Ok gonna give this a shot even though "armchair imagineering" can be annoying. Haha
So this timeline is based off the seemingly current state of Universal. This timeline is adjustable, the frame is based off if things started to get back to normal early next year. This plan focuses primarily on locals, passholders, and fans. It is also not completely creative based, some is related to management. My goal is to make the current parks the best they can be. Before the start of the timeline I listed some more general ideas that I do not have a specific date in mind.
- Special events
- Potter Trick or Treat
- Potter Christmas Stamp Rally
- Treehouse of Horror Decorations or Celebration for Simpsons
- Some type of food festival?
- Celebration of Retro Universal
- Events based around movies?
- Expansion of all yearly events(Mardi Gras, HHN, ETC)
- Ride Layovers
- Christmas overlay for Fallon or DM
- Treehouse of Horror overlay for Simpsons Ride
Timeline: The New Ten Year Plan, For The Fans
2020
- Epic Universe is put on an indefinite hold in its current form. To be reimagined with a blue sky opening date of 2030.
- Research is put into preventative pandemic measures for Epic and the current parks. Planned non-invasive protocols that can put in place in case of any disease outbreak.
- Prioritize holding on to employees by making temporary changes to park procedures. Hopefully the most drastic of these would be reversed by years end. These procedures would be phased out when the time is right.
- Hours are shifted to focus more on passholders and locals.
- The parks close two days a week.
- Number of shows a day decreased.
- Attractions open on rotating basis.
- Expensive effects turned off (Fire,etc).
2021
- Hopeful reverse of most drastic economic procedures.
- Jurassic World Coaster opens in the Spring.
- Jurassic World themed future of the land seems to become certain
- KidZone and Animal Actors close to make way for phase one of Super Nintendo World
- Phase One includes Yoshi Attraction and MarioKart
- Mid to late 2022 opening
- Williams of Hollywood becomes the real "hub" of Universal nostalgia. The store now sells retro Universal Studios merchandise, along with its traditional stock.
- Store is possibly expanded into Photoshop next door
- Navigators Club becomes UOAP Lounge of IOA
- HHN 30 happens
- Potter Trick or Treat Event, with Dark Arts
2022
- Jurassic Park River Adventure is converted to Jurassic World: The Ride in namesake only, besides minor aesthetic changes.
- Plans down the line for a full conversion to match Hollywood's
- E.T. Adventure gets a refurb to celebrate the movies 40th anniversary
- Original "Sequel Plot" comes back, with new footage from Spielberg
- Ride remains the same, main animatronics are upgraded, broken effects fixed
- Ride entrance relocated to either Garden of Allah or across from Horror Make-Up Show
- Minor Refurbs Around the Parks
- SNW Opens Early Summer to Late Fall
- Expansion pad for DK included
2023
- Nintendo Flagship Store Opens in CityWalk
- Helps give other IP's a presence
- Pokemon and Animal Crossing Interactive Experiences
- HRRR Gets New Songs
2024
- Refurbishment of The Cat in The Hat
- Projection Mapping
- Slight Animatronic Updates
- No More CGI Cat
- "Wild" and "Mild" Versions of the Ride(Spinning and No Spinning)
- CityWalk gets some entertainment and food additions. Aimed at locals looking for a less expensive experience.
- Escape Room
- VR Experience similar to The Void
- Quick service Burger restaurant(Think Five Guys)
2025
- Mummy Refurb
- Poseidon’s Fury closes to make way for Zelda walkthrough
- Planned Opening, the following year
- Lost Continent day’s are numbered
2026
- MIB Refurb
- Zelda Walkthrough Opens
- Full Conversion to JW is complete
2027
- Epic Universe possibly resumes construction
- Pokemon replaces Mario
- Monsters Stay
- FB and Dragon up in the air
2028
- Simpsons Contract rumored to expire
- Could be the bargaining chip between Universal and Disney
- Start of slow overhaul of USF entrance
2029
- SLOP replaces Shrek?
- Possible Simpsons replacement depending on contract?
