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

[Animaniac93-98]

Bourne is a hit, not sure of your line of thinking there,

It was OK, but is a one and done for me, personally.

Don't really have any interest in seeing it again soon.

 

[BrianLo]

The biggest difference between Universal and Disney is that Universal, even with Epic in construction, has massive plans for its current parks, and USF will receive the bulk of that. Disney tends to invest and leave the parks untouched for a while.

Do you mean if Disney was building a park they wouldn’t have plans, or Disney has no plans? The latter is not actually true. They may in fact have more plans than Universal post-Epic.

The biggest difference right now is we are temporally benefiting from the proximity to a massive universal project, we have better Universal sources and seemingly a mismatch in fans faith on companies project completion.

 

[JT3000]

Do you mean if Disney was building a park they wouldn’t have plans, or Disney has no plans? The latter is not actually true. They may in fact have more plans than Universal post-Epic.

They may have plans. They're considering having plans. They're exploring the possibility of having plans. They're researching & imagining having plans.

They have no plans.

 

[BrianLo]

They may have plans. They're considering having plans. They're exploring the possibility of having plans. They're researching & imagining having plans.

They have no plans.

I don’t doubt either companies future, but why is a rumor out of Universal somehow more valid than public commitments by Disney? Everything is taken at face value as a done deal with Universal, despite also having the same track record for changing things along the stream.

It’s like Alicia Stella has more credibility than Bob Iger (she does, ironically!) - but certainly not more control.

 

[JT3000]

I don’t doubt either companies future, but why is a rumor out of Universal somehow more valid than public commitments by Disney? Everything is taken at face value as a done deal with Universal, despite also having the same track record for changing things along the stream.

It’s like Alicia Stella has more credibility than Bob Iger (she does, ironically!) - but certainly not more control.

Because one company tells us they're doing exactly what they were rumored to be doing, while the other company quite literally says they're "considering" doing this or that and presents it all as merely "blue sky." The wording used in my previous post wasn't random, I was actually paraphrasing their last D23 presentation. Doesn't sound very committed, does it? Oh, and they cancel or downscale projects they've already announced. I wouldn't exactly call those commitments either.

Also, this board has many more Disney insiders than it has for Universal. It is, after all, a WDW board. If they had anything exciting to tell us, I'm sure they would.

 

[BrianLo]

Because one company tells us they're doing exactly what they were rumored to be doing, while the other company quite literally says they're "considering" doing this or that and presents it all as merely "blue sky." Oh, and they cancel or downscale projects they've already announced. I wouldn't exactly call those commitments.

Also, this board has many more Disney insiders than it has for Universal. It is, after all, a WDW board. If they had anything exciting to tell us, I'm sure they would.

This is pure recency bias. Things change all the time from what we are rumoured to receive at Universal and what ends up being reality. Besides, the company hasn't even announced anything beyond 2025.

Super Nintendo World was announced for USF 8 years ago. The first time I heard about Pokemon? Late 2013, when Universal was prepping the deal. Let's not even get into how many half aborted closures of Kid Zone we have (and we are getting a half baked replacement for it ironically). At least Dinoland has operating rides, The Lost continent has a fountain as its only attraction.

You are merely looking down the barrel of a forthcoming major project opening (which contains many things that were at one time destined for other places on an earlier timeframe) and trying to project it onto future things that are just as blue sky as Disney's right now. Projects will change, timelines most certainly will shift. Things most certainly will not come to pass. Heck, the scale and scope may even improve for Universal. But trying to compare blue sky rumours to blue sky rumours is a bit useless.

Luigi's Mansion is really the only thing that sounds to be baked. Disney has a few projects that are also reasonably baked. I'm not doubting Universal will build a lot of these things eventually, but I'm also not doubting Disney either.

I've also been here before when the Universal fan community was peak foaming at the mouth a decade ago (just before Diagon) and yet Disney somehow built more exciting things over the subsequent 5 years. The foaming for Universal was potentially worth it, but they most certainly weren't thinking it was an 11 year pay off. It really isn't predictable.

 

[BrianLo]

Also, this board has many more Disney insiders than it has for Universal. It is, after all, a WDW board. If they had anything exciting to tell us, I'm sure they would.

As an aside, Alicia doesn't seem to have a leash, for some reason. That's all I meant, way more is being spilled from UC.

If it makes my argument worse, there are two more projects I've heard about for Universal, both of which actually excite me. I think Alicia is going to spill on one of them shortly, from what she is hinting.

 

[JT3000]

This is pure recency bias. Things change all the time from what we are rumoured to receive at Universal and what ends up being reality.

