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Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park

Bowser said:
I already posted in the Japanese thread, Universal have announced the long anticipated Pokemon attraction.

As expected it’s opening in Osaka first but they also specify it will come to other parks so i suspect Epic will be the likeliest next location?

Universal Studios Japan is pleased to build on its existing collaboration with The Pokémon Company to embark on a project to create an unprecedented interactive Pokémon experience. After its debut in Japan, this new Pokémon experience will be rolled out to Universal Destinations & Experiences' (headquarters: Orlando, Florida, USA) global locations. Further details about the project will be announced at a later date.

prtimes.jp

ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン“深化したポケモン体験”を創造する新プロジェクトを本格始動

合同会社ユー・エス・ジェイのプレスリリース（2026年1月22日 14時01分）ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン“深化したポケモン体験”を創造する新プロジェクトを本格始動
prtimes.jp prtimes.jp
Click to expand...
I’m not going to deny the feasibility of these rumours that Pokemon and Zelda will nestle in Epic Universe specifically
, but I am confused as to why so many “Nintendo” properties are rumoured to go in the same park?

Wouldn’t they want to repeat the Harry Potter strategy of spreading them amongst the Florida parks to drive comprehensive visitation? Consoles aren’t cheap! More Nintendo fans would want to shell it out!

A rumour is a rumoir though, they haven’t said anything - but Theme Park Stop has a habit of being correct.
 
Bowser said:
I already posted in the Japanese thread, Universal have announced the long anticipated Pokemon attraction.

As expected it’s opening in Osaka first but they also specify it will come to other parks so i suspect Epic will be the likeliest next location?
Click to expand...
I've seen rumour and discussion in the past that had Pokemon as a Kidzone replacement, but that has now gone to Dreamworks. Or Pokemon as a Simpsons replacement or an expansion into the space between Simpsons and Men in Black, or in IoA replacing the last of Lost Continent, or into Epic.

My guess is Pokemon will go into Epic Universe, Zelda replacing Lost Continent and Luigi Mansion somewhere else.
There isn't the right expansion plot for Luigi Mansion to come out of the current Mario land at Epic, it makes more sense to have a whole new land coming from the hub.

But right now there is the Lost Continent project starting and a replacement for Fast & Furious to come as well as an replacement for Simpsons being expected.
 
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Kind of curious how Pokémon rides will work. I haven't played the games in decades--there are approximately 900 new Pokémon since then--but the story has always been kind of secondary to the gameplay itself. With Zelda you can have Link and Zelda take on Gannondorf with the iconic theme playing and you'd be most of the way there but other than including Ash and Pikachu and having a couple of Pokémon battles it's kind of a mystery how this would make a good theme park attraction. Actually nevermind, I just remembered that the classic Pokémon Snap exists. Sorted.
 
For clarity the latest most credible (hi Alicia Stella) rumours and timeline -

Studios - F&F Coaster (confirmed 2027)
Studios - Supercharged replacement (2028/9)
Epic - Potter Expansion (confirmed) (2028)
IOA - Lost Continent - Pokemon (2029)
Epic - Zelda Expansion (2030)
Studios - Simpsons replacement (2030 +)

Some projects have been shuffled a few times now, with Pokemon moving Kidzone > Simpsons > Epic > Lost Continent, and the Simpsons area now being given an extension in Studios while F&F is built

As for what Pokemon may entail, Nintendo are all about living the games, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a variation on the wand tech being used for “pokeballs”, linked to a digital app Pokemon Go style. A dark ride with the goal of catching as many pokemon as possible and saving the world from a mythical (theme park land exclusive?) Pokemon would suffice
 
The_bup said:
I’m not going to deny the feasibility of these rumours that Pokemon and Zelda will nestle in Epic Universe specifically
, but I am confused as to why so many “Nintendo” properties are rumoured to go in the same park?

Wouldn’t they want to repeat the Harry Potter strategy of spreading them amongst the Florida parks to drive comprehensive visitation? Consoles aren’t cheap! More Nintendo fans would want to shell it out!

A rumour is a rumoir though, they haven’t said anything - but Theme Park Stop has a habit of being correct.
Click to expand...

With Zelda a key reason is that they have Zelda artwork in the gift shop etc.
 
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