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

[BrianLo]

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.

I think, but do not know, that the 7 acres would go to more Super Nintendo World. A second entry portal from Celestial park into Luigi's Mansion area - that would also connect into DK intra-land. The second entry would provide dual pipes on either side of the Store in Celestial Park and better guest flow.

Luigi's has been described as fairly large, but no real world if more land would accompany it (food) necessitating the entirety of the 7 acres up front or not.

 

[mergatroid]

Looks fantastic so far, really looking forward to it opening.

One thing that does puzzle me though, why paint the attractions now? I mean with it still being over a year away till opening why not wait to nearer the time to paint everything, that way you get an extra year without having to eventually repaint things in the future?

 

[Andrew25]

Looks fantastic so far, really looking forward to it opening.

One thing that does puzzle me though, why paint the attractions now? I mean with it still being over a year away till opening why not wait to nearer the time to paint everything, that way you get an extra year without having to eventually repaint things in the future?

That's just the timeline of their construction process? They have roughly a year now to finish everything, so it's not far off from opening. Universal actually does a decent job at keeping their parks (at least some of there newer projects) maintained to an extent. The only land that currently struggles is Seuss Landing due to all the bright paint being easy to notice if they're faded, which Nintendo also is... but Universal isn't going to let Nintendo fall apart. That licensing deal is too valuable to them.

 

[danlb_2000]

Looks fantastic so far, really looking forward to it opening.

One thing that does puzzle me though, why paint the attractions now? I mean with it still being over a year away till opening why not wait to nearer the time to paint everything, that way you get an extra year without having to eventually repaint things in the future?

They only have access to a finite number of painters. If you wait to long then you don't have enough workers to get it done on time. Also, don't forget that we are just looking at the outside, all of the interiors will also need to be painted.

 

[J4546]

hopefully they add the creature fro black lagoon ride eventually cause water rides are my fave and this park doesnt have any water rides it seems, except a small target practice one in dragon land i guess. But I want a real water based attraction, boat, flume, whatever.

 

[trr1]

Tommy Hawkins
@tommyhawkins

Example of how they could divide the 21 acre plot into two lands. Two portals at the bottle neck, almost side by side, big rock work feature to front the wall with landscaping then some show buildings help divide the space up further #EpicUniverse

 

[JT3000]

Tommy Hawkins
@tommyhawkins

Example of how they could divide the 21 acre plot into two lands. Two portals at the bottle neck, almost side by side, big rock work feature to front the wall with landscaping then some show buildings help divide the space up further #EpicUniverse
View attachment 769686

While this expansion plot is relatively large, I think trying to divide it into multiple lands in such a way would be a waste. You're not optimizing your use of the space, as a large chunk of it will have to be dedicated to giving the lands sufficient thematic separation instead of doing something more useful (and you can't put one land behind the other, because then you'd be Kongifying the park's layout concept.) This needs to be a single land, and they need to hit it out of the park with the theme they choose, as it will be the park's largest.

 

[UNCgolf]

While this expansion plot is relatively large, I think trying to divide it into multiple lands in such a way would be a waste. You're not optimizing your use of the space, as a large chunk of it will have to be dedicated to giving the lands sufficient thematic separation instead of doing something more useful (and you can't put one land behind the other, because then you'd be Kongifying the park's layout concept.) This needs to be a single land, and they need to hit it out of the park with the theme they choose, as it will be the park's largest.

Lord of the Rings is the only one that comes to mind as a realistic option -- I can't think of any other IPs that aren't already in use that would be worth using that much space for a single land.

 

[SplashJacket]

Lord of the Rings is the only one that comes to mind as a realistic option -- I can't think of any other IPs that aren't already in use that would be worth using that much space for a single land.

Now that Disney has given away the rights… Narnia

 

[UNCgolf]

Now that Disney has given away the rights… Narnia

I think Narnia fails on the setting aspect of IP. Beyond going through the wardrobe and the lamp post in the snow, there's not really anything else that would jump out as Narnia for a land. Lord of the Rings has so many that I'm not sure what you even choose for a land (the Shire, Rivendell, Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, Moria, Mordor, etc.)

I'm also not sure it has the reach/popularity at this point in its life. Netflix was supposed to be creating a TV series or movies, but that was years ago so it may have fallen through at this point -- much like Disney's plans to create a new series based on the Prydain Chronicles.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Lord of the Rings is the only one that comes to mind as a realistic option -- I can't think of any other IPs that aren't already in use that would be worth using that much space for a single land.

The catch is if Orlando is willing to wait 15 to 20 years from now for getting Lord of the rings at least if the UK Universal theme park does happen.

I am saying that because of the 500 acres Universal bought in the UK for building a potential theme park. Universal confirmed the acres bought for potential theme park in UK, but has nothing else to confirm with that property.

There are rumors that if Universal goes do a UK theme park, Universal wants IPS that are not in Florida including Lord of the Rings. Basically the rumors are Universal wants IPS that are exclusive to UK theme park if Universal actually builds the UK theme park.

