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

[ednamodedarling]

I'm aware of two substantial projects being recently green lit for Epic Universe. Neither should be a surprise.

Wicked, Potter Expansion, Zelda or Creature boat ride ... hmmm

Fingers crossed for wicked & creature but have a feeling the potter capacity boost is at the top of their priority list.

 

[RSoxNo1]

It’s too bad the Play pavilion got cancelled.

The EPCOT logo flag for the Play Pavilion is still on display at the front of the park.

 

[Disstevefan1]

The EPCOT logo flag for the Play Pavilion is still on display at the front of the park.

The walkway to the actual pavilion is gone.

They probably do not have the resources to take down the flag.

 

[flynnibus]

However, if it was part of a park hopper option, people may feel they got their value by only riding a few rides and walking around as they got value out of USF/IOA for the other part of their day.

Doubtful with Uni's short operating hours. I think that would only be in play for people on the 'more days than we really needed' tickets.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Wicked, Potter Expansion, Zelda or Creature boat ride ... hmmm

Fingers crossed for wicked & creature but have a feeling the potter capacity boost is at the top of their priority list.

WWoHP and Nintendo are certainly the two areas that clearly need more capacity. Dark Universe and Berk manage their crowds better. With a new Zelda movie in production, it does seem like a good time for that.

 

[Andrew C]

Luigi’s Mansion por favor.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Luigi’s Mansion por favor.

Nah dude. Zelda.

 

[CoastalElite64]

This would be Epic.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Nah dude. Zelda.

For me, I want Zelda for the parks because it's more novel. They already have spooky and Mario in Epic.

Wicked feels too time-sensitive to me. It's popular now but will it stay that way? They need to be careful showcasing current actors in attractions because it doesn't age well. How long before people wonder why Chris Pratt is in the Velocicoaster queue? This is a problem at WDW, too. Oddly, also Chris Pratt.

 

[Andrew C]

Nah dude. Zelda.

Why not both eventually? Also, I feel like a mansion ride would have much higher capacity than what I would expect from a Zelda attraction.

 

[lentesta]

Universal's looking to build a transportation network for its Orlando resort:

Elon Musk may bring underground transit between Universal parks

Newly released bid documents reveal the company is exploring a transit system connecting its properties that would reshape how guests move across the resort area.

www.wftv.com

 

[Gusey]

For me, I want Zelda for the parks because it's more novel. They already have spooky and Mario in Epic.

Wicked feels too time-sensitive to me. It's popular now but will it stay that way? They need to be careful showcasing current actors in attractions because it doesn't age well. How long before people wonder why Chris Pratt is in the Velocicoaster queue? This is a problem at WDW, too. Oddly, also Chris Pratt.

I'm happy for Wicked to go in Islands if they make it more Oz based than Wicked based (and keeps the literature theme). Then Zelda for the expansion to Nintendo
P.S. Chris Pratt also has a ride at Legoland Florida. He's everywhere!

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Universal's looking to build a transportation network for its Orlando resort:

Elon Musk may bring underground transit between Universal parks

Newly released bid documents reveal the company is exploring a transit system connecting its properties that would reshape how guests move across the resort area.

www.wftv.com

An underground transportation system in a region with a high water table...sounds like a recipe for "DISASTER!" Cue Christopher Walken!

 

[Andrew C]

An underground transportation system in a region with a high water table...sounds like a recipe for "DISASTER!" Cue Christopher Walken!

Well, you're the expert... j/k

It is definitely a point that I am sure is being considered. A better transportation system, specifically between Epic and the rest of the resort would be pretty awesome. Is it worth the cost?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Universal's looking to build a transportation network for its Orlando resort:

Elon Musk may bring underground transit between Universal parks

Newly released bid documents reveal the company is exploring a transit system connecting its properties that would reshape how guests move across the resort area.

www.wftv.com

​

Potential Partners and Concepts​

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There’s been speculation that Universal might collaborate with Elon Musk’s Boring Company, whose Las Vegas Loop tunnels Teslas underground between stops.​

 

[MisterPenguin]

Wicked feels too time-sensitive to me. It's popular now but will it stay that way?

I get it!!

 

[lentesta]

I think the "Elon Musk" thing was added to the article to generate clicks. The Boring Company hasn't responded to the RFQ and I think the other two companies are looking at buses and autonomos cars.

 

[Andrew C]

I think the "Elon Musk" thing was added to the article to generate clicks. The Boring Company hasn't responded to the RFQ and I think the other two companies are looking at buses and autonomos cars.

Yeah. My takeaway is that universal is actually interested in doing this, regardless of who they work with.

 

[mkt]

Universal's looking to build a transportation network for its Orlando resort:

Elon Musk may bring underground transit between Universal parks

Newly released bid documents reveal the company is exploring a transit system connecting its properties that would reshape how guests move across the resort area.

www.wftv.com

A tunnel will not happen. Like I said back in July:

A tunnel between Universal Studios Florida and the new park by the convention center sounds cool on paper, but in Florida? Not realistic.

For it to even work, you'd need at least 40 inches of reinforced concrete to deal with the water table, soil conditions, and structural loads. That’s serious engineering. And the cost? It's absurd enough that a gondola, or even a monorail starts to look like a budget option.

This is why PortMiami is the only place in Florida with a vehicular tunnel. It made sense there because the port moves billions in cargo and passengers every year. PortMiami’s economic impact on Florida in a single year is more than Epic Universe will generate in a whole decade.

Different scale, different priorities.

No, it wouldn’t be worth the effort.

Just looking at the numbers: it took a $61 billion annual economic engine to justify a 4,200-foot, $1.5 billion tunnel in Miami. A 3.1-mile tunnel to connect both campuses of Universal Orlando would easily cost more - and while Universal’s impact on Florida is big (around $7–8 billion/year with Epic Universe), it’s still nowhere near what PortMiami contributes.

And to be fair, Miami faces a lot of the same tunneling challenges as Orlando... maybe worse. High water table, porous limestone, major flood risks. But the difference is PortMiami supports international trade, not just tourism. That’s a completely different funding conversation. It pulled in federal dollars and solved freight congestion for one of the country’s busiest ports.

A theme park, no matter how successful, doesn’t carry that same strategic value. So spending billions to tunnel under Kirkman Road just isn’t in the same league. For that money, you could fund a massive expansion toward Epic - or make a serious down payment on a fourth gate.

To connect both campuses in a meaningful way, buying above-ground right-of-way for a private monorail, light rail, or gondola system would likely be cheaper. You’d get more flexibility, faster deployment, and fewer engineering headaches. And if they wanted to go really cheap - but still cool - an elevated-lane BRT could be a smart solution.

 

[mkt]

I think the "Elon Musk" thing was added to the article to generate clicks. The Boring Company hasn't responded to the RFQ and I think the other two companies are looking at buses and autonomos cars.

Whew. I just read this, but still keeping my previous reply up to explain the reasoning,.