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

[BrianLo]

This is more up to date;

 

[coffeefan]

It's kind of a silly argument because Nintendo isn't really an IP. It's like calling Paramount (or even Disney) an IP. Which technically they all are, but not really in this particular context.

The current Nintendo lands are mainly one IP (Mario), although Donkey Kong is kind of a separate thing despite being connected.

Just because people like one Nintendo IP (or multiple) doesn't mean they like ALL Nintendo IP; there are plenty of people who, e.g., love Mario Kart but couldn't care less about Zelda.

That’s true, but I believe the core Nintendo brands have a strong engagement overlap among the fandom, even stronger than Disney. At least that was the case back when I kept up with the video game industry more closely.

 

[coffeefan]

This is more up to date;

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I'm surprised Jurassic Park did not chart on that list. It's such a prominent IP in theme parks and movies, but I suppose it doesn't have much success outside those areas.

 

[MisterPenguin]

This is more up to date;

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All of Disney's franchises (except Star Wars) should be all in one category surpassing Pokeman. That's because they all are connect to be one universe connected by Christmas and Santa. Thus, it's the number one franchise.

 

[Agent H]

All of Disney's franchises (except Star Wars) should be all in one category surpassing Pokeman. That's because they all are connect to be one universe connected by Christmas and Santa. Thus, it's the number one franchise.

Oh all of Disney franchises(including Star Wars) are connected by a lot more than just Santa…(pulls down conspiracy theory board)

 

[UNCgolf]

I've pointed this out before, but those kind of general lists of franchise revenue are only about half the picture at best, especially when discussing something like potential theme park draw. There are far too many other variables beyond sheer revenue numbers (some of which are hard to quantify).

That should be self-evident considering Winnie the Pooh is third on that list. I'm not sure anyone thinks Winnie the Pooh is a bigger draw right now than a number of the things below it (including many things not listed). And then there's Anpanman, which is essentially a non-entity in the United States. You could list hundreds, if not thousands, of individual IPs that would make more sense than Anpanman for a US park.

Even ones that definitely are a draw, like Mario, aren't necessarily a bigger draw than some things below them. This is probably still true right now, but if you go back a decade HP was a much bigger get for a theme park land than Mario.

 

[BrianLo]

I've pointed this out before, but those kind of general lists of franchise revenue are only about half the picture at best, especially when discussing something like potential theme park draw. There are far too many other variables beyond sheer revenue numbers (some of which are hard to quantify).

That should be self-evident considering Winnie the Pooh is third on that list. I'm not sure anyone thinks Winnie the Pooh is a bigger draw right now than a number of the things below it (including many things not listed). And then there's Anpanman, which is essentially a non-entity in the United States. You could list hundreds, if not thousands, of individual IPs that would make more sense than Anpanman for a US park.

Even ones that definitely are a draw, like Mario, aren't necessarily a bigger draw than some things below them. This is probably still true right now, but if you go back a decade HP was a much bigger get for a theme park land than Mario.

Of course, that wasn’t what I meant to imply by any stretch. There needs to be a bit of normalization against the given market.

Some of these franchises are stronger for English audiences (Star Wars) and others are quite niche to the Japanese audience.

Pooh does have a surprising amount of reach amongst the Asian parks, but obviously is a franchise for littles. There’s also a reason Pooh is the one of the few things to feature at all six resorts. I don’t think it sends the domestic Disney adult hearts a flutter, but it’s also a lot closer to “Mickey”.

Making a lot of money in a transmedia fashion doesn’t mean something also translates well to a theme park setting. But that said, Nintendo has access to Disney-brand like properties in a way no other IP holder really does.

What this does ultimately get a good pulse of is merch potential.

 

[JT3000]

All of Disney's franchises (except Star Wars) should be all in one category surpassing Pokeman. That's because they all are connect to be one universe connected by Christmas and Santa. Thus, it's the number one franchise.

 

[Purduevian]

I made my way to EPIC! Talked with a worker near the end of the day and they said it was an incredibly light day and only 16,000 guests were in the park:

Tier List
S: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, PB&J - Pork, Bacon, and Jam
A:Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Macaroons from Paris
B: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Stardust Racers, Warm Shaved Beef Sandwich, Gobber's Mead
C:Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Chocolate Frogs, Daisyroot Draught
D:The Untrainable Dragon (Toothless didn't fly for my show)
F: Yoshi’s Adventure, Reaper's Reserve

Couldn't ride due to being broken down: Curse of the Werewolf, Le Cirque Arcanus, Mine-Cart Madness
Didn't ride due to lines/interest level: Dragon Racer’s Rally, Fyre Drill, Constellation Carousel

 

[Poseidon Quest]

That should be self-evident considering Winnie the Pooh is third on that list. I'm not sure anyone thinks Winnie the Pooh is a bigger draw right now than a number of the things below it (including many things not listed).

