Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[RFRees]

Legitimately, why is a coaster even on the table? In the past decade, USF has gotten one and has another actively in construction, IOA has gotten two major coasters + a major rebuild, and Epic built five! That's ten coasters in a decade!

That math doesn't add up.

• Gringrotts opened in 2014. So if you're looking at 2014 to 2024, then we can't include the F&F coaster coming in 2027.
• How can you possibly consider Hulk's track replacement in this tally?
• You're counting Stardust as two?

I'd place the tally at 7, personally. And yeah that's high, largely because they just opened an entire theme park which had some coasters.

(Are we also not going to consider they closed RRR and Dragon Challenge around the same timeframe? So the net number of coasters is even lower.)

Why does a park like Seaworld get flack for only building coasters, but UDX with higher budgets and better creative teams get to just build these forever? Where is the variety?

Because SeaWorld's coasters are generic and Universal's coasters are world class. To suggest every coaster is essentially the same (no "variety") seems like a silly argument to me. Gringotts feels entirely different to Velocicoaster, for example.

SeaWorld also couldn't make a good dark ride if their life depended on it, whereas Universal has opened several world class dark rides, shows, and other attractions, in the same timeframe as those said coasters.

 

[simon]

Legitimately, why is a coaster even on the table? In the past decade, USF has gotten one and has another actively in construction, IOA has gotten two major coasters + a major rebuild, and Epic built five! That's ten coasters in a decade!

Why does a park like Seaworld get flack for only building coasters, but UDX with higher budgets and better creative teams get to just build these forever? Where is the variety?

My bad you’re absolutely right on this. I just thought the concept is cool for wicked. But they do need to prioritize building indoor darkrides and unique flats

 

[GA-MBIT]

That math doesn't add up. Gringrotts opened in 2014. So if you're looking at 2014 to 2024, then we can't include the F&F coaster coming in 2027.

That's fair enough haha. I honestly forgot when exactly Gringotts opened between 2014-2015. 10 coasters in active development across 11 years seems like a fine statement to me.

How can you possibly consider Hulk's track replacement in this tally?

Because they made and built a new coaster? It's the same layout and they had some infrastructure already there, but it was a massive project and a nearly complete rebuild.

You're counting Stardust as two?

Yes?

Because SeaWorld's coasters are generic and Universal's coasters are world class. To suggest every coaster is essentially the same (no "variety") seems like a silly argument to me. Gringotts feels entirely different to Velocicoaster, for example.


SeaWorld also couldn't make a good dark ride if their life depended on it, whereas Universal has opened several world class dark rides, shows, and other attractions, in the same timeframe as those said coasters.

I would like to see Universal prove that they can make a stellar attraction without relying on systems that have already worked for them for decades.

When it comes to the additions we've seen in that time, I'm less than impressed. I'm not personally a great fan of Kong, Villain-Con, Yoshi, Mario Kart, Supercharged, Fallon, even Ministry. They are all servicable and decent fun at best, and at their worst? Some great historic stinkers. They are all subpar. Often short, low-budget and / or screen or tech reliant. It's only occasional that we get an attraction like Unchained, Bourne, or Cirque that really deliver something new and interesting. Even in the case of Unchained, it's just a modern and improved version of FJ and Spider-Man from the 2000s.

Velocicoaster was incredible, and so were its' Epic Universe twins Stardust Racers. Hagrid's and Hiccups too. I'm certain whatever coaster they come up with will be fun, but I've seen that now. A few times.

I think I'm just waiting to see Universal make anything as good as Tower of Terror, Soarin 1.0, Rise. Something fresh, bold, and incredible. I thought I'd see some of that with Epic, but over time I've realized that it's just not there. Universal is strong in the ways that it has always been; and rather weak about everywhere else.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I just want Universal to build a nice E-ticket passive attraction that I can ride with all of my family members. Built at the same caliber/scale of Monsters Unchained sets and animatronics.

 

[Andysol]

Mark me down as thinking as a standalone land, Wicked fits thematically better in Epic.

But I would still prefer LotR. I believe that universal can create a park hopping method à la Hogwarts express from Epic to what will one day be a fourth gate maybe 15+ years from now. Going down and along the backside of HTTYD isle of Berk.

Someone would need to brainstorm a transportation method to get there unless we’re able to fly on the back of a giant eagle by 2040…

Keep those park hoppers selling.

A well lit large swing in Celestial may have been the biggest opening day whiff. The kinetics would have been perfect.

 

[GA-MBIT]

My bad you’re absolutely right on this. I just thought the concept is cool for wicked. But they do need to prioritize building indoor darkrides and unique flats

No worries at all. This is all in good fun and I enjoy talking about all of it. I am just honestly curious sometimes where some perspectives come from, and I do think there are some patterns that the forum at large can get stuck on sometimes; myself included in that haha.

There are good use-cases for a rollercoaster within a theoretical Potter or Wicked land. In practice, I just don't believe that would be an ideal scenario for Epic's immediate future. But, that's also just like, my opinion, man. Take it with a grain or two!

 

[Andysol]

There are good use-cases for a rollercoaster within a theoretical Potter or Wicked land.

Like a 1920s carnival wooden roller coaster for the upcoming flat ride Potter expansion.

 

[Mad Dog]

Like a 1920s carnival wooden roller coaster for the upcoming flat ride Potter expansion.

