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

[Animaniac93-98]

You can clutch your pearls all you want when hearing someone claim it's a weak franchise. It is weak. It hasn't been leveraged as a strong franchise in the parks. Modern movies based on them fail. Grab your smelling salts and deal with it.

The 1999 Universal Mummy movie wasn't a hit? Or the ride it's based on?

People didn't like the Monsters maze at this year's HHN? Or last year in Hollywood?

Universal keeps reissuing the old black-and-white movies, and merch based on them because they don't sell?

You gave a terrible take and got called out on it. As you would say, "deal with it".

 

[The Pho]

And yes, I contend the franchise is weak. I asked above when was the last time a Frankenstein remake was popular... as a satire in Young Frankenstein.

Hotel Transylvania (although its Sony not Universal) is a billion dollar franchise and quite current, with a popular theme park attraction.

The base characters remain quite popular.

 

[JoeCamel]

They're going to have to have next level SFX for such a ride (think Haunted Mansion on steroids) for such a weak IP, otherwise this will be another Fast and Furious.

You realize that their original appeal was to a generation now in their 80s, don't you?

This is the horror version of Toon Island. Ack!

It isn't posting my reply

Basically I said "Just because they are classics doesn't mean they're irrelevant."

I think the land regardless will be amazing. The relevancy of the IP is irrelevant. Universal Monsters are classic and are extremely popular. Plus Frankenstein is a very popular character among kids and adults. Plus who wouldn't like a Haunted Mansion ride on steroids with all of the monsters!!!

The point being that F&F was a $5 Billion franchise and the ride fizzled.

Whether you think the Universal Monsters franchise is weak or strong, don't look to the franchise to save it if the ride is weak.

And yes, I contend the franchise is weak. I asked above when was the last time a Frankenstein remake was popular... as a satire in Young Frankenstein.

And Universal's version of Frankenstein's monster is especially weak compared to all the modern horror monster franchises. Same with Universal's version of Count Dracula.

You can clutch your pearls all you want when hearing someone claim it's a weak franchise. It is weak. It hasn't been leveraged as a strong franchise in the parks. Modern movies based on them fail. Grab your smelling salts and deal with it.

So is the IP strength necessary for a ride/land? That seems to be the thinking from WDW for the last 10 years and I wonder if it can be said to be working?
My point is that a strong IP does not make a great attraction. One does not equal the other. If done well a ride can be stand alone original just as an original HHN house can be much better than IP houses. It is ALL in the imagination and the execution of the show.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

Mickey Mouse is such a weak IP to base a ride like MMRR on. The orginal target audience is over 80 years old and when was the last time that a movie based on a franchise from the “Golden Age of Animation” successful

When was the last time a movie based off these properties were successful was popular... as a costar with world famous baseball player with Michael Jordan in Space Jam.

And Disney’s Mickey Mouse is especially weak compared to great modern day cartoons like Teen Titans Go. Same with Goofy.

Let’s see there was Popeye with Robin Williams. BOMB

Looney Tunes Back in Action. BOMB

Woody Woodpecker with Farts. CRITICALLY HATED DIRECT TO DVD RELEASE.

You can clutch your pearls all you want when hearing someone claim it's a weak franchise. It is weak. It hasn't been leveraged as a strong franchise in the parks. Modern movies based on them fail. Grab your smelling salts and deal with it. What Disney really needs to build is a Michael Jordan land.

 

[cheezbat]

I just wanted to mention that the Monsters dark ride is rumored to be utilizing a Kula based ride system.

Hopefully it’s not the same as Forbidden Journey. I’d much rather see that Kuka on a coaster track brought to life.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Mickey Mouse is such a weak IP to base a ride like MMRR on. The orginal target audience is over 80 years old and when was the last time that a movie based on a franchise from the “Golden Age of Animation” successful

When was the last time a movie based off these properties were successful was popular... as a costar with world famous baseball player with Michael Jordan in Space Jam.

And Disney’s Mickey Mouse is especially weak compared to great modern day cartoons like Teen Titans Go. Same with Goofy.

Let’s see there was Popeye with Robin Williams. BOMB

Looney Tunes Back in Action. BOMB

Woody Woodpecker with Farts. CRITICALLY HATED DIRECT TO DVD RELEASE.

You can clutch your pearls all you want when hearing someone claim it's a weak franchise. It is weak. It hasn't been leveraged as a strong franchise in the parks. Modern movies based on them fail. Grab your smelling salts and deal with it. What Disney really needs to build is a Michael Jordan land.

The new Mickey shorts are pretty good

 

[MisterPenguin]

The 1999 Universal Mummy movie wasn't a hit? Or the ride it's based on?

I see your 1999 Mummy Movie and raise you the 2001 The Mummy Returns, the 2002 The Scorpion King, and the 2017 mega-flop remake of The Mummy.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Hotel Transylvania (although its Sony not Universal) is a billion dollar franchise and quite current, with a popular theme park attraction.

The base characters remain quite popular.

Universal Monsters are not the base characters.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

Universal Monsters are not the base characters.

Just curious what counts as a "Universal Monster" movie? You used Young Frankenstein as the last example of a successful Universal Frankenstein movie, but that was distributed by 20th Century Fox (and now is owned by Disney of course).

Do you mean that it's directly inspired by Universal's monsters? Because, I would argue that HT is just as inspired by their monsters just as much as YF.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Just curious what counts as a "Universal Monster" movie? You used Young Frankenstein as the last example of a successful Universal Frankenstein movie, but that was distributed by 20th Century Fox (and now is owned by Disney of course).

