Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Wesker69]

I also realize that Epic Universe currently has no water rides.

Um... you might want to rethink this statement & visit the "Isle of Berk" before making such claims

 

[DrStarlander]

If it's a boat ride, the ride will be on the bottom. That's a lot of water weight to have to support on a second story unnecessarily. Putting it on the bottom also allows for parts of the ride to have more height for big scenes. It's not that hard to get guests to the second story. Elevation changes outside gets some, then just built in ramps themed as village paths inside.

I wondered about the water weight issue myself. But I did poke around and saw examples of water attractions on upper levels. Beyond the classic flumes all over the world on steel supports, I found that Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland has the Blue Bayou on a second floor with a lower level of attraction scenes below it. Splash mountain also has water on an elevated level with scenes below.

Good point about perhaps wanting taller show scenes. Those could come after one or more drops, mid-ride. For example, halfway through the ride if there's a 15 foot drop, there could be a scene that's 55-feet high, if it later drops another 10 feet there could be a scene that's 65-feet high. These areas where the height of the ground level (where I'm suggesting the retail/F&B are) is encroached on from above could be over the backstage areas like kitchens and stockrooms where the height can be diminished greatly from the 40-foot shell height (the kitchens only need to be, say, 15-feet high anyway, for example).

By the way, I know that if the attraction were on the upper level it could result in a lot of support columns in the retail/F&B area below, but I think that could be a blessing as much as a curse. An inspiration for the vibe of that area could be the International Market in Waikiki, which is this shopping area in a forest of tropical trees. I was there about 30 years ago and sitting in there, having a beer, it was an amazing vibe with all the trees around! Basically all the structural supports for the level above could be thematically
dressed as trees, with a maze of shanties, bridges, and docks between them (I included some images).

 

[tommyhawkins]

I don’t think a building in the back expansion for the land is *that* big. It’s also a skinny long expansion space.

Freaky, cos i finally got this done today after like 2 months of forgetting

 

[Jake S]

I wondered about the water weight issue myself. But I did poke around and saw examples of water attractions on upper levels. Beyond the classic flumes all over the world on steel supports, I found that Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland has the Blue Bayou on a second floor with a lower level of attraction scenes below it. Splash mountain also has water on an elevated level with scenes below.

The Pirates at Disneyland Paris is also multi-level, something it uses to truly spectacular effect.

 

[GAcoaster]

I also realize that Epic Universe currently has no water rides. On a hot Orlando day, it would be nice to make the CFTB ride a little more splashy than the Jaws ride at USF (and that park has no water rides since 2012).

Except Fyre Drill which is soaking people.

Water rides are expensive to maintain and are prone to “issues” of guests getting out of the boats since you can’t really make restraints for them in case something sinks.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Yeah, as I said on the previous page, there are already thematic leaps within existing lands that don't seem to bother anybody.

Just make Creature's area discrete from Darkmoor with a transition of some kind.

Don't worry, Unchained is camp in the good way. It balances well between scares and action with some camp mixed in.

 

[HHN Maddux]

An aerial of the southern campus. (Let me know if to relocate this post elsewhere).

Dark green is land not owned by UOR. The lighter green is. The very light green with a green border is empty land not owned by UOR that could be purchased by UOR if they wanted to. The grey blob near the center is owned by Orange County, but tends to not get use most of the year. Long term, UOR can work with the county to add a parking garage and potentially acquire this land for their own use.

I've also added in the planned additional Kirkman Rd expansion between Universal Blvd and Destination Pkwy.

Yes, Universal owns the land around Shingle Creek... but they should keep it the way it currently exists. It's beautiful and creates a nice buffer between the tourism district and the "real Orlando" filled with warehouses to the east.

View attachment 25569

While I'd love a 4th park, logistically there's too much noise Universal needs to address first. I'd love for them to build a parking garage across Epic Blvd, and then use existing parking for a future resort area just like UOR today with rivers and lush gardens. 20 years from now, they can build another gate (if they desire to) at the Water Treatment plant

I believe it was mentioned way back that this cluster might end up becoming a 2nd water park some day?

Also fully agree on Creature boat ride including other monsters like the mole men and maybe even a brief Creature from this Island Earth cameo.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Don't worry, Unchained is camp in the good way. It balances well between scares and action with some camp mixed in.

The best way to describe the ride is, one things kick in it's just pure mayhem - things happen so quickly you're zooming around and things are appearing suddenly. Lot of rapid motion of the vehicle. I'd estimate the longest you see any monster animatronic is 10 -15 seconds before you're swung into another sequence.

