Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Alicia]

Do you mean that Universal's internal plans divide the 8 acres of expansion to the right of SNW in this way, or that there are already visible lines of delineation dividing the land this way. I think I lack context here.

Looking at aerials for a while now, the land is physically split into two parcels. The one closest to Monsters has new temporary offices but was previously used to store piles of dirt and landscaping, while the other half is still being used for staging/parking behind Pizza Moon, closest to Nintendo.

 

[EOxL]

I get there's a distinct line down the middle, but I don't think we can assume the reason is because the future expansion will adhere to that line, everything in the dirt will eventually have to be removed.

 

[rhino4evr]

I thought part of the reason Zelda made sense for IOA/LC was to add Nintendo experiences in multiple parks, further encouraging fans to visit more than 1 park. Similar to Potter.

Lost continent area could easily be transformed into a temple of time facade . The “ride” would be going though all the different areas of hyrule, large deku tree animatronic , finale showing a battle between ganon , link , and Zelda .

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I thought part of the reason Zelda made sense for IOA/LC was to add Nintendo experiences in multiple parks, further encouraging fans to visit more than 1 park. Similar to Potter.

Lost continent area could easily be transformed into a temple of time facade . The “ride” would be going though all the different areas of hyrule, large deku tree animatronic , finale showing a battle between ganon , link , and Zelda .

That made sense 4-5 years ago when Universal signed with Nintendo.

However, from Universal's perspective... wouldn't you want your own IPs integrated into the parks as well? Something like Wicked has to be considered for the parks sooner than later. Not saying that's what is happening, but IOA is in need of entertainment, so a Wicked area/land there just makes sense. So Wicked pushes Zelda away from LC and into Epic is why I drew up that plan.

Luigi's Mansion isn't big enough to justify that entire expansion pad at Epic alone, so something else for Nintendo just makes sense.

 

[rhino4evr]

That made sense 4-5 years ago when Universal signed with Nintendo.

However, from Universal's perspective... wouldn't you want your own IPs integrated into the parks as well? Something like Wicked has to be considered for the parks sooner than later. Not saying that's what is happening, but IOA is in need of entertainment, so a Wicked area/land there just makes sense. So Wicked pushes Zelda away from LC and into Epic is why I drew up that plan.

Luigi's Mansion isn't big enough to justify that entire expansion pad at Epic alone, so something else for Nintendo just makes sense.

Assuming wicked is two movies , and we are done . So I just don’t see it as long lasting theme park franchise. I realize OZ is fairly timeless, but designing a land around a modern musical seems risky to me. Not everyone likes musicals …

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Assuming wicked is two movies , and we are done . So I just don’t see it as long lasting theme park franchise. I realize OZ is fairly timeless, but designing a land around a modern musical seems risky to me. Not everyone likes musicals …

I view Wicked the same as Waterworld, only difference is that Wicked is a proven box office success. I can care less about the film or musicals in general, but it's a great fit for a theme park land.

A hybrid Wizard of Oz/Wicked hand is the perfect fit for IOA as it'll bring entertainment and a much more family-friendly attraction to the park as it can be a scenic dark ride experience.

I'm sure once the 2nd film debuts, Universal will confirm spin offs and who knows what else.

 

[Brian G.]

Assuming wicked is two movies , and we are done . So I just don’t see it as long lasting theme park franchise. I realize OZ is fairly timeless, but designing a land around a modern musical seems risky to me. Not everyone likes musicals …

Which is why if it ever comes to fruition, you lean on the non-musical aspects for a majority of the land.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

I thought part of the reason Zelda made sense for IOA/LC was to add Nintendo experiences in multiple parks, further encouraging fans to visit more than 1 park. Similar to Potter.

That made sense 4-5 years ago when Universal signed with Nintendo.

Let's not forget the genuinely confusing decision by Nintendo to give the live action rights for the upcoming Legend of Zelda film to SONY - OF ALL COMPANIES. Universal, while playing ball with Nintendo as far as illumination and pushing Mario and DK goes, they don't owe ANYTHING to Nintendo in regards to pushing an IP that's about to get big-screen treatment for the first time EVER under a rival company's banner. That has to sting a little bit, i imagine, and if I were them I certainly wouldn't want to promote a brand new land coming to Islands of Adventure that takes a sizeable footprint, especially if it's going to be based off the games and contrast the upcoming film's themes and design. It's like... the opposite of Potter or Mario's execution in the parks because it might be in a situation to distance itself completely as opposed to look for direct inspiration.