- Toon Lagoon Overhaul?
2030
- Epic Universe Hopefully Opens
- USF Entrance Overhaul complete
2030 Onward
- Donkey Kong Coaster
- Zelda completely takes over Lost Continent
- Toon Lagoon definitely gets replacement
Kind of felt like it feel apart a bit at the end haha. Maybe I will eventually make one based off if the pandemic never happened. Idk.
I like your thoughts! Thanks for contributing
I also always feel I totally lose it at the end of these posts so I get that lol, but that being said......
2021: Velocicoaster, open back up at least 3 of their hotels, new Universal Citywalk Store opens at the end of the summer, or right before/during HHN. Kidzone closes in March alongside the opening of VC, construction on SNW begins. At the latest, construction begins after HHN so space used for that can be relocated. Epic Universe is delayed indefinitely for the time being.
2022: With a hopefully brief upswing in the economy and the health of Americans and international travel being relatively safe, hopefully this is more of a $$$ maker year for the resort. New quick service opens in place of current Universal Studios Store in Citywalk, opening late summer/early fall. River Adventure opens in the spring/summer, with the JW re-do/revamp. Full finale scene, hopefully SOME new AAs, and they now market this area as "Jurassic World". The Jurassic World marketing they can use for all of 2021 and 2022. All hotels are back open and fully operational.
2023: I don't see anything opening in this year. Possibly something new at citywalk, but I just don't see it. The "Cool The Night" parade would be great to add to USF in the meantime for this summer. Again, a rebound year for Universal. Hopefully more tourism to help profits, and deals for locals to keep them coming back even if there isn't a ton of "new" at the resort.
2024: SNW opens its first phase in Orlando and opens exactly as Japan does now, without DK. Save DK for later, get people back here and spending money.
2025: Early in the year, if business is steady from SNW and future prospects look solid, I would invest again but not in EU yet. I think EU is a risk at this point, as I think they need several years of proof of sustainability and marketshare after Covid to invest in fully expanding their resources amidst themselves. For this investment? Im not sure. I think there are several ways to go:
-SLOP replaces Shrek. Pets will forever be a sell, even if the IP is less of that. A good ride is always a good ride
- HTTYD replaces TL. Idk if the land is large enough, but if it is, DO IT. Adds a needed show and a kids area to the park that isn't from 1999.
- Ministry replaces MIB/FF plot. Albeit, likely the most expensive option.
Personally, id go with HTTYD. But they will likely choose Potter. So hypothetically, Ministry construction begins early 2025. Also begin work on DK Country expansion for SNW in January of this year.
2026: Epic Universe construction resumes, with 3/4 lands being replaced. The new park will feature Classic Monsters (Frankenstein's Village), Pokemon (Kanto), Trolls (?), SpongeBob, and Zelda. Zelda resides where Potter/FB currently is, KFP next to it, and Trolls where HTTYD was going to be. Pokemon goes to SNW slot. Construction ALSO begins on KFP at IOA, replacing Lost Continent.
DK Country opens at USF in August of 2026.
2027: Ministry of Magic opens with the main E ticket, possible Deloris Umbridge Ford Anglia attraction with a show as well. TL closes for replacement.
2028: KFP opens at IOA in place of Lost Continent, Mythos never closes. At this point, Id love to think theres enough $$$ to invest in 1 more hotel, but I doubt. Maybe expand Endless Summer even more?
2029: HTTYD opens at IOA in place of Toon Lagoon. Full plans from Epic Universe are here, including the stage show. Entrance to land is relocated towards the front of the lagoon.
2030: Epic Universe opens, with 5 lands and relatively the same Hub that is currently rumored. The lands, from left to right (or as we all know it, SNW to clockwise to HTTYD), Pokemon, Classic Monsters (w/Creature boat ride), Zelda, SpongeBob, and Trolls.
Thats all I got. This is not only my hope, but what I think is a relatively great outlook for the parks. This may not be realistic but this sort of timeline is the best hope for future stuff.