Rumor The Future of Universal Epic Universe

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Python_Survivor

Feb 14, 2023
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There's already been some discussion as to what, exactly, is next for Universal Epic Universe, so I figured we'd get a rumor discussion thread/tracker going here. I intend to update this as more rumors come forth.

Celestial Park
  • Celestial Park is almost certainly getting "Phase 2 dining", featuring an Italian Restaurant and a Mexican Restaurant- possibly opening in January... (Theme Park Stop)
  • Could WaterWorld come to Epic Universe? (Theme Park Stop)
  • The pathway next to Stardust Racers could be a gateway to a 20 acre land for another portal. (Theme Park Stop)
  • We could see a mixed-use stage in between the chocolate/sweets shop and Super Nintendo World's portal. (Theme Park Stop)
Super Nintendo World
  • Could Luigi's Mansion be added to Epic Universe? (Screamscape, Parkstop)
    • Primary feature of an interactive, shooting-based dark ride (i.e. Men in Black 2.0), and may also feature a Flat Ride as per ParkStop.
  • Zelda has been featured several times within Epic Universe, such as within the Nintendo-themed shop to the right of the portal. Could Zelda become a part of Epic Universe in the not-to-distant future? (Attractions Magazine)
    • However, the "Hero" parking lot that was speculated to reflect Zelda was redesigned to a more generic shield icon, as the "Gamer" section was removed. (@bioreconstruct on X)
  • Donkey Kong Country could get a small children's playground. (Alicia Stella on InsideUniversal)
Dark Universe
  • One consistent rumor since early development is that Creature from the Black Lagoon may get a boat ride in Dark Universe.
  • "More monster stories" coming, says Universal Creative Director Pete Carsillo (@Attractions on X)
Isle of Burke
  • Isle of Berk is considered far and wide to be the most "complete" of the portals and likely won't get an expansion anytime soon. (Theme Park Stop)
Ministry of Magic
  • A Hogwarts Great Hall-inspired restaurant may be heading to the Ministry of Magic land for 2026 (?). (ParkStop)
    • Guests will "...eat within the Great Hall after using magical Floo travel to enter the Hogwarts Castle from Wizarding Paris."
  • One cancelled concept for the Ministry of Magic land involved a Flying Broomstick-based VR experience (ThemeParx). Anything's possible, but this one's probably dead.
General/Operations
  • Each portal so far has sockets prepared for future turnstiles for a possible "open hub" concept. (Theme Park Stop)
Other/Misc.
  • Universal CEO Mark Woodbury has confirmed that attractions themed to Wicked are in development within the company. Could these go to Epic? (New York Times)
  • Epic Universe is looking to offer "Epcot-style festivals" and possible "Magic Kingdom-style after hours events". (Theme Park Stop)
 
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All I want is a Danse Macabre-style flat ride for Ministry of Magic:
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Berk could get a themed-yet-small kiddie flat to make up for the higher height limits at everything except Fyre Drill, maybe like a balloon ride or Heege Tower? Seems reasonable. Both (Danse to MoM and new kiddie flat in Berk) could be like IOA’s “extra capacity push” with Storm Force/Flying Unicorn shortly after that park opened.

Water ride in Dark Universe makes sense, more Nintendo makes sense. No arguments there.
 
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the_pantsmith said:
A Black Lagoon boat ride would be incredible. A Luigi's Mansion shooting dark ride would be even better (as long as it's done well). Though they might shy away from a Luigi-themed shooting ride for the foreseeable future lol
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I know they looked at doing a family Halloween event at IOA years ago, but HHN is such a drain on resources (and parking garages... and CityWalk pregaming) ... that they decided against it.

Epic Universe, being separated down on the South campus, would be the perfect place for an after-hours Halloween event for families. I could see it as an upcharge, involving M&Gs and trick-or-treating, extra entertainment, etc. Also a Luigi's Mansion walk-through (like "baby's first HHN maze" style) or something with the Universal Monsters, etc.
 
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Universal has taken such an aggressive expansion strategy as of late! I love how they are not only growing the core brand, but also expanding into new niche markets. I'm very excited to see how Epic grows, but I do think there are several areas in the original parks that need major updating!
 
