One thing that seems unfortunate about this park layout is how the large body of water may not be utilized to full potential to enhance the themes of the surrounding "lands." In a theme park with a body of water, it's great when the water is "used" diegetically to make the lands along the water more immersive and realistic. New Orleans Square at Disneyland is perhaps the best example of this...New Orleans without water (the Mississippi) would not be nearly as immersive and evocative -- and the Rivers of America and New Orleans Square together are perfection. Many of the pavilions at Epcot use their on-theme waterfronts to great effect, to represent real-world water landmarks like the Seine or Thames, or the Venice canals and gondolas of Italy and Japan's Torii gate. There are many great examples across the world's best theme parks (don't get me started gushing about Tokyo DisneySea).
But in the layout of this park, there seem to be some missed potential. The Hollywood themed entrance leads to the body of water, which doesn't offer much thematically as Hollywood has no body of water. At the minimum, the street could end at a grassy park with palm trees and fountains in the water to evoke nearby Echo Park Lake.
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Hill Valley is situated along the water but that doesn't contribute anything to the theme. I suspect this land could be more effective if it was placed at the back of the park as an inland "valley" (where Waterworld is) so you get there by going through a transition path, perhaps a tunnel themed as the barn Marty McFly crashed into (complete with a DeLorean and steam) or the gates of Lyon Estates, or the entry to the town with a "Welcome to Hill Valley" sign. This land -- which people are very excited about -- should be exploited at an Epic Universe level of immersion and I think its placement and exposure to the lake and rest of theme park will not serve it as well as it deserves.
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Meanwhile, if that is indeed the Waterworld stunt show, how great would that be if it was on the water!? Imagine that atoll was right on the expansive lake to evoke its story-based setting and watery isolation rather than tucked at the back of the park, land-locked. A ramshackle boardwalk path and bridges could encircle the atoll for main traffic flow, but there could be floating snack stands and a bar on the lagoon -- a place to encounter rogue characters with their salty attitudes. This would expand Waterworld from just a beloved live-show into a mini-land of sorts with some food and beverage and a "vibe" you can inhabit for a bit. And why not? While th movie wasn't a success, the attraction surely is, and it's a chance for Universal to build on this IP -- who knows, maybe it could be the basis of a streaming show or more some day? Another benefit of locating Waterworld right on the park's main lake is that a gate could be opened between the show lagoon and lake periodically allowing the jet skis out onto the lake for an enticing "show" beyond the show. Imagine if there were Bellagio-style fountains in that part of the lake and the stunt riders could zip their jet ski's in and around them, as the water blasts skyward, for an exciting
amuse-bouche for the main show.
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The point of all this is to point out that what Universal already plans to build could be elevated further simply by the overall layout and planning. Back to the Future's Hill Valley could be a better representation of a rural-origin small town in America if given a landlocked "valley" placement and Waterworld could be more Waterworld-ish on the lake, and the Hollywood boulevard could even be enhanced with an inspiration-based feature down at the lake.
Right now, in the concept art, the lake is massive but underutilized and lifeless. I encourage Universal to rethink the layout, there's a lot of potential there without added cost if more strategic and considered placement is pursued.