Universal's Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens Summer 2025

[LukeS7]

If you really look at what they are doing, the idea is going into each of these IP "universes" and therefore if IP don't exist in the same universe then they don't belong in the same land in this park. For instance, people will point to Mario and Donkey Kong and Yoshi being different properties in the Nintendo catalogue, but in fact in the Nintendo "lore" all three exist in the same world/universe and therefore can share the land in this new theme park. The whole "reimagining" is taking the idea of these walled off lands like Daigon Alley, Hogsmeade, and even Toy story land and Galaxy's edge and making a whole park about that idea. The hub is your gateway to enter each of these IP universes. It might not be to everyones liking but if you look at the park through that lense you will understand their selections.

If (more than likely when) they expand Nintendo Land to include additional properties (Zelda, Pokemon), that no longer would be the case though.

I also think that it would be reasonably feasible to create a Dreamworks land using Madagascar, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and HTTYD as mini-lands. Looking at the concept, it makes little sense to have the least expansive franchise (HTTYD) be the most expansive land. With proper transitions, you could easily transition from the jungle environments of Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda to the forest and medieval/Norse environments of Shrek and HTTYD.

EDIT: Wanted to add, don't take me calling HTTYD the "least expansive franchise" as a knock against it. I loved the films, but in comparison to part of the Potter-verse, all of Nintendo's IP possibilities, and the Universal Monsters, it really does seem to offer the least amount of possibilities.

 

[Kenshin_elite]

HTTYD has built up a solid foundation of fans and recognition. I personally think the first film is one of the most perfect fantasy films of all time (live or animated) and the sequels, while not being as memorable, took risks, look great, and did things no other animated film has tried. The long-running animated series has a lot of fans, too. The important thing, though, is that it's a colorful, wonderful world that really lends itself to theme park ride ideas. Even guests with no knowledge of the films will find themselves in an adventurous setting of Vikings and dragons full of fun rides. It's a win-win.

Here is the problem. I watched all of it and they have shut everything down. There is no new show outside of a children's show in the same vein as Teen Titans Go. Which is awful.

 

[lazyboy97o]

If (more than likely when) they expand Nintendo Land to include additional properties (Zelda, Pokemon), that no longer would be the case though.

I also think that it would be reasonably feasible to create a Dreamworks land using Madagascar, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and HTTYD as mini-lands. Looking at the concept, it makes little sense to have the least expansive franchise (HTTYD) be the most expansive land. With proper transitions, you could easily transition from the jungle environments of Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda to the forest and medieval/Norse environments of Shrek and HTTYD.

The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon already have concepts for lands in the existing parks. Even then, a change to the concept would be just that, a change.

If you’re doing transitions between distinct areas then there is no point in forcing them to be lumped together.

 

[truecoat]

Frankly, I'm surprised they'll have any Potter in Epic Universe. I keep hearing Britain is leaving the EU.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

Extra cupcakes and dessert parties haha. I hope Disney responds. However, I’m not holding my breath.

Galaxy's Edge was likely a direct response to the Harry Potter success. We'll see.

 

[Slov72]

The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon already have concepts for lands in the existing parks. Even then, a change to the concept would be just that, a change.

If you’re doing transitions between distinct areas then there is no point in forcing them to be lumped together.

Its interesting that if you look at the art closely, most of these lands have literal walls surrounding them so that the bleed in from outside that land is limited. This does seem to be the next step in theme park builds and we have been leading here since Universal came out with Hogsmeade. The ability to start fresh with a new park is allowing them to take this to the extreme without having to tear an existing (older style) park apart.

 

[LukeS7]

The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon already have concepts for lands in the existing parks. Even then, a change to the concept would be just that, a change.

If you’re doing transitions between distinct areas then there is no point in forcing them to be lumped together.

Was there any actual confirmation of this (The concepts for the existing parks)? The concepts I think you're referring to also had concepts for Mario and DK in them, but those are apparently now being expected in Epic Universe. And yes, if they were to add them before the park opens, it would simply be a change to the concept art.

