Universal's Epic Universe Construction Thread

[tommyhawkins]

How much space are they actually working with there? Looks like they're not going to use the whole plot.

Maybe this will help. It has potential for some smaller additions in that first part as that's quite a bit of space in front, without impacting whatever else they need to build there, I have labelled it future development because maybe its not more rides, but there's actually room for a theatre there:

 

[OrlLover]

Maybe this will help. It has potential for some smaller additions in that first part as that's quite a bit of space in front, without impacting whatever else they need to build there, I have labelled it future development because maybe its not more rides, but there's actually room for a theatre there:

Getting a little nervous this is gonna be a low capacity coaster.

Universal please don’t fall into that trap just for the sake of getting something built.

It will come back and bite you in the a** again.

 

[Mad Dog]

Getting a little nervous this is gonna be a low capacity coaster.

Universal please don’t fall into that trap just for the sake of getting something built.

It will come back and bite you in the a** again.

Yes....the last thing Epic needs is 'another' low capacity D/E ticket attraction. Hopefully, whatever is built will be, at the least, 1500 hr. 'actual' operating capacity. or better.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

This seems like an upgraded Gringotts. Just like how Unchained is an upgraded Forbidden Journey. Kinda funny! I wonder if that was intentional in anyway.

That’s assuming the above is potentially true, of course. With the unique layout it’d make sense to me though.

 

[HandsomePete]

This space was always allocated for offices and empty events soundstage. The same thing exists behind Fallon at USF.

I’m fully aware those offices exist - but there’s a difference between this sort of space left over from building a working studio and giving up that real estate at the front of a park from a blank slate where “needs more things to do” seems to be a common theme.

The only plausible explanation is that their pro forma put a lot of weight on the corporate evening stuff and this will help with that as a receiving/eating spot, but I think opinions can differ whether that should have been built there or elsewhere.

 

[MAC]

I’m fully aware those offices exist - but there’s a difference between this sort of space left over from building a working studio and giving up that real estate at the front of a park from a blank slate where “needs more things to do” seems to be a common theme.

The only plausible explanation is that their pro forma put a lot of weight on the corporate evening stuff and this will help with that as a receiving/eating spot, but I think opinions can differ whether that should have been built there or elsewhere.

Just make them walk from North Campus to Epic. Problem solved.

 

[belloq87]

Maybe this will help. It has potential for some smaller additions in that first part as that's quite a bit of space in front, without impacting whatever else they need to build there, I have labelled it future development because maybe its not more rides, but there's actually room for a theatre there:

Not asking you to go looking for the info, but if you've got it easily at hand, what are some current attraction showbuildings close to that square footage?

Just trying to get a comparative sense of the scope of attraction that could fit here.

 

[tommyhawkins]

Not asking you to go looking for the info, but if you've got it easily at hand, what are some current attraction showbuildings close to that square footage?

Just trying to get a comparative sense of the scope of attraction that could fit here.

I can't remember what I did a week ago, but I know off the top of my head is that its similar to MarioKart which is 65,000 sq ft. and Mummy show building which is a similar amount. Gringotts if I recall is slightly larger. The variations of all of these rides its how queue and entry is distributed. The footprint is 71,500 sq ft. but since the total occupied space is about 91K they would have to divide the difference between those floors. that could be two additional floors of 10K each (highlighted pink)

 

[GreenHat]

Not asking you to go looking for the info, but if you've got it easily at hand, what are some current attraction showbuildings close to that square footage?

Just trying to get a comparative sense of the scope of attraction that could fit here.

Space being worked on not including the offices: 2.15 acres

For comparison:
Hagrid's: 5.4* acres
Ministry of Magic: 3.8 acres
Monsters Unchained: 2.4 acres
Gringotts: 2.2 acres
Ripsaw Falls: 2.1 acres
Forbidden Journey: 2 acres
Revenge of the Mummy: 1.5 acres

Roughly sketched on Google Earth.

 

[Henny]

This seems like an upgraded Gringotts. Just like how Unchained is an upgraded Forbidden Journey. Kinda funny! I wonder if that was intentional in anyway.

That’s assuming the above is potentially true, of course. With the unique layout it’d make sense to me though.

Considering the showbuilding will be smaller and shorter than Gringotts, I wouldn't be so quick to label it an upgrade.

 

[OrlLover]

Considering the showbuilding will be smaller and shorter than Gringotts, I wouldn't be so quick to label it an upgrade.

That’s why I’m nervous.

It doesn’t seem as ambitious as I’m hoping.

This rumored coaster is gonna be fairly in the family demographic since it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna be intense.

Nothing wrong with that just to make it clear.

 

[DragonSlayer]

It's literally a pile of dirt and there is zero confirmed information about it available. I think we can afford to wait and give it a chance before the upgrade / downgrade / ambitious or not discussion starts.

 

[MAC]

It's literally a pile of dirt and there is zero confirmed information about it available. I think we can afford to wait and give it a chance before the upgrade / downgrade / ambitious or not discussion starts.

But... where's the fun in that?

 

[DragonSlayer]

But... where's the fun in that?

Rollercoaster Tycoon guest brain kicking in. "Pile of Dirt 1 looks too scary for me"

 

[SkiBum]

Rollercoaster Tycoon guest brain kicking in. "Pile of Dirt 1 looks too scary for me"

Nice. Caused a good chuckle.

 

[Henny]

It's literally a pile of dirt and there is zero confirmed information about it available. I think we can afford to wait and give it a chance before the upgrade / downgrade / ambitious or not discussion starts.

According to the permits, it'll be around 1.6 acres and 3 stories tall, which is enough to be a substantial ride. However, Gringotts for example is 2.2 acres and 5 stories which isn't a negligible difference.

 

[fryoj]

3 stories, once you account for a track and footers on the bottom, then ride vehicle height, guest with arms up, ride envelope, and roof beams up top.... doesn't sound like much of a coaster. Like 20 ft drop max and that's being very liberal with story height and around a 45 ft tall building.

Not to say they can't make a good coaster in those constraints. I'm just skeptical I guess that is what they are doing given that info.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

3 stories, once you account for a track and footers on the bottom, then ride vehicle height, guest with arms up, ride envelope, and roof beams up top.... doesn't sound like much of a coaster. Like 20 ft drop max and that's being very liberal with story height and around a 45 ft tall building.

Not to say they can't make a good coaster in those constraints. I'm just skeptical I guess that is what they are doing given that info.

@Parkscope Joe has implied it might be something that uses a coaster system, but doesn't feel much like a coaster in the way we normally think.

I have truly no idea what they're shooting for here, but I'm excited regardless. Hopefully they know how much we all love the Darkmoor lore and use this to build on that in a big way.

 

[Legacy]

The Rockin Boat system everyone wants for the Creature ride uses a coaster system.

I’m not saying that’s what it is, but coasters are a spectrum.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

@Parkscope Joe has implied it might be something that uses a coaster system, but doesn't feel much like a coaster in the way we normally think.

I have truly no idea what they're shooting for here, but I'm excited regardless. Hopefully they know how much we all love the Darkmoor lore and use this to build on that in a big way.

The Rockin Boat system everyone wants for the Creature ride uses a coaster system.

I’m not saying that’s what it is, but coasters are a spectrum.

Yeah I was trying to battle against people thinking this would be another outdoor thrill coaster vs "coaster" as a braod ride system descriptor. We'll see!