Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[WaterToWade]

That's the windmill. And it looks to have a small kitchen attached, so fairly certain it's for food in some way. (Also, this is better suited for the speculation thread.)

My bad! Thought i posted this on speculation, will move there rn.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Considering how much IOA changed up until opening, I could see several things being different from original intent

But perhaps not

Wouldn't shock me either, but, since I wasn't alive/old enough to follow IOA's development, to announcement, to rumors following that, its kind of exciting haha. I hope nothing changes however.

For people who were around, I know "Cartoon World" was a thing, but did Universal "announce" Cartoon World, or was that more speculated amongst news outlets and the beginning days of fan forums? Id be curious to know if they announced it in a press release like EU was if that makes sense. I know theres lot of dsicssusion around this so not trying to bring this thread down but its has to do with regards to annoucements and what they could all mean and such so I thought it was appropriate here.

 

[Alicia]

IOA changed a lot between 1992 to 1996, but by the time they actually announced details for the second gate things were pretty much how they opened.

Wouldn't shock me either, but, since I wasn't alive/old enough to follow IOA's development, to announcement, to rumors following that, its kind of exciting haha. I hope nothing changes however.

For people who were around, I know "Cartoon World" was a thing, but did Universal "announce" Cartoon World, or was that more speculated amongst news outlets and the beginning days of fan forums? Id be curious to know if they announced it in a press release like EU was if that makes sense. I know theres lot of dsicssusion around this so not trying to bring this thread down but its has to do with regards to annoucements and what they could all mean and such so I thought it was appropriate here.

They did announce that they were building a new theme park, all the way in 1993, but only vague concept art with no defining characteristics was released. In 1995 more concept art was released as part of a master plan proposal, however, again, no charcters, themes, or even a park name was included. By the time they actually announced IOA and its details, they were actually locked in. All the big changes happened prior without much of the public knowing until years later.

I don't think much would change at this point in the development process for Epic Universe... but man oh man I cannot wait to learn about the changes that happened in the years leading up to now.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

IOA changed a lot between 1992 to 1996, but by the time they actually announced details for the second gate things were pretty much how they opened.


They did announce that they were building a new theme park, all the way in 1993, but only vague concept art with no defining characteristics was released. In 1995 more concept art was released as part of a master plan proposal, however, again, no charcters, themes, or even a park name was included. By the time they actually announced IOA and its details, they were actually locked in. All the big changes happened prior without much of the public knowing until years later.

I don't think much would change at this point in the development process for Epic Universe... but man oh man I cannot wait to learn about the changes that happened in the years leading up to now.

Very informative, thanks!! I figured less than 5 years out you can't make much changes. Ride systems need to be in place, IPs chosen, sets being built, I can't imaging thats a fast process. The fact the the concept art given to us matches the layout, it seems like they're showing us what they're actually building to a degree unlike you mentioned, Cartoon World.

But me too, I'm so curious how they decided on these 4 areas. They all make sense, but when there's real estate to go here at the current parks I'm very curious how close some of these lands were to debuting at IOA or USF if Universal couldn't have secured this land as soon as they did. Will be very fun to learn over the years.

 

[Brian G.]

Wouldn't shock me either, but, since I wasn't alive/old enough to follow IOA's development, to announcement, to rumors following that, its kind of exciting haha. I hope nothing changes however.

For people who were around, I know "Cartoon World" was a thing, but did Universal "announce" Cartoon World, or was that more speculated amongst news outlets and the beginning days of fan forums? Id be curious to know if they announced it in a press release like EU was if that makes sense. I know theres lot of dsicssusion around this so not trying to bring this thread down but its has to do with regards to annoucements and what they could all mean and such so I thought it was appropriate here.

*whistles*

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

*whistles*

Ayeeeee my man perfect timing! Hadn't seen the vid and will 100% check it out, definitely need something like this today. Thanks for the link!

 

[Alicia]

*whistles*

Yea, that reminds me. In that video's thumbnail image alone we can see Helicoptours that was cut by opening. Small things like should be expected. But big things, like changing the entire concept for the park have got to be behind us by now for Epic Universe... (right?).

 

[Mad Dog]

Wouldn't shock me either, but, since I wasn't alive/old enough to follow IOA's development, to announcement, to rumors following that, its kind of exciting haha. I hope nothing changes however.

For people who were around, I know "Cartoon World" was a thing, but did Universal "announce" Cartoon World, or was that more speculated amongst news outlets and the beginning days of fan forums? Id be curious to know if they announced it in a press release like EU was if that makes sense. I know theres lot of dsicssusion around this so not trying to bring this thread down but its has to do with regards to annoucements and what they could all mean and such so I thought it was appropriate here.

