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

[mkt]

So much for “taking it in” I guess. I dislike how you have to plan out every day at a park, I miss just being able to relax, and be spontaneous!

You don't need to. But there's no way to do any park entirely any more without being strategic.

 

[Agent H]

You don't need to. But there's no way to do any park entirely any more without being strategic.

Universal Studios Florida would like a word with you.

 

[mkt]

Universal Studios Florida would like a word with you.

It's ok. I've got words for them.

 

[Streetway Again]

It's ok. I've got words for them.

Me too! Some very vulgar ones. /j

But really though, they should’ve kept like at least ONE other “Classic movie” attraction, to at least let the park have SOME form of identity. Thats just a fan perspective though.

USF kinda is in the twilight zone RN

 

[Agent H]

Me too! Some very vulgar ones. /j

But really though, they should’ve kept like at least ONE other “Classic movie” attraction, to at least let the park have SOME form of identity. Thats just a fan perspective though.

USF kinda is in the twilight zone RN

My opinion. kong back to the future and the ghostbusters show should still exist. And I’ve experienced none of them for myself.

 

[Rich Brownn]

Alright everyone. Universal Florida is about to get a massive overhaul. You know what that means.

What beloved older attraction is going to be next to bite the dust?

And no, I wouldn’t call Simpsons and RRR “beloved”

I'd say MIB. Knocking that down plus the old FF stage opens a huge plot (plus opens the area behind Simpsons)

 

[lazyboy97o]

I will always be DreamWorks Land's biggest defender. It's better themed than KidZone, more relevant and designed for Kids, who enjoy the area. Not every addition has to be a headliner, sometimes you need spaces for kids to have fun whilst giving the adults a break

The problem isn’t that it’s not a headline. A giant ramp isn’t actually that great of a play space, especially compared to the impressive structure that was there before.

 

[Surferboy567]

As a huge Harry Potter fan, I’m surprised by the lack of discussion about the land and ministry. I’ve heard the ride has had problems but the entire land?

 

[ToTBellHop]

As a huge Harry Potter fan, I’m surprised by the lack of discussion about the land and ministry. I’ve heard the ride has had problems but the entire land?

My friend was unable to ride Ministry so I’ve heard nothing on that.

 

[Surferboy567]

Can confirm all points.

Keeping things vague on purpose, but the queue had a certain… familiar vibe.

It got me once, but no - definitely not that level of scary. The queue has to serve its purpose, so naturally, there's less room for that kind of intensity. But the overall direction? Yeah, I can see the inspiration.

Would you say that the ride intensity is Forbidden Journey level? Interested in checking this out, but scare easily. Haven’t done HHN.

 

[Surferboy567]

My friend was unable to ride Ministry so I’ve heard nothing on that.

Do you know if the entire land was closed or just the attraction? Very curious on the queue as well.

 

[UNCgolf]

I certainly don't think either of you are wrong on this. But I think what we define as generic IP, is still just IP by a different take. Americana and American landmarks are still pulling at a deep emotional connection that penetrates most generations of North America quite well.

But I think the argument than a Mainland Chinese visitor would have about the same emotional connection to it (Americana) as you both feel to HTTYD is probably equally true. Staying generic is perhaps "safer", or at least more broad based, but both operators are still chasing that Harry Potter high. When a generation has a rabid connection to a particular place from IP, it sort of coalesces into something that exceeds "generic".

Dark Universe isn't really more or less IP than HTTYD per se. Though more penetrative, particularly because it's older. So really the issue isn't HTTYD, but rather if it is popular enough to begin with. Perhaps it isn't.

I don't think people need to do homework.... but I would actually encourage people to watch the trilogy. I think you'll actually engage with what's there in an asymmetric way afterwards. It's quite a competent trilogy, despite how silly outwardly it looks and is named for that matter.

I think this is a big part of it. I've said before that I think there are only a handful of IPs that are popular enough/have broad enough appeal to really work as a draw for a single IP land, especially if they don't have some kind of unique setting that can be a draw without IP knowledge. HP and Star Wars are two of them. I'm not sure Avatar would be in a vacuum, but the land itself is really well done and works as an interesting/beautiful setting without any connection to the IP (I've never seen Avatar and love Pandora). HTTYD could absolutely succeed on this level, even if it doesn't for me personally.

As you mentioned, a visitor from mainland China may not have any knowledge of something like Route 66 (and I'm not sure how many Americans even do at this point), but I think it's unique/visually distinct, which is always a big help. I also think that kind of real world setting just has a broader cultural penetration, as you also mentioned.

I think it's a double-edged sword -- a single IP land is a draw for fans of the IP, but it may also be a deterrent for people who don't know/care about the IP if there isn't something distinct about the land itself. For example, Marvel is probably big enough to work regardless, but I doubt people who don't care about the Marvel IP see much appeal in Avengers Campus (although that's admittedly bland on another level compared to most theme park lands).

