Universal's Epic Universe Construction Thread

[Rhian]

I'm glad I'm not the one that has to pay the light bill.

 

[GAcoaster]

I'm glad I'm not the one that has to pay the light bill.

It’s all LEDs, so it’s probably not that bad. Now all those launched coasters may be a different story…

 

[Rhian]

It’s all LEDs, so it’s probably not that bad. Now all those launched coasters may be a different story…

Oh I'm sure it's still more than I could afford even if it's all LEDs.

I'm curious to know of Stardust has its own power boost that's similar to Hulk's or if it's not even necessary with this type of launch? Those launches are no joke and it's double with both coasters.

 

[GAcoaster]

Oh I'm sure it's still more than I could afford even if it's all LEDs.

I'm curious to know of Stardust has its own power boost that's similar to Hulk's or if it's not even necessary with this type of launch? Those launches are no joke and it's double with both coasters.

I think they've finally perfected LSM/LIM launches-- they don't seem to be browning out parks like they used to 25+ years ago.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Road signs are on their way for local roads...

 

[Disneyhead]

So... I went to Epic again today.

I rode 3 rides. Stardust, the Carousel, and Mario cart. Hiccup's, Monster's, and Werewolf never opened. Stardust opened late and had multiple downtimes. Fyre Drill was open for about an hour. Dagon Racers was open all day but had at least a 75 min. wait because it was one of the only rides open.

It was a pretty rough day for Epic.

 

[Magic-Man]

Road signs are on their way for local roads...

Based on the directions, I'm guessing these are for the Kirkman extension?

 

[Rhian]

So... I went to Epic again today.

I rode 3 rides. Stardust, the Carousel, and Mario cart. Hiccup's, Monster's, and Werewolf never opened. Stardust opened late and had multiple downtimes. Fyre Drill was open for about an hour. Dagon Racers was open all day but had at least a 75 min. wait because it was one of the only rides open.

It was a pretty rough day for Epic.

Hiccup's and Werewolf did just in the last hour/half-hour of the day.

 

[Disneyhead]

Hiccup's and Werewolf did just in the last hour/half-hour of the day.

I mean, I'm not mad. That is what we are there for. We are stress testing the park. I still had a great time.

Happy to report CelesTiki had no downtimes. Oak and Star is fantastic. The stained glass wall at the Plasterd Owl is stunning.

 

[Rhian]

I mean, I'm not mad. That is what we are there for. We are stress testing the park. I still had a great time.

Happy to report CelesTiki had no downtimes. Oak and Star is fantastic. The stained glass wall at the Plasterd Owl is stunning.

It was a bit of a funny situation. Untrainable Dragon had a problem with a showing so they canceled it and handed everyone in line fast passes. Since almost nothing else was open most people held onto it.

Then both Hiccup's and Werewolf opened and everyone rushed over making the lines 90-minute waits and a full fast pass line with less than an hour to park close.

Fountains were gorgeous though weren't they?

 

[Disneyhead]

It was a bit of a funny situation. Untrainable Dragon had a problem with a showing so they canceled it and handed everyone in line fast passes. Since almost nothing else was open most people held onto it.

Then both Hiccup's and Werewolf opened and everyone rushed over making the lines 90-minute waits and a full fast pass line with less than an hour to park close.

Fountains were gorgeous though weren't they?

Celestial Park is stunning.

 

[Frank Drackman]

Celestial Park is stunning.

in my opinion, Celestial Park is masterpiece on so many levels!

 

[Loki]

in my opinion, Celestial Park is masterpiece on so many levels!

And the great thing is that it will only get more beautiful as the landscaping & trees mature and fill in.

 

[jarmor]

I am so glad universal is doing these "technical rehearsals"! Gives the rides time to get the kinks out and the TM's time to get into the groove. Gives them time to see what could potentially work and what doesn't. I wish they could have done 3 solid months of this (so I could have been able to go back again lol).

 

[SeventyOne]

Somewhat unexpected (at least to me, I figured it would be more of an access road) but what looks to be another "TV screen" Universal sign has been erected along Universal Blvd across from Trade Show Drive.

