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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
If they develop it like Diagon, I actually think both HP and HTTYD will be easier to digest for many than thought. Obviously, I'm only one person - but no one in my friend group are much of the way of Potter fans. The Universal lands are actually what taught me most of the Potter lore I know. And, they are all much more "GP" folks compared to me. I've talked to a number of people who have maybe seen a movie or two but really enjoyed the Potter lands.
Pandora comes to mind as well.
I think it's the ability for the land to stand on its own and tell a compelling, relatable story. That's actually why I think Galaxy's Edge fails. I have seen 1.5 HP films. I (somehow) never saw Avatar prior to visiting Pandora. I've seen every main Star Wars Episode, several more than once. I had very little trouble understanding Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Pandora didn't make me understand Avatar, but I got the idea of the land. Galaxy's Edge was a huge struggle because I felt like I just didn't get it. It didn't make me want to understand the land. It felt like it was showing something off that I wasn't familiar with.
These lands could certain result in that here. But, I would say Universal's track record for their lands is better than Disney when we are talking about lands that a person who doesn't know the IP can still enjoy.
Pandora comes to mind as well.
I think it's the ability for the land to stand on its own and tell a compelling, relatable story. That's actually why I think Galaxy's Edge fails. I have seen 1.5 HP films. I (somehow) never saw Avatar prior to visiting Pandora. I've seen every main Star Wars Episode, several more than once. I had very little trouble understanding Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Pandora didn't make me understand Avatar, but I got the idea of the land. Galaxy's Edge was a huge struggle because I felt like I just didn't get it. It didn't make me want to understand the land. It felt like it was showing something off that I wasn't familiar with.
These lands could certain result in that here. But, I would say Universal's track record for their lands is better than Disney when we are talking about lands that a person who doesn't know the IP can still enjoy.
Furthering this, the media gift recipients are going to receive coin inserts as each has its reveal.
Earlie the Pearlie
Well-Known Member
Exactly. While I think Cars Land will always be the best "living land" for the rockwork alone, it, Pandora, and the HP ones all succeed because they are actually nice to be in and provide an experience you don't forget. It feels like people/aliens/car monsters actually inhabit them. I've been to Galaxy's Edge multiple times, and even after reading up on the lore, I still don't "get" what it's trying to do. It's a barren wasteland that happens to have the Millenium Falcon and some robots in it. And don't tell me I need to watch the clone wars to "get" it. I shouldn't have to watch anything to "get" a land.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
How to Train Your Dragon will have a boat based target shooting ride.
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Wow. I hadn't stopped to think about the age of those movies!
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
There are Imagineers at Disney who worked on Epic Universe.
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
I somehow doubt this is the first time he’s hearing about this park. He’s got a character cavalcade and 18-month “celebration” (banners, theme song) ready to approve at a moment’s notice.
TTA94
Well-Known Member
I don’t think they care as much as we think they do. Pretty sure they knew what was coming and what EU was going to look like. Disney will probably announce something for WDW this year at the Expo just enough to satisfy those who think WDW needs something new because of EU.
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Its your prerogative to interpret what your saw your way. I saw pretty pictures, enthusiastic spokespeople, they even drug out Spielberg (nice to see him, but he's looking frail these days) as an original designer of Universal Orlando. They had a clean-ish (cleaned up superfund site) slate to work with and this is what they decided on. I hope they can deliver on that vision.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I agree that Disney probably aren't especially concerned, and I think they're probably right in that assessment.
Epic Universe doesn't really heavily target Disney's core audience more than USF or IOA -- families with kids, especially smaller kids. I know HTTYD and SNES are targeted towards kids to an extent (although I think Super Nintendo Land is equally, if not moreso, targeted at people who grew up with the Super Nintendo), but even they feel like they're pointed more at older kids than small ones. The park as a whole is still pretty heavy on thrill rides and seems like it's mostly aimed at the people that like Universal's existing parks.
I don't believe there's a large segment of Disney's audience who were going to go to Disney World but see this and decide to switch their trip to Universal instead.
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
Glad I'm not the only one who felt this way.Am . . . am I the only one who's underwhelmed?
Honestly, it seemed reminiscent of a lot of the stuff I don't like from Disney lately: single IP lands, a fairly meaningless overarching theme, a lot of buzz words about being able to step into worlds we could only ever (or perhaps never could) imagine, and a reliance on legacy to promote the new developments. I'm also not a fan of what I've seen of how Shanghai Disneyland is laid out with the gardens in front of the castle, and this seems to mirror that but with a big hotel as the backdrop. I'm sure there's more to come, but they also didn't really show any amazing attractions to get me interested in visiting.
I feel a bit sheepish saying this considering how a lot of people are very excited about this and consider it something of a Disney slayer. I must say, though, if Disney announced this as WDW's fifth park, I would be even less hopeful about the resort's future.
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I don't think any Disney Park besides MK(and so much of that that we enjoy was added) has ever started out grand though. Isn't it a pretty solid line up to start? My only real complaint is we don't know how rich Celestial Park will be yet. Hopefully it goes deep like Port of Entry for those who care.
This was only the tease, and we unofficially have known so much about it for so long. For most of the populace, this is overwhelmingly awesome information.
To be fair, if Disney announced something on this scale, at least it would be something, and they have plenty of land and resources more to do it, and are doing far less.
