Rich Brownn
Well-Known Member
Actually Tolkien himself said there's no religion in LoTR. Narnia was written because Lewis felt Tolkien dropped the ball on that.
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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
some other guy
Well-Known Member
I've seen some good cases made for allusion and references to general concepts like the shadow only corrupting, not creating, and even more when you get into deeper lore, but it's not worth arguing for this point.
Middle Earth was def never as OH HEY THIS GUY WHO'S KIND OF A BIG DEAL DIED! AND ROSE! AND LION! GET IT! HUH? HUH? overt as Narnia and Narnia has always been the third-stringer who deserves BBC miniseries that show off its charming humble British-ness while LotR gets infinite budget to slaughter computer orcs by the jillions.
you can take whatever spiritual lessons from that as you will
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
Some lovely "flyover-style" concept art vignettes for Epic Universe are now posted on Universal's website. (Apologies if this is old news: either this was posted in the last few days, or I've just been missing it previously -- some of the video animations are identical to the recently-released promo video, but others are not.) Just scroll down until you reach the movie-style screen with right and left arrows to "fly through" different portions of Celestial Park and learn more about select parts of it.
The animation is just gorgeous. Feels and looks like a series of art deco/steampunk Benoit Sokal-designed video game cutscenes to me, in all the best ways!
The animation is just gorgeous. Feels and looks like a series of art deco/steampunk Benoit Sokal-designed video game cutscenes to me, in all the best ways!
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trr1
Well-Known Member
https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of part of How To Train Your Dragon land. At center is a structure being built over the land's roller coaster. At top is the separate Starfall Racers dual-racing roller coaster in Epic Universe.
Arrow in this aerial photo where it seems like a tree root will be sculpted over the edge of the portal ring of Dark Universe. Possibly also a smaller root at the gap on the other side.Each of the Epic Universe portal rings so far has a open semicircle at top.
An aerial look back to Mar 23, 2019 when the Epic Universe site was being prepared.Arrow at a long time electrical distribution site.
Aerial look at the portal of Super Nintendo World.One of two portals in Epic Universe without a themed ring at the opening. The other portal is the park entrance.
An aerial photo where the strut shows how high the helicopter is above Epic Universe.
At center of this aerial photo is a structure being built over the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster.In foreground the Celestial Spin and Top Hat elements of the Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.
In this aerial photo of the Epic Universe area 1 Site prep for an electric bus depot 2 Long time electric distribution site 3 Ramp berm and supports for the elevated traffic circle to day guest parking 4 Day guest parking 5 Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World
Aerial overview of How To Train Your Dragon land. Also Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.
Aerial view of the site of an electric bus depot near Epic Universe.
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of part of How To Train Your Dragon land. At center is a structure being built over the land's roller coaster. At top is the separate Starfall Racers dual-racing roller coaster in Epic Universe.
Arrow in this aerial photo where it seems like a tree root will be sculpted over the edge of the portal ring of Dark Universe. Possibly also a smaller root at the gap on the other side.Each of the Epic Universe portal rings so far has a open semicircle at top.
An aerial look back to Mar 23, 2019 when the Epic Universe site was being prepared.Arrow at a long time electrical distribution site.
Aerial look at the portal of Super Nintendo World.One of two portals in Epic Universe without a themed ring at the opening. The other portal is the park entrance.
An aerial photo where the strut shows how high the helicopter is above Epic Universe.
At center of this aerial photo is a structure being built over the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster.In foreground the Celestial Spin and Top Hat elements of the Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.
In this aerial photo of the Epic Universe area 1 Site prep for an electric bus depot 2 Long time electric distribution site 3 Ramp berm and supports for the elevated traffic circle to day guest parking 4 Day guest parking 5 Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World
Aerial overview of How To Train Your Dragon land. Also Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.
Aerial view of the site of an electric bus depot near Epic Universe.
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
A very wide aerial photo with Dark Universe in foreground. Show building and features of the land. Rising at left is Helios Grand Hotel, inside Epic Universe. Near center is Starfall Racers, and to the right are the spinning dragon rides.
Aerial look across Epic Universe. Dark Universe in foreground. Helios Grand Hotel near center of this photo. Across from the large turquoise circular show fountain.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe. The large show building contains the featured attraction.
At top left of this aerial photo are poles for the construction of the Celes. Tiki bar in Epic Universe. At bottom right is the portal of Dark Universe.