It's an interesting situation, to say the least, and i'm sure they're thinking about how much they want to risk in the event that the movie ISN'T good and that familiarity finds its way into the park. On the other hand, if the movie is a rocket, i could see them fast-tracking a land based off the games -regardless- to ride them coat-tails. I personally think LoZ is a waiting game. Mitigate risk of reception and plan on a smaller land knowing you have the ability to pivot pretty quickly if need be.

 

[GAcoaster]

Assuming wicked is two movies , and we are done . So I just don’t see it as long lasting theme park franchise. I realize OZ is fairly timeless, but designing a land around a modern musical seems risky to me. Not everyone likes musicals …

Wicked also has a 21 year track record of Broadway and touring companies making BILLIONS of dollars, and apparently that demand has gone up with the release of the movie.

 

[biggerboat16]

Donkey Kong Country > jungle woods leads to spooky woods transition > Luigi's Mansion ride* with E Gadd gift shop and treats ft. mini games for the power up bands brought to you by King Boo and/or Goo-igi > spooky woods fade into lost woods transition > Kokiri Village ft. mini games for the power up bands brought to you by the Koroks and/or Fairies > Deku Tree restaurant behind Pizza Moon > Sacred Grove w/ Master Sword in stone photo-op > Temple of Time ride** with forced perspective facade "in distance"

*For the LM ride, i think the general consensus is for fun interactive dark ride like Haunted Mansion meets Ghost Busters. Omni-mover with cool integration of screens AND practical effects. Easy, especially considering how beautiful the interior of the Mario Kart ride looks. E Gadd gift shop exit treated as his lab where he came up with the 'tech' found on the ride with opportunity to look into other things he's been developing to take home, whether they be fun toys, snacks, and/or plushies of ghosts; I'm looking at you, Polterpup.

**For the LoZ, i'd personally love to see a Spiderman/Transformers system redone with practical sets and animatronics and SOME screens. If they could do it with Forbidden Journey to give us Monsters Unchained, we can get an upgraded dark-ride for Zelda. Take the walls off the cars, let people look around at the crazy dungeons/transitions/surroundings. Have the plot be told by the "it's dangerous to go alone" style old man or King of Hyrule about some time-travel McGuffin (Master Sword?) with Link and Zelda and Ganon in the mix - bingo bango, we get the sword, we banish the bad guy, done - cue exit through Tingle's gift shop ft. Happy Mask Salesman.

Great ideas. I agree that Luigi’s Mansion isn’t really enough of an IP to warrant its own land. Zelda on the other hand would be a massive draw.

I think that a Temple of Time storyline would be perfect for the E-Ticket, as it could have a cool master sword storyline and explain us traveling around a bit. It’s also featured in OoT, TP, BotW, and TotK, giving it broad appeal without pigeonholing into a certain game. While I like the idea of modeling after Transformers/Spidey, I actually think that Jurassic World adventure could work as the primary inspiration, even though that’s essentially still just a SCOOP ride. The big daytime wraparound screens could be used to take us through Hyrule field, then we could wind through a dungeon trying to find the master sword or something. I think having a Ganondorf beast-form transformation would be a shoe-in and they could have a chase scene with the ride-vehicle like they have with the Indominus. Use a screen section mixed with practical effects for the finale where Link fights Ganon with the master sword and Zelda uses the triforce of wisdom and we’ve got another perfect E-Ticket

I really think if Zelda were to go here it would need either a ride like the one being described or a boat ride. I don’t think a simulator would fit as flying is not really present in any games except skyward sword, which is not a popular game.

What the park could really use is a Flight of Passage-esque attraction in Berk that lets you ‘ride’ a dragon.

