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

[tommyhawkins]

Just found this thanks to theme park stop

https://twitter.com/uoapb?s=09

sadly that has been shut down

 

[Frankenstein79]

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.

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.

The thing is that there's less of a connection to the Paris from FB. I do agree though aesthetically it is pleasing to the eye and that they've already begun trying out new crepes.

 

[OG Runner]

DC already has a significant amusement park presence. It's not a very good one, but good luck getting them to sell.

Yes, it is amazing how Six Flags uses the DC IPs. Paint a coaster purple and orange and it is a Joker coaster. Paint the coaster
green and it is a Green Lantern coaster. Even better paint a coast red and blue and it is a Superman coaster. The theming is
incredible.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Yes, it is amazing how Six Flags uses the DC IPs. Paint a coaster purple and orange and it is a Joker coaster. Paint the coaster
green and it is a Green Lantern coaster. Even better paint a coast red and blue and it is a Superman coaster. The theming is
incredible.

The ironic thing is it doesn’t take a huge effort to theme a ride, Hulk is basically a coaster painted green but because of the queue, backstory, and launch it feels themed. Six Flags could easily match that but for whatever reason they just don’t bother.

 

[OG Runner]

The ironic thing is it doesn’t take a huge effort to theme a ride, Hulk is basically a coaster painted green but because of the queue, backstory, and launch it feels themed. Six Flags could easily match that but for whatever reason they just don’t bother.

Which, in my opinion, makes for a waste of the IPs and lousy theming. All of which gets them the reputation of a lower tiered
amusement park.

 

[JT3000]

The ironic thing is it doesn’t take a huge effort to theme a ride, Hulk is basically a coaster painted green but because of the queue, backstory, and launch it feels themed. Six Flags could easily match that but for whatever reason they just don’t bother.

To be fair, they do install dark rides now, but actually theming a coaster, as opposed to simply giving it a nominal theme, just seems like an alien concept to them, and probably will be the foreseeable future.




(Bonus game: See if you can count how many story beats are lifted directly from Spider-Man & Transformers.)

 

[OG Runner]

To be fair, they do install dark rides now, but actually theming a coaster, as opposed to simply giving it a nominal theme, just seems like an alien concept to them, and probably will be the foreseeable future.




(Bonus game: See if you can count how many story beats are lifted directly from Spider-Man & Transformers.)

It is cool that they have done that. I went to Six Flags in Georgia and Six Flags in New England before.
At that time they did not have anything like this, just the colorful coasters.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

It is cool that they have done that. I went to Six Flags in Georgia and Six Flags in New England before.
At that time they did not have anything like this, just the colorful coasters.

And only one of the best "mill chute" dark rides of any regional themepark. An attraction that inspired the creation of Splash Mountain.

 

[SplashJacket]

And only one of the best "mill chute" dark rides of any regional themepark. An attraction that inspired the creation of Splash Mountain.

Monster Mansion is honestly insane

 

[matt9112]

I'm kinda hoping they'll nix the Harry Potter section. He doesn't have to be at every park, this park could be the Nintendo one.

Nah each park needs to have completely unique IPs and environments. More the merrier. Potter just works so well.

 

[matt9112]

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.

This is how i feel. Is the environment and aesthetic has its own flavor...its not repetitive. As a guest i mean.

 

[trr1]

OH NO! universal is falling behind lol

Disney to develop residential communities with new 'Storyliving by Disney' business

Disney is bringing the Disney experience beyond the parks.

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[OG Runner]

The ironic thing is it doesn’t take a huge effort to theme a ride, Hulk is basically a coaster painted green but because of the queue, backstory, and launch it feels themed. Six Flags could easily match that but for whatever reason they just don’t bother.

If they could easily do it, why don't they? Does anyone here not appreciate some theming? It doesn't have to be Expedition Everest.
The Velocicoaster is not heavily themed, but the theming is appreciated and impressive.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

If they could easily do it, why don't they? Does anyone here not appreciate some theming? It doesn't have to be Expedition Everest.
The Velocicoaster is not heavily themed, but the theming is appreciated and impressive.

Priorities, Disney and Universal spend money on theming because that’s why people visit them, parks like Six Flags and Cedar Point spend their money on thrills because that’s why people visit them.

