Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[Tyc00n96]

The hotel names and some of the restaurant art we’ve seen being so Victorian/space themed makes me really excited to see the land entrances. Obviously Nintendo will be the warp tunnel, but what will the others look like? They all seem to be the same shape. A portal of some kind?

In the model that was floating around a while back for Monsters had an interesting looking portal design. This was back when the stage show was part of the land, so who knows if that is the same anymore.

 

[Mad Dog]

I will NEVER understand the people who think Universal theming was Six Flags quality before Potter.

Ditto. The only WDW park, in my opinion, that compares with IOA theming wise, is MK. AK is themed OK for a zoo, but it only has a small hand full of rides. DHS is similar to USF,
but not as good city themes outside of Batuu. Epcot is all over the map. WC is themed nicely but the former Future World has little theming. IOA, even without Potter, was heavily themed.

 

[OrlLover]

I don’t necessarily agree with @Mad Dog entire post but they are definitely toe to toe when it comes to theming.

 

[Loki]

Amusement and thrill rides are great but the thing that makes lasting memories is the theming. I believe a park needs to do both (in harmony) to keep people coming back. Thrill rides create the endorphins and the theming cements them in the memory areas of the brain where the smell of grandmas cooking reside.

 

[SkiBum]

I want a physical copy of any soundtrack they produce! Just like this...

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When I visited IoA in 1999 I was so impressed by the park overall, but I HAD to have the CD and I'm so glad I got it! Ocean Trader Market takes me to the front gate no matter where in the world I happen to be. Music really creates an atmosphere and takes you right back there.

I bought the original and even the updated version which had a couple more tracks. This is still my go-to many days. I hope that Epic, as you said, follows suit. Honestly, the music sets the tone so much. Entering Jurassic Park at IoA with that classic score cannot be topped.

 

[Loki]

Speaking of cascading waterfalls in the central hub. A few ideas. Imagine the ASMR from the sound of water pouring from one tier to another.

 

[shiekra38]

Speaking of cascading waterfalls in the central hub. A few ideas. Imagine the ASMR from the sound of water pouring from one tier to another.

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I suspect this is exactly what the hub will look like

 

[DodgsonHere]

Speaking of cascading waterfalls in the central hub. A few ideas. Imagine the ASMR from the sound of water pouring from one tier to another.

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I hope the vista once you enter the park and throughout the hub as a whole is just astonishingly beautiful. Should be Epic (haha) to be able to see all the way to the grand hotel through a series of waterfalls, lagoons, and celestial buildings and imagery.

 

[Loki]

I hope the vista once you enter the park and throughout the hub as a whole is just astonishingly beautiful. Should be Epic (haha) to be able to see all the way to the grand hotel through a series of waterfalls, lagoons, and celestial buildings and imagery.

Yeah, I hope Universal goes all out with the landscaping along the walkways as they circle the hub and the water features. That is one aspect that very few theme parks try to achieve. A calming and relaxing oasis in the middle of the lands. I think Disney's Animal Kingdom does this, along with possibly DisneySea and a few parks in Europe. This would also help with sight lines, so that while you are in the hub area surrounded by trees and shrubs you can't see the other lands until you walk by their entrance portals.

 

[shiekra38]

I hope the vista once you enter the park and throughout the hub as a whole is just astonishingly beautiful. Should be Epic (haha) to be able to see all the way to the grand hotel through a series of waterfalls, lagoons, and celestial buildings and imagery.

Having a hotel as the backdrop will be quite an adjustment for a Universal park

However, if the reveal of Portofino from the CityWalk path is any indication, I think it will be a nice backdrop

 

[GAcoaster]

I assume the hotel will have no balconies. Nothing worse than people hanging out their wet towels and swimsuits on a hotel balcony. I also hope there's a "no decorating your room with Christmas lights" rule. Plus, after Vegas, there are safety concerns. I'd guess all guests and luggage may get screened as they enter so they don't have to get screened entering the theme park?

I get DVC people technically own the place, but it looks really bad when you see peoples Christmas lights on Bay Lake Tower from Tomorrowland. I hope this hotel won't have similar issues as the backdrop for a park. I kind of hope the windows are dark tinted or mirrored so you don't see into the rooms. I know there have been cases of people "putting on a show" in their rooms along the Monorail beam (especially Grand Flo DVC wing).