Aerial overview of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial photos with details of recent work for the top of the waterfall at the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
Aerial photo with the current state of waterfall construction at the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
@bioreconstruct
A very wide aerial photo with Dark Universe in foreground. Show building and features of the land. Rising at left is Helios Grand Hotel, inside Epic Universe. Near center is Starfall Racers, and to the right are the spinning dragon rides.
Aerial look across Epic Universe. Dark Universe in foreground. Helios Grand Hotel near center of this photo. Across from the large turquoise circular show fountain.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe. The large show building contains the featured attraction.
At top left of this aerial photo are poles for the construction of the Celes. Tiki bar in Epic Universe. At bottom right is the portal of Dark Universe.
Aerial overview of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial photos with details of recent work for the top of the waterfall at the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
Aerial photo with the current state of waterfall construction at the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of lift hill theming at the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
Aerial look at theming in progress at the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial look at theming in progress at the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial photo of a section of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.At bottom left is a stack of "boards" staged for more trestle theming of the track supports.Nearby is half of a flower element. Likely to be placed on the stem at center of the photo.
Aerial photo of Mount Beanpole type of theming next to Peach's Castle.
Aerial photo of the Peach's Castle area of Super Nintendo World.
Aerial look at preparation for a concrete floor pour in Super Nintendo World.This area seen previously with a large amount of electrical conduit being routed across the structural floor.A layer of dense foam separates the new floor from the structural floor.
Aerial photo of Yoshi cars being uncovered in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial overview of How To Train Your Dragon land. Also Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of lift hill theming at the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
Aerial look at theming in progress at the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial look at theming in progress at the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial photo of a section of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World.At bottom left is a stack of "boards" staged for more trestle theming of the track supports.Nearby is half of a flower element. Likely to be placed on the stem at center of the photo.
Aerial photo of Mount Beanpole type of theming next to Peach's Castle.
Aerial photo of the Peach's Castle area of Super Nintendo World.
Aerial look at preparation for a concrete floor pour in Super Nintendo World.This area seen previously with a large amount of electrical conduit being routed across the structural floor.A layer of dense foam separates the new floor from the structural floor.
Aerial photo of Yoshi cars being uncovered in Super Nintendo World.
Aerial overview of How To Train Your Dragon land. Also Starfall Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
This all looks.......... EPIC.
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of the entrance of How To Train Your Dragon land.
Aerial photo of the entrance of How To Train Your Dragon land.
Aerial photo of a berm of trees in How To Train Your Dragon land that will block view of a Celestial Park building starting construction at right.
At center of this aerial photo is a berm of trees in How To Train Your Dragon land that will block view of a Celestial Park building starting construction at left.
Aerial photo of where the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster will zig-zag over water, then dive under a bridge.
Aerial photo of where the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster dives under a bridge.
Aerial photos of both sides of a shop in How To Train Your Dragon land. Much of the structure covered in scaffolding for sculpting and painting rock work.
Aerial photo of construction near Meade Hall in How To Train Your Dragon land.
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of the entrance of How To Train Your Dragon land.
Aerial photo of the entrance of How To Train Your Dragon land.
Aerial photo of a berm of trees in How To Train Your Dragon land that will block view of a Celestial Park building starting construction at right.
At center of this aerial photo is a berm of trees in How To Train Your Dragon land that will block view of a Celestial Park building starting construction at left.
Aerial photo of where the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster will zig-zag over water, then dive under a bridge.
Aerial photo of where the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster dives under a bridge.
Aerial photos of both sides of a shop in How To Train Your Dragon land. Much of the structure covered in scaffolding for sculpting and painting rock work.
Aerial photo of construction near Meade Hall in How To Train Your Dragon land.
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
At center of this aerial photo is scaffolding covering the sculpting of rock work at Meade Hall. Will be a featured dining location in How To Train Your Dragon land.
Aerial look at part of How To Train You Dragon land. Arrow at a recently completed wall.The front bay has a light coating now. The back bay (boat ride) had a light coating and then the dark coating now seen.
Aerial photo of the How To Train Your Dragon boat ride. Zoom in to see the belt has been installed on the station ramp. There's also pumps in the channel to move the boats.A slow moving water shooter ride. Note that the trees have flames. Believed to be called Fyre Drill.
Aerial look from the front of How To Train Your Dragon land to the theater
Aerial photo of structural frames being added in front of the theater in How To Train Your Dragon land. Theater is likely to have a show like in Universal Studios Beijing.
Aerial photo of the front of How To Train Your Dragon land. The bay's concrete floor has been coated with a bright surface. It is likely to get a second coating, a dark coating, like the back bay got recently.
