Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!

Andrew25

Andrew25

Well-Known Member
Purduevian said:
I think the general idea is that the plot between DK and Dark universe is for a new portal (just like the plot between stardust and HP).

There is a small expansion pad between SNW and the park entrance:
View attachment 862011

Side note... I wish google earth would update
Click to expand...
This area highlighted was marked as a special event/entertainment area. There is no way for SNW to connect this way. The area between DU and SNW has a portal entrance marked, but it can easily lead to another SNW area.

Universal can get creative, and build another multi-level structure with Zelda taking up the 2nd floor and Luigi's Mansion on the first in an all-indoor area.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Gusey said:
This is the other side of those freestyle machines. There is a clear gap in the wall they could use if they were going to expand Nintendo into the plot between SNW and Dark Universe. Is this not the space SNW would be expanding into?
Click to expand...

The other side of the freestyle machines is back of house space. That opening in the walls is an emergency exit for the land and is closer to the restrooms. It would have to be reconfigured to make work with a change in use as there are a number of constraints due to its nature as an emergency exit.

That plot is one of the two future land plots. It is also the smaller of the two. If it is used for Super Nintendo World expansion then it is at a minimum reducing the size of a future land. Those roads that divide the lands also contain utilities and park infrastructure. In this particular case, it is also the direct service access for the Nintendo store and Pizza Moon. All things that can be dealt with if desired, but were setup that way because of the assumptions made years ago that the plot would be for a new land.

The expansion pad at Epcot between the France Pavilion and Morocco Pavilion was intended for another country pavilion. It was instead used for France Pavilion expansion by way of the pavilion’s back of house space. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey sits on a plot that was envisioned as Jurassic Park expansion, and instead because the marquee ride of a land that was not at all anticipated resulting in one “island” becoming two lands. Assumptions about how a park will expand are blind assumptions. This plot in Epic Universe was intended as a future land, but that doesn’t stop it from being used as Super Nintendo World expansion, Dark Universe expansion, Celestial Park expansion, all of the above or even nothing.

Purduevian said:
I think the general idea is that the plot between DK and Dark universe is for a new portal (just like the plot between stardust and HP).

There is a small expansion pad between SNW and the park entrance:
View attachment 862011

Side note... I wish google earth would update
Click to expand...
This is the plot that was intended for an event space. That’s the one that would involve going through Toadstool Cafe to access.
 
Purduevian

Purduevian

Well-Known Member
Andrew25 said:
The likely scenario is SNW expansion w/ a secondary portal themed to Zelda/another green portal, and a connection via Freestyle or DK Country area.
Click to expand...
I still think they will take the HP route with Nintendo and spread it out between all three parks. IMHO SNW and Burke are the two lands that least need an expansion (other than maybe a donkey Kong flat ride)
 
Andrew25

Andrew25

Well-Known Member
Purduevian said:
I still think they will take the HP route with Nintendo and spread it out between all three parks. IMHO SNW and Burke are the two lands that least need an expansion (other than maybe a donkey Kong flat ride)
Click to expand...
Pokemon at USF is likely, but I still question a Nintendo presence at IOA. Talk of Zelda for Lost Continent has "shifted" towards the Epic expansion area.

Wicked plans also through things into question... since Wicked would be a fantastic addition (and bring much needed entertainment) to IOA.
 
Purduevian

Purduevian

Well-Known Member
Andrew25 said:
Pokemon at USF is likely, but I still question a Nintendo presence at IOA. Talk of Zelda for Lost Continent has "shifted" towards the Epic expansion area.

Wicked plans also through things into question... since Wicked would be a fantastic addition (and bring much needed entertainment) to IOA.
Click to expand...
If it was me. Zelda would go in IOA and Wicked/Oz would be the smaller portal between SNW and Dark Universe.
 
W

wdwfan4ver

Well-Known Member
Andrew25 said:
They already started work on Rockit, and once they close it September, that should go up fast.


As early as December, if they want it. I think Epic has enough quick service dining capacity currently, so I'm very surprised this building got approved during construction and rushed to complete the exterior.