 

[HHN Maddux]

The best way to describe the ride is, one things kick in it's just pure mayhem - things happen so quickly you're zooming around and things are appearing suddenly. Lot of rapid motion of the vehicle. I'd estimate the longest you see any monster animatronic is 10 -15 seconds before you're swung into another sequence.

Very much so, in a good way I'd say. I remember years ago when Screamscape first leaked the name, they described it as having the pacing of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, which is pretty accurate. The ride is pure, unfiltered chaos featuring the classic monsters, and it's a blast.

 

[tommyhawkins]

View attachment 25784
I believe it was mentioned way back that this cluster might end up becoming a 2nd water park some day?

Also fully agree on Creature boat ride including other monsters like the mole men and maybe even a brief Creature from this Island Earth cameo.

I mentioned it back in the day, that there was room for another water park there but there's 4 acres of expansion pad at volcano bay waiting to be built on and why do they need a second one? its been clear for years that land is earmarked for resort hotels, this is what there is room for there

 

[Myah1220]

I noticed today in a review video someone mentioned the colors at the beginning of the park are *emerald* and gold which got me thinking…

What are the odds we get an Oz/Emerald City/Wicked themed portal in a future expansion? I know some people have been talking rumors about Oz/Wicked at Studios but I think they could make some real magic with a bigger space here in Epic.

 

[Myah1220]

Also, I’m sure we’re all also hearing about or have seen all of the Zelda imagery in Epic as well. Pretty sure that makes it a shoe-in as a future expansion/add on to Nintendo World.

 

[TheUniC6]

Also, I’m sure we’re all also hearing about or have seen all of the Zelda imagery in Epic as well. Pretty sure that makes it a shoe-in as a future expansion/add on to Nintendo World.

I think it was mentioned not too long ago the Nintendo expansion pad is split in a way that looks like it can accommodate two different types of lands in the plot. If Zelda goes into EU, maybe Wicked can go to IOA instead.

 

[Alicia]

I think it was mentioned not too long ago the Nintendo expansion pad is split in a way that looks like it can accommodate two different types of lands in the plot. If Zelda goes into EU, maybe Wicked can go to IOA instead.

Wicked… based on a book, right?

 

[TheUniC6]

Wicked… based on a book, right?

Yep. Since IMO the EU expansions on the docket now will be the add ons to the existing lands, Wicked makes the most sense and feels the best in IOA.

 

[Tyc00n96]

Yep. Since IMO the EU expansions on the docket now will be the add ons to the existing lands, Wicked makes the most sense and feels the best in IOA.

I think Islands is missing an all-ages indoor dark ride and a stage show and Wicked in LC gives the the opportunity to knock both of those things out.

Back to being on topic, how soon do we feel they move on an expansion of any kind in Epic? A year? 3?

 

[moth]

Are we sure Pokémon is replacing Simpsons in Orlando? Someone over on WDWMagic is giving the impression that's not the current place it's headed currently. If it's not replacing anything at IOA, it feels like a good shoe-in for EU? I haven't read anything here that says otherwise, so....

Sorta the only place it could go really. Would make EU feel very Nintendo heavy though.


Anyways, about actual expansion stuff: is DK expanding remotely plausible based on current maps? I assume another ride largely using the same character wouldn't be a big priority, but DK log flume to give EU another water ride would be awesome. Or maybe something akin to Kongs of the Caribbean (Kremlings of the Karibbean?). I largely want to see another water ride at this park.

 

[OrlLover]

Anyways, about actual expansion stuff: is DK expanding remotely plausible based on current maps?

I think remember @Alicia stating the only expansion would be for a playground.

Personally I felt it could have opened with the park but it would nice addition for the kids.

 

[Myah1220]

Yep. Since IMO the EU expansions on the docket now will be the add ons to the existing lands, Wicked makes the most sense and feels the best in IOA.

Good point. That would work too since Wicked is based off a book of course and all the lands in IOA were intended to be book based...so...I'd take that. I'd take that over putting it in Studios. Feels like a much better fit.

 

[Steptwice]

I think Islands is missing an all-ages indoor dark ride and a stage show and Wicked in LC gives the the opportunity to knock both of those things out.

Back to being on topic, how soon do we feel they move on an expansion of any kind in Epic? A year? 3?

Id say break ground in late 2028. Gotta let this new shiny baby get all the glory for a couple years. I agree with it. I dont want to see an cranes at this park for atleast 3 years. Lets just let it rock !