DisneyDodo
Well-Known Member
Why do they need buses? Can’t they just use the floo network?
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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
trr1
Well-Known Member
how about pneumatic tubes
A Brief History of People and Animals Traveling Through Tubes
The fish tube isn't the first (or last) machine to launch living things.
www.popularmechanics.com
matt9112
Well-Known Member
how about pneumatic tubes
A Brief History of People and Animals Traveling Through Tubes
The fish tube isn't the first (or last) machine to launch living things.
Satisfactory player?
Shiriki_Utundu
Member
some thoughts:
(A)If Universal knew about the huge expansion prior to Volcano Bay, then it made a large mistake by placing that water park in its current location.
(B)Will Epic Universe truly be "Epic"???? One of many key indicators, as far as I'm concerned is whether one of the coasters(perhaps Train Your Dragon???) will use the same ride system, have 7 or more mid-ride launches, the same or even greater attention to detail and show sets and the same length or longer track as Hagrid. Going less could really point to an underwhelming park. Going equal to could be a sign of not so terribly "Epic". let's raise the bar yet again, please.
(C)The split campus is a monster dilemma for Universal...... and for me too as a guest. Universal Orlando needs a seamless system to get folk from City Walk to the new park(s). Optimally there should be a system like Hogwarts Express: sheer perfection going park to park. Ideally, a themed gondola system whereby guests can not see nor hear outside the cabins is needed. But some astronomical expense likely in the billions will keep this from happening.
Going from Diagon Alley to Nintendo World but first seeing stopped traffic on I -4, emergency personnel doing their thing, Frank Gay Plumbing trucks and Disney Cruise line buses on the road, Morgan & Morgan Lawyer billboards or a Denny's will profoundly distract.
(A)If Universal knew about the huge expansion prior to Volcano Bay, then it made a large mistake by placing that water park in its current location.
(B)Will Epic Universe truly be "Epic"???? One of many key indicators, as far as I'm concerned is whether one of the coasters(perhaps Train Your Dragon???) will use the same ride system, have 7 or more mid-ride launches, the same or even greater attention to detail and show sets and the same length or longer track as Hagrid. Going less could really point to an underwhelming park. Going equal to could be a sign of not so terribly "Epic". let's raise the bar yet again, please.
(C)The split campus is a monster dilemma for Universal...... and for me too as a guest. Universal Orlando needs a seamless system to get folk from City Walk to the new park(s). Optimally there should be a system like Hogwarts Express: sheer perfection going park to park. Ideally, a themed gondola system whereby guests can not see nor hear outside the cabins is needed. But some astronomical expense likely in the billions will keep this from happening.
Going from Diagon Alley to Nintendo World but first seeing stopped traffic on I -4, emergency personnel doing their thing, Frank Gay Plumbing trucks and Disney Cruise line buses on the road, Morgan & Morgan Lawyer billboards or a Denny's will profoundly distract.
matt9112
Well-Known Member
They probably did not have the green light. I imagine internal blue sky predates volcano bay but remember that volcano bay was to replace wet n wild. Bringing that “onto campus” made sense. However I don’t think anyone will argue that volcano bay is too small and as you indicate shoehorned in. That plot could have been better used for a hotel in hindsight. My two cents is a second water park is not only doable but probably the right call long term.
I hope so as well. That’s what we’re not sure of yet is how Eloberate things will be. My gut tells me they will impress since this is there swan song of sorts for the us parks. This is what will solidify orlando as there center of gravity. The idea they are using diagon ally/Star Wars style entry for every land tells me they are learning and trying to do it well.
They didn’t have much. Choice unlike disney they didn’t have the blessing of space. But I would counter with the bus ride from AK to MK etc….there just as long ? The difference is that you don’t see random crap and that is a valid point but the raw distance isn’t an issue. They are believed to have dedicated bus lanes so hopefully that helps. There’s nothing else they could have done without buying up all that land. Some of those stores are likely the most profitable for there respective chains in the entire state. I know the UNOs that closed at cross roads was the most profitable UNOs in the ENTIRE COUNTRY. This means not only is land absurdly expensive because you know universal wants it but nobody actually wants to sell. A train etc would also need a corridor of space.
