SpectreJordan
Well-Known Member
I'm counting Springfield as gone already tbh. I don't see the contract being extended.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
Rob562
Well-Known Member
The two hotels that aren't the one adjacent to the park will likely be comparable to the Endless Summer hotels, which have fairly boring shapes and limited theming and decoration. Just palm trees.
-Rob
999th Happy Haunt
Well-Known Member
True. It’s somewhat of a shame because I think the springfield area itself is kind of nice, but the Simpsons ride drags it down so much with how bad it’s gotten in recent years. On my past couple rides even the team members were making a joke of it by saying the old Back to the Future safety speil.
SpectreJordan
Well-Known Member
I'm a massive Simpsons fan so I really enjoy the land but yeeeah, at the very least, the ride needs to go.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
The ride itself is in really bad shape... but the land is a money maker. I think Universal will try everything they can to retain the merchandising/dining rights for the property while they just get rid of the ride itself and use it with USF's massive expansion pad.
While I do agree that Endless Summer hotels have pretty drab exteriors, the rooms themselves are ridiculously good and the amenities are great. At the end of the day, they are value hotels designed for sleeping after a day at the parks.
The two new hotels are much more comparable to the prime-value category like Cabana Bay. The exteriors are gonna be amazing.
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial look across Dark Universe at the in-park resort of Epic Universe. Some of the Harry Potter related land is upper right.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe relative to the in-park Epic Universe resort and large fountain basin.
A very wide aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe.
Aerial look across Dark Universe to the large fountain basin in center of Epic Universe.
A nearly straight-down aerial photo of the portal and village of Dark Universe in Epic Universe.
Aerial look from the center of Epic Universe into Dark Universe.1 Believed to be a BBQ restaurant2 Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster3 Manor fronting the featured attraction4 Village and portal of the land
@bioreconstruct
Aerial look across Dark Universe at the in-park resort of Epic Universe. Some of the Harry Potter related land is upper right.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe relative to the in-park Epic Universe resort and large fountain basin.
A very wide aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe.
Aerial look across Dark Universe to the large fountain basin in center of Epic Universe.
A nearly straight-down aerial photo of the portal and village of Dark Universe in Epic Universe.
Aerial look from the center of Epic Universe into Dark Universe.1 Believed to be a BBQ restaurant2 Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster3 Manor fronting the featured attraction4 Village and portal of the land
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
I wonder if Universal Creative will give a subtle nod or two to Haunted Mansion in their new Monster Manor ride?
If they do, I imagine it will be something satirical in nature (and in predictable fashion, all the Disney fanboys will fail to see the satire and accuse them of just being copycats.) But they might be past that phase of openly poking fun at Disney. I can't remember the last time they did it.
Rich Brownn
Well-Known Member
Loo
Look at the current billboards -- they are a subtle stab at Disney.
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
I could see a Pepper's Ghost effect with the Invisible Man. (Or maybe I CAN'T see it....)
rd805
Well-Known Member
After EU is done, I think they will focus on cleaning USF a bit too. They are already upgrading the kids section, but I think replacements for Rip Ride Rockit, Fast & the Furious, empty theatre / Fear Factor HAVE to be in the works....right? RIGHT?! (PLEASE ha).
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
They're getting a mini-boost next year with a pretty decent entertainment package and retheme of Kidzone to keep the park fresh while they work on larger plans. Universal has been very public about continuing investments/expansion at their parks.
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
Is Rip Ride Rockit that bad? I hate what it's done for the views of the park (and I've never actually been on it because nobody I'm with ever cares to ride it) but it offers something unique to that park aside from the screen-based simulator attractions thrown everywhere.
999th Happy Haunt
Well-Known Member
It's not great at all. Theming is non-existent and is by far the roughest ride in the resort. Getting to pick your song is fun but it sounds like the amount of choices has been slashed significantly.
If I had to bet, I'd think we'll see a retheme of Rockit to F&F, freeing up the Supercharged plot for future development while still keeping the IP in the park.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
As much as I, and lots of fans, despise Rockit... it's a favorite of the GP. Gets high guest satisfaction scores and, I really hate saying this, has become an "icon" of the resort.
The one positive about it is the kinetic energy it brings to half the park since every other attraction is indoors and the lands are just a concrete wasteland with bare bone soundstages and facades.
The one positive about it is the kinetic energy it brings to half the park since every other attraction is indoors and the lands are just a concrete wasteland with bare bone soundstages and facades.
WDWFREAK53
Well-Known Member
I could see a retheme...but (no pun intended) ripping the ride out seems like a lot of work to remove an attraction especially when it gets high guest ratings.
I'd imagine F&F is the first one on the chopping block.
TalkToEthan
Well-Known Member
No,
Forbidden Journey is one herky-jerky ride……nothing fluid whatsoever about it. It has abrupt turns and twists delivering a disjunct performance.
If FJ were a band it would be Primus
It will reach the end of its operating life in the next five to seven years.
UNCgolf
Well-Known Member
I hated Forbidden Journey and this was part of it. Even if the rest of the experience was fantastic -- and I actually don't think it is; there are some great moments but far too much of the ride is just a boring broom flight simulation -- it's incredibly unpleasant to actually ride.
I don't have any desire to ride it again because the ride content isn't remotely good enough to make it worth dealing with the awful jerkiness.