We get three major dark rides(I see this as someone who is not a fan of the Mario Kart Ride) three major coasters and a list of supporting attractions and shows of various scale. I think it is a solid start to a brand new park, that more specifically, expands the resort. I think that is what makes it a Disney slayer in a business sense in terms of what is offered. Even in the announcement, I found it interesting that it was in script to say that this makes Universal Orlando a week long oriented destination.
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Hawkeye_2018
Well-Known Member
I'm underwhelmed for sure. Harry Potter overkill, a brand that seems to be fading IMO. Nintendo land looks OK, but I'm guessing very similar to the other Nintendo stuff around the world. I like How to Train Dragon, but is it popular enough for a whole land? Dark Universe could be really interesting but they didn't really show much. Instead they showed a carousel...
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
A few comments to add. I’m pretty surprised they are going full media exposure on Epic now. I guess they are done with the summer booking window and giving up on holidays 2024? I really thought the natural point for the fuller Epic push was going to be this Fall. I guess Uni also sort of lacks anything to market this year.
I rather like the portals. I don’t know if it’s the best ever theme park design, but I strongly reward them for doing something different. I think the layout is easily the best of their (meaning not Disney) Orlando offerings. Islands just suffers the stuck around a lake effect and USO is very poorly designed. It’s hard to say if it’s going to be quite as prominent as the concept art, but they do provide really good way finding and help overtake the Diagon Alley issue for the general public. Even though the Potter one I agree is strangely buried.
The hotel remains way too prominent - and it’s too bad, would have much rather a landmark IP land as the back drop for the park than an ‘ok’ hotel. Way better than Fantasy Sea (though they seem to have worked overtime to hide that hotel from viewpoint, thank goodness) and way worse than Disneyland Paris Hotel / Mira Costa.
Celestial Park looks quite nice. It’s funny Uni is touting bringing ‘the park back to theme parks’ as they seems to be far, far more of a criticism of them (plus Hollywood studios). It’s giving me Shanghai Disney Vibes, whereas the former missed the mark and is sterile, I’m hoping this better meets the mark. Shanghai lacks the water kinetic energy up front as one of my strongest criticisms of that ‘park’.
The four IPs chosen generally gel with me and this is easily the best Orlando park launch since Epcot. Which doesn’t mean Epic will be the best park in Orlando, certainly the newest and shiniest. Though very, very, very contingent on at least one of the Potter and Monsters E-tickets ‘connecting’. Preferably both. At least one of them has to be a FOP/ROTR/Forbidden Journey/Journey to the Centre of the Earth/Mystic Manor/Shanghai Pirates unequivocal hit.
Again these aren’t major overt criticisms, just a discussion of how the park could have been even more perfected. The Luigi’s Mansion ride is probably the most meaningful addition they need to rush. Preferably with a secondary land portal on the other side of the Nintendo store for guest flow. Super Nintendo Land suffers by being the most under-built and has already been done, of the five land lot.
I rather like the portals. I don’t know if it’s the best ever theme park design, but I strongly reward them for doing something different. I think the layout is easily the best of their (meaning not Disney) Orlando offerings. Islands just suffers the stuck around a lake effect and USO is very poorly designed. It’s hard to say if it’s going to be quite as prominent as the concept art, but they do provide really good way finding and help overtake the Diagon Alley issue for the general public. Even though the Potter one I agree is strangely buried.
The hotel remains way too prominent - and it’s too bad, would have much rather a landmark IP land as the back drop for the park than an ‘ok’ hotel. Way better than Fantasy Sea (though they seem to have worked overtime to hide that hotel from viewpoint, thank goodness) and way worse than Disneyland Paris Hotel / Mira Costa.
Celestial Park looks quite nice. It’s funny Uni is touting bringing ‘the park back to theme parks’ as they seems to be far, far more of a criticism of them (plus Hollywood studios). It’s giving me Shanghai Disney Vibes, whereas the former missed the mark and is sterile, I’m hoping this better meets the mark. Shanghai lacks the water kinetic energy up front as one of my strongest criticisms of that ‘park’.
The four IPs chosen generally gel with me and this is easily the best Orlando park launch since Epcot. Which doesn’t mean Epic will be the best park in Orlando, certainly the newest and shiniest. Though very, very, very contingent on at least one of the Potter and Monsters E-tickets ‘connecting’. Preferably both. At least one of them has to be a FOP/ROTR/Forbidden Journey/Journey to the Centre of the Earth/Mystic Manor/Shanghai Pirates unequivocal hit.
Again these aren’t major overt criticisms, just a discussion of how the park could have been even more perfected. The Luigi’s Mansion ride is probably the most meaningful addition they need to rush. Preferably with a secondary land portal on the other side of the Nintendo store for guest flow. Super Nintendo Land suffers by being the most under-built and has already been done, of the five land lot.
SplashJacket
Well-Known Member
I mean, I disagree that it doesn’t attack Disney’s core audience, because that’s not really its goal.
That said, it has more for kids to do than Hollywood Studios, for one.
It’s not even close regarding IoA or USF. Those parks are terrible for kids.
Will it push the needle for the MK audience? Probably not much at all, but it targets that audience better than Hollywood. So it’s a more complete, well-rounded park, in my eyes.
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duncedoof
Well-Known Member
I forgot what competence looked like.