Recency has nothing to do with it. Which does Universal announce, rumor or reality? The answer is they wait until everying is finalized to tell us what they're doing, at a time when we likely already know many of the details, whether they've changed at some point or not. Meanwhile, Disney has grown fond of sharing half-baked concepts that have a good chance of never even coming to fruition at all. This is how you lose people's trust. You talk of Disney's "public commitments," but these simply don't exist. They've currently committed to nothing beyond this year (and those projects are underwhelming to say the least.) That's the problem.

Besides, the company hasn't even announced anything beyond 2025.

Because why would they?

Super Nintendo World was announced for USF 8 years ago. The first time I heard about Pokemon? Late 2013, when Universal was prepping the deal. Let's not even get into how many half aborted closures of Kid Zone we have (and we are getting a half baked replacement for it ironically).

Super Nintendo World is currently open in two locations, with a third on the way. The KidZone redo hasn't gone smoothly, but it's going. If we're using these things as a barometer for Pokemon or Zelda, then I guess we should assume it's all happening eventually. Me? I'm treating them as rumors, because that's all they are for now, but they're rumors that I certainly put more stock in than whatever "beyond Thunder Mountain" nonsense Disney has already spoken about publicly.

At least Dinoland has operating rides.

Like Primeval Whirl?

Both lands need a lot of work, and both are rumored to be replaced outright. We will see who actually follows through and who needs more time blue skying.

 

[BrianLo]

Super Nintendo World is currently open in two locations, with a third on the way. The KidZone redo hasn't gone smoothly, but it's going. If we're using these things as a barometer for Pokemon or Zelda, then I guess we should assume it's all happening eventually. Me? I'm treating them as rumors, because that's all they are for now, but they're rumors that I certainly put more stock in than whatever "beyond Thunder Mountain" nonsense Disney has already spoken about publicly.

I had edited out my post to simplify the argument to recency, but it is recency and as you mention a strong refusal to share things early. Which makes their rumours seem more real, but they are just as wobbly. Disney does have financial commitments of course. So does Universal, but the only things budgeted are currently Luigi's and Great Hall.

Currently I believe Disney has more budgeted future projects, but that requires one to discount Universal of Epic, which isn't really fair to them.

Josh did a whirlwind on people's trust by letting them 'peak behind the scenes'. Though I think Universal has less risk simply because they have less to work with. So I am very confident Pokemon and Zelda will come eventually, because what else is there? Both in terms of space and IP. Even if those projects shuffle around just as much as Encanto, it somehow doesn't seem outwardly the same. Just as Super Nintendo World and Ministry of Magic technically have.

Like Primeval Whirl?

Both lands need a lot of work, and both are rumored to be replaced outright. We will see who actually follows through and who needs more time blue skying.

Well... and Dinosaur. But I agree that it's not a good attraction either or worthy of your recall.

Quizzically Animal Kingdom also fell out of sequence, so your guess is also as good as mine. I wouldn't place a bet either way right now. Which is a shame as both are probably the projects I'd pick first.

 

[JT3000]

I had edited out my post to simplify the argument to recency, but it is recency and as you mention a strong refusal to share things early. Which makes their rumours seem more real, but they are just as wobbly. Disney does have financial commitments of course. So does Universal, but the only things budgeted are currently Luigi's and Great Hall.

Currently I believe Disney has more budgeted future projects, but that requires one to discount Universal of Epic, which isn't really fair to them.

Josh did a whirlwind on people's trust by letting them 'peak behind the scenes'. Though I think Universal has less risk simply because they have less to work with. So I am very confident Pokemon and Zelda will come eventually, because what else is there? Both in terms of space and IP. Even if those projects shuffle around just as much as Encanto, it somehow doesn't seem outwardly the same. Just as Super Nintendo World and Ministry of Magic technically have.




Well... and Dinosaur. But I agree that it's not a good attraction either or worthy of your recall.

Quizzically Animal Kingdom also fell out of sequence, so your guess is also as good as mine. I wouldn't place a bet either way right now. Which is a shame as both are probably the projects I'd pick first.

If it were up to me, they would start working on Zelda yesterday. And I'm not even a fan of Zelda, it's simply a matter of what needs replacing most. But with them currently working on a whole new park, I know that unfortunately can't happen on an optimal timeline. We also can't discount Pokemon's popularity, as that is a train they should have jumped on a long time ago, or the (supposed) fact that they want to offload the Simpsons, so it's actually understandable if that has moved higher on their list of priorities. The key difference here is that regardless of how this all plays out, Universal isn't blowing smoke up my butt the whole time. This makes me more willing to be patient and see. I don't agree on these being their only options though, they are merely some of the more obvious choices given their partnership with Nintendo. They could still surprise us. Or at least the insiders will, because you know Universal won't say anything.