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Soo….I’ve been doing some brainstorming recently.

There’s going to be expansions to each of the lands at Epic Universe as well as two new portals

Here’s what I would do for each

Fully indoor Luigi’s Mansion attraction, with an indoor queue for perpetual darkness and midnight, and have a reveal of the haunted mansion that rivals the ministry reveal. Make the ride a trackless shooter ride.

Indoor Quidditch Story-Coaster - Harry Potter lands print money the longer people stay in them, give Ministry land a second attraction to spread the crowds from Ministry of Magic, and ensure people spend more time in the most beautiful land ever built. (Vekoma Thrill Glider)

Add two flat rides to Celestial Park, one in front of the hotel, and one near the entrance to Super Nintendo Land.

How to Train Your Dragon Simulator - go full fop, fly through the Isle of Berk, changed slightly with the epic universe rides added, include exploration of the hidden world and flying above the clouds. Make it high capacity and fully indoors, and not incredibly intense (Flight of Passage Type Ride)

Donkey Kong Country logflume - build out a gigantic banana boat log flume that expands Donkey Kong land, taking advantage of waterfall already there, tie the water through the whole land together to feel like the rides almost blend together, and then an outdoor quick service restaurant with a mini-tiki bar, serving banana floats with alcohol options.

Creature of the Black Lagoon boat ride with an outdoor swamp-land introduction section that can be skipped when the weather is poor. Underwater animatronics, a mild drop or two, and a spooky queue (Mack Rocking Boat)

After this 10-year plan, build a gigantic Lord of the Rings land in the LOTR expansion plot and a Legend of Zelda Expansion Plot. A major thrill coaster would be included in one of these plots by either Intamin or Mack Rides.
 
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Apparently the current plans for the future of Epic is adding Zelda as an expansion of SNW, and Wicked coming to the expansion pad between Potter and Stardust Racer that had been slated for Lord of the Rings before it was moved to the UK park plans. Like with all Universal's plans all is subject to change until they actually break ground. Several projects have been cancelled or moved just before construction was set to begin.
 
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GAcoaster said:
Apparently the current plans for the future of Epic is adding Zelda as an expansion of SNW, and Wicked coming to the expansion pad between Potter and Stardust Racer that had been slated for Lord of the Rings before it was moved to the UK park plans. Like with all Universal's plans all is subject to change until they actually break ground. Several projects have been cancelled or moved just before construction was set to begin.
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Wicked would be cool, but man, that sucks about Lord of the Rings. I want that in the US so bad, and Epic is definitely the park for it — I think LotR would have too much tonal overlap with the Potter areas at IoA and USF, but the Paris one is distinct enough that LotR could coexist perfectly.
 
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GAcoaster said:
...Wicked coming to the expansion pad between Potter and Stardust Racer that had been slated for Lord of the Rings before it was moved to the UK park plans...
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Wicked should go to IOA or USF. I'd save the larger expansion space behind Stardust for a new IP. Likely something 5-10 years down the line, when the park needs a revamp or refresh, without removing existing lands/rides. See also: Hogsmede 1.0 going to IOA, which revitalized the park in 2010 and put it on its current course after getting smaller additions (Flying Unicorn, Storm Force, Suess Trolley).

IMO, the concept for the Zelda land is fine, and I still think they have room to add 2-3 more rides to the existing lands first. A Wave Swinger for Celestial Park opposite Stardust Racers, a Danse Macabre-style ride for the French Ministry, indoor boat dark ride for Creature in Darkmoor, maybe a proper no-height requirement kiddie flat ride like a Samba tower for Berk, etc. Ride capacity and queue space for a couple thousand extra guests.
 
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warfelg said:
I don't understand how they think that having it in the UK makes it ok not to do here. I could get if they said UH had it so no need for it in Orlando, but yeeesh. That sucks.
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They don’t want to lose all the UK visitors Orlando already gets by duplicating IPs/attractions between the two. They want to give people from the UK a reason to still visit, and encourage people In the US to visit the UK park.

It could still end up in Hollywood or somewhere else that draws a different audience.
 
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