Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[Legacy]

This is an extremely unfair straw man.

I’ll admit it’s a bit of a straw man, but it’s not unfair. There’s a long standing “argument” slash “concern” that rides at EU will be too similar because they’re the same ride systems as rides in different parks. That’s asinine to me. It’s like saying you don’t like Spaceship Earth because it’s the same ride system as Haunted Mansion, or don’t like Splash because it’s the same ride system as Malstrom/Frozen. Jaws was never negatively compared to Jungle Cruise despite being the exact same ride system.

The ride system is only an element of the total experience. The narrative and design are far more important. To freak out now, four years ahead of opening, because the Monsters ride is rumored to use the Forbidden Journey ride system (which is over a decade old, remember), is like being concerned over a new book because it’s a book and not a movie. It misses the forest for the trees before the trees are even planted.

 

[belloq87]

I’ll admit it’s a bit of a straw man, but it’s not unfair. There’s a long standing “argument” slash “concern” that rides at EU will be too similar because they’re the same ride systems as rides in different parks. That’s asinine to me. It’s like saying you don’t like Spaceship Earth because it’s the same ride system as Haunted Mansion, or don’t like Splash because it’s the same ride system as Malstrom/Frozen. Jaws was never negatively compared to Jungle Cruise despite being the exact same ride system.

The ride system is only an element of the total experience. The narrative and design are far more important. To freak out now, four years ahead of opening, because the Monsters ride is rumored to use the Forbidden Journey ride system (which is over a decade old, remember), is like being concerned over a new book because it’s a book and not a movie. It misses the forest for the trees before the trees are even planted.

I don't think anyone's truly "freaking out" about anything, though. Nobody's hating anything. We're having a discussion, informed by what we know, limited by what we don't, and underlined by our own predispositions and tastes.

I think that's a perfectly okay thing.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I frankly think we need more info before we judge the attractions themselves, we really only know the layout of the park at this point. Which I love, but I feel is more fair to debate if people wanted. I feel the British Ministry ride could end all this discussion but it also could suck, there’s just no info.

 

[Legacy]

I don't think anyone's truly "freaking out" about anything, though. Nobody's hating anything. We're having a discussion, informed by what we know, limited by what we don't, and underlined by our own predispositions and tastes.

I think that's a perfectly okay thing.

Literally, this post is nothing but ride system comparisons.

I have very complicated feelings on EU. Completely agree about VR. I'm one of the biggest advocates there is for larger coasters, BUT I do tend to like variety in them. I feel like the racing coasters and the HTTYD coaster are a bit too similar to VC and Hagrid’s, respectively. I do realize they’re in a bit of a bind with the SW parks having nearly every type of coaster model covered. Then there’s the Monsters ride, and will it be to FJ what TF is to Spidey (which is why I like to pretend TF doesn’t exist in Orlando)? Speaking of which, I also hope the Ministry ride isn’t just another Spidey vehicle. Alicia said it was going to be a trackless but that they went back to the drawing board even right before the pandemic, so who knows. And then Mario Kart and MIB are kind of similar too.

Basically, I could see it being the best park in FL, but I could also see it making the existing parks a bit...obsolete.

 

[belloq87]

Literally, this post is nothing but ride system comparisons.

I disagreed with some of the concerns, but addressed them in a positive way in an attempt to assuage them. And nowhere did OhHaiInternet express "hate" for what we know about the park so far.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Literally, this post is nothing but ride system comparisons.

I disagreed with some of the concerns, but addressed them in a positive way in an attempt to assuage them. And nowhere did OhHaiInternet express "hate" for what we know about the park so far.

No hate intended. Like I said, could very well be a masterpiece of a park.

 

[Legacy]

I disagreed with some of the concerns, but addressed them in a positive way in an attempt to assuage them. And nowhere did OhHaiInternet express "hate" for what we know about the park so far.

And my only use of the word “hate” was in an intentionally gross misrepresentation of the concerns expressed by some posters as a form of sarcastic mockery. My point was never about you. It was about the months of posts from various posters expressing concern that Monsters will be too much like Forbidden Journey, or concerns that the coasters in EU are too similar to coasters in IoA.

 

[JungleSkip]

I agree with...everyone. The IP-based makeup of the park is honestly disappointing the more I think about it. That being said, I'm certain the rides are gonna be awesome, and that's the most important thing.

 

[Magic-Man]

I think the park as a whole will be great, but some creative choices do baffle me to be honest (if the rumors are accurate). Like, why isn't Monsters getting the Black Lagoon ride when it opens? Why doesn't Dragons have any sort of indoor ride? Why is Potter getting a VR attraction instead of a second ride? I don't get it.

Open Black Lagoon and switch the VR attraction for a family dark ride and you got a outstanding park.

 

[SkiBum]

How is Diagon not like a shopping mall with a ride attached? SNW is a bit more to it and will be much more rounded once DK is built, but SNW seems to be in the same vein as part of Potter and SWGE. On of the main things in the are is an upcharge experience. Without the Power Up Bands, it seems like there's significantly less for people to do in the land. SWGE is very much in the shopping mall vein, especially if you don't have a time for RotR.

My point is these lands take up huge plots of land and we get what, one or two rides out of it most of the time? Idk, go to Tokyo Disney Sea and you'd see what I mean. There's rides/shows around every corner, both Modern and a bit more Classic feeling, The park has almost all original areas where they put IP rides in, but they try to make those rides fit the theme of the land.

If you want to expand EU, you have very limited options as it has to be something that's either Monsters related, WWoHP, Dreamworks, SNW, or something like Pokemon to go in the expansion site. Maybe Lord of the Rings if that ever happens. I just feel like it's so limiting, especially since they are basing two lands from the jump off of what I would consider dated franchises already as I said above (FB and HTTYD).