Do you mean that it's directly inspired by Universal's monsters? Because, I would argue that HT is just as inspired by their monsters just as much as YF.

For any old Frankenstein movie, the most recent successful one was a satire of the old Universal one.

Are the old Universal monsters iconic? Yes.

Iconic enough to save an ordinary ride or land? Most likely not.

 

[Rich Brownn]

The point being that F&F was a $5 Billion franchise and the ride fizzled.

Whether you think the Universal Monsters franchise is weak or strong, don't look to the franchise to save it if the ride is weak.

And yes, I contend the franchise is weak. I asked above when was the last time a Frankenstein remake was popular... as a satire in Young Frankenstein.

And Universal's version of Frankenstein's monster is especially weak compared to all the modern horror monster franchises. Same with Universal's version of Count Dracula.

You can clutch your pearls all you want when hearing someone claim it's a weak franchise. It is weak. It hasn't been leveraged as a strong franchise in the parks. Modern movies based on them fail. Grab your smelling salts and deal with it.

And yet there's a house based on classic monsters, shows up in commercials etc. Then again, I forget who I was talking with. You bias is constant, at least.

 

[JT3000]

The point being that F&F was a $5 Billion franchise and the ride fizzled.

Whether you think the Universal Monsters franchise is weak or strong, don't look to the franchise to save it if the ride is weak.

And yes, I contend the franchise is weak. I asked above when was the last time a Frankenstein remake was popular... as a satire in Young Frankenstein.

And Universal's version of Frankenstein's monster is especially weak compared to all the modern horror monster franchises. Same with Universal's version of Count Dracula.

You can clutch your pearls all you want when hearing someone claim it's a weak franchise. It is weak. It hasn't been leveraged as a strong franchise in the parks. Modern movies based on them fail. Grab your smelling salts and deal with it.

I'm sorry... WHAT? With all due respect to Mary Shelley, Universal's Frankenstein is unarguably thee Frankenstein. Good luck finding a more prolific version, since 95% of the character's depictions in media are ripped straight from Universal's design. And even though they can't use Bela Lugosi's likeness outside of the films, they're also responsible for many of Dracula's archetypal features.

Hate on the Monsters all you want, but this is just being ridiculous. It's like saying Disney's versions of ANY of their fairy tale characters are all weak.

The argument that they only appeal to 80-year-olds is equally absurd. Do you think Mickey Mouse only appeals to 80-year-olds? Snow White? King Kong? These are all characters that have never fallen out of the public consciousness since their (film) inception in the mid-20th century.

For any old Frankenstein movie, the most recent successful one was a satire of the old Universal one.

Are the old Universal monsters iconic? Yes.

Iconic enough to save an ordinary ride or land? Most likely not.

Why you're already assuming this land will be "ordinary" is beyond me. You've seen literally nothing indicating as much.

 

[JustInTime]

I think a universal monsters land will do very well...

 

[Frankenstein79]

I think as long as they make a great land and rides it will do well. I think ride quality is more important than an IP (see Fast and the Furious).

 

[MisterPenguin]

I think as long as they make a great land and rides it will do well. I think ride quality is more important than an IP (see Fast and the Furious).

Which was my main point.

The secondary point was Universal Monsters isn't strong enough if the quality isn't there. Those incredulous at that still have the burden of proof to show that they're actually very popular. Current cinema would indicate that they're not (with the exception of vampire stories that stray very far from Universal classic Dracula). Think Avatar. Once very popular, died down fandom. But the land and ride done very well saved it.

Universal does some things very well (Potter lands) and some things horribly badly (Fast and Furious) [oh my! just look how biased I am, @Rich Brownn !]. Don't know why anyone would think this is slam dunk. I'm not saying it won't be, I'm just saying what Universal needs to do to avoid another F&F.

 

[RustySpork]

Which was my main point.

The secondary point was Universal Monsters isn't strong enough if the quality isn't there. Those incredulous at that still have the burden of proof to show that they're actually very popular. Current cinema would indicate that they're not (with the exception of vampire stories that stray very far from Universal classic Dracula). Think Avatar. Once very popular, died down fandom. But the land and ride done very well saved it.

Universal does some things very well (Potter lands) and some things horribly badly (Fast and Furious) [oh my! just look how biased I am, @Rich Brownn !]. Don't know why anyone would think this is slam dunk. I'm not saying it won't be, I'm just saying what Universal needs to do to avoid another F&F.

Some things that will be slam dunks: Nintendo Land, Fantastic Beasts. Things that may not be: Everything else.

 

[The Pho]

Universal Monsters are not the base characters.

I never said they were. Just pointing out that the characters are still very profitable and popular, in counter to your point that Young Frankenstein is the last instance of that.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I think as long as they make a great land and rides it will do well. I think ride quality is more important than an IP (see Fast and the Furious).

That is all that matters tbh. I think Epic Universe has a fantastic lineup of lands for everyone to love. Supercharged was a massive dumpster fire but I know universal realizes it and will not make the same mistake twice.

 

[RustySpork]

That is all that matters tbh. I think Epic Universe has a fantastic lineup of lands for everyone to love. Supercharged was a massive dumpster fire but I know universal realizes it and will not make the same mistake twice.

It'll continue to be a mistake until they demolish it and build something good though. Even if it's just more restrooms.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

It'll continue to be a mistake until they demolish it and build something good though. Even if it's just more restrooms.

Demo it and make it a actually good fast and furious ride like test track.