I'm hoping this place opens as more of a food hall with unique snack creations versus a traditional quick service. Epic is a lovely park to grab a snack/drink and walk around.
Click to expand...
The date of Rockit closed moved up to August 18th instead of early September.

As far as the building in Celestial Park for 2 eating places for Epic Universe you are referring to, I heard it supposed to serve Italian food and Mexican food when that building opens. I heard about the type food from Theme Park Stop and from another youtube channel, but forgot the name.
 
BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
I would have preferred something more custom laid out for Epic than a USJ clone. Universal lacks the backbench depth of things I’d really want to see so spending Zelda or Pokémon on Epic feels ill advised. Those are pillar lands.

As was they could and should have leaned into Luigi’s Mansion, Kirby and or Animal Crossing in a bigger Epic signature complex.
 
C

celluloid

Well-Known Member
Side note, I know this is not a HHN thread, but bookings for park stays and packages increase when the marquee announcements happen. Five Nights was pushed first because next week during convention time we should get Terrifier...

And Jason Vorhees' birthday is the Friday after that for the announcement there.

Labor day weekend will likely be slammed this year as it kicks off.
 
Last edited:
Tom Morrow

Tom Morrow

Well-Known Member
The world of Zelda/Hyrule/whatever is rich enough to have its own portal, not a mini portal like Donkey Kong Country. So many recurring locations and themes throughout the games -

Hyrule Castle
Hyrule Castle Town
Kakariko Village
Goron City
Zora's Domain
Rito Village
Lost Woods / enchanted woods of some form
... to name a few.

and then you have the recurring temple themes like forest temple, water temple, ice temple, etc.

Yes, you do see a lot of locations in the Donkey Kong Country games, but only a few themes and visuals are iconic, and they basically covered most of it with what they did - jungle and temples.

Seriously, there's SO much they could do with Zelda. So much that it would be kind of hard to narrow down what to create.
 
Tha Realest

Tha Realest

Well-Known Member
Tom Morrow said:
The world of Zelda/Hyrule/whatever is rich enough to have its own portal, not a mini portal like Donkey Kong Country. So many recurring locations and themes throughout the games -

Hyrule Castle
Hyrule Castle Town
Kakariko Village
Goron City
Zora's Domain
Rito Village
Lost Woods / enchanted woods of some form
... to name a few.

and then you have the recurring temple themes like forest temple, water temple, ice temple, etc.

Yes, you do see a lot of locations in the Donkey Kong Country games, but only a few themes and visuals are iconic, and they basically covered most of it with what they did - jungle and temples.

Seriously, there's SO much they could do with Zelda. So much that it would be kind of hard to narrow down what to create.
Click to expand...
I mean, it’s a layup to create their own version of a castle park/land. Thoigh maybe they don’t want to invite that comparison.
 
Purduevian

Purduevian

Well-Known Member
Andrew C said:
It is just a little disconnected to me that Zelda would then not be a part of SNW.
Click to expand...
Would be kind of like having:
  • Harry Potter in 3 parks
  • Beauty and the Beast in 3 parks
  • Little mermaid in 2 parks
  • Nemo in 2 parks
  • Frozen in 2 parks
  • Lion King in 2 parks
  • Muppets in 2 parks
  • Star wars in 3 different areas of the same park
  • Indiana Jones in 2 parks (coming soon)
  • Toy Story in 2 parks
And I'm not even counting M&Gs.

Nintendo the biggest IP they've had since Potter (and it could be argued this is a bigger IP). They would be smart to spread out the love.
 
Purduevian

Purduevian

Well-Known Member
Also did I miss the announcement that Dark Universe is also open for Early Park admission?
1748963242371.png
 
T

TennHokies

Member
Purduevian said:
Also did I miss the announcement that Dark Universe is also open for Early Park admission?
View attachment 862097
Click to expand...
Yup, Dark Universe officially added to early admission late last week I believe. However it sounds like its really still anyone’s guess which portals/rides will actually open early, or on time each day. I feel like I need 4 game plans for our visit next week just to be safe.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom