Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025

matt9112

matt9112

Well-Known Member
Poseidon Quest said:
The majority of Monsters films are from the 20s and 30s and still remain culturally relevant. Perhaps people don't really watch those films, but Universal's films have come to define popular depictions of those particular stories. I would hazard to say that Epcot's new attractions will age in the same way that Herbie the Lovebug and The Mighty Ducks did at the All-Star Movies. I like the campiness and the obscurity of those properties, but I doubt most people staying there connect with them.

There's also a case to make that Universal and Disney approach IP differently. Disney fails to understand that part of drawing people in just isn't the name, but the quality of the attractions has to match. We've seen a whole slate of lazy and mediocre attractions use their IP as a crutch. Frozen Ever After, Toy Story Land, Pixar Pier, Avengers Campus, Cars Road Trip, Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy, etc. Even Galaxy's Edge would probably be perceived as underwhelming if it weren't for Rise of the Resistance, and even then I don't think it'll age well once the shininess wears off for most people.

In contrast, what Rohde and his team were able to achieve with Pandora was a fluke for Disney. The well thought-out nature of the land and its incorporation into the themes of Animal Kingdom has surpassed the mediocrity of the film it's based upon. Had anyone else tackled it, I believe it may have been a flop.

Universal has also shown a strong understanding of how quality surpasses IP. The Secret Life of Pets is reportedly not a great film (I haven't seen it), but the attraction is superb. The same applies with the new Jurassic World attractions in Hollywood, Beijing and the Velocicoaster. The attraction quality comes first, and the IP comes second. You can bring in the plebs with brand name, but they won't return if the experience is a waste of their time. Jurassic World was fine, and Fallen Kingdom was an out-right poor film, but even I would be in favor of the River Adventure getting the Jurassic World treatment based on how well it was executed in Hollywood.

Finally, the true testament of attraction quality over IP lies with the Bourne Stuntacular. Bourne isn't particularly relevant, yet the show is still technically impressive and outstanding. There's not a lot of buzz for it (which I believe has to do with it quietly debuting during the pandemic), but it's a pretty popular show every time I go to experience it.

If Universal continues on its trend of exceptional attractions post-Fast and Furious, then I do believe that Disney will find itself in serious trouble.
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I saw the bourne show for the first time recently and yeah it was pretty awesome. Again your right. The IP is less relevant but it dosen't matter.
 
C

celluloid

Well-Known Member
I will never say never but HHN would be a beast to move because most of HHN at this point revolves around Soundstages and other auxiliary, and the infrastructure in place. It could happen but wow that would take a lot and their investments have gone into Studios as its home since the novelty of HHN15 and shared of 14.

Luigi's Mansion dark ride though would be a great use of Nintendo's Expansion plot.

And it sure would be nice if Monsters land did actually happen.


Arguably, Universal strongly understood the great is great regardless of IP before Disney in the cinematic realm. Waterworld is still considered one of the best stunt shows/theme park shows period. Blues Brothers is not huge and is a hit that became a cult classic even as it fizzled but the music and characters still get people entertained and lend itself to the street party atmosphere.
 
Casper Gutman

Casper Gutman

Well-Known Member
MisterPenguin said:
DCA 1.0
Superstar Limo
Figment 2.0
Splash Mountain
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Hey, it's been several days, is there any chance you could post the specific quotations you are referring to here? I'm curious as to when highly placed Disney executives publicly admitted they (and not a previous regime) had made a mistake. Don't worry about Splash, that's very, very obviously a completely different situation with no relevance to the discussion. I'm just interested in the other three.

Just to provide context on the Universal side, the comment in question came from Thierry Coup, Universal's Chief Creative Officer and SVP at Universal Creative. At an IAAPA panel, Coup was asked about his biggest mistake. He cited Fast & Furious: Supercharged, saying
"I wish I had stopped our senior management from building the Fast & Furious attraction. It's a good attraction, but it's not what it should be."
 
Casper Gutman

Casper Gutman

Well-Known Member
MisterPenguin said:
Then, they can put in a skyway ride between Hogsmeade and Epic's Potter Land in which the vehicles are Ron's flying car. And charge extra for a remote-park hopper.
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Those greedy villains. Why can’t they keep all their prices nice and low and forgo any nefarious up charges like WDW.

Anyway, in news that I wish would become relevant to this thread, the rights to make Lord of the Rings films, games, and other media went up for sale this week, and it seems to include theme park rights. LotR, along with Star Trek and DC, is one of the last great theme-park-worthy IPs without a significant existing presence. Even more relevantly, it and DC cry out for Uni’s multi-park treatment - I’ll take a Hobbiton in IOA, a Rivendell with a Moria ride in EU, and perhaps a Minas Tirith in the Studios. Id be very, very happy if Universal wanted to pony up a cold two billion or so for the rights.

And if Uni wanted to snap up Paramount and get to work on Star Trek I wouldn’t mind. After all, ST has that special merchandizing magic no major property but Potter, not even Star Wars, has - iconic, standardized uniforms. Imagine a Universal resort with guests wearing either Hogwarts robes and wands or Starfleet uniforms and phasers while Disney desperately tries to make Jedi robes a thing. And with all the iterations of Trek, you have so many minor variations on the uniform and paraphernalia to sell again and again…
 
MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
Casper Gutman said:
Those greedy villains. Why can’t they keep all their prices nice and low and forgo any nefarious up charges like WDW.
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The point was that both Disney and Universal are equally awful and no one should go to either park ever again.

Casper Gutman said:
Anyway, in news that I wish would become relevant to this thread, the rights to make Lord of the Rings films, games, and other media went up for sale this week, and it seems to include theme park rights. LotR, along with Star Trek and DC, is one of the last great theme-park-worthy IPs without a significant existing presence. Even more relevantly, it and DC cry out for Uni’s multi-park treatment - I’ll take a Hobbiton in IOA, a Rivendell with a Moria ride in EU, and perhaps a Minas Tirith in the Studios. Id be very, very happy if Universal wanted to pony up a cold two billion or so for the rights.
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Lord of the Rings: Return of the Rumor

https://themeparkuniversity.com/universal/universal-orlando-is-quietly-working-on-a-lord-of-the-rings-land/
forums.wdwmagic.com forums.wdwmagic.com
 
Casper Gutman

Casper Gutman

Well-Known Member
MisterPenguin said:
The point was that both Disney and Universal are equally awful and no one should go to either park ever again.
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The point was that you were making a substanceless snarky little swipe in bad faith. And here's another.

Now that you're back in this thread, could you link to the quotations you referenced a few weeks back about Disney publicly admitting they were wrong to build something? Note that this is not about one corporate regime bad-mouthing an earlier one they displaced, though if you have those quotations, I'd be interested. I posted the quotation of Universal's chief creative officer explicitly admitting Fast & Furious was a mistake above. I'm genuinely curious about what comments you're referencing.
 
My95cobras

My95cobras

Well-Known Member
Casper Gutman said:
The point was that you were making a substanceless snarky little swipe in bad faith. And here's another.

Now that you're back in this thread, could you link to the quotations you referenced a few weeks back about Disney publicly admitting they were wrong to build something? Note that this is not about one corporate regime bad-mouthing an earlier one they displaced, though if you have those quotations, I'd be interested. I posted the quotation of Universal's chief creative officer explicitly admitting Fast & Furious was a mistake above. I'm genuinely curious about what comments you're referencing.
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No, because they don’t exist.
 
Frankenstein79

Frankenstein79

Well-Known Member
SplashZander said:
I completely disagree. I strongly hope they make Harry Potter and Nintendo in all three of their parks. Better to spread their eggs out.
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It just seems like they've done the 2 lands they had to do and now all they have left is a Fantastic Beasts land. Which is a part of a series that has been a total disaster from the beginning.
 
Casper Gutman

Casper Gutman

Well-Known Member
Frankenstein79 said:
It just seems like they've done the 2 lands they had to do and now all they have left is a Fantastic Beasts land. Which is a part of a series that has been a total disaster from the beginning.
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Eh, think of it less as a Fantastic Beasts land as more of “wizard Paris,” which is a very appealing aesthetic regardless of the IP. That seems to be how Uni is looking at it anyway.
 
Animaniac93-98

Animaniac93-98

Well-Known Member
Frankenstein79 said:
It just seems like they've done the 2 lands they had to do and now all they have left is a Fantastic Beasts land. Which is a part of a series that has been a total disaster from the beginning.
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The current rumor is that it will not be so heavily based on Fantastic Beats and instead feature the British Ministry of Magic as the main ride and set in the same time-frame as the Harry Potter series.

It will however, have a Parisian street like in FB.
 
J

JT3000

Well-Known Member
Casper Gutman said:
LotR, along with Star Trek and DC, is one of the last great theme-park-worthy IPs without a significant existing presence.
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DC already has a significant amusement park presence. It's not a very good one, but good luck getting them to sell.

Imagine a Universal resort with guests wearing either Hogwarts robes and wands or Starfleet uniforms and phasers while Disney desperately tries to make Jedi robes a thing.
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Animated GIF
 

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