Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens 2025

[WDWFREAK53]

I was curious to see how Epic Universe compares to IoA in 1999, and they're similar in attraction count and make up

IoA opened with 12 rides (including the ill fated Skipper Island Tours), 3 indoor theater shows, 3 children's play areas and 2 walk through attractions. The park had 3 roller coaster, 4 boat rides, 3 flat rides and 2 dark rides.

Epic will have 11 rides, 2 indoor theater shows, 2 children's play areas and 1 walk through (the upcharge Bowser's challenge). The park will have 4 roller coasters, 3 dark rides, 2 flat rides, 1 boat ride and Yoshi.

The main thing Epic has is more interactive stuff as that's the focus of many activities, plus a night time show, something IoA still doesn't have. A 12th ride was planned, but scrapped. At least none will require you be with someone under 4ft tall to ride. Coincidentally, they both have dueling coasters upon opening. Epic could use more boat rides first IMO, along with another indoor theater show and/or exhibit.

I think IoA has too many boat rides. Cooler months hit and a lot of those attractions get passed by which cause the other attraction wait times to jump.
I think Epic needs one dark boat ride but definitely not a "soaker" boat ride. Creature from the Black Lagoon is the perfect choice.

 

[rd805]

They have great ideas (if leaks & rumors are true) in Creature from the Black Lagoon, as well as Luigi's Mansion.
Plus a pad for something Harry Potter ? I do think these stage shows are going to be VERY good too, much better than what they had in Sinbad? (that's not a hot take, is it? lol).

 

[Andrew25]

They have great ideas (if leaks & rumors are true) in Creature from the Black Lagoon, as well as Luigi's Mansion.
Plus a pad for something Harry Potter ? I do think these stage shows are going to be VERY good too, much better than what they had in Sinbad? (that's not a hot take, is it? lol).

Not a hot take. What was at Sinbad/Toon Lagoon theater were poor experiences compared to the other attractions at the park. Sinbad had a great set, but just a weak story and unfortunately didn't draw the crowds it needed to.

IOA is in desperate need of capacity improvement for experiences with out height requirements and/or waiting in long lines, so they need more shows.

The EU shows will be spectacular, the HTTYD show will be a hit and the Potter show will have the IP attached to it that tends to justify a big budget.

 

[rd805]

Not a hot take. What was at Sinbad/Toon Lagoon theater were poor experiences compared to the other attractions at the park. Sinbad had a great set, but just a weak story and unfortunately didn't draw the crowds it needed to.

IOA is in desperate need of capacity improvement for experiences with out height requirements and/or waiting in long lines, so they need more shows.

The EU shows will be spectacular, the HTTYD show will be a hit and the Potter show will have the IP attached to it that tends to justify a big budget.

Yup i'm very excited for the shows -- Uni did great with Bourne, an IP I couldn't really care less about? And the show was very entertaining!

I also haven't been able to get to Cali for Nintendoland, so odds are that this will be my first time even stumbling through some of the activities & walk thru's. I do anticipate i'll have the power up band lol.

 

[some other guy]

I wonder if the Star Trek event at UH turns out to be a hit if they might consider a Star Trek land somewhere?

I haven't checked into it in a while, but isn't there a weird mess of rights split between the older series-es, the movies, the flaretrek movies, and the post-flaretrek serieses?

they should just bring back the Star Trek Experience from Vegas where you walk out onto the bridge of the 1701-D

 

[J4546]

Borg taken over HHH ... I'm into it

 

[rd805]

I haven't checked into it in a while, but isn't there a weird mess of rights split between the older series-es, the movies, the flaretrek movies, and the post-flaretrek serieses?

they should just bring back the Star Trek Experience from Vegas where you walk out onto the bridge of the 1701-D

I'd be cool for an all out space port kind of feel, but I also think multiple IPs could flesh out a full port. Does Uni have any other sci-fi that could be interesting in the same place as Star Trek? Picturing something like the best part of SWGE (Millennium Falcon sitting & humming out front an attraction).

What Tomorrowland could be with cool futuristic movies? lol

 

[Andrew25]

I'd be cool for an all out space port kind of feel, but I also think multiple IPs could flesh out a full port. Does Uni have any other sci-fi that could be interesting in the same place as Star Trek? Picturing something like the best part of SWGE (Millennium Falcon sitting & humming out front an attraction).

What Tomorrowland could be with cool futuristic movies? lol

Universal does have a "Sci-Fi City" land at their Singapore park with Transformers and Battlestar Galactica attractions. You could also thrown in Terminator & Mad Max into possible IPs.

However, they really only have 2 plots of land that can handle a full land, and one of them is rumored to be saved for Lord of the Rings & Potter expansion.

The other plot of land (between SNW & Monsters) is rumored to hold Luigi's Mansion & either a mini-land or small Celestial Park expansion.

Honestly, just save any Sci-Fi IPs for USF's World Expo area as Men In Black can be tied to a Sci-Fi area.