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

trr1

trr1

Well-Known Member


bioreconstruct

@bioreconstruct


Aerial overview of Universal's Epic Universe site.
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Only Universal knows why a single palm tree was planted many months ago in the Epic Universe site. An aerial view today. It might mark the center of the theme park. It might be from the equivalent of a topping off ceremony; a milestone in the site preparation.
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lebeau

lebeau

Well-Known Member
InnKpr said:
And here we go again. :facepalm:

View attachment 444679
When will journalists figure out the difference between theme parks and lands within a theme park?

Was there this much confusion between the two back in the day?
"Walt Disney unveils new Pirates/New Orleans Square theme park in southern California..." :rolleyes:
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Would we be surprised if Universal (water park, theme park = same difference) is the source of the confusion?
 
J

Josh Hendy

Well-Known Member
Sorry for the newb-like question but ... at one point I heard that a presumably small-sized Nintendo land would be put into USO replacing (I think) Woody Woodpecker kid zone.

But that is now shelved in favor of building a full-sized land with four rides/attractions in the new theme park opening circa 2023. Correct?
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
Josh Hendy said:
Sorry for the newb-like question but ... at one point I heard that a presumably small-sized Nintendo land would be put into USO replacing (I think) Woody Woodpecker kid zone.

But that is now shelved in favor of building a full-sized land with four rides/attractions in the new theme park opening circa 2023. Correct?
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The initial Kid‘s Zone pitch was not small, but included Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Kirby, The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. As the concept developed for Japan the focus shifted to what we see being built, a Super Mario Bros. land with a Donkey Kong expansion. In Florida, it was decided to place this land in the upcoming park with The Legend of Zelda at Islands of Adventure and Pokémon at Universal Studios Florida in Kid’s Zone opening first. When Epic Universe was pushed ahead the focus shifted to that park having the first Nintendo lands with Zelda and Pokémon put on hold.
 
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The Grand Inquisitor

The Grand Inquisitor

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
The initial Kid‘s Zone pitch was not small, but included Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Kirby, The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. As the concept developed for Japan the focus shifted to what we see being built, a Super Mario Bros. land with a Donkey Kong expansion. In Florida, it was decided to place this land in the upcoming park with The Legend of Zelda at Islands of Adventure and Pokémon at Universal Studios Florida in Kid’s Zone opening first. When Epic Universe was pushed ahead the focus shifted to that park having the first Nintendo lands with Zelda and Pokémon put on hold.
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I believe Pokemon will replace kidzone around 2024-2026.
 
trr1

trr1

Well-Known Member


bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial overview of a portion of Universal's Epic Universe. Glimpse of the UOR North campus top right. Sand Lake Rd also diagonal that corner. Plan is to extend Kirkman at interchange (also that corner) through grey sand easement top left.
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Aerial view of an interesting area of project infrastructure in progress in Universal's Epic Universe.
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Aerial look at two berms in the Universal's Epic Universe site. Near top is berm covered with topsoil. Running at center is a less wide berm with what seems to be bamboo, as a green buffer for residences.
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Aerial view of berms in the Universal's Epic Universe site. Project offices likely at center. Along canal is berm added as buffer for residences. At top, Destination Pwy.
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Overview of much of Universal's Epic Universe site. At center, an excavation for project infrastructure. On horizon is downtown Orlando. At bottom, staging of roller coaster track, likely for an unannounced project in Jurassic Park.
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Views of excavation in Universal's Epic Universe site. Project infrastructure.
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Aerial view of an excavation in Universal's Epic Universe site. Project infrastructure.
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GSP Guy

GSP Guy

Well-Known Member
MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
JT3000 said:
It's a neat idea, but if this is the finished product, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The obvious slots in the hillside both look bad and ruin the effect itself. They also need to slow them down quite a bit.
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Yeah, if you don't put the supports at the extreme ends, you wouldn't need to have visible slots.
 
SplashJacket

SplashJacket

Well-Known Member
MisterPenguin said:
Yeah, if you don't put the supports at the extreme ends, you wouldn't need to have visible slots.
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Exactly, which makes it all the more confusing why it was done the way it was. You can place your finger at the center of the cloud when it is stopped and once it is stopped at the other side your finger is barely not covered by the cloud at the end. Very bizarre design choice...
 
Tom Morrow

Tom Morrow

Well-Known Member
Yeah... it doesn't look great. Giant slots, painted on rock details, and if you've seen the aerial photos in the other thread, the land appears to be extremely cramped and cluttered to a degree that makes Hogsmeade look big and open by comparison. My impression is that they’ve leaned way too hard into the “make it look like the retro games” angle and the result is cheap, tacky, and visually unappealing. I hope the rides are good enough to make up for this.
 

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