Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

IT'S ALL A JOKE OH MY GOD.

The park is coming in 2024. Brian put out a huge post talking to people WHO KNOW and y'all are losing your minds.

Frankly the most outrageous comment Ive seen regarding their statement is the joke you just made lol. I think we're all more than fine. Stop shouting.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Frankly the most outrageous comment Ive seen regarding their statement is the joke you just made lol. I think we're all more than fine. Stop shouting.

Considering less than 24 hours ago people swore the park was cancelled and are jumpy that a complete coaster could be scrapped for rent money, I'd say we need to get some perspective.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Considering less than 24 hours ago people swore the park was cancelled and are jumpy that a complete coaster could be scrapped for rent money, I'd say we need to get some perspective.

I don't think anyone was outright saying it'd be cancelled, we just got different wording from the CFO then we have ever gotten before. Was it possible it was a bad joke? Especially since the park opening in 2026 is just simply not out the realm of possibility at this point

 

[Legacy]

I don't think anyone was outright saying it'd be cancelled, we just got different wording from the CFO then we have ever gotten before. Was it possible it was a bad joke? Especially since the park opening in 2026 is just simply not out the realm of possibility at this point

I thought it was hilarious.

 

[Magic-Man]

Wait, did somebody actually say that a coaster was going to get scrapped? Lmaooooo

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Wait, did somebody actually say that a coaster was going to get scrapped? Lmaooooo

It was a joke. The coaster in question was Hagrid, which should have made it obvious.

 

[JungleSkip]

Considering less than 24 hours ago people swore the park was cancelled and are jumpy that a complete coaster could be scrapped for rent money, I'd say we need to get some perspective.

I don't think anyone was swearing it was cancelled. Just a real and frank discussion that things are very clearly getting hazier.

Two-three weeks ago the last we heard was "2023 is a go" and now we're at "we'll restart construction when things look good". If people want to believe that's not an aggressive change of pace, that's fine. You have your information that says 2024. That's great. Everyone hopes that happens. But the discussion of what happens if/when that date *doesn't* happen is a valid one.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I don't think anyone was swearing it was cancelled. Just a real and frank discussion that things are very clearly getting hazier.

Two-three weeks ago the last we heard was "2023 is a go" and now we're at "we'll restart construction when things look good". If people want to believe that's not an aggressive change of pace, that's fine. You have your information that says 2024. That's great. Everyone hopes that happens. But the discussion of what happens if/when that date *doesn't* happen is a valid one.

No.... YOURE LOSING YOUR MIND

 

[Alicia]

Lots of cancel talk on Twitter. Not so much here—and even when it was, it was only crazy hypotheticals to show how unlikely it was, mostly in response to things those same folks on twitter were saying lol.

 

[Mad Dog]

To think that we first heard the announcement of Nintendo coming to Universal in March 2015 and we may not get it in Orlando until 2025 is sort of crazy to think about.

and Mike is thinking he'll never see it in Orlando.

Lots of cancel talk on Twitter. Not so much here—and even when it was, it was only crazy hypotheticals to show how unlikely it was, mostly in response to things those same folks on twitter were saying lol.

Twitter is a cesspool.

 

[Evan]

Lots of cancel talk on Twitter. Not so much here—and even when it was, it was only crazy hypotheticals to show how unlikely it was, mostly in response to things those same folks on twitter were saying lol.

Yep. I think a very reasonable discussion is happening here, and we are also looking at past scenarios to try and get a sense of what might happen here, and how long it could take.

EU is coming, it's just a matter of when.

 

[La2kw]

The difference is that DCA's few opening day attractions were, from what i can tell, not very good (Soarin aside). I could see it as more like opening day DAK.

Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Rapids, California Screamin' and the beer truck were the best things there those first few years. Even with all the additions since then, there still aren't enough rides. Especially when you have the far superior Disneyland across the esplanade.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Soarin' Over California, Grizzly River Rapids, California Screamin' and the beer truck were the best things there those first few years. Even with all the additions since then, there still aren't enough rides. Especially when you have the far superior Disneyland across the esplanade.

This belongs in a different thread, but Avengers + Coco + Mickey and Minnie's at Hollywoodland would have really helped DCA out (and maybe some Mermaid Lagoon style revamp of the Art of Animation building to add more flat rides). Now, Mickey got moved to Toontown, Avengers probably pushed back, with Coco likely shafted as well.