At left in this aerial photo is the second launch of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster. Right next to it is rock work for a play area.Front of the building at center has 3 restrooms. Remainder of the building has electrical equipment to power the launch.
Aerial photo of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster at front of the land. Trains dive under a bridge, then circle 3 sheep, before heading into the second launch of the ride.
Aerial photo of the portal to How To Train Your Dragon land. At left is rock work at the second launch of the roller coaster, and an adjacent play area.
Aerial look at the portal of How to Train Your Dragon land.1 Sheep 2 A ladder in a service access 3 There are several of these octagons in Celestial Park. A few now with gazebo type structures. 4 There are multiple of these rectangular structures. Another near CelesTiki bar.
@bioreconstruct
At center of this aerial photo is scaffolding covering the sculpting of rock work at Meade Hall. Will be a featured dining location in How To Train Your Dragon land.
Aerial look at part of How To Train You Dragon land. Arrow at a recently completed wall.The front bay has a light coating now. The back bay (boat ride) had a light coating and then the dark coating now seen.
Aerial photo of the How To Train Your Dragon boat ride. Zoom in to see the belt has been installed on the station ramp. There's also pumps in the channel to move the boats.A slow moving water shooter ride. Note that the trees have flames. Believed to be called Fyre Drill.
Aerial look from the front of How To Train Your Dragon land to the theater
Aerial photo of structural frames being added in front of the theater in How To Train Your Dragon land. Theater is likely to have a show like in Universal Studios Beijing.
Aerial photo of the front of How To Train Your Dragon land. The bay's concrete floor has been coated with a bright surface. It is likely to get a second coating, a dark coating, like the back bay got recently.
At left in this aerial photo is the second launch of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster. Right next to it is rock work for a play area.Front of the building at center has 3 restrooms. Remainder of the building has electrical equipment to power the launch.
Aerial photo of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster at front of the land. Trains dive under a bridge, then circle 3 sheep, before heading into the second launch of the ride.
Aerial photo of the portal to How To Train Your Dragon land. At left is rock work at the second launch of the roller coaster, and an adjacent play area.
Aerial look at the portal of How to Train Your Dragon land.1 Sheep 2 A ladder in a service access 3 There are several of these octagons in Celestial Park. A few now with gazebo type structures. 4 There are multiple of these rectangular structures. Another near CelesTiki bar.
trr1
Well-Known Member
https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe. The large show building contains the featured attraction.
Aerial look across Epic Universe. Dark Universe in foreground. Helios Grand Hotel near center of this photo. Across from the large turquoise circular show fountain.
Aerial look at landscaping so far near The Burning Blade Tavern in Dark Universe.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe. Top left is recent construction of a service building.
Aerial overview of the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster. A train with spinning cars is at right, on a service spur.At center of this photo is a barn over a shuttle launch. Sends trains backward and then forwards to return to the station.
Aerial overview of the forested Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster in Dark Universe. A spinning ride.
Aerial look at a partially covered train of the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster. On a service spur. A pair of riders on each side of a car. The cars spin by momentum through the curves and hills of the track.
Aerial overview of the manor area of Dark Universe.
Aerial look at the current collection of trees at the extended queue of the featured attraction in Dark Universe.Berm and trees at left hide view of the park's perimeter service road and other back of house.
Aerial photo showing how dense the forest is becoming in Dark Universe
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial overview of Dark Universe in Epic Universe. The large show building contains the featured attraction.
Aerial look across Epic Universe. Dark Universe in foreground. Helios Grand Hotel near center of this photo. Across from the large turquoise circular show fountain.
Aerial look at landscaping so far near The Burning Blade Tavern in Dark Universe.
Aerial overview of Dark Universe. Top left is recent construction of a service building.
Aerial overview of the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster. A train with spinning cars is at right, on a service spur.At center of this photo is a barn over a shuttle launch. Sends trains backward and then forwards to return to the station.
Aerial overview of the forested Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster in Dark Universe. A spinning ride.
Aerial look at a partially covered train of the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster. On a service spur. A pair of riders on each side of a car. The cars spin by momentum through the curves and hills of the track.
Aerial overview of the manor area of Dark Universe.
Aerial look at the current collection of trees at the extended queue of the featured attraction in Dark Universe.Berm and trees at left hide view of the park's perimeter service road and other back of house.
Aerial photo showing how dense the forest is becoming in Dark Universe
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial look at the village in Dark Universe.
