Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025

[Tom Morrow]

Sometimes I wonder if this isn’t intentional, Disney has painted themselves into a corner and really limited what they can build as a result of their immersion standards, they could never do an exposed ride like Velocicoaster without insane backlash, I think Universal simply chose a level of immersion that places them solidly in the theme park category while also freeing them up to build some amazing amusement park rides without the confines of everything being completely hidden.

I do think that only the "Disney only" theme park fans care about exposed coaster track. But also, Disney does exposed coaster track now too - see Slinky Dog Dash, for example. As a coaster enthusiast, I love seeing them. The one exception in Orlando is Rip Ride Rockit, as it as an industrial looking monstrosity. Thankfully, it is going away soon.

The issues with Epic are primarily being able to see unthemed backstage areas and entirely outside of the park.

I did have a thought though - maybe they didn't want Epic to upstage the other two parks too much? Idk.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Well, DL has had 70 years to adapt. In the beginning there were a lot more chain link fences and dirt.

Yeah, when you see the earliest photos and videos of Disneyland, it's pretty crazy how barren it looks.

 

[BaconPancakes]

I don't think it helps that the series shifted to a DEI tone; which essentially unveiled Hiccup as having homosexual tendencies by the 2nd & 3rd movie. He is also a pretty effeminate character.
You can see how everyone wouldn't love this.

What the heck are you going on about? Unhinged.

 

[earlthesquirrellover23]

Which version of Hiccup is represented? Young or teen version? Big difference.

The “Dragon series” has not aged well. With that said, this is proof that a beautifully themed area doesn’t need the IP connection at all to succeed. The area is good in spite of the “ dragon” series not because of it.

That's so wrong. It still holds up great, I watched it all for the first time a couple months ago and loved it!

 

[Orange is the new Red]

That's so wrong. It still holds up great, I watched it all for the first time a couple months ago and loved it!

It’s not. Those are your personal emotions speaking. Pay attention to where dollars are being spent. It’s not with this franchise. Prove me wrong. That’s why it was a surprise that they picked dragons for the park. It was a dead IP. It been hobbling along for years…. Now can this park and a new good movie change that. Maybe.

 

[mkt]

Once again, I think we misunderstand each other. I’m talking about the WDI Florida team, not Universal Creative. That said, it’s about the same percentage at Universal Creative that are former WDI. It used to be higher but many Universal Creative employees that were former WDI have either gone back to WDI or are no longer working at either company.

I mean, there’s plenty of back-and-forth. That’s just the reality due to the project based nature most of those hires.

Hell, I know people with executive titles and IDs that are just project hires.

 

[Moth]

DU was largely down for the whole day and I wasn't able to catch DK when it was operating so I mostly spent today in Berk:

Anyway, this is the best theme park land I've seen. Blown away by it and deeply in love with it, cannot wait to go back. Ate every last bit up of it, loved Celestial Park's look, Stardust was down, but I did the carousel, which was cute.

I miss it already.

 

[earlthesquirrellover23]

It’s not. Those are your personal emotions speaking. Pay attention to where dollars are being spent. It’s not with this franchise. Prove me wrong. That’s why it was a surprise that they picked dragons for the park. It was a dead IP. It been hobbling along for years…. Now can this park and a new good movie change that. Maybe.

Umm? Dollars are being spent on how to train your dragon. They are making a whole new live action movie about it and just spent a billion dollars on an entire theme park land about it. What are you even talking about??? I also love that when you say something it's fact but when anyone disagrees it's personal emotions.

 

[Orange is the new Red]

Umm? Dollars are being spent on how to train your dragon. They are making a whole new live action movie about it and just spent a billion dollars on an entire theme park land about it. What are you even talking about???

let me know when that translates to real consumer $’s!

I get that universal is re investing. I’m talking about past efforts.

I think you should stick with posting laugh emojis.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Is Fyre Drill a total drench-fest, or not that bad?

 

[ToTBellHop]

So people in this thread have gone to Epic. How are we left with “rumors” that the Hero lot uses TLOZ shields? For those who have been, what is on those lot markers? I think it’s strange that Universal is seemingly telling us what Epic’s first expansion is and no one has come out and spilled the beans.

 

[Moth]

So people in this thread have gone to Epic. How are we left with “rumors” that the Hero lot uses TLOZ shields? For those who have been, what is on those lot markers? I think it’s strange that Universal is seemingly telling us what Epic’s first expansion is and no one has come out and spilled the beans.

From what I saw, it looked like a generic shield, but that was from a distance.


I got soaked on Fyre Drill.

 

[ToTBellHop]

The SNW store has stained glass windows of characters represented in the land (world of Mario and DK) but one additional character:

 

[lazyboy97o]

People are probably getting ahead of themselves with Zelda. The project has been in development hell for years. The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad in 2018 in anticipation of Hyrule coming. Poseidon’s Fury also closed for the same reason and still nothing. Super Nintendo World was not designed for expansion nor were the land plots designed for anything specific.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I do think that only the "Disney only" theme park fans care about exposed coaster track. But also, Disney does exposed coaster track now too - see Slinky Dog Dash, for example. As a coaster enthusiast, I love seeing them. The one exception in Orlando is Rip Ride Rockit, as it as an industrial looking monstrosity.

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

Sometimes I wonder if this isn’t intentional, Disney has painted themselves into a corner and really limited what they can build as a result of their immersion standards, they could never do an exposed ride like Velocicoaster without insane backlash, I think Universal simply chose a level of immersion that places them solidly in the theme park category while also freeing them up to build some amazing amusement park rides without the confines of everything being completely hidden.

If we’re talking about what can be seen from off the ride, what’s the bigger scar on the horizon: Volcicoaster or the GotG ride building?

 

[MisterPenguin]

A bunch of Universal's creative team that was working on EU has been laid off. Don't know if they were full time employees or ad hoc hires.

 

[jrhwdw]

A bunch of Universal's creative team that was working on EU has been laid off. Don't know if they were full time employees or ad hoc hires.

Why??? EU is not even open yet!! Better not be the Nighttime Spectacular team!!

 

[Stripes]

I mean, there’s plenty of back-and-forth. That’s just the reality due to the project based nature most of those hires.

Hell, I know people with executive titles and IDs that are just project hires.

Of course, I’m just pointing out that there’s a record number of former UC folks working at WDI right now. Most of those people left UC after contributing to Epic Universe.

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

let me know when that translates to real consumer $’s!

I get that universal is re investing. I’m talking about past efforts.

I think you should stick with posting laugh emojis.

In Orlando the $’s Universal is going to make off HTTYD merch will probably only be eclipsed by Potter and SNW.