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

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes. Without a change of clothes on hand, or panchos and a lot of luck, it tends to be a soggy hassle.

No one ever really topped the soaking wet ride designs of Busch Gardens Tampa and Toon Lagoon at Islands of Adventure in my humble opinion.

I think IOA ruined water rides forever

“Hey…let’s dump the equivalent of a tanker truck on everyone stupid enough to get in a boat!!!!”

Mission:accomplished

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I think IOA ruined water rides forever

“Hey…let’s dump the equivalent of a tanker truck on everyone stupid enough to get in a boat!!!!”

Mission:accomplished

...and that happens to be my son's favorite attraction (Popeye). We went and it was pretty chilly...he rode it 6 times in a row without getting out of the raft. When you're completely drenched head to toe...you can't get any wetter so might as well get it out of your system.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I just wear my swimsuit to IoA. But we admittedly won’t do Ripsaw Falls or Popeye under 85 degrees.

 

[rd805]

I think IOA ruined water rides forever

“Hey…let’s dump the equivalent of a tanker truck on everyone stupid enough to get in a boat!!!!”

Mission:accomplished

The IoA water 'tri-fecta' is the way to go in the hot summer. Bang all 3 out right after eachother and have a wet ball!

 

[WDWFREAK53]

The IoA water 'tri-fecta' is the way to go in the hot summer. Bang all 3 out right after eachother and have a wet ball!

Certainly results in a wet seat on Kong.

 

[celluloid]

I think IOA ruined water rides forever

“Hey…let’s dump the equivalent of a tanker truck on everyone stupid enough to get in a boat!!!!”

Mission:accomplished

What is wild is IOA's Dudley Dorights and Popeyes specifically get some of the highest G-sat ratings. I guess as you said one aspect is they deliver on what they deliver.

People keep thinking Dudley would close, but it rates so dang high.

For what it is worth, I actually change in Toon Lagoon before River Adventure.

If you don't mind staying soaked though, might as well check out the Park Ranger guns vs dinos are Camp Jurassic. Those are so much fun. Suspecting combat or unsuspecting victims.

River Adventure is more of a splash of random and for the most part my socks and unders are dry.

The others, I have been less wet jumping into a pool.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Universal is going to build and open EPIC Universe in less time than Disney will take to do (whatever its trying to do) in EPCOT.

 

[celluloid]

Universal is going to build and open EPIC Universe in less time than Disney will take to do (whatever its trying to do) in EPCOT.

They have already taken the time to track a coaster to install The Hatbox Ghost.

 

[rd805]

Universal is going to build and open EPIC Universe in less time than Disney will take to do (whatever its trying to do) in EPCOT.

It's stunning -- the difference in urgency has been glaring for years.

 

[trr1]

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Universal is going to build and open EPIC Universe in less time than Disney will take to do (whatever its trying to do) in EPCOT.

You didn’t come to that conclusion like 3 years ago?

It's stunning -- the difference in urgency has been glaring for years.

…that’s 100% on purpose …”philosophical”

I wish we had seen this coming huh? I bet Wall Street does

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I just wear my swimsuit to IoA. But we admittedly won’t do Ripsaw Falls or Popeye under 85 degrees.

…you tease

 

[JT3000]

…so you’re giving air to that nonsense?

Anyway…I meant splashy water rides…not boat rides that serve as dark ride conveyance

Domestic Parks - at least - don’t build soakers…even when it’s ungodly hot…

SeaWorld opened a raft ride a couple years ago.

 

[lazyboy97o]

SeaWorld opened a raft ride a couple years ago.

Six Flags Over Georgia just announced a new water ride with a big splash zone a few days ago.

 

[Twirlnhurl]

Once every amusement park has one or two, park operators found that there was not a lot of demand for more. Additionally, lots of guests dislike walking around in wet clothes. The rise of cell phones probably reduced demand as well.

I other words, the boom in water rides ended when the market got "saturated" with them.

I think I will leave now.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Once every amusement park has one or two, park operators found that there was not a lot of demand for more. Additionally, lots of guests dislike walking around in wet clothes. The rise of cell phones probably reduced demand as well.

I other words, the boom in water rides ended when the market got "saturated" with them.

I think I will leave now.

Your logic is all wet.

 

[RandySavage]

Interesting to see the design evolution of the park with a side by side of birdseye found and posted at themeparx.com.

 

[RandySavage]

 

[RandySavage]

 

[SpectreJordan]

Invisible Man did do well critically.

But now try imaging that 'invisible man' fitting into a new 'Monster Universe.'

These reboot failures go to my point which I've made before, which I know many don't like, that the "Universal Monsters" IP isn't going to be too attractive to guests. Yes, I know that some here have warm feelings to them. Do you believe the general public, or children, have the same nostalgia?

If the rides of Monster Land are good, Monster Land will do well, because the rides are good.

If the rides aren't that good... don't count on the IP to save it.

I know this post is a couple months old but I'm just lurking this thread.

I think the Universal monsters are so entrenched in pop culture that they don't need relevant movies to make this land work. The Halloween holiday's helped make them a permanent part of American culture. Everyone knows who Dracula, Frankenstein & the Wolfman are even if they've never seen a movie with them in it. I'm even speaking from experience since I've never seen any of those films before last October.

Of course, the rides still need to be good to support an entire land. But the same could be said for any IP... besides Diagon Alley.