Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[UniversalRBLX]

I wonder how much of it including the other post above from X about a potential new park was spawned from Alicia's recent pod where they speculated about it

The map is mine and I've had it for a few years since we've known the layout of the south property. Just posted it publicly since Alicia had brought it up and made the discussion relevant.

I have no idea about a 4th dry gate. (I also don't think they're in a position yet)

 

[mainejeff]

Wicked is replacing Lost Continent.

 

[Clive]

I have no idea what’s being referred to. Shouldn’t stuff outside the forums be kept outside the forums?
People get slapped on the wrist or chastised by mods here for far more innocent things citing people’s feelings or sensitivities. Y’all need to be consistent and not pick favorites or break your own rules.

Okay, I'll be blunt. I don't begrudge Joe or others for not wanting to amplify someone who does not respect the LGBTQ community's right to exist. That goes beyond feelings or sensitivities, and I'd like to think we try to stay consistent on that front.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Okay, I'll be blunt. I don't begrudge Joe or others for not wanting to amplify someone who does not respect the LGBTQ community's right to exist. That goes beyond feelings or sensitivities, and I'd like to think we try to stay consistent on that front.

You do and as a queer man here, it’s appreciated.

 

[Legacy]

Wicked is replacing Lost Continent.

This is not what I’ve heard.

 

[AustinT]

Okay, I'll be blunt. I don't begrudge Joe or others for not wanting to amplify someone who does not respect the LGBTQ community's right to exist. That goes beyond feelings or sensitivities, and I'd like to think we try to stay consistent on that front.

In that case, screw that person. But I still think allowing some to break forum rules no matter the circumstances is also not cool.

Wicked is replacing Lost Continent.

Sounds like no. But I'm not going to be surprised if once there's concrete hints or confirmation on what's going into LC that Wicked rumors for EU pick up steam.

 

[Alicia]

These two NoCs are for minor repair works. One in the Tech Services warehouse and the other for the courtyard stairs at SNW.

The reason people were taking interest is that they’re signed by a new department called “New Attractions.”

But just cause that’s the role name doesn’t mean every job by them will be a “new attraction” lol

It’s just maintenance in these.

 

[GA-MBIT]

I'm not really knowledgable on this sorta thing, but this definitely felt more like an "Expanding the exit of Yoshi's Adventure by an inch to accommodate wheelchair access" situation, and less "Luigi's MansionLand confirmed" haha. I think we'll see a lot more obvious smoke before a larger project like a new Epic ride happens.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I'm curious if we end up seeing multiple Epic projects being worked on simultaneously - could have a few years in a row with something new.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

These two NoCs are for minor repair works. One in the Tech Services warehouse and the other for the courtyard stairs at SNW.

The reason people were taking interest is that they’re signed by a new department called “New Attractions.”

But just cause that’s the role name doesn’t mean every job by them will be a “new attraction” lol

It’s just maintenance in these.

Makes sense thanks Alicia.

 

[GAcoaster]

This is not what I’ve heard.

I concur-- I was just told that Wicked is now slated for the expansion pad between Potter and Stardust. Once again (like anything Universal does), not set in stone until it breaks ground, but it is the current plan...

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

A lot of promos for the new films have what essentially already look like portals. Again, I don’t want a 4th park anytime soon, but they could build LOTR in said new park or IOA likely if they wanted to. I know that’s been the rumor for this spot forever, but Wicked makes a lot of sense and is an in house IP. I’m so curious ultimately what they’d decide on for a ride but a land, the music, meet n greets, merchandise, food, are all overwhelmingly easy and great ideas for a theme park. Emerald City if built based off the Wicked films will have a lot of shade too. Win across the board if this is true!

 

[Mad Dog]

I concur-- I was just told that Wicked is now slated for the expansion pad between Potter and Stardust. Once again (like anything Universal does), not set in stone until it breaks ground, but it is the current plan...

I recall Legacy posting a twin coaster photo, Wicked type, a week or so ago, with no comments. That's a big plot, and with UC's overt penchant for
coasters now, perhaps he's onto something......Though my personal opinion is that they need an indoor D/E ticket for expansion at Epic,
not another outdoor coaster in that Florida heat/rain, be it Wicked or another IP.

 

[RFRees]

A lot of promos for the new films have what essentially already look like portals. Again, I don’t want a 4th park anytime soon, but they could build LOTR in said new park or IOA likely if they wanted to. I know that’s been the rumor for this spot forever, but Wicked makes a lot of sense and is an in house IP. I’m so curious ultimately what they’d decide on for a ride but a land, the music, meet n greets, merchandise, food, are all overwhelmingly easy and great ideas for a theme park. Emerald City if built based off the Wicked films will have a lot of shade too. Win across the board if this is true!

I know so many people are saying "it's too soon to talk about 4th park!" I think 10 years is a solid gap between new parks and LOTR fits perfectly within that timeline.

1) Universal started planning for IOA relatively soon after USF, and opened within a decade (9 years).

2) Universal had a 4 years gap between opening Hogsmeade in Orlando and Japan. And a 4 years gap between SNW Japan and Orlando. If they're bringing LOTR to Universal Great Britain in ~2031, realistically we could see LOTR coming to Orlando 4 years after that, which lands us at 2035.

From what I can tell, there's no good reason to wait to build a Wicked land, other than to finalize things on the Creative side.

