Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[TheUniC6]

That's about the same size of the Ministry building, so it's definitely not for a land.

Oh. My brain fart.

I'd rather have that massive parcel of land earmarked for a new portal be something like LOTR if they can ever procure the rights to it.

If Universal is still hellbent on getting Wicked into the parks, at this rate the only option they have is it to be a Simpsons/Springfield replacement.

 

[Alicia]

2026: USF Coaster
2027: Epic Expansion
2028: LC Replacement
2029: profit?

 

[Tyc00n96]

2026: USF Coaster
2027: Epic Expansion
2028: LC Replacement
2029: profit?

Coaster in '26?

 

[AustinT]

2026: USF Coaster
2027: Epic Expansion
2028: LC Replacement
2029: profit?

That's a year earlier than I think most expected for each of those things. Could they really be that bonkers? This is Universal after all and they do like to move fast when they want to though...

 

[kingcooger]

That's a year earlier than I think most expected for each of those things. Could they really be that bonkers? This is Universal after all and they do like to move fast when they want to though...

To me, this implies that they have basically been working on the HP attraction behind the scenes for a lot longer than any of us thought.

I would hazard a guess that they started the planning process for the new ride within moments of cancelling the initial French Ministry attraction.

 

[RFRees]

To me, this implies that they have basically been working on the HP attraction behind the scenes for a lot longer than any of us thought.

I would hazard a guess that they started the planning process for the new ride within moments of cancelling the initial French Ministry attraction.

The teams at Creative are always working on their next slate of projects. The fact that leadership pulled the trigger, that's surprising to me.

2026: USF Coaster
2027: Epic Expansion
2028: LC Replacement
2029: profit?

For real??? I think we were all expecting USF coaster in 27 and Epic Expansion in 28 at the soonest.

 

[kingcooger]

The teams at Creative are always working on their next slate of projects. The fact that leadership pulled the trigger, that's surprising to me.


For real??? I think we were all expecting USF coaster in 27 and Epic Expansion in 28 at the soonest.

I mean, I agree, but I am curious what this means for the potential ride system?

If 2027 is accurate, I imagine it’s either something they’ve been playing around with for a bit or an established ride vehicle.

 

[Hatetofly]

2026: USF Coaster
2027: Epic Expansion
2028: LC Replacement
2029: profit?

Im actually thinking Epic has multiple expansions / additions on the table for the next few years. The park needs help ASAP and I believe we could see numerous plans moved up and other plans shelved.

You don’t spend nearly 8 billion dollars on a themepark and just hope things get better. Even if small scale additions aimed at kids, a parade, whatever. They’ve got to fix the issues and begin taking action now.

 

[MagdolHauntsMe]

If 2027 is accurate, I imagine it’s either something they’ve been playing around with for a bit or an established ride vehicle.

I hope it includes the latter, to be honest. They need an indoor, reliable, capacity monster.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I’d have to assume the USF Coaster is going to be a Christmas opening timeframe to maximize crowds. I can’t see it being ready for late summer and they won’t interrupt HHN.

Potter I’m sure just didn’t have the funding to open the 2nd ride at opening, wouldn’t shock me if they break ground in January 2026 and it’s a summer or fall addition in 2027. Add in a parade, the 2 restaurants in Celestial Park, the festival building they’re planning next to SNW, some nice face lifting early on for Epic.

 

[TheUniC6]

2026: USF Coaster
2027: Epic Expansion
2028: LC Replacement
2029: profit?

I'm guessing 2029 will be on off year before attention turns back to USF in 2030 for its 40th anniversary?

 

[RFRees]

I'm guessing 2029 will be on off year before attention turns back to USF in 2030 for its 40th anniversary?

I'm thinking it's too early to tell what'll be in 2029, and the "profit" line was just a joke.

I'm also thinking that timeline may not include other potential projects they are still deciding on or that we (namely Alicia) don't have strong information on, like the F&F replacement.

 

[Killer Klown]

2029 could potentially be a good year for something Wicked in that scenario

 

[HHN Maddux]

I think 2027 will belong to a San Fran-->Hill Valley with BttF, and 2028 a double-hitter with Pokemon and Potter.

Or, Uni could intentionally stretch out the schedule to have Pokemon be 2029?

 

[illumination]

Now more than ever I believe a Wicked land or attraction is coming. This was on the news:

“Our focus remains on building experiences that will deepen that connection to ‘Wicked,’” he said. “And all I can say is, we are very committed to ‘Wicked,’ but it’s probably too early to share much more than that.” -David O’Connor, president of franchise management and brand strategy at Universal Pictures.

Source: From Broadway to blockbuster: How Universal built a multi-million dollar 'Wicked' empire

 

[illumination]

I'm still not sold on this being the next big IP and enough to warrant one of the precious Epic plots. The second movie may very well under perform as the last half of the musical was never as good as the first, and most the reviews for the movie are saying the first was better. If this does less at the box office, I wonder if that'll give them some pause.

I think the IP's core demo being much more female leaning than any of Universal's other IPs is the biggest thing it's got going for it. That may be enough in their eyes if it helps persuade mommy to book a stop at Universal on their next vacation though

Wicked: For Good is predicted to be even more successful than the first half. Why? Because the first movie was so good that everyone is going to want to see the ending. And since Wicked part 1 left movie theaters, it’s been seen by a ton more people via streaming and even a recent TV airing on NBC. So the audience for the sequel is actually bigger than the first act.

It’s unprecedented how successful the marketing campaign has been for the second movie. They spent $30 million LESS on marketing for it because it was already so popular and relevant, so instead they focused on licensing to over 400 product companies. I have not seen tie-in merchandise this immense since Jurassic Park and Barbie.

Wicked as a franchise is already proven to be successful enough to justify an entire theme park land over decades…book, Broadway show, music, movies, and even Universal park experiences in the States and Singapore. Not to mention the tie in to any fans of the original 1939 Wizard of Oz movie which is still relevant as ever with a long lasting Sphere showing that will cross promote anything universal does with Wicked.

And yes you are absolutely right that this will tap into a whole audience of women and children. The screening of Wicked I saw was filled with children and young girls in costume. If universal doesn’t put huge attractions or a land in the parks it would be a terrible waste.

 

[illumination]

It seems most people think of a coaster for a Wicked land, but I actually had in mind a Glinda bubble ride. Indoor dark ride, maybe an overall tour of Oz led by Glinda and featuring Elphaba and other characters? There are so many possibilities for Wicked though: a hot air balloon, broomstick, boat, coaster, flying monkey…

 

[maxairmike]

For the Potter expansion pad, my personal hope is that they will put 2 smaller attractions in that space, whether its smaller 2 rides, or a high capacity C/D-ticket ride and something else. Feels like that would help the park more than another single major E-ticket level attraction.

 

[Hatetofly]

For the Potter expansion pad, my personal hope is that they will put 2 smaller attractions in that space, whether its smaller 2 rides, or a high capacity C/D-ticket ride and something else. Feels like that would help the park more than another single major E-ticket level attraction.

What if they did something along the lines of those OG MarioKart concepts with a thrilling Darkride down low and a slow moving dark ride up high. I say that cause given the size of the building and needs for capacity I 100% agree 2 is better than 1 even if that means sacrificing an e ticket.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Wicked is clearly happening. No question about that anymore. The question now is where. I still am unsure on it going to Epic. I think it'd fit wildly well within USF myself, but the fact that it is an internal IP might be enough for them to greenlight that final major portal. We'll just have to see.