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

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Paramount/cbs owns the top gun rights…there were top gun coasters at several parks in the 90’s

Tolkien would be interesting…but a tough build

Is Lord of the Rings still a popular IP?

It’s been 20 years since Return, I think middle aged people would absolutely love it, I’m just not sure if it would be relevant for kids under 20.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Is Lord of the Rings still a popular IP?

It’s been 20 years since Return, I think middle aged people would absolutely love it, I’m just not sure if it would be relevant for kids under 20.

The argument was it would make a good themed land regardless

And those stories are 100 years old and they manage to pop back up with some regularity

 

[some other guy]

I think LotR works nicer like they had for the NZ sets, wandering around environments than actual rides, like not even as a dig on the "and then they walked, and then they walked some more, and then they walked past the legendary Shrub of Arbordor, who in the Second Age bore witness to the Battle of Coriander"

I know they are building a little Mattel theme park but I’d pass on all of this other sword and sorcery stuff for a well done Masters of the Universe land. The visuals of Grayskull and Snake Mountain, the uniqueness of the technology being interwoven into the sword and sorcery and not to mention the cool vehicles which would be perfect for attraction ride vehicles. I know the franchise is limping along while a movie sits in development hell but it would make an amazing theme park land.

normally it would be "oh, that must be _your_ crack pipe over there, I knew somebody dropped one" to place MotU alongside Tolkien, but yeah it seems like it would be easier to theme park up The Slime Pit or something than try to make something out of Mordor without it looking sorta dumb and trashy to have "uhh... so... Sauron thought it would be cool to have a roller coaster?"

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I think LotR works nicer like they had for the NZ sets, wandering around environments than actual rides, like not even as a dig on the "and then they walked, and then they walked some more, and then they walked past the legendary Shrub of Arbordor, who in the Second Age bore witness to the Battle of Coriander"

normally it would be "oh, that must be _your_ crack pipe over there, I knew somebody dropped one" to place MotU alongside Tolkien, but yeah it seems like it would be easier to theme park up The Slime Pit or something than try to make something out of Mordor without it looking sorta dumb and trashy to have "uhh... so... Sauron thought it would be cool to have a roller coaster?"

Exactly. Obviously they aren’t on the same literary level haha. But as far as translating to a theme park, IMO Lord of the Rings is too vast and doesn’t really have any real instance that I think translates well to an attraction. Sure the aesthetics of the land would be amazing but it doesn’t seem “fun.”

 

[Andrew25]

Financially ---

How much does it cost to build a coaster say like Veloci-coaster compared to say an attraction like The forbidden journey ?

Velocicoaster could have cost $1 Billion dollars and it still would be a better return on investment than Forbidden Journey or most modern dark rides built by Disney or Universal in the past few years...

 

[DonniePeverley]

Velocicoaster could have cost $1 Billion dollars and it still would be a better return on investment than Forbidden Journey or most modern dark rides built by Disney or Universal in the past few years...

Nonsense of the highest order.

The Harry Potter lands and attractions were game changers for Universal - look at the massive jump in attendances once they were built.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Nonsense of the highest order.

The Harry Potter lands and attractions were game changers for Universal - look at the massive jump in attendances once they were built.

For once, I agree with you. The Harry Potter lands print money and are largely the reason that Universal was able to expand from 3 resort hotels to 8, add a water park, and now a 3rd theme park. Universal Orlando was flailing before the WWoHP arrived.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Nonsense of the highest order.

The Harry Potter lands and attractions were game changers for Universal - look at the massive jump in attendances once they were built.

The lands are amazing but the rides aren't the reason for that, the only rides at the HP lands that are "must do" for us are Hagrids and the Hogwarts express, I could spend days at the HP lands and not be bothered to ride Forbidden Journey or Gringots.

That said I can't imagine going to Universal and not riding Velocicoaster and Hagrids, arguably 2 of the best rides in the world.

 

[MisterPenguin]

For once, I agree with you. The Harry Potter lands print money and are largely the reason that Universal was able to expand from 3 resort hotels to 8, add a water park, and now a 3rd theme park. Universal Orlando was flailing before the WWoHP arrived.

All thanks to a coaster: Flight of the Hippogriff for making Universal popular!!