Epic's biggest issue right now is the lack of things to do, long lines, and overall park capacity, all issues at least partially solved by building expansions. A new ride or two is fine, it would definitely help, but even moreso what would help is a new world. And building a new world does not prevent them from building a new attraction or two at the existing portals. Look at USF from 2012 to 2014 for precedence:

• Jan 2012: Jaws closes to make way for Diagon
• July 2012: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem opens
• June 2013: Transformers opens
• August 2013: Springfield expansion (including Kang & Kodos) opens.
• July 2014: Diagon opens

And yes, USF needs help, but realistically we may not see Simpsons close until 2028, if it closes at all. So that new world may not come until 2032 at the soonest. Universal could act much quicker on other plots of land at USF. For example, Supercharged is up for replacement, Fear Factor has been on the chopping block, Blue Man / Nickelodeon could be better utilized, there's potential expansion near KidZone, Fallon could be replaced, etc, there's a ton of potential at USF without looking at Simpsons.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I know so many people are saying "it's too soon to talk about 4th park!" I think 10 years is a solid gap between new parks and LOTR fits perfectly within that timeline.

1) Universal started planning for IOA relatively soon after USF, and opened within a decade (9 years).

2) Universal had a 4 years gap between opening Hogsmeade in Orlando and Japan. And a 4 years gap between SNW Japan and Orlando. If they're bringing LOTR to Universal Great Britain in ~2031, realistically we could see LOTR coming to Orlando 4 years after that, which lands us at 2035.

From what I can tell, there's no good reason to wait to build a Wicked land, other than to finalize things on the Creative side.

Epic's biggest issue right now is the lack of things to do, long lines, and overall park capacity, all issues at least partially solved by building expansions. A new ride or two is fine, it would definitely help, but even moreso what would help is a new world. And building a new world does not prevent them from building a new attraction or two at the existing portals. Look at USF from 2012 to 2014 for precedence:
Jan 2012: Jaws closes to make way for Diagon
July 2012: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem opens
June 2013: Transformers opens
August 2013: Springfield expansion (including Kang & Kodos) opens.
July 2014: Diagon opens

And yes, USF needs help, but realistically we may not see Simpsons close until 2028, if it closes at all. So that new world may not come until 2032 at the soonest. Universal could act much quicker on other plots of land at USF. For example, Supercharged is up for replacement, Fear Factor has been on the chopping block, Blue Man / Nickelodeon could be better utilized, there's potential expansion near KidZone, Fallon could be replaced, etc, there's a ton of potential at USF without looking at Simpsons.

If in fact Wicked is booked for Epic Universe... I'm not sure what other IP can be saved for USF... and Lord of the Rings, as you mention, will likely anchor a new gate.

If Wicked is not considered for USF or IOA, USF is stuck being the Epcot event park of the resort. With Epic needing to be prioritized for capacity reasons, and IOA seemingly being prepared for a LC project... USF is sort of just left there to rely on events. Of course, Uni changes their mind all the time so who knows.

 

[RFRees]

If in fact Wicked is booked for Epic Universe... I'm not sure what other IP can be saved for USF... and Lord of the Rings, as you mention, will likely anchor a new gate.

If Wicked is not considered for USF or IOA, USF is stuck being the Epcot event park of the resort. With Epic needing to be prioritized for capacity reasons, and IOA seemingly being prepared for a LC project... USF is sort of just left there to rely on events. Of course, Uni changes their mind all the time so who knows.

I know BTTF has been rumored to potentially replace Supercharged (though not sure how solid that rumor is). Illuminations and DreamWorks fits well at USF (namely Sing, SLOP, and Shrek). Lots of people want to see a Ghost Busters attraction at USF. Potter was rumored to get a London expansion (probably not anymore). But this discussion is probably better served for other USF threads (e.g. RRR and Simpsons threads).

Just strictly arguing from a theming perspective, I think Wicked/Oz fits so much better at Epic than it does at at USF. USF relies heavily on IPs from a modern area. Even the most fantasy related IP at USF, Potter, is set in a city landscape where you visit a bank and train station. Convention centers like the World's Fair or Villain-Con, or cities like San Francisco and Hollywood, make sense at USF.

On the other hand, traveling through a portal into the magical Land of Oz... That has Epic written all over it.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I know BTTF has been rumored to potentially replace Supercharged (though not sure how solid that rumor is). Illuminations and DreamWorks fits well at USF (namely Sing, SLOP, and Shrek). Lots of people want to see a Ghost Busters attraction at USF. Potter was rumored to get a London expansion (probably not anymore). But this discussion is probably better served for other USF threads (e.g. RRR and Simpsons threads).

Just strictly arguing from a theming perspective, I think Wicked/Oz fits so much better at Epic than it does at at USF. USF relies heavily on IPs from a modern area. Even the most fantasy related IP at USF, Potter, is set in a city landscape where you visit a bank and train station. Convention centers like the World's Fair or Villain-Con, or cities like San Francisco and Hollywood, make sense at USF. Traveling through a portal into the magical Land of Oz... That has Epic written all over it.

Wicked is versatile, it can fit at any of the 3 parks. Only reason I thought it was best for USF is that it's somewhat of a "classic" IP that USF seems to rely more and more on. Would be so cool to see the Emerald City in the distance from across the USF lagoon.

But it does fit into Epic very well.

 

[RFRees]

Wicked is versatile, it can fit at any of the 3 parks. Only reason I thought it was best for USF is that it's somewhat of a "classic" IP that USF seems to rely more and more on. Would be so cool to see the Emerald City in the distance from across the USF lagoon.

But it does fit into Epic very well.

I will say that I could see USF doing a Wicked stage show (with a theater marquee), and thematically that might make a lot of sense there instead of Epic.

 

[GAcoaster]

I just don’t see Wicked as a “coaster IP”, at least not an outdoor one.

 

[Mad Dog]

Why not both. Wicked stage show now in the mostly closed USF outdoor theater. And a Wicked Emerald City expansion
into Epic....but please, no more outdoor coasters D/E tickets at Epic. Four, or five if you double count Stardust, is enough
for a rainy weather park.