Aerial overview of the village in Dark Universe.1 Recently placed tree. Could be there will be more trees in this area, causing the manor to be seen more ominously over a tree line.2 Recently complete broken wall lurking in the shadows
An aerial look at work in progress in the village in Dark Universe.1 Gravestones seem to be as if stock from a quarry. Blank, and lined up as if for purchase2 Completed area of a broken wall3 Theming continues at this broken wall4 Seems to be a completed tower
Construction equipment in foreground of this aerial photo gives scale to how big the Dark Universe portal is.
Arrow in this aerial photo where it seems like a tree root will be sculpted over the edge of the portal ring of Dark Universe. Possibly also a smaller root at the gap on the other side.Each of the Epic Universe portal rings so far has a open semicircle at top.
@bioreconstruct
Aerial look at the village in Dark Universe.
Aerial overview of the village in Dark Universe.1 Recently placed tree. Could be there will be more trees in this area, causing the manor to be seen more ominously over a tree line.2 Recently complete broken wall lurking in the shadows
An aerial look at work in progress in the village in Dark Universe.1 Gravestones seem to be as if stock from a quarry. Blank, and lined up as if for purchase2 Completed area of a broken wall3 Theming continues at this broken wall4 Seems to be a completed tower
Construction equipment in foreground of this aerial photo gives scale to how big the Dark Universe portal is.
Arrow in this aerial photo where it seems like a tree root will be sculpted over the edge of the portal ring of Dark Universe. Possibly also a smaller root at the gap on the other side.Each of the Epic Universe portal rings so far has a open semicircle at top.
RandySavage
Well-Known Member
As a fan of the Syberia style, I'd be interested in seeing this. When I went to the site, all I could see was an abridged version of the released flyover, then it goes to white. At the bottom there were the Portal concept art stills. Maybe my browser is incompatible or they took what your are describing down. Could you post screengrabs or confirm they're still there and what browser works with the animation. Appreciated.Some lovely "flyover-style" concept art vignettes for Epic Universe are now posted on Universal's website. (Apologies if this is old news: either this was posted in the last few days, or I've just been missing it previously -- some of the video animations are identical to the recently-released promo video, but others are not.) Just scroll down until you reach the movie-style screen with right and left arrows to "fly through" different portions of Celestial Park and learn more about select parts of it.
The animation is just gorgeous. Feels and looks like a series of Benoit Sokal-designed video game cutscenes to me, in all the best ways!
Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
It works on both my phone (Samsung Galaxy S21 running Chrome) and desktop (15-year old Vizio running whatever versions of Windows and Chrome came on it, LOL).
Until I can maybe get some screengrabs, the released concept flyover does have much of the same "footage," just without stops to allow clickthroughs for more details on certain parts:
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Sorcerer Mickey
Well-Known Member
trr1
Well-Known Member
https://twitter.com/bioreconstruct
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Starfall Racers roller coaster at night in Epic Universe.
How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster station at night.1 Dragon wing style netting under track.2 First launch3 Structure under construction for the roller coaster to dive through themed grandstands. Like dragon flights in the movies.
Dome construction at top of Helios Grand Hotel, at night.
Helios Grand Hotel construction at night. Also in Epic Universe:1 Portal tower of How To Train Your Dragon land (above) 2 Viking statue in the front bay of Dragon land 3 Theming in front of Starfall Racers roller coaster 4 Portal tower of the Harry Potter land (above)
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Starfall Racers roller coaster at night in Epic Universe.
How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster station at night.1 Dragon wing style netting under track.2 First launch3 Structure under construction for the roller coaster to dive through themed grandstands. Like dragon flights in the movies.
Dome construction at top of Helios Grand Hotel, at night.
Helios Grand Hotel construction at night. Also in Epic Universe:1 Portal tower of How To Train Your Dragon land (above) 2 Viking statue in the front bay of Dragon land 3 Theming in front of Starfall Racers roller coaster 4 Portal tower of the Harry Potter land (above)
luv house of the mouse
Active Member
Quick question, does anyone know if the put covers over the Yoshi omnimover cars at night? I would imagine there will be a lot of sun fade and water staining here in FL vs CA.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
No need to worry, I've noticed most outdoor attraction vehicles in Orlando don't get dirty too much as they usually get cleaned up overnight. The Yoshi's will probably last a long time before any noticeable fading is done.
Considering how valuable the Nintendo partnership is, I'd imagine Universal will do the best it can do to keep the land at the best condition possible. Since opening, rarely have there been any sort of maintenance issues in any of the Potter lands.
Earlie the Pearlie
Well-Known Member
Seuss is, sadly, a different story.