Also this is very off topic but with Zelda possibly going to Epic or elsewhere, I wonder if there’s a chance we see Lost Continent revitalized with the Christopher Nolan Odyssey film if it’s successful

 

[rageofthegods]

I dunno if we can really argue "not everyone likes the genre" for a movie that made 730 million at the global box office. That's the definition of broad appeal.

Not everyone likes musicals, but Wicked is not just any musical, in the same way that The Simpsons is not just any animated sitcom.

 

[moth]

Wouldn't Universal opt for more Universal presence in their newest park which only has 2/5 lands being about their IP? Wouldn't they opt for Wicked being placed into EU and Zelda in IOA? Wicked gets a bigger footprint in their newest, shiny park and Zelda takes over a smaller pad in one of the older parks.

 

[biggerboat16]

Wouldn't Universal opt for more Universal presence in their newest park which only has 2/5 lands being about their IP? Wouldn't they opt for Wicked being placed into EU and Zelda in IOA? Wicked gets a bigger footprint in their newest, shiny park and Zelda takes over a smaller pad in one of the older parks.

That would make sense, it just seems like the LC Zelda rumor has gone dry. It would fill a gap that Epic has. SNW is a bright, family-friendly land, Berk is about Vikings, wizarding world is about magic and Paris, and Monsters is a gothic land. The park is missing a ‘high fantasy’ land. It would get that from Zelda. It’s also missing a sci-fi land which could go in the big plot between Potter and Berk but that may be reserved for Oz

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Wouldn't Universal opt for more Universal presence in their newest park which only has 2/5 lands being about their IP? Wouldn't they opt for Wicked being placed into EU and Zelda in IOA? Wicked gets a bigger footprint in their newest, shiny park and Zelda takes over a smaller pad in one of the older parks.

Universal's priority with Epic is getting guests inside the gates, I don't think they care about "balancing" the park between internal and 3rd party IP.

Epic Universe will have two stage shows at open. Islands of Adventure has 0.

I'm assuming Wicked is "required" to get a stage show, IOA needs it.

 

[TheUniC6]

Po

That would make sense, it just seems like the LC Zelda rumor has gone dry. It would fill a gap that Epic has. SNW is a bright, family-friendly land, Berk is about Vikings, wizarding world is about magic and Paris, and Monsters is a gothic land. The park is missing a ‘high fantasy’ land. It would get that from Zelda. It’s also missing a sci-fi land which could go in the big plot between Potter and Berk but that may be reserved for Oz

That 20 acre expansion plot should be saved for LOTR if that ever comes to pass.

Universal's priority with Epic is getting guests inside the gates, I don't think they care about "balancing" the park between internal and 3rd party IP.

Epic Universe will have two stage shows at open. Islands of Adventure has 0.

I'm assuming Wicked is "required" to get a stage show, IOA needs it.

Also EU is the shiny new toy. It can wait a little bit while Universal gives IOA and especially USF new investments.

 

[Mike S]

Strange how if all of this comes to pass “Super Nintendo World” will actually work as just one land under the name. Mario, Donkey Kong, Luigi’s Mansion, and Zelda. Pokémon wouldn’t even need the name attached because it’s actually a separate company anyway. Then LOTR at Epic and Wicked at IoA. I could definitely see it working out as long as Zelda still gets a good ride.

 

[rhino4evr]

If they had a wicked stage show I probably wouldn’t watch it. I’ve seen the play , and the movie. Why do I need to watch it in the park ? I realize that’s just my opinion, but I could see many others feel the same. Considering it’s still a very active musical , I just think it’s a bad idea. Sorry to all the fans

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If they had a wicked stage show I probably wouldn’t watch it. I’ve seen the play , and the movie. Why do I need to watch it in the park ? I realize that’s just my opinion, but I could see many others feel the same. Considering it’s still a very active musical , I just think it’s a bad idea. Sorry to all the fans

Not exactly sure what this means.

I can watch Harry Potter at home or see the play in Broadway... why do they need 3 theme park lands for it?

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I've always been very lukewarm on the idea of Zelda in LC. I've always personally been on Team "Split It Between Seuss and Potter"

 

[kristenabelle]

A Wicked boat ride akin to Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey in Tokyo DisneySea would be WILD. And something most folks can ride, which is great