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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
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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?
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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.
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With Zelda a key reason is that they have Zelda artwork in the gift shop etc.
 
Josh555 said:
Having looked at a video of Pokepark Kanto I seriously hope that whatever Universal produce is a massive upgrade on it. It looks unbelievably budget.
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Seen that video earlier this week and I'm surprised Pokemon have allowed such a thing to exist. It looks so poor and im curious how they think that enhances their brand.

Universal will probably spend more on a single Pokemon attraction than they have on the whole mini park.

Very different markets.
 
Benjsh said:
Seen that video earlier this week and I'm surprised Pokemon have allowed such a thing to exist. It looks so poor and im curious how they think that enhances their brand.

Universal will probably spend more on a single Pokemon attraction than they have on the whole mini park.

Very different markets.
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Shocking isn’t it?

What really got me is the person VLOGing it was absolutely loving it.

Thought maybe it was me being miserable. Reminded me a bit of that Blobbyland thing at Cricket St Thomas.
 
Josh555 said:
Shocking isn’t it?

What really got me is the person VLOGing it was absolutely loving it.

Thought maybe it was me being miserable. Reminded me a bit of that Blobbyland thing at Cricket St Thomas.
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Some people are just very easily pleased. Others just aren't truthful when vlogging as they want to get invites for events and freebies in the future.

The whole place looked awful. Granted im not a Pokemon fan at all but I know enough to realise this wasn't in any shape or form doing the brand justice.
 
Thinking about Universal next year after my eldest's exams, so end of August -gulp! (we're family of 4). We toyed with trying to fit Disney in, but think we'll go to all the 4 universal parks as we're more into that kind of thing and take it at a very leisurely pace. We might go for 10 days, and that'll leave 8 or 9 days free for actual park stuff. We'd stay at an express pass hotel too. Is 8/9 too much? Or given it's in August with a very busy park, a nice luxury with plenty of re-rides/time to adjust for jet-lag?
 
Manchester1894 said:
Thinking about Universal next year after my eldest's exams, so end of August -gulp! (we're family of 4). We toyed with trying to fit Disney in, but think we'll go to all the 4 universal parks as we're more into that kind of thing and take it at a very leisurely pace. We might go for 10 days, and that'll leave 8 or 9 days free for actual park stuff. We'd stay at an express pass hotel too. Is 8/9 too much? Or given it's in August with a very busy park, a nice luxury with plenty of re-rides/time to adjust for jet-lag?
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I’m going mid-end of August this year for 10 days, our basic plan is for 2 days at each park, 1 day at volcano bay plus 3 days of sore to either revisit a park or do other things eg Kennedy SC. That’s the extent of it though, no military planning down to the minute like some people seem to do. We’re stopping at a cheap hotel.

Trying to shoehorn the Mouse in too will be far too much as well although if there’s one of the Halloween night events on one of our free days I’ll be considering it..

I’m also hoping Stardust Racers be on top form, its current maintenance downtime has caused a lot of upset people.
 
dave___ said:
I’m going mid-end of August this year for 10 days, our basic plan is for 2 days at each park, 1 day at volcano bay plus 3 days of sore to either revisit a park or do other things eg Kennedy SC. That’s the extent of it though, no military planning down to the minute like some people seem to do. We’re stopping at a cheap hotel.

Trying to shoehorn the Mouse in too will be far too much as well although if there’s one of the Halloween night events on one of our free days I’ll be considering it..

I’m also hoping Stardust Racers be on top form, its current maintenance downtime has caused a lot of upset people.
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I didn't even consider things like the KSC. Think I'll still with the no. of days plan now I've seen your's is pretty much like for like. Takes the pressure off and makes it more of a break. Rather than a punishing/exhausting trip (we've all been there haha).
 
Manchester1894 said:
I didn't even consider things like the KSC. Think I'll still with the no. of days plan now I've seen your's is pretty much like for like. Takes the pressure off and makes it more of a break. Rather than a punishing/exhausting trip (we've all been there haha).
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My kids are slightly younger so rest has to be factored in so the holiday doesn’t turn into a route march.

Consider Gatorland as well, it’s good for a few hours of lazy entertainment
 
As two adults last year we did a week at Universal and a week at Disney.
For the Universal week we stayed at Hard Rock so has express pass, which meant the original parks (IoA and studios) were a bit more leisurely. We were there in Noivember and it was unusually cold for a few days, colder than the UK!
Arrived on a Saturday and had a couple of hours in IoA after the flight, Sunday was Epic Universe, Monday studios, Tuesday we went shopping (coldest day) and got some good prices in Adidas clearance store, Wednesday more time at IoA/studios, Thursday Seaworld, Friday Epic Universe again and Saturday Volcano Bay (as this was the warmest day!) before moving to Disney.
If the weather had been better then we would have done Volcano Bay earlier in the week.

But basically two days at Epic and with express pass 3 days total for IoA and studios is enough I think. Without express you might want two days each at IoA/studios.
Whether you decide to do Seaworld depends how much you like rollercoasters, its got many on a similar to Alton Towers scale.
 
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