Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[natespf]

I truly don't get why everything always has to come back to a comparison with Disney.

Like what you like. It doesn't need to be justified by ragging on Disney.

It happens the other way too. Just because Universal chooses to do something differently than Disney some will say it's not the right way. But we are not talking about parking lot coasters, these are showy coasters that look nice. Universal and Disney are different at the core with overlap in between. I always hear in the lines people talking about wanting more rollercoasters. And you'll see commercials just showing off a rollercoaster, proudly displaying the track instead of trying to hide it.

 

[shiekra38]

I truly don't get why everything always has to come back to a comparison with Disney.

Like what you like. It doesn't need to be justified by ragging on Disney.

It *shouldn't* come to that

But that's what the majority of people grew up with and it's held like some kind of golden standard

This is a Universal centric board, but everything that deviates from the "Disney standard" is labeled as "bad" or "Six Flags" on a LOT of other boards/news sites/etc

Space Mountain is pretty bad though, so yeah

 

[belloq87]

Universal and Disney are different at the core with overlap in between.

I think each could learn some things from the other, frankly.

But that's what the majority of people grew up with and it's held like some kind of golden standard

This is a Universal centric board, but everything that deviates from the "Disney standard" is labeled as "bad" or "Six Flags" on a LOT of other boards/news sites/etc

But you make it sound like that's somehow inexplicable. Disney was the gold standard for a long time, rightly, and many of its attractions still remain the very best of their genres. Which isn't to take anything away from Universal, which has several "best"s of its own.

Fundamentally, though, if a person doesn't like/can't ride the types of mega coasters the Universal (and plenty of others) will build, you can't expect them to be excited about those attractions. Does that mean these folks (and I'm basically in that group) should be talking as if what Universal does with its big coasters is objectively "bad" in conception and execution? No, but that's internet hyperbole for you.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

I think each could learn some things from the other, frankly.



But you make it sound like that's somehow inexplicable. Disney was the gold standard for a long time, rightly, and many of its attractions still remain the very best of their genres. Which isn't to take anything away from Universal, which has several "best"s of its own.

Fundamentally, though, if a person doesn't like/can't ride the types of mega coasters the Universal (and plenty of others) will build, you can't expect them to be excited about those attractions. Does that mean these folks (and I'm basically in that group) should be talking as if what Universal does with its big coasters is objectively "bad" in conception and execution? No, but that's internet hyperbole for you.

Why I like having both themed experiences and intense thrill coasters, ideally in the same park. The only park in FL that can really say it has both just happens to be my overall favorite.

 

[natespf]

I think each could learn some things from the other, frankly.



But you make it sound like that's somehow inexplicable. Disney was the gold standard for a long time, rightly, and many of its attractions still remain the very best of their genres. Which isn't to take anything away from Universal, which has several "best"s of its own.

Fundamentally, though, if a person doesn't like/can't ride the types of mega coasters the Universal (and plenty of others) will build, you can't expect them to be excited about those attractions. Does that mean these folks (and I'm basically in that group) should be talking as if what Universal does with its big coasters is objectively "bad" in conception and execution? No, but that's internet hyperbole for you.

Indeed, and they both do learn things from each other. But they still need to do some things differently. I understand my bias with the rollercoasters but the argument is there's demand for them from the general public. These showy rollercoasters make compelling commercials. When the tables are turned I don't get upset that every attraction isn't designed for my demographic. The point of having diverse offerings is to sell more tickets, some want to see an impressive rollercoaster.

 

[shiekra38]

I think each could learn some things from the other, frankly.

But you make it sound like that's somehow inexplicable. Disney was the gold standard for a long time, rightly, and many of its attractions still remain the very best of their genres. Which isn't to take anything away from Universal, which has several "best"s of its own.

It's not inexplicable, it's just stupid.

The concept of getting pissy because something has #ExposedSteel is dumb and something I will never understand

Of course we can thank Disney for improving upon established concepts from parks that existed pre-Disney

And still today they are a major player in the industry, at least overseas.

But there's also an incredible amount of innovation that has happened elsewhere, specifically with coaster technology and theming

Ironically, none of them are in showbuildings

 

[belloq87]

It's not inexplicable, it's just stupid.

The concept of getting pissy because something has #ExposedSteel is dumb and something I will never understand

Of course we can thank Disney for improving upon established concepts from parks that existed pre-Disney

And still today they are a major player in the industry, at least overseas.

But there's also an incredible amount of innovation that has happened elsewhere, specifically with coaster technology and theming

Ironically, none of them are in showbuildings

I think we're maybe talking in circles. I'm talking about the 30,000-foot view of each company. You're fixated on coasters.

 

[shiekra38]

I think we're maybe talking in circles. I'm talking about the 30,000-foot view of each company. You're fixated on coasters.

Yes, because the original post was complaining about an exposed coaster going into EU

That complaint is normally tied to a certain company that doesn't build coasters in that way

 

[Happytycho]

IMO exposed steel is fine and a variety of physical thrills are a key part of any diverse theme park attraction lineup.