The Cartoon World concepts were even before the IP rights were locked up. Once negotiations over rights fees between Universal and Warner deadlocked, that kind of changed most everything, thus Universal went in a different direction.

 

[Alicia]

The Cartoon World concepts were even before the IP rights were locked up. Once negotiations over rights fees between Universal and Warner deadlocked, that kind of changed most everything, thus Universal went in a different direction.

Yea, I don't think people realize that all that DC Comics world concept art floating around on the web was just a pitch, and was done before they had secured the rights. Same as that leaked SNW concept art that had Zelda next to Mario Kart.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

The Cartoon World concepts were even before the IP rights were locked up. Once negotiations over rights fees between Universal and Warner deadlocked, that kind of changed most everything, thus Universal went in a different direction.

Totally makes sense, id love to take a tour of Universal Creative and see all the concepts they've designed over the years that have never gotten further than that. One day, one day!

 

[Mad Dog]

Yea, I don't think people realize that all that DC Comics world concept art floating around on the web was just a pitch, and was done before they had secured the rights. Same as that leaked SNW concept art that had Zelda next to Mario Kart.

Amazing that the rights fees were hung up over a very small pittance of money. But Universal had a rep of being hardcore bad a _ _, in negotiations so they weren't willing to back off their demands lest their reputation suffer in other negotiations. (From "Jaybangs" Jay Stein interviews.)

 

[lowbudget]

Could be cash flow. Several tourism projects in my area have gone on hold until the parent companies have a working cash flow again. Plans still on shelf, contracts getting extended not cut, permits being renewed, but making prudent business decisions to hold the cash in house until the cash flow starts again.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

EU is still progressing, it's not paused or on hold.

 

[JungleSkip]

EU is still progressing, it's not paused or on hold.

Correct. Site work is still happening, just not at the same pace

 

[Scott W.]

IOA changed a lot between 1992 to 1996, but by the time they actually announced details for the second gate things were pretty much how they opened.


They did announce that they were building a new theme park, all the way in 1993, but only vague concept art with no defining characteristics was released. In 1995 more concept art was released as part of a master plan proposal, however, again, no charcters, themes, or even a park name was included. By the time they actually announced IOA and its details, they were actually locked in. All the big changes happened prior without much of the public knowing until years later.

I don't think much would change at this point in the development process for Epic Universe... but man oh man I cannot wait to learn about the changes that happened in the years leading up to now.

I was going to post the video of the documentary when Universal announce plans to open a 3rd theme park before IOA opened at this site but the video has been deleted from YouTube.

Correct. Site work is still happening, just not at the same pace

Are you ready for all the new users to ask repeatedly if the new park could open sooner similar to what’s going on with the JP coaster?

 

[devinp267]

I meant, maybe something being replaced....

Ohhh god! is it better or worse in your opinion?

 

[GadgetGuru]

I’d be really surprised if UC didn’t have a couple teams working on blue-sky theme park changes for a post-pandemic world. How do you design a new ride that needs 6ft social distancing? What does a post-pandemic quick-service look like if you could start from scratch? How can you get the allure of a parade without the crowds? That kind of stuff.

I always had the feeling that theme park media (looks over at Jim Hill specifically) has a tendency to report this blue-sky stuff as further in the pipeline or more concrete than it actually was.

Of course, I trust the insiders on here way more

 

[Alicia]

Ohhh god! is it better or worse in your opinion?

Not my rumor, but people think Fantastic Beasts to be replaced with British Ministry of Magic, but this is better suited for Speculation thread.

 

[HThomas]

Sounds like a good way to back off that 2023 date. That was ambitious even before the pandemic. giveing themselves some breathing room. I rather them take the time and not rush it and have to cut back like IOA.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

I’d be really surprised if UC didn’t have a couple teams working on blue-sky theme park changes for a post-pandemic world. How do you design a new ride that needs 6ft social distancing? What does a post-pandemic quick-service look like if you could start from scratch? How can you get the allure of a parade without the crowds? That kind of stuff.

Honestly, I'd love to see stuff like that internal cleaning system for elements attached to the ride vehicle. However, I think the changes they'll make will only be to facilitate better sanitation rather than, say, creating enough queue space for social distancing (if that were true than the entire park would have to be Mario Kart queue).

In short, more changes about preventing people from getting sick rather than changes specifically meant to address the current situation, which should be over by 2024.