Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[GAcoaster]

Could this possibly include the Great Hall dining concept as well? A 2 for 1 punch?

Supposedly Great Hall plan (if it happens) is for the OTHER side of the land, near BATM and physically built next to Helios. I still don't see it being feasible, but who knows...

As for logic, all that went out the window with the British 1990's MoM being built in 1920's Paris. It's all "magic".

My idea of better than flight simulator is a physical ride/experience. People still have screen fatigue when it comes to Universal. I'd rather see a ride sytem where it's a "real" ride. I'm not a huge fan of simulators, even the good ones.

 

[Jones14]

I *really* hope we don’t see any other attractions or restaurants set outside of Paris in this land. I know teleportation is a thing in this universe, but they’ve already played that hand with Ministry, and it would scream “we’re out of ideas” to me.

 

[RFRees]

I *really* hope we don’t see any other attractions or restaurants set outside of Paris in this land. I know teleportation is a thing in this universe, but they’ve already played that hand with Ministry, and it would scream “we’re out of ideas” to me.

I could see us traveling to different places on the ride itself. But if we're immediately entering a different place at the start of the queue again (like immediately going to Hogwarts), that seems like a problem.

My preference is that Universal Creative develops a brand new story and location, possibly with a familiar face (like Dumbledore, young or old), but mostly from scratch. Something that seems unique to the Potter universe.

A PotC style boat ride into the catacombs of Paris could be amazing. Maybe Newt chasing a fantastic beast?

No height restrictions, lottso skulls and scary imagery.

Universal gonna Universal.

This sounds like a great idea.

 

[Legacy]

Indoor broom coaster themed to Battle of the Seven Potters.

Or the Grindelwald escape.

 

[Mad Dog]

Potter ride location in Orlando Florida. Would be easy to pull off. Witches/Wizards are everywhere.

 

[bdubsCEO]

Perhaps Andrew Llyod Webber's Phantom can be shoehorned in!

I was gonna say… just make this a glorious Phantom ride with a budget of one phantillion dollars and put it in Dark Universe lol

 

[simon]

Here's my speculation.

So I believe that in general, Epic Universe can not afford not to start constructing for expansion as of right now. If not, it will be a catastrophe due to a drastically lacking attraction lineup than people's demand. It was way more overwhelming than what they simulated and the park is not even at full capacity. But the general wait time in Epic is already one of the highest in the world. Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Battle at the Ministry, Wing Glider, Stardust, and almost every attraction without unchained is listed at least 1 hour in general. and the highest often caps at 4 hour wait, which I find that not normal. Also, rides consistently break down due to new technological difficulties, and 60% of attractions is located in outdoors, which makes it brutal for Florida weather; rides down very often due to weather conditions.

We love Epic, but let's be honest, general audience reviews have been pretty rough. Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor are full of complaints, and the park’s information booths are constantly crowded with guests asking for refunds it’s happening everywhere. They say that the park is beautiful and amazing but often heavily criticized for park management on crowds and extreme wait times.

Imagine a general audience paying like 200 bucks individual or often 800 bucks for the whole family for one day at Epic, which is a pretty expensive investment. and able to get to only ride 3 or 4 attractions due to heavy crowds and downtimes. That seems unacceptable for general guests and far from reasonable at all for paying 200 bucks.

Getting bad reviews for a year and showing noticeable improvement after listening to feedback would make sense(like the opening year of Volcano Bay), it would show that they care about guest experience and long-term quality. But instead, they’re planning to raise capacity even further by the end of the year, which will only intensify the existing problems. If this trend continues through 2029, four years after opening, without any major expansions or operational fixes the ongoing wave of negative reviews could have a serious impact, not just on public perception, but also on future earnings calls, investor confidence, and the company’s overall reputation.

That's why I think that new attraction expansion will be completed around the end of 2028 at least, and between the construction of this experience, construction for other expansions will begin as well.

I believe that they can't simply afford to do nothing by the end of 2029 from a business perspective.

For Ip, unfortunately, I believe Wicked will take the largest expansion pad instead of Lord of the Rings and Zelda will take Super Nintendo expansion site. And as everyone speculates, Potter's second attraction is the first one that began construction. (Anything is fine for me. I just hope it's not a flying theater type. Isle of Burk suits better.)