HP is probably the biggest IP in the world (maybe not the movies themselves, although they're up there, but when you factor in the actual book series), so it's always been silly to me that any of the operators think something else is going to succeed to that extent.

Was this a long time ago? The attraction has dropped off a cliff at both resorts. Single rider is now generally a walk on. The downside is you are almost always an Engineer and I've become quite sick of the setup as a result. Also the downside with skipping the pre-show.

Yeah, it was. Early 2020 (pre-COVID). Not surprised it's dropped off a cliff because it's not a good attraction.

 

[Agent H]

I will always be DreamWorks Land's biggest defender. It's better themed than KidZone, more relevant and designed for Kids, who enjoy the area. Not every addition has to be a headliner, sometimes you need spaces for kids to have fun whilst giving the adults a break

I disagree but props for sticking to your guns.

 

[Moth]

Do you know if the entire land was closed or just the attraction? Very curious on the queue as well.

I heard land is open but attraction is reportedly having technical issues

 

[mkt]

Would you say that the ride intensity is Forbidden Journey level? Interested in checking this out, but scare easily. Haven’t done HHN.

More.

 

[mkt]

the entire land?

It's amazing.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I certainly don't think either of you are wrong on this. But I think what we define as generic IP, is still just IP by a different take. Americana and American landmarks are still pulling at a deep emotional connection that penetrates most generations of North America quite well.

But I think the argument than a Mainland Chinese visitor would have about the same emotional connection to it (Americana) as you both feel to HTTYD is probably equally true. Staying generic is perhaps "safer", or at least more broad based, but both operators are still chasing that Harry Potter high. When a generation has a rabid connection to a particular place from IP, it sort of coalesces into something that exceeds "generic".

It does seem like the calculation is that an established IP is safer, at least in the short term. I think the genius in Disneyland's identification of broad themes that tapped into (and continue to tap into) a broader popular subconscious is still actually a good model, as shown by the continued success of the parks based on the DL model. Of course, when adapting to new markets like Shanghai that may mean excluding some themes that don't resonate with that audience and introducing new ones.

To use perhaps a tortured analogy, I think the difference is akin to a library or book store organised according to different themes or genres that allows for different works to be added or taken off the shelves as time goes on versus just having shelves stocked with a single title in each section. The first approach allows more entry points into the theme and for people to relate to it in different ways as well as the possibility for it to be refreshed over time. The latter gives perhaps the most popular take on the genre, but is ultimately far more restrictive. Harry Potter, for example, might be a rich series within the fantasy section, but if you just replace the fantasy section with a Harry Potter section then those who don't connect with Harry Potter are out of luck and if Harry Potter falls out of fashion you will have to empty the shelves and start over with a new title.

Dark Universe isn't really more or less IP than HTTYD per se. Though more penetrative, particularly because it's older. So really the issue isn't HTTYD, but rather if it is popular enough to begin with. Perhaps it isn't.

I do think monsters/horror goes beyond IP to a theme. They are populating it with IPs, but those can be changed and shifted around in a similar way to Fantasyland whereas they can't exactly put an experience based on anything other than HTTYD into HTTYD land. The broad theme is also something that is in the popular subconscious in a way that few individual films are, and certainly not HTTYD.

I don't think people need to do homework.... but I would actually encourage people to watch the trilogy. I think you'll actually engage with what's there in an asymmetric way afterwards. It's quite a competent trilogy, despite how silly outwardly it looks and is named for that matter.

All of this is nothing against the films, about which I've only heard positive things. It's more that I just never got around to seeing them!

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

Berk is the most visually striking and most balanced land in the park. Where a world like SNW suffers (in my opinion) for being too loud and overstimulating, Berk does not. A great family coaster (better layout, theming, and storyline than Slinky), a play area, a flat ride that can be as mild or wild as you’d like, an extremely fun and engaging boat ride, a show, meet & greets, characters roaming, ample shopping opportunities, themed food, and a lot of general kinetic energy to boot. I found myself gravitating back to this land the most, even just to stroll around. It’s got great scale and is just so visually appealing. Even if you aren’t familiar with the IP, you walk in and see Vikings, dragons, and Nordic design elements. A lot to love there.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

As far as not knowing the HTTYD IP, fortunately in the land there is a high quality stage show that will be happy to introduce you to the IP. But it's Vikings and dragons, even though cartoony, it not that hard to get.

And as far as Potter/Paris? Even though, the Ministry ride is completely dependent on knowing the lore of the IP (I mean, who is Deloris Umbridge, and why is she on trial?) It is still "Paris".

Monsters. Everyone knows Frankenstein and Dracula.

Mario rivals Mickey as the most recognizable IP on the planet.