 

[Loki]

I assume the hotel will have no balconies. Nothing worse than people hanging out their wet towels and swimsuits on a hotel balcony. I also hope there's a "no decorating your room with Christmas lights" rule. Plus, after Vegas, there are safety concerns. I'd guess all guests and luggage may get screened as they enter so they don't have to get screened entering the theme park?

I assume this hotel will operate much the same way that the DisneySea Hotel (MiraCosta) works

 

[shiekra38]

I assume the hotel will have no balconies. Nothing worse than people hanging out their wet towels and swimsuits on a hotel balcony. I also hope there's a "no decorating your room with Christmas lights" rule. Plus, after Vegas, there are safety concerns. I'd guess all guests and luggage may get screened as they enter so they don't have to get screened entering the theme park?

I get DVC people technically own the place, but it looks really bad when you see peoples Christmas lights on Bay Lake Tower from Tomorrowland. I hope this hotel won't have similar issues as the backdrop for a park. I kind of hope the windows are dark tinted or mirrored so you don't see into the rooms. I know there have been cases of people "putting on a show" in their rooms along the Monorail beam (especially Grand Flo DVC wing).

...Cabana Bay's overlook towers seem to work out fine

They could always tint the windows

 

[graspthesun]

I assume the hotel will have no balconies. Nothing worse than people hanging out their wet towels and swimsuits on a hotel balcony. I also hope there's a "no decorating your room with Christmas lights" rule. Plus, after Vegas, there are safety concerns. I'd guess all guests and luggage may get screened as they enter so they don't have to get screened entering the theme park?

I get DVC people technically own the place, but it looks really bad when you see peoples Christmas lights on Bay Lake Tower from Tomorrowland. I hope this hotel won't have similar issues as the backdrop for a park. I kind of hope the windows are dark tinted or mirrored so you don't see into the rooms. I know there have been cases of people "putting on a show" in their rooms along the Monorail beam (especially Grand Flo DVC wing).

I don't think we'll see balconies on this hotel. Most hotels in the US without balconies also don't have windows that open. Pre-LV, hotels were trying to prevent suicides from jumping.

 

[GAcoaster]

...Cabana Bay's overlook towers seem to work out fine

They're also not a themed backdrop for a park. There's a small difference, especially since they're adjacent to Volcano Bay. A waterpark is more '"casual"

 

[fryoj]

Not only no balconies, I'd assume the glass would be mirrored or use some other method to prevent people in the park from seeing into the rooms. Don't want the kiddos in the park getting a show.

 

[tommyhawkins]

I assume the hotel will have no balconies. Nothing worse than people hanging out their wet towels and swimsuits on a hotel balcony. I also hope there's a "no decorating your room with Christmas lights" rule. Plus, after Vegas, there are safety concerns. I'd guess all guests and luggage may get screened as they enter so they don't have to get screened entering the theme park?

I get DVC people technically own the place, but it looks really bad when you see peoples Christmas lights on Bay Lake Tower from Tomorrowland. I hope this hotel won't have similar issues as the backdrop for a park. I kind of hope the windows are dark tinted or mirrored so you don't see into the rooms. I know there have been cases of people "putting on a show" in their rooms along the Monorail beam (especially Grand Flo DVC wing).

No, guests will have Xray and AMDs to walk through when leaving the hotel to get into the park

 

[shiekra38]

They're also not a themed backdrop for a park. There's a small difference, especially since they're adjacent to Volcano Bay. A waterpark is more '"casual"

I could definitely see
1) Highly tinted windows
2) Strong windows (which are required because of hurricanes anyway)
3) No balconies
4) Obvi highly highly themed from top to bottom

I was more referencing Cabana in regards to your other concerns..The aesthetic of Grand Helios will need to be top notch though

 

[JoeCamel]

I could definitely see
1) Highly tinted windows
2) Strong windows (which are required because of hurricanes anyway)
3) No balconies
4) Obvi highly highly themed from top to bottom

I was more referencing Cabana in regards to your other concerns..The aesthetic of Grand Helios will need to be top notch though

Make the windows gold - easy

 

[shiekra38]

Make the windows gold - easy

Imagineering would

Universal will probably just make them screens