Shiriki_Utundu
Member
I agree if you're talking serious long term....as in once a second or dare I say even 3rd land park is built.
There needs to be enough demand and proper ratio of land to water parks. I'm thinking a minimum of 2 land for every 1 water.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
A) I partially agree that Volcano Bay should have been built where Sapphire falls is currently, and have a different hotel that can act as a berm between it and I-4, but that's a different timeline. They could easily add new slides to the expansion pad at the back of the park, not sure why they are being hesitant about it. There are also spaces currently located at the park that could be better utilized to improve capacity.
B) The HTTYD coaster should not be seen as a Hagrid-like ride, it's more of Universal's response to Slinky Dog Dash. A true family coaster that young children can ride albeit a tad more thrilling (though I'm sure Universal will stupidly add a ridiculously high height requirement since their lawyers are so tedious about that stuff.)
C) I think this point is being exaggerated by a lot of people - the bus trip should be just as long (or faster) as a DAK to MK style trip. And Universal does a MARVELOUS job of running multiple buses to and from their hotels, so wait times should be minimal. Long term, in a blue sky world, I do think Universal plans on adding some form of monorail/tram/gondola/whatever between the south and north campuses.
While I hate I-Drive's gaudy appearance, a lot of it can be modified by fixing up roads (actually being worked on) and improving beautification efforts that I'm sure Universal is insisting the county to do. The area directly next to where Epic is being built is a very nice area, they just need to fix the in between stuff.
Shiriki_Utundu
Member
Beijing Universal looks fabulous and is Universal's newest. I presume Epic will greatly surpass Beijing. Yes, Diagon and Star Wars level outdoor set designing will be crazy cool. I really hope to see it.
Shiriki_Utundu
Member
you missed the point entirely.
it's not the distance that matters:
If the ride were 42 minutes but had a Hogswart Express level experience then it would be a huge welcome and I would look forward to the journey over to Epic. If the ride were 5 minutes of looking at lawyer billboards and hearing police sirens then count me out. Terrible show!!!! The distracting and ugly visuals and sounds are what I'm talking about.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
If you read the rest of my statement you can see my response to that as well.
As of now, Universal is currently working on building multiple berms at its south campus to at least create a barrier between the real world and its property. It wouldn't surprise me if by the end of this decade the city and Universal follow Anaheim's lead and create a nice unified "theme". Surprisingly, the SeaWorld area has a unified theme of Caribbean-style architecture and themed signage, I'm sure they are willing to do the same for Universal.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
It may not be the greatest park ever built…
…but nothing from what we know/see indicates that this won’t be an incredibly impressive effort when the gates open.
Comcast isn’t exactly “poor” and the Roberts like their name in lights just as much as anyone who ran the company that sits down the road.
They have more impetus/to prove, actually
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
The South Campus has room for a second water park and a fourth theme park. There was no mistake in having a water park at the North Campus years before the South Campus opened.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
How about if they are toying with an Aventura style hotel on the spare 5 acres and have it be a Volcano bay hotel? Look out Great Wolf
Nothing says you will be looking out the windows during the trip. They can either go full on immersive with electronic windows or they can make the holes in the wraps as small as they want. Hang a bunch of screens inside (as is already done) and put content in front of your guests during the 10?? minute ride. Sounds like a workable plan to me but I thought of it so sure.....
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
They could easily add walls to the dedicated bus lanes so you don't see it.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Agreed. We need to remember that universal has already experimented/employed more “interactive transport” concepts than their friends down I-4…
Two big examples.
Disney has the millennium cargo vans though…for the couple hundred people that ever see them
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
Don't forget about the disco busAgreed. We need to remember that universal has already experimented/employed more “interactive transport” concepts than their friends down I-4…
Two big examples.
Disney has the millennium cargo vans though…for the couple hundred people that ever see them
matt9112
Well-Known Member
To be fair walls and a bit more decor can go a long way here. Hopefully the corridor improves.
trr1
Well-Known Member
also a 2nd City Walk
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Using screens instead of windows is a great way to cause motion sickness.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
True, I now sit by the door on HE and don't watch the window.