Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[Alicia]

Epic’s capacity issues and number of indoor attractions didn’t just allofasudden happen. This isn’t a sudden shock to the company. They knew what the park was opening with.

So whatever happens next, despite how we all react, isn’t necessarily “a reaction” on their part as much as it is what was already in the pipeline.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Epic’s capacity issues and number of indoor attractions didn’t just allofasudden happen. This isn’t a sudden shock to the company. They knew what the park was opening with.

So whatever happens next, despite how we all react, isn’t necessarily “a reaction” on their part as much as it is what was already in the pipeline.

Luigi’s Mansion land a la Kung Fu Panda in Beijing feels too right at this point.

 

[Skipper Justin]

If I were Universal, I’d try to license Kpop Demon Hunters. It has been a massive hit and the songs have been on top of all the global charts. I waited until over a month to watch it and it still is killing it on Netflix and music streamers. Maybe a show or an attraction. Not epic necessarily but maybe at Universal Orlando.

 

[Clive]

If I were Universal, I’d try to license Kpop Demon Hunters. It has been a massive hit and the songs have been on top of all the global charts. I waited until over a month to watch it and it still is killing it on Netflix and music streamers. Maybe a show or an attraction. Not epic necessarily but maybe at Universal Orlando.

While it's no doubt a huge hit for Netflix (and a major success by any reasonable metric), let's keep in mind that Red Notice achieved similar viewership results. KPop Demon Hunters is 1) an undeniably better film and 2) has more exploitable franchise potential, but I think we should see where the dust settles before we declare it the next Stranger Things.

 

[rageofthegods]

Yes no absolutely not for a permanent attraction, not unless they're just as big on their third movie.

A Fan Fest overlay, sure why not.

 

[Skipper Justin]

The music is KILLING it globally. Like a show could be so fun. Fan fest for sure could be an easy way to do it. It has so much potential because of how it hitting so many demographics.

 

[Clive]

The music is KILLING it globally. Like a show could be so fun. Fan fest for sure could be an easy way to do it. It has so much potential because of how it hitting so many demographics.

A live "concert" performance for FanFest in the plaza would be a much better use of that space than the "dance party" and occasional costume contest. If Netflix is willing to play ball, of course.

 

[quinnmac000]

If I were Universal, I’d try to license Kpop Demon Hunters. It has been a massive hit and the songs have been on top of all the global charts. I waited until over a month to watch it and it still is killing it on Netflix and music streamers. Maybe a show or an attraction. Not epic necessarily but maybe at Universal Orlando.

I love the idea but any stage show is a no go as well as face characters. I can see it getting problematic really fast and I don't think Universal wants to deal with any backlash from it. This is specifically for Orlando.

I don't think Orlando has a large enough pool of Korean/Korean American performers to pull from for this to be feasible. West Coast for sure. Unlike Disney, Universal doesn't really have an international college program to also pull talent from which makes this a really not good choice to add to the parks.

 

[Clive]

I love the idea but any stage show is a no go as well as face characters. I can see it getting problematic really fast and I don't think Universal wants to deal with any backlash from it. This is specifically for Orlando.

I don't think Orlando has a large enough pool of Korean/Korean American performers to pull from for this to be feasible. West Coast for sure. Unlike Disney, Universal doesn't really have an international college program to also pull talent from which makes this a really not good choice to add to the parks.

I hear where you're coming from, but if the demand is there, they'll find a way to cast the characters, even if it means flying folks in. This is all still highly speculative, of course - we have no idea yet what the real trajectory of this IP will be or if Netflix will be willing to license, especially when they have their own LBE installations opening that they'll need to populate.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

There were kids playing the songs on violins at the farmers market here in Reno. I'm not sure how much proof you need.

It's certainly more popular right now than other demon hunting franchises I can think of that people associate with the Universal parks...

 

[GA-MBIT]

There were kids playing the songs on violins at the farmers market here in Reno. I'm not sure how much proof you need.

It's certainly more popular right now than other demon hunting franchises I can think of that people associate with the Universal parks...

It's about staying power. If theme parks followed every IP with hype without considering it's longterm cultural reach, than we would have had LOST Island in the middle of Magic Kingdom for almost two decades at this point haha.

It's also my worry with Wicked, frankly. That film's connection with the classic broadway show and Wizard of Oz film are the only thing buoying my opinion on that potential expansion.

 

[Mike S]

It's about staying power. If theme parks followed every IP with hype without considering it's longterm cultural reach, than we would have had LOST Island in the middle of Magic Kingdom for almost two decades at this point haha.

It's also my worry with Wicked, frankly. That film's connection with the classic broadway show and Wizard of Oz film are the only thing buoying my opinion on that potential expansion.

They shouldn’t make Wicked Land. They should make The Land of Oz incorporating both Wicked and the 1939 classic.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

It's about staying power. If theme parks followed every IP with hype without considering it's longterm cultural reach, than we would have had LOST Island in the middle of Magic Kingdom for almost two decades at this point haha.

It's also my worry with Wicked, frankly. That film's connection with the classic broadway show and Wizard of Oz film are the only thing buoying my opinion on that potential expansion.

1) thought the LOST attraction was for Discovery Island

2) Wicked is also a book

 

[Spike101]

They shouldn’t make Wicked Land. They should make The Land of Oz incorporating both Wicked and the 1939 classic.

Agree with this 1000%

 

[Spike101]

Imagine The Lost Continent with all yellow brick paving, would look so good!

 

[TheUniC6]

Imagine The Lost Continent with all yellow brick paving, would look so good!

That seems to be the best route IMO. The bulk of LC can easily be reskinned and the PF show building could probably be repurposed as a dark ride. It can give UOR something after F&F and before Pokemon in 2030.

 

[Clive]

That seems to be the best route IMO. The bulk of LC can easily be reskinned and the PF show building could probably be repurposed as a dark ride. It can give UOR something after F&F and before Pokemon in 2030.

Why are you assuming Pokemon is happening in 2030?

 

[TheUniC6]

Why are you assuming Pokemon is happening in 2030?

Alicia Stella broke the news last year and Tomfoolery said USF would get a F&F coaster and Pokemon by 2030. But TBH, who knows if things are still set in stone.

 

[Clive]

Alicia Stella broke the news last year and Tomfoolery said USF would get a F&F coaster and Pokemon by 2030. But TBH, who knows if things are still set in stone.

I don't mean to pick on you, but words matter. Blanket statements that presume X attraction is coming by Y date are what leads to runaway rumors and speculation.

Alicia has a strong track record of breaking rumors that turn out to have real weight. That doesn't mean she broke news. On the other hand, mentioning that Tomfoolery - someone else with an impressive record - said USF would get a F&F coaster (which isn't yet confirmed, though heavily suspected) and Pokemon by 2030 has a different but crucial implication. That only suggests someone with a reputation is saying something, which you can take or leave depending on how much stock you put in the person's word.

All that to say: Nintendo was going into Universal Studios Florida until it wasn't. I'm not saying we can't speculate that far out, but we should be mindful about what assumptions we're making (and when we're making them).