If Disney or Uni put up an unthemed $30 million hyper coaster they’d be crucified for lack of theme despite it being an amazing ride, similarly if Six Flags spent $100 million on a highly themed dark ride they’d be crucified for wasting money that could have put in 3 hyper coasters for the same price… different crowds with different priorities.

 

[JoeCamel]

Priorities, Disney and Universal spend money on theming because that’s why people visit them, parks like Six Flags and Cedar Point spend their money on thrills because that’s why people visit them.

If Disney or Uni put up an unthemed $30 million hyper coaster they’d be crucified for lack of theme despite it being an amazing ride, similarly if Six Flags spent $100 million on a highly themed dark ride they’d be crucified for wasting money that could have put in 3 hyper coasters for the same price… different crowds with different priorities.

Could it be because people don't go to Universal or Disney with a focus on riding roller coasters? Orlando in particular has never been known for coasters, Tampa would be a much better choice if that is all you want out of a park. Maybe a few animals sprinkled around but even SW has upped their coaster game in an effort to shave those guests not wanting a pure theme park experience off to pick up some coin from the hordes.

 

[JT3000]

Could it be because people don't go to Universal or Disney with a focus on riding roller coasters? Orlando in particular has never been known for coasters, Tampa would be a much better choice if that is all you want out of a park. Maybe a few animals sprinkled around but even SW has upped their coaster game in an effort to shave those guests not wanting a pure theme park experience off to pick up some coin from the hordes.

SeaWorld isn't upping their game, they're turning themselves into another generic amusement park chain because they're too afraid of holding onto their maligned reputation as an animal park. They're so desperate to alter their whole identity that it's probably only a matter of time before they literally change the park's name, and by then it will be indistinguishable from something you'd see in the Six Flags or Cedar Fair portfolios, especially with the quality of their overall presentation already dropping significantly over the course of the pandemic. If they actually wanted to up their game, they'd be heading in the opposite direction, staying as close to their original purpose as public opinion allows while also diversifying their attraction offerings, with a heavy emphasis on well-themed dark rides and such, not just coaster after coaster.

 

[JoeCamel]

SeaWorld isn't upping their game, they're turning themselves into another generic amusement park chain because they're too afraid of holding onto their maligned reputation as an animal park. They're so desperate to alter their whole identity that it's probably only a matter of time before they literally change the park's name, and by then it will be indistinguishable from something you'd see in the Six Flags or Cedar Fair portfolios, especially with the quality of their overall presentation already dropping significantly over the course of the pandemic. If they actually wanted to up their game, they'd be heading in the opposite direction, staying as close to their original purpose as public opinion allows while also diversifying their attraction offerings, with a heavy emphasis on well-themed dark rides and such, not just coaster after coaster.

SEA tried that with the penguin ride. It didn't end well.
I can understand why they went to coasters after that.
Before I ruffle any feathers the bird part was very good, the ride part?

 

[Frankenstein79]

Nah each park needs to have completely unique IPs and environments. More the merrier. Potter just works so well.

Is it unique to have Harry Potter at every park??? I love the books and movies, but adding a 3rd one feels like overkill.

 

[matt9112]

Is it unique to have Harry Potter at every park??? I love the books and movies, but adding a 3rd one feels like overkill.

Yes if the environment is different enough. For example the architecture/mood/ambience. For example if its set in paris as some have speculated that will look NOTHING like hogsmead or diagon ally. I think the key is to make them unique enough. The IP can span multiple lands and still not feel over burdend. Besides it would really be dumb to not cash in on it. (From a buisness stand point) im really excited for epic because if done right it can really put pressure on the mouse. I hope its grandiose.

 

[OG Runner]

Yes if the environment is different enough. For example the architecture/mood/ambience. For example if its set in paris as some have speculated that will look NOTHING like hogsmead or diagon ally. I think the key is to make them unique enough. The IP can span multiple lands and still not feel over burdend. Besides it would really be dumb to not cash in on it. (From a buisness stand point) im really excited for epic because if done right it can really put pressure on the mouse. I hope its grandiose.

I agree that given different environments it is fine to have Harry Potter in all of the parks. I just am questioning a video I saw. It mentioned the Paris exteriors, but at the same time it stated the ride would be going through the Ministry of Magic in London. Why not just do the downtown London exteriors? Also the Paris exteriors were also noted to be during the time period of Fantastic Beasts. I am a little confused by the reasoning.