Wicked has been clearly so obvious, CEO of Creative Woodbery keep mentioning in every interview, Ariana Grande's interview(I believe this is intentional noise marketing), the Director of the film Jon Chu keeps featuring epic universe interviews and future documentaries.

I think it’s been in development for quite a long time, and personally, I’m okay with that. It’s a strong and commercially successful IP that’s proven its longevity, with great potential thanks to its intriguing world setting, architectural design, and storytelling. However, I believe this approach is quite experimental and might not deliver the same level of impact as opening a new Lord of the Rings land which, in my opinion, could generate excitement and synergy comparable to (or even greater than) when Hogsmith first opened. I think they are saving Lord of the Rings for something even greater(maybe in for IOA after the merge?)

Since Lord of the Ring is off the table, ancient and medievalism, mythic themes in the epic universe will be missing. The Legend of Zelda IP could elegantly fill that void, bringing back the missing sense of myth, exploration, and enchanted architecture in an epic universe.(Zelda's site is next to Kong's jungle, which makes more sense than having a ghost mansion in the middle of a jungle setting)

Also, there has been a leaked photo where Miyamoto and the director or Zelda game, Hidemaro Fujibayashi staring at a future expansion site in Super Nintendo Land construction, and there is literally Zelda reference stained glass and merch in store on Celestial Park.

I do think that Universal desperately wanted to utilize this IP on IoA but Nintendo has very strong stubbornness. in my speculation, this will come in Epic instead of Luigi's Mansion. If they wanted to utilize Luigi's IP, they should have been adept at AR shooting(or sucking) mechanism technology and vehicle type in this ride, instead of Mario Kart. Luigi's Poltergust would work in perfectly in AR mechanism so if they add the same thing in Mansion Ride, there will be no differences in ride type between the two attractions, and this becomes a repetitive experience right next to one another, making even more questions on Mario Kart's choice of ride type (like how does high speed simulating attraction could have same speed as slow moving haunted mansion style attraction)

If my speculation is right, I wouldn't complain honestly. Zelda and Wicked will balance out the theme of epic universe even more richer and add lot more diverse to it. Wicked one is like a bet rather an adventurous choice than a safe investment. But if they executed well, it really has a really, really strong potencial.

Thanks for listening to these long words!

 

[ReelJustice]

xyz

Butterbeer Zyns?

 

[RFRees]

Here's my speculation.

So I believe that in general, Epic Universe can not afford not to start constructing for expansion as of right now. Due to a drastically lacking attraction lineup than people's demand. It was way more overwhelming than what they simulated and the park is not even at full capacity. But the general wait time in Epic is already one of the highest in the world. Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, Battle at the Ministry, Wing Glider, Stardust, and almost every attraction without unchained is listed at least 1 hour in general. and the highest often caps at 4 hour wait, which I find not normal. Also, rides consistently break down due to new technological difficulties, and 60% of attractions is located in outdoors, which makes it brutal for Florida weather; rides down very often due to weather conditions.

We love Epic, but let's be honest, general audience reviews have been pretty rough. Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor are full of complaints, and the park’s information booths are constantly crowded with guests asking for refunds it’s happening everywhere. They say that the park is beautiful and amazing but often heavily criticized for park management on crowds and extreme wait times.

Imagine a general audience paying like 200 bucks individual or often 800 bucks for the whole family for one day at Epic, which is a pretty expensive investment. and able to get to only ride 3 or 4 attractions due to heavy crowds and downtimes. That's far from reasonable at all for paying 200 bucks.

Getting bad reviews for a year and showing noticeable improvement after listening to feedback would make sense(like Volcano Bay), it would show that they care about guest experience and long-term quality. But instead, they’re planning to raise capacity even further by the end of the year, which will only intensify the existing problems. If this trend continues through 2029, four years after opening, without any major expansions or operational fixes the ongoing wave of negative reviews could have a serious impact, not just on public perception, but also on future earnings calls, investor confidence, and the company’s overall reputation.

That's why I think that new attraction expansion will be completed around the end of 2028 at least, and between the construction of this experience, construction for other expansions will begin as well.

I believe that they can't simply afford to do nothing by the end of 2029 from a business perspective.

