Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[mccgavin]

Disney creates, what, almost one a year on average?

For 2019 and prior I would agree, but more recently that's debatable. Encanto seems to be the only original film they've released recently that has franchise potential, and almost everything under development right now from Disney Animation and Pixar is a sequel of some kind.

 

[jarmor]

Okay… I see this “launch to 88 miles an hour” thing a lot (and not just you, so please don’t take this response personally… I just had the time to do the math today).

To launch from a dead stop up to 88 miles, in two seconds, would be an acceleration of 65 ft/s, or 19.66 m/s. That would be the second quickest launch in the world. Universal would love a record breaker, but probably not like that.

A launch that quick would also require about 130ft of track. That distance is important, because of the whole point of a launch like that is to enjoy what happens after.

The second Velocicoaster launch is about 260ft, and typically uses momentum at that distance. The Starfall/Stardust racer launch is about the same. The Fast and Furious building is about 370 feet long. So, basically, a 88 mph launch, at a record-breaking quickness, basically becomes a stat coaster. It wouldn’t fit Universal’s MO.

So, let’s slow that acceleration down to 3 seconds, (13-ish m/s). Still pretty darn quick, but more in line with Universal’s MO. However, that requires more track length. Now, it needs a launch a little over 290 ft. That is longer than the VC and SR launch lengths, and basically takes up the entirety of FF, before any elements like turns are added.

The only viable location, in this structure, is replacing Rip Ride Rocket. Not a horrible idea, though it would be very out of place thematically.

Basically, don’t expect a BttF coaster. Doing a BttF that DOESN’T go up to 88mph is pointless. A dark ride or simulator (which… yeah… we’ve seen) is logistically the better more for Universal… that’s why we won’t see it.

Launches 0-70 in 3 seconds, no taller than 105ft.

Built 17 years ago. So, the tech is there do to what needs to be done with height and length restrictions. But I feel the bottom line goes to is it worth it?

 

[GA-MBIT]

The 88 Mile per hour launch would be absolutely incredible, and I get why everyone wants it, myself included. But it's such an insane blue-sky ask that would require making the rest of the ride far worse or needlessly obtuse in it's design. What I imagine most people picture with a BTTF Coaster is like a mix of Hagrid's and VC with emphasis on sets and show moments. That is fundamentally incompatible with the goal of making a record-breaking launch coaster. It's not impossible, but it's logistically unfeasible and totally unlikely.

 

[bdubsCEO]

The 88 Mile per hour launch would be absolutely incredible, and I get why everyone wants it, myself included. But it's such an insane blue-sky ask that would require making the rest of the ride far worse or needlessly obtuse in its design. What I imagine most people picture with a BTTF Coaster is like a mix of Hagrid's and VC with emphasis on sets and show moments. That is fundamentally incompatible with the goal of making a record-breaking launch coaster. It's not impossible, but it's logistically unfeasible and totally unlikely.

They could just have a cool moment in the ride themed to reaching 88mph without actually doing it physically, as to not compromise the quality of the rest of the ride or make it needlessly expensive and technical. There are plenty of great scenes from the trilogy that would work on a Hagrid’s style ride without needing the launch concept too.

Honestly I’d be happy with just a permanent Cafe 80’s in Epic or USH, I just wanna see BTTF return somehow

 

[Jake S]

It's worth noting that there is currently only one (1) launched roller coaster currently operating on god's green earth that goes faster than 87 mph (Red Force). It seems increasingly that these high-powered launch coasters have fallen out of favor.

 

[belloq87]

People are talking about the logistics of actually doing an 88mph launch, and I'm over here wondering how to get the clocktower and Hill Valley town square scaled-down into a showbuilding, because that's what I really want to see in a BTTF ride.

 

[DrStarlander]

I'd love a BTTF ride but I'd want something closer to Radiator Springs Racers so the vehicle seems like a DeLorean, and the track looks like the road (or desert or train tracks for the BTTF3 scenes). It would be a great enhancement to the RRS type vehicle if it also could pivot for spin-out feel. I like that this kind of ride system can have high-speed moments -- like a launch through the mall parking lot or down the street -- but also is great for dark ride scenes, which I'd want a lot of as I would want all three movies featured.

 

[GA-MBIT]

"88 Miles Launch" is a great billboard marketing move, but it would be 110% better for the ride if it only emulated it. At those high speeds, it's totally possible to feel like you're going 88 MPH without actually hitting the number.

Though, if I'm being frank, I think the BTTF coaster concept dream died with Stardust Racers. That's our nod to the past, and Universal is moving forward now.

 

[fryoj]

0-50 in short stretch in the dark with wind and lights in your face and a speedometer in front of you counting up to 88 would be pretty indistinguishable from the real thing to almost everyone.