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

sedati

sedati

Well-Known Member
UNCgolf said:
Isle of Berk looks almost completely skippable to me -- the attraction lineup and the land itself looks quite bland, other than the stage show -- but it's nice to see themed costumes tying into the location like Disney used to do.
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There's some nice detail work, but my lord was there a sale on nets and tarps? Those don't age particularly well and I'm bothered by their use in Monsters and extensive use in Dragons. I get why they're used, but better design should not necessitate the nets and tarps. While we'll certainly appreciate more shade, I think the tarps will just be regrettable obstructions at night.
 
Gusey

Gusey

Well-Known Member
For me, I think HTTYD is going to be a sleeper hit. The rollercoaster is long and interacts with the land really well. If the show is like Beijing's, then it is going to be great. Fyre Drill is just a fun water ride that doesn't have a height requirement like most water rides etc. Dragon's Racer Rally may be a flat ride but that doesn't mean it's a kiddie ride. Those kinds of rides are quite intense and it has a a higher height requirement that the coaster. Add in the Mead Hall and the playground, and this land is really well-rounded
 
MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
Gusey said:
For me, I think HTTYD is going to be a sleeper hit. The rollercoaster is long and interacts with the land really well. If the show is like Beijing's, then it is going to be great. Fyre Drill is just a fun water ride that doesn't have a height requirement like most water rides etc. Dragon's Racer Rally may be a flat ride but that doesn't mean it's a kiddie ride. Those kinds of rides are quite intense and it has a a higher height requirement that the coaster. Add in the Mead Hall and the playground, and this land is really well-rounded
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That's been my take here, too. 👍
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
Gusey said:
For me, I think HTTYD is going to be a sleeper hit. The rollercoaster is long and interacts with the land really well. If the show is like Beijing's, then it is going to be great. Fyre Drill is just a fun water ride that doesn't have a height requirement like most water rides etc. Dragon's Racer Rally may be a flat ride but that doesn't mean it's a kiddie ride. Those kinds of rides are quite intense and it has a a higher height requirement that the coaster. Add in the Mead Hall and the playground, and this land is really well-rounded
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I think it'll be successful -- I just personally don't think it looks good at all other than maybe the show. But they don't need me to like it as long as most people do; I think Toy Story Land is awful basically all around and it's definitely been a success for Disney.
 
mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
UNCgolf said:
I think it'll be successful -- I just personally don't think it looks good at all other than maybe the show. But they don't need me to like it as long as most people do; I think Toy Story Land is awful basically all around and it's definitely been a success for Disney.
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I’ve heard from several current UC folks - more than one who also worked on Toy Story Land (there's plenty of cross-pollination between WDI and UC) - that HTTYD is absolutely on par with something you’d expect to see in Fantasyland at MK. There’s a lot of crossover between WDI and UC, and everyone I’ve talked to seems to agree on the quality.
 
Agent H

Agent H

Well-Known Member
mkt said:
I’ve heard from several current UC folks - more than one who also worked on Toy Story Land (there's plenty of cross-pollination between WDI and UC) - that HTTYD is absolutely on par with something you’d expect to see in Fantasyland at MK. There’s a lot of crossover between WDI and UC, and everyone I’ve talked to seems to agree on the quality.
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I think it looks amazing and I’m excited for the show and the flying dragons just needs a dark ride
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
mkt said:
I’ve heard from several current UC folks - more than one who also worked on Toy Story Land (there's plenty of cross-pollination between WDI and UC) - that HTTYD is absolutely on par with something you’d expect to see in Fantasyland at MK. There’s a lot of crossover between WDI and UC, and everyone I’ve talked to seems to agree on the quality.
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I'm not even suggesting the quality is bad. I think it's just an example of how single IP lands can be problematic. I have no connection with the IP and it doesn't look impressive or interesting to me even if it's well-themed in the context of that IP.

The attraction lineup is a separate thing -- the attractions look boring to me regardless of whatever IP is or isn't attached -- but that's kind of par for the course for Universal for me. The current Universal parks only have a handful of attractions that I think are good. Again, though, they don't need me to like it; plenty of people do!
 
Moth

Moth

Well-Known Member
I think Berk is like Pandora to a lot of people. Pandora has the allure of an alien world with wildlife. Berk has the appeal of living with vikings and dragons, like a permanent Renaissance Fair, y'know?

I love HTTYD, love the books, movies, so I'm already drawn to this land. My best friend, before I forcefully had him sit down with me over the summer and watch the first film with me (you're not off the hook yet @Solaris Knight !!!), was into Berk because of the appeal of dragons and vikings. I think it has a simple appeal, so while I typically dislike single IP lands, Berk has more wiggle worm to work, but I'm still biased.
 
mkt

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
UNCgolf said:
I'm not even suggesting the quality is bad. I think it's just an example of how single IP lands can be problematic. I have no connection with the IP and it doesn't look impressive or interesting to me even if it's well-themed in the context of that IP.

The attraction lineup is a separate thing -- the attractions look boring to me regardless of whatever IP is or isn't attached -- but that's kind of par for the course for Universal for me. The current Universal parks only have a handful of attractions that I think are good. Again, though, they don't need me to like it; plenty of people do!
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I get that, but i also think the theme lends itself to be adapted into a fantasyland style land if needed.
 
Sir_Cliff

Sir_Cliff

Well-Known Member
UNCgolf said:
I'm not even suggesting the quality is bad. I think it's just an example of how single IP lands can be problematic. I have no connection with the IP and it doesn't look impressive or interesting to me even if it's well-themed in the context of that IP.

The attraction lineup is a separate thing -- the attractions look boring to me regardless of whatever IP is or isn't attached -- but that's kind of par for the course for Universal for me. The current Universal parks only have a handful of attractions that I think are good. Again, though, they don't need me to like it; plenty of people do!
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I feel basically the same way in large part because I don't have any connection to the IP. It all looks like it is probably well-themed to the IP, but the IP is more a barrier than an entry point for me as I haven't seen any of the films so don't really know any of the references.

The Cars IP is less of a barrier for me as I have at least seen the first two films, but I also feel my lack of affection for the IP is more a barrier than a connection to Carsland at DCA and whatever the hell they're doing at MK. I am willing to concede that my feelings about these IP-based lands may not reflect where most of Uni and Disney's audience is at the moment, however.

I will also gently say that I wouldn't give Disney a free pass for running a rollercoaster through the land with some light theming, and that does seem to be a major feature of Isle of Berk. I don't find that particularly compelling for Slinky Dog Dash (though the fact I don't find the rest of the land's theming all that great kind of minimizes its impact), and I am a little worried about the Villainsland concept art hinting at something similar (but who knows if that art reflects anything close to a tangible plan). I just feel this is one of those things we'd all decry as the end of Disney-level theming if they did it, but it gets treated as almost next-level when Universal does it.
 
Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
HTTYD is going to have a breathtaking revel coming out of the portal. Especially at night.

The land is like it's own tiny viking theme park. Highly themed family coaster, spinning flat ride, highly themed interactive boat ride, world-class theme park stage show, themed play area, multiple M&G locations (Toothless/Hiccup, Ice Dragon, and Gobber the Belch), a Meade Hall, 2 quick service, and, of course, shopping.

Hiccup's VS SDD. Go!
 

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