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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Arguably things like Pandora and Radiator Springs would have fallen into this category. I think that’s more the general swath of this forum overlooking some Gen Z or more international / boomer new franchises.
I’ve always been down for Berk and it was definitely one of my initial green flags this park was going to finally be something aiming higher out of Universal Creative.
They definitely picked a good mix on this park and there was a whole lot of Illumination / Dreamworks less than ideal choices we avoided.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
Avatar I completely agree with. Everyone, including me, scoffed at the idea of a land based on Avatar, a film at the time no one really cared about a few years after its release. But they did it right. They made it fit with the park, they made it not reliant on having seen the film, and they made it interesting whether or not you had seen or even liked the film.
Cars Land is interesting because it takes a property that was very much a Gen Z thing, Gen Z being kids at the time of its release, and turned it into something that's kind of an "all ages" thing by also incorporating heavy "roadside America" and old timey automobile stuff into it.
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
Another really great video from Alicia:
Most of you already probably know the information in the video, but she does a great job of showing how things line up in person.
Most of you already probably know the information in the video, but she does a great job of showing how things line up in person.
Gusey
Well-Known Member
Just to recap:
- Celestial Park 2nd phase dining's exterior has been constructed but not the inside. Possible Pasta and Mexican restaurants
- SNW likely first expansion as expansion plot has no seeding/offices, and permit filed with Falcons Attractions, although it could be for another new attraction somewhere else on property. Maybe Luigi's is back on the table?
- Creature from the Black Lagoon most likely candidate for Dark Universe expansion, but seeding of the expansion plot and offices indicate no plans to build here at the moment
- Wizarding World's expansion plot also has seeding, nothing seems planned but it could be an attraction on the same scale as Battle at the Ministry
- Celestial Park front expansion plot has no seeding. Could be used for a theater?
- Parade buildings still in permits next to the Helios
- Largest expansion pad likely reserved for the next big property Universal will own. They may not own it yet as it might be like Potter, movies not existing when Islands opened
Parade in CP???????
In other News.....IDK why EU is closing at 8 lately!! Yes, still Previews but this is crazy!
Also, I don't think EU is having a good Day according to bio.........
flynnibus
Premium Member
Wow. I really can't remember seeing so much high pyro from UNI. Wonder if the new location gives them any more flexibility...
I know, Right?!?!? This IS UOR's first chance at a High Level Fireworks Show! I Wish EU would just confirm a Nighttime Spectacular!
freediverdude
Well-Known Member
You should run for CEO with that unflappable spin.
MrPromey
Well-Known Member
Wait times were up to 150 minutes on Friday.
Today (well, yesterday now - Saturday) they were as high as 300 minutes.
We got there not knowing it would be open Friday because they'd announced Saturday. First thing in the morning, the app said opening at 3pm but then during early entry, it updated to opening at 9am.
Sure enough, it opened with the land at 9 and the crowd was surprisingly small, I'm guessing because word hadn't gotten out yet that the ride was open.
Today (Saturday) the wait times were crazy pretty much all day and for about the first half of the day, the line spilled out of the queue, went past the show tents and then around every nook and cranny of the sides of the the land stretching all the way to the entrance to that part of the park.
They had delayed opening of the show in the tent and I think it was due to how a big chunk of that queue was being used to manage a chunk of the ride line.
Having ridden with about an hour and a half wait Friday morning, I'd say to just about anyone, save your time and ride Monsters Unchained two dozen times, instead. It's far better IMH and has insane capacity. They were so smart about how they staggered the preshow with the lockers after it in a way where it feels like the line almost never stops. I think the longest wait time for it the two days we were there was 35 minutes with it usually being between 15-25 and it's one of the best rides I've ever been on in Universal or Disney.
It has Omnimover-like load times and it's really unbelievable how well the individual scenes are tuned to each vehicle for what it is. Everything you see is meant for just your vehicle, despite the areas being massive and there being almost no gap between vehicles, at all.
Most impressive is, I think it's the only attraction that had 100% uptime both days we were there despite some aspects being in B-Mode a few of the times we rode it and I'd say, if you didn't know what it was supposed to do, you probably wouldn't have even noticed those.
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BrianLo
Well-Known Member
It’s not spin. Either you agree or disagree with Iger’s prior suggestion that Orlando was a mature product.
Most… even now Iger, think that view was terribly wrong.
Epic is hoping to grow the Orlando market, not just redistribute. Redistribution would hurt Universal most of all.
MrPromey
Well-Known Member
9-8 which was the same hours as IOA and an hour later than Universal Studios.
A number of attractions still seeing frequent delays/downtime. The DK mine kart ride was closed most of yesteray and they had signs at the gate stating it would be closed all of today (which it was) so seems they still have their hands full in prep for how this park is going to get crushed with attendance next week.
Still, the Dark Universe area would have been amazing to experience at night and Super Nintendo looks amazing all lit up, too.
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It's weird. I personally have no attachment to HTTYD, but since they announced it and went into previews, apparently there IS a huge fanbase for it.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Of all the Dreamworks movies they could have built a land on, HTTYD was the best choice.
I've seen Shrek in USS. It would have been too derivative of MK's Fantasyland.
I've seen Shrek in USS. It would have been too derivative of MK's Fantasyland.
I still want a Shrek dark ride.
Lil Copter Cap
Well-Known Member
Correct.
Pre-pandemic the industry was under the impression that domestic growth was not possible and they had hit a plateau, thus international expansion was talked about often.
The pandemic showed this view was horribly wrong and there is domestic demand for experiences.
I'm more interested in what this means for the types of experiences that will be created over the next decade from all themed entertainment companies.