Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Wesker69]

I also realize that Epic Universe currently has no water rides.

Um... you might want to rethink this statement & visit the "Isle of Berk" before making such claims

 

[DrStarlander]

If it's a boat ride, the ride will be on the bottom. That's a lot of water weight to have to support on a second story unnecessarily. Putting it on the bottom also allows for parts of the ride to have more height for big scenes. It's not that hard to get guests to the second story. Elevation changes outside gets some, then just built in ramps themed as village paths inside.

I wondered about the water weight issue myself. But I did poke around and saw examples of water attractions on upper levels. Beyond the classic flumes all over the world on steel supports, I found that Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland has the Blue Bayou on a second floor with a lower level of attraction scenes below it. Splash mountain also has water on an elevated level with scenes below.

Good point about perhaps wanting taller show scenes. Those could come after one or more drops, mid-ride. For example, halfway through the ride if there's a 15 foot drop, there could be a scene that's 55-feet high, if it later drops another 10 feet there could be a scene that's 65-feet high. These areas where the height of the ground level (where I'm suggesting the retail/F&B are) is encroached on from above could be over the backstage areas like kitchens and stockrooms where the height can be diminished greatly from the 40-foot shell height (the kitchens only need to be, say, 15-feet high anyway, for example).

By the way, I know that if the attraction were on the upper level it could result in a lot of support columns in the retail/F&B area below, but I think that could be a blessing as much as a curse. An inspiration for the vibe of that area could be the International Market in Waikiki, which is this shopping area in a forest of tropical trees. I was there about 30 years ago and sitting in there, having a beer, it was an amazing vibe with all the trees around! Basically all the structural supports for the level above could be thematically
dressed as trees, with a maze of shanties, bridges, and docks between them (I included some images).

 

[tommyhawkins]

I don’t think a building in the back expansion for the land is *that* big. It’s also a skinny long expansion space.

Freaky, cos i finally got this done today after like 2 months of forgetting

 

[Jake S]

I wondered about the water weight issue myself. But I did poke around and saw examples of water attractions on upper levels. Beyond the classic flumes all over the world on steel supports, I found that Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland has the Blue Bayou on a second floor with a lower level of attraction scenes below it. Splash mountain also has water on an elevated level with scenes below.

The Pirates at Disneyland Paris is also multi-level, something it uses to truly spectacular effect.

 

[GAcoaster]

I also realize that Epic Universe currently has no water rides. On a hot Orlando day, it would be nice to make the CFTB ride a little more splashy than the Jaws ride at USF (and that park has no water rides since 2012).

Except Fyre Drill which is soaking people.

Water rides are expensive to maintain and are prone to “issues” of guests getting out of the boats since you can’t really make restraints for them in case something sinks.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Yeah, as I said on the previous page, there are already thematic leaps within existing lands that don't seem to bother anybody.

Just make Creature's area discrete from Darkmoor with a transition of some kind.

Don't worry, Unchained is camp in the good way. It balances well between scares and action with some camp mixed in.

 

[HHN Maddux]

An aerial of the southern campus. (Let me know if to relocate this post elsewhere).

Dark green is land not owned by UOR. The lighter green is. The very light green with a green border is empty land not owned by UOR that could be purchased by UOR if they wanted to. The grey blob near the center is owned by Orange County, but tends to not get use most of the year. Long term, UOR can work with the county to add a parking garage and potentially acquire this land for their own use.

I've also added in the planned additional Kirkman Rd expansion between Universal Blvd and Destination Pkwy.

Yes, Universal owns the land around Shingle Creek... but they should keep it the way it currently exists. It's beautiful and creates a nice buffer between the tourism district and the "real Orlando" filled with warehouses to the east.

View attachment 25569

While I'd love a 4th park, logistically there's too much noise Universal needs to address first. I'd love for them to build a parking garage across Epic Blvd, and then use existing parking for a future resort area just like UOR today with rivers and lush gardens. 20 years from now, they can build another gate (if they desire to) at the Water Treatment plant

I believe it was mentioned way back that this cluster might end up becoming a 2nd water park some day?

Also fully agree on Creature boat ride including other monsters like the mole men and maybe even a brief Creature from this Island Earth cameo.