world land will exist and rumoured it will mix both fantastic beasts and Harry Potter based themes rather than just being based on fantastic beasts with two ministry of magics, one from Fantastic beasts (Paris) and Harry Potter London). Both fo which will be contained within huge show buildings, with 2 main rides and also an indoor theatre show of some kind. The area outside of the show buildings is expected to be Paris themed so its different from the London theme for Diagon alley.

Universal have also traded marked the following hotel name which is likely for the new park Universal's Helios Grand Hotel. This fits with the greek elements theme that's rumoured for the Hub area, with the Hub split into 4 themed zones, Fire, Water, Wind and ether (outer space).
 


We have track on site people. This is not a drill. Looks like the same track from the Yoshi family ride from Japan but still it's a start. :)

2025 is what most people are anticipating as the opening date. They have done a lot of the initial ground work, installed service roads and started to install general infrastructure on the site now.

Out of interest the never going to happen London Resort doesn't even get the green or red light till Spring 2022 and want to open in 2024. What planet are they living on? Hahahaha.
 
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