 

[UNCgolf]

The catch is if Orlando is willing to wait 15 to 20 years from now for getting Lord of the rings at least if the UK Universal theme park does happen.

I am saying that because of the 500 acres Universal bought in the UK for building a potential theme park. Universal confirmed the acres bought for potential theme park in UK, but has nothing else to confirm with that property.

There are rumors that if Universal goes do a UK theme park, Universal wants IPS that are not in Florida including Lord of the Rings. Basically the rumors are Universal wants IPS that are exclusive to UK theme park if Universal actually builds the UK theme park.

It wouldn't be surprising if that land is still unused 15-20 years from now -- Disney has unused expansion plots that are much older than that, and Universal still has unused expansion plots at Islands of Adventure (not sure if they have any at USF).

 

[JT3000]

The catch is if Orlando is willing to wait 15 to 20 years from now for getting Lord of the rings at least if the UK Universal theme park does happen.

I am saying that because of the 500 acres Universal bought in the UK for building a potential theme park. Universal confirmed the acres bought for potential theme park in UK, but has nothing else to confirm with that property.

There are rumors that if Universal goes do a UK theme park, Universal wants IPS that are not in Florida including Lord of the Rings. Basically the rumors are Universal wants IPS that are exclusive to UK theme park if Universal actually builds the UK theme park.

Assuming that is their plan, I just don't see it actually working out that way. The logic is solid; provide a completely different product so you're not cannibalizing Orlando's business from its UK vacationers so much (although this would still happen to a degree.) However, Universal is already using so much of their IP in Orlando (and elsewhere) that I just don't see it being feasible to suddenly create an entirely new lineup for the British audience. Not unless they want to go questionably niche (Doctor Who?) But LOTR certainly isn't niche anymore. They add that to one of their parks and there will be demand to add it everywhere else ASAP. We're talking hate mail kind of demand. Epic's expansion plot could certainly still be there decades from now, but people's patience wouldn't be.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I think Narnia fails on the setting aspect of IP. Beyond going through the wardrobe and the lamp in the snow, there's not really anything else that would jump out as Narnia for a land.

And a bowl of Turkish Delights.

 

[build_it]

I think the big expansion pad is for the long game for epic. I don’t think they’ll need to dip into it for the next decade or two. If they are playing the long game here, the central hub coaster will be ready for a major update by then - i.e. a re-track or removal. Look at the expansion pad if you also included the coaster space. Would definitely add enough space when combine with the large expansion space for two big lands and would give more breathing room to their portals in the middle.
Along those lines, they could do one portal sooner and use half of it during the next 10 to 15 years, and then use the other half when the coaster needs a major overhaul or replacement.
Lots of options here and they have lots of flexibility moving forward.
They’ll also be needing to spend some capital on the other parks and other opportunities, so I also think they will slow their roll at Epic with land/portal additions being down the line and focusing on single additions - ie Luigi’s Mansion, the HP Dining Hall, etc.

 

[trr1]

I think the big expansion pad is for the long game for epic. I don’t think they’ll need to dip into it for the next decade or two. If they are playing the long game here, the central hub coaster will be ready for a major update by then - i.e. a re-track or removal. Look at the expansion pad if you also included the coaster space. Would definitely add enough space when combine with the large expansion space for two big lands and would give more breathing room to their portals in the middle.
Along those lines, they could do one portal sooner and use half of it during the next 10 to 15 years, and then use the other half when the coaster needs a major overhaul or replacement.
Lots of options here and they have lots of flexibility moving forward.
They’ll also be needing to spend some capital on the other parks and other opportunities, so I also think they will slow their roll at Epic with land/portal additions being down the line and focusing on single additions - ie Luigi’s Mansion, the HP Dining Hall, etc.

I believe the plan in time is they build another Park and a "city walk like area on the ground parking lot and build 2 parking structures also

 

[Andrew25]

I believe the plan in time is they build another Park and a "city walk like area on the ground parking lot and build 2 parking structures also

Yup - if you look at recent Google Map aerials, there's a site dedicated to a future parking garage between Epic and the Courtney apartments. Basic same layout as current UOR campus.

However, with the current state of USF and portions IOA, I don't expect another park for another 2 decades or so.

Honestly, I think 3 parks is the "perfect" number. Disney struggles to maintain 4 parks properly and Universal, while multiple projects are in the works, has difficulty filling the holes in IOA/USF currently.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It wouldn't be surprising if that land is still unused 15-20 years from now -- Disney has unused expansion plots that are much older than that, and Universal still has unused expansion plots at Islands of Adventure (not sure if they have any at USF).

Considering there are expansions to the existing lands along with Nintendo lands for USF and IoA, I’d be shocked to see work start on a new land for EU for at least a decade.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Lord of the Rings is the only one that comes to mind as a realistic option -- I can't think of any other IPs that aren't already in use that would be worth using that much space for a single land.

Universal is releasing the first Wicked movie this Thanksgiving.

I'd say Oz, as a concept, could make use of similar acerage.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Universal is releasing the first Wicked movie this Thanksgiving.

Not if it's as poorly received as In the Heights and West Side Story.