Yeah, that's a weird one. I've always heard that Winnie the Pooh does great numbers because people buy merch for babies or when decorating nurseries. Definitely not a huge draw of a franchise, but weirdly, has a broader appeal for a reason completely unrelated to the media.

 

[TalkingHead]

Are any new entertainment offerings being introduced this summer-fall?

And any predictions about when an attraction would open? Sorta surprised they haven’t fast tracked a C/D ticket.

 

[UNCgolf]

Of course, that wasn’t what I meant to imply by any stretch. There needs to be a bit of normalization against the given market.

Some of these franchises are stronger for English audiences (Star Wars) and others are quite niche to the Japanese audience.

Pooh does have a surprising amount of reach amongst the Asian parks, but obviously is a franchise for littles. There’s also a reason Pooh is the one of the few things to feature at all six resorts. I don’t think it sends the domestic Disney adult hearts a flutter, but it’s also a lot closer to “Mickey”.

Making a lot of money in a transmedia fashion doesn’t mean something also translates well to a theme park setting. But that said, Nintendo has access to Disney-brand like properties in a way no other IP holder really does.

What this does ultimately get a good pulse of is merch potential.

Oh sure, I didn't think you were implying that.

But I do think some people get blinded by those numbers and assume bigger total revenue automatically equals better.

Yeah, that's a weird one. I've always heard that Winnie the Pooh does great numbers because people buy merch for babies or when decorating nurseries. Definitely not a huge draw of a franchise, but weirdly, has a broader appeal for a reason completely unrelated to the media.

It's also been around for 100 years, which helps.

Middle Earth has been around for almost 90, but it was just books (albeit popular ones) until this century. There were no LOTR toys etc. to pump up the revenue through merchandise sales.

 

[parksandtravel]

Oh sure, I didn't think you were implying that.

But I do think some people get blinded by those numbers and assume bigger total revenue automatically equals better.

Nobody implied that at all... It's a collection of highest grossing media franchises, a starting point for discussion but not the end.

 

[UNCgolf]

Nobody implied that at all... It's a collection of highest grossing media franchises, a starting point for discussion but not the end.

Where did I say anyone implied that in this particular thread?

People absolutely take it that way, though (and have when discussed before on this forum).

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Was just watching a tour of the Helios hotel and saw that they apparently didn't bother to build cover the ceiling of the hotel store. Seems like a bizarre oversight for one of their deluxe hotels, though not sure if there is any logic for this beyond saving some money?

 

[Jon81uk]

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Was just watching a tour of the Helios hotel and saw that they apparently didn't bother to build cover the ceiling of the hotel store. Seems like a bizarre oversight for one of their deluxe hotels, though not sure if there is any logic for this beyond saving some money?

Open ceilings are usually more expensive compared to suspended ceiling tiles, making all the pipes and cabling neat then painting it properly costs more than just throwing it all up and hiding it behind ceiling tiles.

Open ceilings have been new and modern for at least 25 years so are quite standard really, makes the space feel more open and airy.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Open ceilings are usually more expensive compared to suspended ceiling tiles, making all the pipes and cabling neat then painting it properly costs more than just throwing it all up and hiding it behind ceiling tiles.

Open ceilings have been new and modern for at least 25 years so are quite standard really, makes the space feel more open and airy.

Seems like an odd decision, then, given the aesthetic of the rest of the hotel.

 

[Tom Morrow]

While I actually like open ceilings and recognize that they are a modern choice, they are certainly not something I expect to see in what is supposed to be a luxury hotel. But very little about Helios is luxury. The hotel being rather basic aesthetically is one of the many odd decisions made for Epic.

 

[Jon81uk]

Seems like an odd decision, then, given the aesthetic of the rest of the hotel.

Is it open in the rest of the hotel? It’s about what I’d expect in the gift shop

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Is it open in the rest of the hotel? It’s about what I’d expect in the gift shop

No it's not, which is what makes it odd. Usually the theming carries through to the gift shops, but for some reason in what is supposed to be one of their deluxe hotels they've gone with a mall store aesthetic.

I am among those who finds a lot of the recent refurbs of the Disney deluxes pretty poor with rare exceptions. Imagine, though, if one of the hotel stores opened back up looking like this.