If I have any criticism of the EU coaster it's that it is probably yet another sit down launch coaster, something that Universal Orlando and central Florida more broadly are quickly becoming saturated with. It really frustrates me that universal can't build anything with immediately building two more just like it. When I see unique rides like Time Traveler and F.L.Y. getting built at other parks it makes me wish Universal would pursue more unique and amazing coasters like that rather than just building multiple "launch past some AAs" coasters in every park.

 

[shiekra38]

IMO exposed steel is fine and a variety of physical thrills are a key part of any diverse theme park attraction lineup.

If I have any criticism of the EU coaster it's that it is probably yet another sit down launch coaster, something that Universal Orlando and central Florida more broadly are quickly becoming saturated with. It really frustrates me that universal can't build anything with immediately building two more just like it. When I see unique rides like Time Travelor and F.L.Y. getting built at other parks it makes me wish Universal would pursue more unique and amazing coasters like that rather than just building multiple "launch past some AAs" coasters in every park.

Valid criticism

Also, Phantasialand looks absolutely amazing, I hope to go some day

 

[Alicia]

There will be more to the hub coaster than we know.

 

[highdefrex]

There will be more to the hub coaster than we know.

Universal’s gonna be the first to build a coaster with ejector seats that launch riders straight through the air and into the ride’s gift shop.

 

[Moose84]

Valid criticism

Also, Phantasialand looks absolutely amazing, I hope to go some day

Phantasialand is definitely a bucket list park and what they have done in such a small footprint is nothing short of absolutely amazing. Let’s not forget it’s one of few independent parks globally that gets toured by Disney and Universal brass for ideas, so that is very telling.

Side note, was looking at a Germany trip 2 years ago, ready and planning, and then pandemic. Orlando and Texas for now, cruising next year(fingers crossed), Europe and UAE someday. Vacations are what make me work harder.

Sorry for going off course, carry on.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Mobius coasters = Six Flags

The only mobious
coaster in the United States is at Kennywood (and is a national historic landmark)

 

[agentj]

Phantasialand is definitely a bucket list park and what they have done in such a small footprint is nothing short of absolutely amazing. Let’s not forget it’s one of few independent parks globally that gets toured by Disney and Universal brass for ideas, so that is very telling.

Side note, was looking at a Germany trip 2 years ago, ready and planning, and then pandemic. Orlando and Texas for now, cruising next year(fingers crossed), Europe and UAE someday. Vacations are what make me work harder.

Sorry for going off course, carry on.

If you go, you have to visit EuropaPark. Even though they get over 5 million visitors a year, very few are from the states. Its only a two hour train ride from Frankfurt airport.
Phantasialand is also amazing, We try to do both when we go.

 

[tommyhawkins]

There will be more to the hub coaster than we know.

O:Im still getting nightmares from that Coaster build, dont make me go back, please


But jokes aside, you don't put 9 acres aside for a coaster if you are just going to phone it in like a Six Flags ride. We can expect next iterations of Hagrid's and VC in terms of theme and concept and as i modelled, there was several places within the show building where they could build story or show scenes or something that nobody else is going. it might have striking resemblences to RRR layout but it aint going to be that type of ride

 

[tommyhawkins]

The only mobious
coaster in the United States is at Kennywood (and is a national historic landmark)

Mobius actually keeps coming up because of West Coast racers.

You don't need a mobius loop when you have a massive footprint to build the track you want.

Universal wouldn't employ this layout because of poor throughput . And also each track on the Hub coaster is at least 1700metres long, so why would they need to double the ride time.

 

[tommyhawkins]

I wish that they would get rid of the dueling racing coaster in favor of a larger expansion plot. I feel like it is just plopped there like you would see in a Six Flags parking lot.

The expansion plot above the coaster is 20 Acres, thats enough to build two lands or one huge one with about 4 rides including a huge coaster (example below of messing messing with a JW land idea). definitely dont need to lose an Eticket to make any more room

 

[Disneyhead]

Mobius actually keeps coming up because of West Coast racers.

You don't need a mobius loop when you have a massive footprint to build the track you want.

Universal wouldn't employ this layout because of poor throughput . And also each track on the Hub coaster is at least 1700metres long, so why would they need to double the ride time.

A racing mobius loop coaster of this size, you would get off half way through and to expeience the rest of the coaster, you would have to get back on using the load side that you didn't use the first time. Similar to a non-mobius racer in that you have to ride twice to get the whole attraction.

That is the way The Racer is at Kennywood.

 

[tommyhawkins]

A racing mobius loop coaster of this size, you would get off half way through and to expeience the rest of the coaster, you would have to get back on using the load side that you didn't use the first time. Similar to a non-mobius racer in that you have to ride twice to get the whole attraction.

That is the way The Racer is at Kennywood.

But what would Uni gain from that? The racer is taking two 700m loops to make one more regular sized coaster, if they did that at Epic theyd end up with a 2 and half mile coaster.
From what ive modelled they could actually make one track non-inverting and have a more accessible to younger rides with a slightly lower height restriction as one of the two tracks was slightly more tame than the other. That way they could serve a larger audience.