Yes to wooden coasters, but Epic doesn't need another outdoor attraction....until they get more 'indoor' attractions.

 

[Andysol]

Yes to wooden coasters, but Epic doesn't need another outdoor attraction....until they get more 'indoor' attractions.

I was kidding. A 1920s roller coaster would be terrible.

Maybe a tilt a whirl too.

 

[johnathanm]

That's fair enough haha. I honestly forgot when exactly Gringotts opened between 2014-2015. 10 coasters in active development across 11 years seems like a fine statement to me.


Because they made and built a new coaster? It's the same layout and they had some infrastructure already there, but it was a massive project and a nearly complete rebuild.


Yes?


I would like to see Universal prove that they can make a stellar attraction without relying on systems that have already worked for them for decades.

When it comes to the additions we've seen in that time, I'm less than impressed. I'm not personally a great fan of Kong, Villain-Con, Yoshi, Mario Kart, Supercharged, Fallon, even Ministry. They are all servicable and decent fun at best, and at their worst? Some great historic stinkers. They are all subpar. Often short, low-budget and / or screen or tech reliant. It's only occasional that we get an attraction like Unchained, Bourne, or Cirque that really deliver something new and interesting. Even in the case of Unchained, it's just a modern and improved version of FJ and Spider-Man from the 2000s.

Velocicoaster was incredible, and so were its' Epic Universe twins Stardust Racers. Hagrid's and Hiccups too. I'm certain whatever coaster they come up with will be fun, but I've seen that now. A few times.

I think I'm just waiting to see Universal make anything as good as Tower of Terror, Soarin 1.0, Rise. Something fresh, bold, and incredible. I thought I'd see some of that with Epic, but over time I've realized that it's just not there. Universal is strong in the ways that it has always been; and rather weak about everywhere else.

I do see what you mean here. I feel like Unchained gets close to this level for me. It felt like Ministry was supposed to be this revolutionary attraction we wanted from Universal, but it doesn’t get there for me.

Side note: I wonder which factors are used to evaluate what gets an expansion further down the line? The Monsters Land seems largely loved by fans, but if that’s not the IP selling tix / drawing highest crowds during the day, I wonder how hard it is to be the champion of an expansion (a la Creature boat ride) internally.

 

[Mad Dog]

I was kidding. A 1920s roller coaster would be terrible.

Maybe a tilt a whirl too.

Clever escape ....Kennywood would disagree. The Jack Rabbit and Racer, both woodies from the 1920's, are still fantastic FUN rides . But,
as you satirized, Epic sure doesn't need anything outdoors until they solve their indoors, or lack of, problem. ....At least those old
woodies don't have all these tekkie downtime problems. They're like the Energizer Bunny. They keep running, and run, and run.

 

[RFRees]

That's fair enough haha. I honestly forgot when exactly Gringotts opened between 2014-2015. 10 coasters in active development across 11 years seems like a fine statement to me.


Because they made and built a new coaster? It's the same layout and they had some infrastructure already there, but it was a massive project and a nearly complete rebuild.


Yes?


I would like to see Universal prove that they can make a stellar attraction without relying on systems that have already worked for them for decades.

When it comes to the additions we've seen in that time, I'm less than impressed. I'm not personally a great fan of Kong, Villain-Con, Yoshi, Mario Kart, Supercharged, Fallon, even Ministry. They are all servicable and decent fun at best, and at their worst? Some great historic stinkers. They are all subpar. Often short, low-budget and / or screen or tech reliant. It's only occasional that we get an attraction like Unchained, Bourne, or Cirque that really deliver something new and interesting. Even in the case of Unchained, it's just a modern and improved version of FJ and Spider-Man from the 2000s.

Velocicoaster was incredible, and so were its' Epic Universe twins Stardust Racers. Hagrid's and Hiccups too. I'm certain whatever coaster they come up with will be fun, but I've seen that now. A few times.

I think I'm just waiting to see Universal make anything as good as Tower of Terror, Soarin 1.0, Rise. Something fresh, bold, and incredible. I thought I'd see some of that with Epic, but over time I've realized that it's just not there. Universal is strong in the ways that it has always been; and rather weak about everywhere else.

1. You're admittedly moving the goalpost for "active development" (instead of opened) and expanding the years.
2. We could have a long philosophical debate on Hulk being a "new coaster" (Ship of Theseus situation).
3. I disagree with a lot of what the rest of the post, but I respect that it's well written and coming from a passionate standpoint.

Mark me down as thinking as a standalone land, Wicked fits thematically better in Epic.

But I would still prefer LotR. I believe that universal can create a park hopping method à la Hogwarts express from Epic to what will one day be a fourth gate maybe 15+ years from now. Going down and along the backside of HTTYD isle of Berk.

Someone would need to brainstorm a transportation method to get there unless we’re able to fly on the back of a giant eagle by 2040…

Keep those park hoppers selling.

A well lit large swing in Celestial may have been the biggest opening day whiff. The kinetics would have been perfect.

I agree 100% with everything here.

For transport to and from, I'd like to see a boat ride. Part indoors for more active areas of the park you might be traveling through, part outdoors for areas less busy, and a great reveal (with music crescendo) for when you arrive on either side.

UOR already has experience using a boat transportation system. So it would just be a matter of leaving room for it in the long term plans and developing a ride concept worth your time waiting in queue for.

Maybe something like this (but not this, because this is Numenor from the Amazon show):



Or this (Grey Havens):