Oh well

EDIT: Also, Disney please make multi-level lands that more efficiently use space rather than sprawling lands with loads of beautiful empty space k thanks bai

 

[devinp267]

OK so with all this fervor over the CFO's comments, I checked in with several sources. If any other informed person would like to corroborate my post, please feel free as I am fairly confident in my sources.

Comcast has every intention of EU happening. Yes, there will be a delay from the 2023 projected date, with it expected to be about a year. They are currently still doing land grading/infrastructure work. Once that is complete, construction - aka going vertical - will be put on pause (unless the economy makes, or is anticipated to make, a turn upwards by that time). They'd rather put off construction than make any drastic cuts to the park and that's because they have every intention of making the park be built as they are currently intending. In short, Comcast wants Epic Universe to happen, and once the smoke clears up, I would expect construction to resume as soon as they possibly can. Could you see another year delay? Maybe - as there is still a bit of uncertainty with the pandemic's future - but that is not on the cards right now. There is no plans to move any of the proposed lands to the original Resort, either. Any talk of cancelation at this point is just reckless speculation and hyperbole.

:bow:

 

[shiekra38]

Any talk of cancelation at this point is just reckless speculation and hyperbole.

And more importantly, there is already a EU reckless speculation and hyperbole thread.

 

[OLSinFLA]

I've always felt the same......Not many of us old dudes on IU.

On the bright side, my grandmother was riding the Cyclone at Coney Island with me at 75... so there's that

 

[Nick]

IT'S ALL A JOKE OH MY GOD.

The park is coming in 2024. Brian put out a huge post talking to people WHO KNOW and y'all are losing your minds.

I said *may* not come until 2025. Just just because Brian is still hearing 2024, it’s not crazy to think it could get pushed to 2025 depending on how bad the economy gets.

Ive also never said or even insinuated that the park will be cancelled and I don’t think any logical person is saying that. I think the opening is uncertain right now and talk of the situation is only natural as long as it’s reasonable.

I don't think anyone was swearing it was cancelled. Just a real and frank discussion that things are very clearly getting hazier.

Two-three weeks ago the last we heard was "2023 is a go" and now we're at "we'll restart construction when things look good". If people want to believe that's not an aggressive change of pace, that's fine. You have your information that says 2024. That's great. Everyone hopes that happens. But the discussion of what happens if/when that date *doesn't* happen is a valid one.

This.

 

[tielo]

Here (the Netherlands) I hear a of economics say that the economy wasn't and still isn't broken (as it was last time). It's put on hold and there will and are hits for companies who didn't do well regardless (so their failure has come quicker than without the pandemic). And the economy will bounce back quite fast.

Regarding Comcast, theme parks are their third pillar. Now 2 pillars are doing the heavy lifting but growth has been significant for them and they invested heavy from the start. It's clear these few months and probably another few to get back to normal, won't effect a 10 year future plan they probably (and should) have in place.
I expect them to re-negotiate the work that needs to be done soon and I'm positive it will cost them less, giving them more funds to do awesome stuff. It's also smart and respectful they keep their theme members on their payroll as they invested a lot in them and they shouldn't be thrown away like Disney did.

 

[Scott W.]

Here (the Netherlands) I hear a of economics say that the economy wasn't and still isn't broken (as it was last time). It's put on hold and there will and are hits for companies who didn't do well regardless (so their failure has come quicker than without the pandemic). And the economy will bounce back quite fast.

Regarding Comcast, theme parks are their third pillar. Now 2 pillars are doing the heavy lifting but growth has been significant for them and they invested heavy from the start. It's clear these few months and probably another few to get back to normal, won't effect a 10 year future plan they probably (and should) have in place.
I expect them to re-negotiate the work that needs to be done soon and I'm positive it will cost them less, giving them more funds to do awesome stuff. It's also smart and respectful they keep their theme members on their payroll as they invested a lot in them and they shouldn't be thrown away like Disney did.

The impression I'm getting from construction stopping is that they were about to go vertical and that grading is nearly complete so this makes a good time to stop.

The logistics involved with going vertical is that for construction to keep going at a steady pace, they need the next pieces ready to go and in this climate, I doubt that the places fabricating the more specialised theming are ready to manufacture what they need.

 

[darkridelover]

CFO's speak to a different audience. Their job is the reassure investors that the company is taking measured actions and are able to flexibly respond to the current situation. His statement was an appropriate way to address future investments during an uncertain period. Wall street just wants to know that the company is being proactive and cautious.

What we know is that a lot of vendors who are working on this project have been temporarily shut down or are having challenges getting materials. Which lines up with everything we're hearing about a year delay. The CFO's statement can exist in the same world and is not contradictory to what we're hearing.