 

[Disneyhead]

Somewhat unexpected (at least to me, I figured it would be more of an access road) but what looks to be another "TV screen" Universal sign has been erected along Universal Blvd across from Trade Show Drive.

They have also installed one on Kirkman Rd on the southbound side across from the Helios Grand Hotel.

 

[RFRees]

Can anyone point to a thread/posts or video which details what back of house buildings were built at Epic and what potentially could be demolished at Site A (IOA / USF)?

Thank you!!

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Can anyone point to a thread/posts or video which details what back of house buildings were built at Epic and what potentially could be demolished at Site A (IOA / USF)?

Thank you!!

See below. Both parks have enough opportunity at the moment without pushing into BoH areas.

Spoiler: Images

Green - existing theme park space that can be replaced (I'd put Villain-Con under here, but its too recent)
Red - theme park space utilized by backstage facilities that can be moved as long as they are relocated elsewhere in the park. (e.g. First Aid at USF)
Yellow - basically abandoned areas or empty lots.

Universal Studios Florida

• I think we all know this park would be better serviced by complete replacements versus true park expansion. It's a big park, so adding additional guest areas is unnecessary at the moment.
• There's a lot of areas on the eastern side of the park to play with.
• Behind Hollywood, there's a good size piece of land that can be utilized if they can relocate the entertainment trailers.
• Behind DreamWorks, there's the old parade building + nearby areas capable of receiving a decent sized dark ride. Behind Trollercoaster, another space for flat rides or additional play area.
• I wouldn't touch the soundstages until everywhere in green/red above has been constructed or replaced.

Islands of Adventure

• LC should be yellow.
• JPRA - not replace, but rethemed. (didn't want to add too many different colors on the page)
• IOA is different to USF with BoH facilities located to the north, versus being partially surrounded by them. With the exception of the Seuss Expansion pad, IOA has no more major areas to expand to. It's all retheme/replacements from here on out.

 

[RFRees]

See below. Both parks have enough opportunity at the moment without pushing into BoH areas.

Spoiler: Images

Green - existing theme park space that can be replaced (I'd put Villain-Con under here, but its too recent)
Red - theme park space utilized by backstage facilities that can be moved as long as they are relocated elsewhere in the park. (e.g. First Aid at USF)
Yellow - basically abandoned areas or empty lots.
View attachment 26049
Universal Studios Florida

• I think we all know this park would be better serviced by complete replacements versus true park expansion. It's a big park, so adding additional guest areas is unnecessary at the moment.
• There's a lot of areas on the eastern side of the park to play with.
• Behind Hollywood, there's a good size piece of land that can be utilized if they can relocate the entertainment trailers.
• Behind DreamWorks, there's the old parade building + nearby areas capable of receiving a decent sized dark ride. Behind Trollercoaster, another space for flat rides or additional play area.
• I wouldn't touch the soundstages until everywhere in green/red above has been constructed or replaced.

View attachment 26050
Islands of Adventure

• LC should be yellow.
• JPRA - not replace, but rethemed. (didn't want to add too many different colors on the page)
• IOA is different to USF with BoH facilities located to the north, versus being partially surrounded by them. With the exception of the Seuss Expansion pad, IOA has no more major areas to expand to. It's all retheme/replacements from here on out.

Thanks for this.

I'm still very curious what BoH buildings have been built at Epic, and what is now redundant near IOA/USF/VB.

For example, the buildings behind F&F / Diagon. There's an old HR, single story building which I'd target for demo and replace with a fancier multi-level building elsewhere... so maybe that's already happened.

There's also the building behind LC (nearby the soundstages). I've seen some fan concepts thrown around regarding demoing that building as part of a large expansion on that land + LC. If they've already replaced those office spaces, then there'd be no reason to keep it.

Also curios if they're using the old Nickelodeon building for office space, and if so that means that building is less likely used for expansion space.

And, did I hear right that Creative has been moved to Epic? If so, what is to come of the building nearby VC?