For Ip, unfortunately, I believe Wicked will take the largest expansion pad instead of Lord of the Rings and Zelda will take Super Nintendo expansion site.

Wicked has been clearly so obvious, CEO of Creative Woodbery keep mentioning in every interview, Ariana Grande's interview(I believe this is intentional noise marketing), Director of the film Jon Chu keeps featuring epic universe interview and future documentary.

You were with me until you mentioned Volcano Bay. If you're suggesting they removed Tapu Tapu because of guest satisfaction, I'll need some concrete evidence for that. Because my assumption is that they removed it for the same likely reason Disney and Universal are removing/have removed 3D from several attractions: to cut costs (ROI is not worth money spent).

But I agree with the rest, they should act quickly on adding new attractions to Epic.

 

[simon]

You were with me until you mentioned Volcano Bay. If you're suggesting they removed Tapu Tapu because of guest satisfaction, I'll need some concrete evidence for that. Because my assumption is that they removed it for the same likely reason Disney and Universal are removing/have removed 3D from several attractions: to cut costs (ROI is not worth money spent).

But I agree with the rest, they should act quickly on adding new attractions to Epic.

No what I meant there was that the volcano had bad reviews once they opened in 2017 and now it's been better and improved. It's nothing to do with taputapu removal

 

[RFRees]

No what I meant there was that the volcano had bad reviews once they opened in 2017 and now it's been better and improved. It's nothing to do with taputapu removal

Gotcha.

I'm not super happy with the current state of Volcano Bay (still my favorite water park)... But that's a discussion for another thread.

 

[RFRees]

Zelda's site is next to Kong's jungle, which makes more sense than having a ghost mansion in the middle of a jungle setting

You wouldn't need to travel through a jungle to get to whatever expansion pad is next to DK Jungle.

I believe there's a facade wall to the right of the DK, before entering into that area. This facade could be a new mini -portal... So it would be a fork in the road, not traveling through DK.

Considering the warp pipes can literally bring you anywhere, having two warp pipes right next to each other which bring you to vastly different worlds makes sense thematically.

The plot of land next to SNW has enough space for both Luigi's and Zelda if both are mini-worlds.

If they wanted to utilize Luigi's IP, they should have been adept at AR shooting(or sucking) mechanism technology and vehicle type in this ride, instead of Mario Kart. Luigi's Poltergust would work in perfectly in AR mechanism so if they add the same thing in Mansion Ride, there will be no differences in ride type between the two attractions, and this becomes a repetitive experience right next to one another,

I know a shooting ride is the go-to suggestion for people with Luigi's Mansion, but I think I'd prefer just a show moving dark ride, like SLoP, ET, or Cat in the Hat.

 

[simon]

You wouldn't need to travel through a jungle to get to whatever expansion pad is next to DK Jungle.

I believe there's a facade wall to the right of the DK, before entering into that area. This facade could be a new mini -portal... So it would be a fork in the road, not traveling through DK.

Considering the warp pipes can literally bring you anywhere, having two warp pipes right next to each other which bring you to vastly different worlds makes sense thematically.
mini
The plot of land next to SNW has enough space for both Luigi's and Zelda if both are mini-worlds.



I know a shooting ride is the go-to suggestion for people with Luigi's Mansion, but I think I'd prefer just a show moving dark ride, like SLoP, ET, or Cat in the Hat.

Yes I saw that area as well. That could work and I wanted those mini land ideas too (I even wished they would create an indoor area for Super Mario Galaxy Miniland next to the Atlantic expansion pad). But I can not possibly see Nintendo would be satisfied with one of their biggest IPs like Zelda is being utilized as a mini land next to Luigi's Mansion.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I feel like the high capacity boat ride should be saved for Creature, but whatever is going here, it just needs to add a crap ton of capacity. Some capacity monster that's indoors is desperately needed for this park. That's the only reason I'm not sold on this broom coaster everyone seems to be hung up on. Something more like a Dynamic SFX coaster would be a smarter pick if it is going to be a coaster

I think it's pretty funny that we can seemingly only get one boat dark ride attraction (themed to a property so niche it won't happen before 2035), meanwhile we're continuously suggesting that Potter or Wicked get the parks' sixth rollercoaster.