 

[Andrew25]

Nonsense of the highest order.

The Harry Potter lands and attractions were game changers for Universal - look at the massive jump in attendances once they were built.

My comment wasn't meant to hit at Forbidden Journey, it's an excellent addition, but he land itself was the main driver of the ridiculous attendance jump at UOR.

 

[JoeCamel]

A Star Wars hotel should've been an actual hotel along with the role-playing aspect. Why not board a shuttle and fly to Cloud City? It wouldn't need to be a space cruiser...it could be another destination. You could spend as much time there as you want. Your role-playing activities could be based around your length of stay.
They could still limit the transportation to Batuu...but also add a small bus service to other parks just from a back terminal that could've utilized the Minnie Vans.

Star wars hotel?///????

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Star wars hotel?///????

Sorry, wrong thread haha.

 

[Jedijax719]

Just got back. Hella cool (but weather hella hot). Ministry of Magic will be amazing entry into the Wizarding World trio. Too bad they can't rig up another Hogwarts Express kind of thing to get from one part to and from the Ministry.

I wonder if the Ministry will be completely in doors like a big mall or museum or something?

Oh, and frozen butter beer!!! I am on complete withdrawl and may need rehab from not having any for two days!

 

[lazyboy97o]

I wonder if the Ministry will be completely in doors like a big mall or museum or something?

It’ll be indoors buts it’s not really a place to explore. It’s more just the queue for the ride.

 

[Jedijax719]

It’ll be indoors buts it’s not really a place to explore. It’s more just the queue for the ride.

Hmmm....interesting. So, will they actually have an area to explore like DA and HM with shops, food, shows, etc.?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Hmmm....interesting. So, will they actually have an area to explore like DA and HM with shops, food, shows, etc.?

The land itself is Paris, mostly Place Cachée and some other locales seen in Crimes of Grindelwald.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

After watching this video, I actually think an indoor Barbie area could work for this or another Universal park like the one in Texas.

Disney has a toy land and Princesses, this feels like an opportunity to target a similar audience, but build an environment that does the concept of toys brought to life better:

 

[lazyboy97o]

After watching this video, I actually think an indoor Barbie area could work for this or another Universal park like the one in Texas.

Disney has a toy land and Princesses, this feels like an opportunity to target a similar audience, but build an environment that does the concept of toys brought to life better:

Mattel is currently interested in smaller regional offerings. VAI Resort in Phoenix will have a stand alone Barbie attraction along with the Mattel Adventure Park.

 

[Jedijax719]

The land itself is Paris, mostly Place Cachée and some other locales seen in Crimes of Grindelwald.

Personally, I think that is cool and would be excited (even though none of the FB movies excited us). However, I am not sure how well that will go over to the public since the FB movies were pretty much either hated or very much disliked (especially COG). Unless they feature the French area in upcoming movies or shows, I question how this area will go over to HP fans.

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial overview of Universal Epic Universe.

June 18 aerial overview of Epic Universe, with construction of two resorts in foreground.Pilings starting for the raised full circle ramp at the intersection of Kirkman Rd and Epic Blvd (to parking).Recent work includes last ribs of the park's domed attraction.

Aerial look at a Universal resort under construction South of Epic Universe. Lobby to be at the large rectangular opening at center

Arrow in this aerial at new concrete forms at the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of the East side of Epic Universe. Some of the details include:1 Roof frame progress at the How to Train Your Dragon land's theater2 Steel tower recently added to this building in Dragon land3 Recently added track in the dual-racing coaster.

A nearly straight-down aerial photo of a dome in the center of Epic Universe.

Aerial look at a new Universal Resort, South of Epic Universe.Seems like this resort will have a fully paved guest parking area soon. Resort under construction across the street has mostly dirt parking right now.

Aerial look at theming in an area of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Epic Universe.

Very tall aerial photo with an interesting viewpoint of the How to Train Your Dragon coaster. Especially the parallel track at top. In Epic Universe.Dragon station top right.The two octagon foundations in foreground are for rotating flying rides.

Aerial photo which shows the depth of the pond that will be adjacent the center dome of Epic Universe.Compare to the depth of the pond taking shape at right edge of this photo.