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial photo of construction of Celestial Carousel in Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of the entrance of Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of Celestial Park in Epic Universe. At center is a recently started project

Aerial overview of the entrance of Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of equipment being installed in the Epic Universe show fountain. Each nozzle in the pattern has its own pump.

Aerial photo of the portal to Super Nintendo World in Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of Celestial Park near Super Nintendo World. In Epic Universe

Aerial overview of Dark Universe and the center of Epic Universe.

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial photo of cascading water features at front of Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of Epic Universe. Arrow at Dr Doom's Fear fall in Islands of Adventure.

Aerial photo of a Christmas Tree parade in Epic Universe.

Aerial look at a frame recently added at the Epic Universe show fountain. The fountain is also encircled with a new ring of concrete forms.A tree has been placed at left.

Aerial photo of the Kirkman Rd extension leading to Epic Universe. Paved median for electric buses connecting both parts of Universal Orlando Resort.

Aerial photo of individual pumps and nozzles forming a pattern in the Epic Universe show fountain.

Aerial photos of a building near Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of part of How To Train Your Dragon land in Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of Catchlight Crossings. Affordable housing on Universal property South of Epic Universe.

 

[trr1]

https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial photo of the Dark Universe portal and nearby areas of Celestial Park in Epic Universe.

In foreground of this aerial is a restaurant near the Epic Universe show fountain.At top is the portal to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic.

Aerial photo of cascading water features at front of Epic Universe. Landscaping has started.

Aerial photo showing the Helios Grand Hotel within Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of where the Kirkman Rd extension passes through Lockheed Martin.1 Epic Universe electric bus service area2 Orange County Convention Center3 Spur of Universal property4 The Wheel at ICON Park

Aerial photo of Epic Universe near Starfall Racers roller coaster.

Aerial photo of cleared land in the Epic Universe development. Permits say it will be the service area for electric buses. Arrow at a longtime site of electrical distribution.

Aerial photo of the raised traffic circle under construction near Epic Universe. To improve traffic flow between Kirkman Rd and day guest parking.

Aerial look at theming at front of Starfall Racers in Epic Universe. Some rock work at right is painted.

Aerial look at an expansion area of Epic Universe. Between Starfall Racers and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic.

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Feb 17

Aerial overview of the center of Epic Universe. Equipment is being installed in the show fountain.

Aerial look at Epic Universe Feb 16, 2024• Deck installed in Celestial Carousel• Trestles added to Donkey Kong coaster• Curse of the Werewolf testing• Nozzles/pumps added to show fountain• More Wizarding World facades revealed• Many Mount Beanpole theming elements

 

[Weather_Lady]

Seeing this kind of progress (as I sit at my desk, preparing for a day of work in frigid, snow-blanketed Western New York), and starting to get a glimpse of how visually lovely this park is going to be, is getting me hyped, even about the IPs (How To Train Your Dragon, Nintendo) that I'm not particularly familiar with, or that came along when I was too old to have much nostalgia about them. Of course, the fact that there are so many details we _don't_ know yet makes it all the more tantalizing.

 

[trr1]

 

[trr1]

https://twitter.com/tommyhawkins
Tommy Hawkins
@tommyhawkins

Been waiting for the perfect photo to show you all the remaining expansion pads. Last week that the park would open with 70 acres of pure guest areas, full build out raises that number to 106.7 Acres of pure theme park #EpicUniverse thanks
@bioreconstruct

 

[J4546]

the 7 and 21 acre expansions are intriguing. the 3 acre in monsters was supposed to be a creature from black lagoon water ride i thought. I hoe they do that ride still. Imagine soemthing like pirates but CftBL....thatd be so cool.

 

[Andrew25]

the 7 and 21 acre expansions are intriguing. the 3 acre in monsters was supposed to be a creature from black lagoon water ride i thought. I hoe they do that ride still. Imagine soemthing like pirates but CftBL....thatd be so cool.

This is the one project I find the most interesting as Universal knocked it out of the park with Dead Man's Pier during HHN a few years back now. If they can figure out a way to take the house's tone into a year round boat ride... I'll never leave.

I think a solid, traditional-ish, boat ride from Universal is the last thing they need to really let people know that Universal can produce high-quality attractions that focus on scenic design.

 

[rd805]

This is the one project I find the most interesting as Universal knocked it out of the park with Dead Man's Pier during HHN a few years back now. If they can figure out a way to take the house's tone into a year round boat ride... I'll never leave.

I think a solid, traditional-ish, boat ride from Universal is the last thing they need to really let people know that Universal can produce high-quality attractions that focus on scenic design.

I loved Jaws back in the day - thought it was great.
Dead Man's Pier was my favorite HHN house that year -- it was soooo well done!