I know that Universal can make a solid coaster. I'm starting to consider if Universal can actually make something truly incredible using any other kind of ride system? Is it just Spider-Man's and Coasters forever with this company?

 

[simon]

I think it's pretty funny that we can seemingly only get one boat dark ride attraction (themed to a property so niche it won't happen before 2035), meanwhile we're continuously suggesting that Potter or Wicked get the parks' sixth rollercoaster.

I know that Universal can make a solid coaster. I'm starting to consider if Universal can actually make something truly incredible using any other kind of ride system? Is it just Spider-Man's and Coasters forever with this company?

Maybe universal should utilize that new concept that Mack ride released this week. Trackless dark ride that feature roller coaster section for wicked expansion. That would be pretty sensational.

Beside that you’re right they have been relying on reliable ride type and coasters for too long. I hope upcoming attractions does change this fact.

 

[Alicia]

Since Universal’s contract seems to require one new Potter attraction per year company wide, maybe they decided Epic needed it more than any other park right now?

For the record, my read on it is not that it is *required* ... (nothing but Diagon Alley was explicitly required to be built according to the initial licensing agreement, and that was so they could involve the final films in the parks after Hogsmeade.)

BUT

By ensuring there is ALWAYS a new Wizarding World expansion under construction somewhere in the world at all times, they can be certain the rights holders will always renew any and all existing contracts every couple years when they go up for renewal now that the initial 10-year term is up.

It's an insurance policy essentially, to always be building.

(And if we're getting a new Potter ride in Orlando next, guess that means Hollywood is not. Maybe next time, bud!)

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

For the record, my read on it is not that it is *required* ... (nothing but Diagon Alley was explicitly required to be built according to the initial licensing agreement, and that was so they could involve the final films in the parks after Hogsmeade.)

BUT

By ensuring there is ALWAYS a new Wizarding World expansion under construction somewhere in the world at all times, they can be certain the rights holders will always renew any and all existing contracts every couple years when they go up for renewal now that the initial 10-year term is up.

It's an insurance policy essentially, to always be building.

(And if we're getting a new Potter ride in Orlando next, guess that means Hollywood is not. Maybe next time, bud!)

Please tell @Jerroddragon to avoid this thread!!!!!

 

[GA-MBIT]

Maybe universal should utilize that new concept that Mack ride released this week. Trackless dark ride + roller coaster for wicked expansion.

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?

 

[Jerroddragon]

lol

I like Potter but rather a new IP at USH, Dreamworks land...Pokemon...Zelda...Monsters

Only thing I'd like at USH Potter land is more meet and greet characters and or use part of the old extended Q for a small show with the Fantastic beasts

Back to the Thread from what I've heard Monsters seems like the best place to start with another ride and hopefully its also high capacity, but after that more Potter would make sense the ride and show seem to be pretty impressive and I think the new land is wonderful looking so would love to see what ride they come up with next for Potter here

Also funny enough I push for Nintendo but I think for now Epic is good on Nintendo, they can add more meet and greets but if its 5 years before Nintendo seems more I get it. You have three popular attractions and would love to see them add some sort of flat ride (like Diddys airplanes or something) and transition into a new Nintendo area based on Either Super Mario Galaxy or another IP from Nintendo

Also I wont be at Epic for a few years but I do hope they find a way by then to make it so the lines and move faster with a few more people eaters, shows and flat rides. The Park looks great but I know if I went today on a busy day, id also kind of hate it

 

[AustinT]

So big indoor space... flying theater? Seems like an easy and quick addition with a known set capacity they can hit.

Fits the high capacity requirement, but I can't be the only one who hates flying theaters right? They never feel immersive at all. I can go see an IMAX movie any day of the week and get the same feeling of sitting in front of a large screen. Maybe if we've got broomstick seating that'll make it feel more unique, but as someone who does not like Flight of Passage, I'd rather another high capacity ride system.

I think it's pretty funny that we can seemingly only get one boat dark ride attraction (themed to a property so niche it won't happen before 2035), meanwhile we're continuously suggesting that Potter or Wicked get the parks' sixth rollercoaster.

Universal does themed coasters well, and they are always big crowd pleasers and high capacity (ignore DK). My main reason for not wanting a HP boat ride is that I want that Creature boat ride like yesterday, and I feel like a HP boat ride would push it even further off into the future