A little late (whole lot late) on this but you have described one of my chief complaints, regardless of Disney or Universal. Building these lands but anchoring with only one or two rides seems like a complete waste of space and money. Especially for Universal which does not have a ton of space to work with. What is wrong with having a six or seven themed lands with four rides in each land at a minimum? If they want people to spend all day or even multi-days, UNI/Disney needs to give us a reason and shopping doesn't do it.

 

[Magic-Man]

A little late (whole lot late) on this but you have described one of my chief complaints, regardless of Disney or Universal. Building these lands but anchoring with only one or two rides seems like a complete waste of space and money. Especially for Universal which does not have a ton of space to work with. What is wrong with having a six or seven themed lands with four rides in each land at a minimum? If they want people to spend all day or even multi-days, UNI/Disney needs to give us a reason and shopping doesn't do it.

Rides are expensive. Shops aren't.

 

[quinnmac000]

I think the issue is not all IPs are being treated equally way more....if I remembered Alicia said Super Nintendo World is the smallest land. But even being the smallest land, it has way more things to do for guests. To illustrate my point, see below. And this is assuming nothing gets cut. Credit: Orlandoparkstop

What we know/speculate/think:

Super Nintendo World List of things to do that are currently known to be coming
Rides: MK Kart, Yoshi Ride, DK Mine Cart Coaster
Activities: 5x Key Battles, 1x Boss Battle, 4x Meet and Greets, VR binoculars, Interactive Blocks, Coin Minigames
Food: Kinopio’s Cafe, Yoshi's Snack World, Popcorn Stand
Shops: 1up factory, Mario Motors
Additional: App/Powerbands stickers
Total: at least 24 Possible things to do/see/interact within the land

The Hub:
Rides: one ride with hydraulic elevator and chlorine room; 2x coasters (Dueling)
Activities: Unknown
Food: At least 7 based on permits
Shops: at least 3 based on permits
Total: at least 13 things to do


Berk:
Ride: Splash Battle, Roller Coaster, Sky Fly (2x)
Activities: Play area, theatre
Food: 2x restaurants
Shops: Candy Shop
Total: at least 8 things to do

Potter:
Rides: 2 unknown attractions
Activities: 1 theatre attraction
Food: 2 restaurants
Shops: 2 retails
Total: at least 7 things to do

Monsters:
Ride; 2 Unknown attractions
Activities: unknown
Food: 2 restaurants, 1 drink stand
Shopping: One retail shop
Total things to do: at least 6 things to do

Arguably the amount for Nintendo is unfair because its already opened so I can count every thing but each land should have this depth of things to do

 

[Nick]

I agree with...everyone. The IP-based makeup of the park is honestly disappointing the more I think about it. That being said, I'm certain the rides are gonna be awesome, and that's the most important thing.

Yeah, I have no doubt the rides will be great. It's just the very specific IP nature that is a bit disappointing so i'm in full agreement with you.

 

[Happytycho]

I'm wondering how much of the complaining about single vs multi IP lands is actually about the IPs rather than the general industry trend towards building only E-tickets and retail.

I'd argue that almost every land built in the last decade has had too few attractions because of this trend, and Epic Universe is clearly embracing it as well.

I've often thought about starting a thread here to complain about the decline of new C/D ticket rides because I don't see it changing anytime soon.

 

[belloq87]

I've often thought about starting a thread here to complain about the decline of new C/D ticket rides because I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Start the thread, because I definitely think it's a trend that isn't great.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

I'm wondering how much of the complaining about single vs multi IP lands is actually about the IPs rather than the general industry trend towards building only E-tickets and retail.

I'd argue that almost every land built in the last decade has had too few attractions because of this trend, and Epic Universe is clearly embracing it as well.

I've often thought about starting a thread here to complain about the decline of new C/D ticket rides because I don't see it changing anytime soon.

To be fair, HTTYD is nothing but C/D tickets. And given the negative reaction to Yoshi thus far, well, it demonstrates how people expect everything to be an E-ticket--a negative bi-product of Wizarding World.

 

[belloq87]

To be fair, HTTYD is nothing but C/D tickets. And given the negative reaction to Yoshi thus far, well, it demonstrates how people expect everything to be an E-ticket--a negative bi-product of Wizarding World.

Presumably the show is the E-ticket. Coaster a D. The other two rides are probably more in the vein of Bs.

Could actually be a well-balanced land if the show is incredible.

 

[Happytycho]

Start the thread, because I definitely think it's a trend that isn't great.

Done: Lack of New C/D Ticket Attractions

To be fair, HTTYD is nothing but C/D tickets. And given the negative reaction to Yoshi thus far, well, it demonstrates how people expect everything to be an E-ticket--a negative bi-product of Wizarding World.

I thought that HTTYD had an E-ticket, but yes, it's the exception to this trend among the EU lands. But it's still not great to have most of the mid-tier rides consolidated in one land rather than spread throughout the park.

I agree that the public reaction is an interesting element/cause of the trend, but maybe that's a discussion for the new thread?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Everyone here wants Spongebob......


If sponge replaced HTTYD, what are people’s thoughts about the park lineup? I only hear complaints about the IPs themselces since Islands of Adventure is already an IP land driven park so that argument to me just doesn’t make any sense

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Everyone here wants Spongebob......


If sponge replaced HTTYD, what are people’s thoughts about the park lineup? I only hear complaints about the IPs themselces since Islands of Adventure is already an IP land driven park so that argument to me just doesn’t make any sense

I think they’d like to use one of their own properties, which Dreamworks obviously is. Once again, I think DW gets treated unfairly (in some cases, at least) as a joke. And as someone who never got into Spongebob, I’m ok with seeing one of DW’s best properties get some love, even if I would rather it be a mashup with KFP and Shrek).