Let's play being head of Universal Creative...

[saint.piss]

I don't really know much about Wicked, so I'm not completely sure if this idea would 100% work. I do think the trailers have looked fantastic visually so there's potential, what do you guys think who are fans of this IP?

 

[Brian G.]

It’s been a rumor around for a while (not just EU). The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic and could make for an interesting theme park land.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

It’s been a rumor around for a while (not just EU). The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic and could make for an interesting theme park land.

Rumor? I thought it was closing next year to replace MSHI?!

In all seriousness, it would be a fantastic addition to UOR and provide (depending on the movie) a family-friendly experience.

 

[tielo]

Would be cool if we got a theme park size show from this ip. Al land, I don't know, there are other theme parks who have this, right?

 

[GAcoaster]

I don't really know much about Wicked, so I'm not completely sure if this idea would 100% work. I do think the trailers have looked fantastic visually so there's potential, what do you guys think who are fans of this IP?

What if one of the IPs included in the park in Great Britain is Wicked? They already did Wizard of Oz for Japan...

 

[Legacy]

What if one of the IPs included in the park in Great Britain is Wicked? They already did Wizard of Oz for Japan...

They actually did Wicked in Japan, including an abridged version of the show.

Personally, I think there’s potential for *something.* The trick is ride potential. You can go somewhat obvious with a “Elphaba’s Flight” coaster or “Ozdust Spinner” flat, but you need to avoid narrative rides unless the ride is retelling the show (possible). Unless it goes the mini-land route of only a show, eatery, and shop.

 

[luckoftheirish]

I think they would probably do a Mashup of Wizard of Oz and Wicked. A dark ride for WoZ, high budget show for Wicked and round out the land with a flat and/or play area based on the munchkins land

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Felt like it was time to revive this thread a bit. Between Universal having a majorly hot new IP in house, Epic Universe finishing construction, and not many future rumors beyond a HRRR replacement settled, felt like it was time to come back here.

It feels from a far they are waiting for Epic Universe response to greenlit future projects. If everything were up to me:

2026: HRRR replacement with Fast and Furious, new show in Fear Factor plot. Didn’t they have a magic show rumored for HHN here years ago? Let’s have that year round. Supercharge closes for good. Simpsons closes as well.

2027: Volcano Bay expansion, new hotel at EU plot.

2028: Luigi’s Mansion expansion for Super Nintendo World. Omnimover shooter ride, flat ride, interactivity, and a dining location.

2029: Knignt Bus replacement for Supercharged, San Francisco becomes London expansion with the success of Paris in EU. New hotel at EU plot.

2030: Pokémon replaces Springfield

2031: Retheme of Toon Lagoon to either a new IP, Wicked/Emerald City, or SpongeBob.

2032: Zelda opens at IOA.



I think this timeline is as realistic and hopeful we can be for the parks at the moment. Curious as to other peoples thoughts and ideas of their own!

 

[belloq87]

I, unfortunately, think that basic sort of timeline (if not the specific projects) is pretty plausible.

If I were head of Universal Creative, I would be pushing for a much more aggressive approach to USF than just a lightly-themed high-thrill coaster (replacing another lightly-themed coaster) between now and the end of the decade. If Pokemon can't come until 2030, then I'd want a full, total replacement of Supercharged (from the ground up) with a dark ride and then another dark ride added to either DreamWorks or the Fear Factor plot.

In addition to replacing HRRR, and before Pokemon if it's really going to take that long.

I think IOA is fine as-is, so figure out what you want Zelda to be and start laying that groundwork so we don't have a land (Lost Continent) devoid of attractions for another six years.

 

[TheUniC6]

Felt like it was time to revive this thread a bit. Between Universal having a majorly hot new IP in house, Epic Universe finishing construction, and not many future rumors beyond a HRRR replacement settled, felt like it was time to come back here.

It feels from a far they are waiting for Epic Universe response to greenlit future projects. If everything were up to me:

2026: HRRR replacement with Fast and Furious, new show in Fear Factor plot. Didn’t they have a magic show rumored for HHN here years ago? Let’s have that year round. Supercharge closes for good. Simpsons closes as well.

2027: Volcano Bay expansion, new hotel at EU plot.

2028: Luigi’s Mansion expansion for Super Nintendo World. Omnimover shooter ride, flat ride, interactivity, and a dining location.

2029: Knignt Bus replacement for Supercharged, San Francisco becomes London expansion with the success of Paris in EU. New hotel at EU plot.

2030: Pokémon replaces Springfield

2031: Retheme of Toon Lagoon to either a new IP, Wicked/Emerald City, or SpongeBob.