I agree that having transitions anyways takes away part of the purpose of lumping things together, but keeping them together would also provide a clear area that's more family/kid oriented. There could be transition areas, but they would flow into each other so they wouldn't necessarily feel separate from the lands they connect

 

[Slov72]

Was there any actual confirmation of this (The concepts for the existing parks)? The concepts I think you're referring to also had concepts for Mario and DK in them, but those are apparently now being expected in Epic Universe. And yes, if they were to add them before the park opens, it would simply be a change to the concept art.

I agree that having transitions anyways takes away part of the purpose of lumping things together, but keeping them together would also provide a clear area that's more family/kid oriented. There could be transition areas, but they would flow into each other so they wouldn't necessarily feel separate from the lands they connect

I personally don't know of anything confirmed but the rumors have been around for a while now that Zelda may eventually replace the rest of lost continent and that Pokémon may go in the kidzone area.

 

[LukeS7]

I personally don't know of anything confirmed but the rumors have been around for a while now that Zelda may eventually replace the rest of lost continent and that Pokémon may go in the kidzone area.

Thanks for the info, I haven't really kept up with the Universal rumors since they acquired the Nintendo license.

 

[Kenshin_elite]

I personally don't know of anything confirmed but the rumors have been around for a while now that Zelda may eventually replace the rest of lost continent and that Pokémon may go in the kidzone area.

I cant imagine Zelda going into Lost continent its so small now. Harry Potter taking it over makes the most sense in my opinion. Pokemon in kids zone makes sense.

 

[huwar18]

Galaxy's Edge was likely a direct response to the Harry Potter success. We'll see.

Yeah but how many years later.

 

[GLaDOS]

I cant imagine Zelda going into Lost continent its so small now. Harry Potter taking it over makes the most sense in my opinion. Pokemon in kids zone makes sense.

The existing Lost Continent plot is basically the same size as KidZone.

 

[Rich T]

Here is the problem. I watched all of it and they have shut everything down. There is no new show outside of a children's show in the same vein as Teen Titans Go. Which is awful.

I’m okay with that simply because the Viking/dragon world they created is/was very solid, and a perfect theme park environment. If you know the IP, it works, and if you DON’T know the IP it works.

Heck, Cars Land works and most guests don’t care that much about the films. And a world of Vikings and Dragons sounds a lot more exciting than a town of talking cars.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Galaxy's Edge was likely a direct response to the Harry Potter success. We'll see.

A "direct" response that took 9 years

 

[raven]

We're all 12 years old and PlayStation is cool and Xbox is for losers!!!!

Buddy of mine works for PlayStation!

 

[Rich T]

Note that the dueling coaster placement lends itself to a race between a Potterverse dragon and a HTTYD dragon...

 

[jt04]

Is that 15.00 an hour immediate or when the park opens?

Good wage increase. Market forces at work.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I think

Why do HTTYD and not just Dreamworks Land???

Because IPs from a particular studio don't necessarily go together and the theme of "we made all of this" isn't a theme at all.

See: Pixar Pier.

 

[seascape]

Is that 15.00 an hour immediate or when the park opens?

Good wage increase. Market forces at work.

It is when the Park opens. Disney will already be over that by then. I think the announcement was crazy because based on supply and demand of labor by 2023 the starting wage should be $18.00 an hour for both Disney and Universal. Minimum wage laws have no relevancy in the Orlando labor market. They need to attract more people from outside the market to fill all their jobs. Lets keep the economy growing so both resorts continue to grow.

 

[OG Runner]

Having a hotel with an entrance directly into the park would be a way to one-up Disney. WDW has some that are close, but nothing with a private park entrance.

Not trying to be a party pooper, but the new Star Wars hotel will have a direct entrance into DHS, through Galaxy's Edge, part of the immersion of the hotel, and it will be done long before this.