2032: Zelda opens at IOA.



I think this timeline is as realistic and hopeful we can be for the parks at the moment. Curious as to other peoples thoughts and ideas of their own!

I, unfortunately, think that basic sort of timeline (if not the specific projects) is pretty plausible.

If I were head of Universal Creative, I would be pushing for a much more aggressive approach to USF than just a lightly-themed high-thrill coaster (replacing another lightly-themed coaster) between now and the end of the decade. If Pokemon can't come until 2030, then I'd want a full, total replacement of Supercharged (from the ground up) with a dark ride and then another dark ride added to either DreamWorks or the Fear Factor plot.

In addition to replacing HRRR, and before Pokemon if it's really going to take that long.

I think IOA is fine as-is, so figure out what you want Zelda to be and start laying that groundwork so we don't have a land (Lost Continent) devoid of attractions for another six years.

If HRRR goes down in 2025 after EU comes online, then I personally project a 2027 opening for the F&F replacement to HRRR.

If USF attendance craters a lot due to EU, I don't see why Pokemon couldn't be fast tracked for 2028. Alica said they want it open by 2030, which means you could move it up for an earlier debut.

 

[saint.piss]

Felt like it was time to revive this thread a bit. Between Universal having a majorly hot new IP in house, Epic Universe finishing construction, and not many future rumors beyond a HRRR replacement settled, felt like it was time to come back here.

It feels from a far they are waiting for Epic Universe response to greenlit future projects. If everything were up to me:

2026: HRRR replacement with Fast and Furious, new show in Fear Factor plot. Didn’t they have a magic show rumored for HHN here years ago? Let’s have that year round. Supercharge closes for good. Simpsons closes as well.

2027: Volcano Bay expansion, new hotel at EU plot.

2028: Luigi’s Mansion expansion for Super Nintendo World. Omnimover shooter ride, flat ride, interactivity, and a dining location.

2029: Knignt Bus replacement for Supercharged, San Francisco becomes London expansion with the success of Paris in EU. New hotel at EU plot.

2030: Pokémon replaces Springfield

2031: Retheme of Toon Lagoon to either a new IP, Wicked/Emerald City, or SpongeBob.

2032: Zelda opens at IOA.



I think this timeline is as realistic and hopeful we can be for the parks at the moment. Curious as to other peoples thoughts and ideas of their own!

I was going to make my own post but this one is basically the same as what I was going to say. Though I do disagree about the Supercharged replacement idea somewhat. I agree with @belloq87 that they should replace it with a dark ride. A HP dark ride using the Knignt Bus in some way could be interesting. I just hope we don't have to wait till 2030-2032 for Zelda and Pokémon...

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Weren't there rumors that the HRRR closure may be pushed back?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Weren't there rumors that the HRRR closure may be pushed back?

I think it’s unclear, I’m also operating under the assumption the replacement opens post HHN for end of 2026.

 

[belloq87]

If USF attendance craters a lot due to EU, I don't see why Pokemon couldn't be fast tracked for 2028. Alica said they want it open by 2030, which means you could move it up for an earlier debut.

If the scope of Pokemon is what we all hope it will be, they probably would need to already be working on the land very early next year to hit 2028.

 

[TheUniC6]

If the scope of Pokemon is what we all hope it will be, they probably would need to already be working on the land very early next year to hit 2028.

Universal is not Disney. If they break ground in 2026 they could make it for a 2028 opening for Pokemon.

I wonder if the hold up on Pokemon also stems from the Simpsons contract and how it relates to what they want to do with Simpsons over at USH

 

[TheCodeMan95]

We're about to move into a whole new generation of this thread. Gonna be wild posting in here after EU has finally opened!

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

We're about to move into a whole new generation of this thread. Gonna be wild posting in here after EU has finally opened!

Just wait until we discuss a 4th park in 10 years!

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Just wait until we discuss a 4th park in 10 years!

And we'll still be waiting for that Volcano Bay expansion lol

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

And we'll still be waiting for that Volcano Bay expansion lol

Lost Continent still closed as well.

 

[Hatetofly]

And we'll still be waiting for that Volcano Bay expansion lol

lol its funny cause its true.

Lost Continent still closed as well.

I think we see movement on this relatively soon after Epic opens. The last major attraction for IOA was in 2021. If it is indeed a Nintendo inspired addition that replaces LC, starting in the end of 2025 or more likely early 2026 would put opening a major land into Summer 2028, a full 7 years since VC opened. Which would be the longest stretch between new ride openings in the parks albeit short history.