Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[RFRees]

Thematically, I could see a Wicked coaster working outdoors, if we're comparing to Hagrids. But, I'd prefer most new attractions at Epic to be indoors, due to Epic needing more things to do on rainy days.

As for vehicle design... Vekoma makes a great motorbike coaster, the same design used for Tron. With some changes, the ride system could work in a similar fashion for a broomstick coaster. Not sure who Universal could use, assuming that they wouldn't be partnering with Vekoma (considering they haven't worked with Vekoma previously (correct me if I'm wrong), and there may be some contracts between Vekoma and Disney).

Creative could have some rough concepts for a broomstick coaster laying around from work they've done on Potter; I'm more than certain someone at Creative at least thought about a broomstick coaster for Potter in the last twenty years. Depending on how far along those concepts were, that could save Creative some time on Wicked.

(I'm ignoring the rumored-to-be-cancelled Potter VR broomstick idea, since I think we unanimously agree that's a bad idea.)

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

The Emerald City skyline they’d build is likely going to be large enough to cover a show building needed for an indoor duel coaster. I’d also expect it to not be as thrilling as all the latest additions, to appease to a larger and maybe younger crowd. Add in an E Ticket Omnimover type ride and a ton of streetmosphere and we’re off and running.

 

[HHN Maddux]

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

Where does the Wicked coaster rumor come from?

 

[RFRees]

Where does the Wicked coaster rumor come from?

Before F&F was the main rumor to replace RRR, a lot of people had thrown out Wicked as the potential replacement. So maybe it's just remnant rumors from that inaccurate speculation.

I don't think I've seen any specific Wicked attractions being rumored, just that they have plans to bring Wicked to the parks. A coaster would make sense, but so would a stage show, dark ride, water ride, etc., so who knows. I'd imagine if they're building an entire world at Epic, that they would be adding more than just one attraction. But it doesn't necessarily need to include a coaster.

The Emerald City skyline they’d build is likely going to be large enough to cover a show building needed for an indoor duel coaster. I’d also expect it to not be as thrilling as all the latest additions, to appease to a larger and maybe younger crowd. Add in an E Ticket Omnimover type ride and a ton of streetmosphere and we’re off and running.

An indoor dueling coaster sounds really cool and could separate itself from Stardust and other dueling coasters. Having the two tracks/coasters interact with each other would add a lot of energy to an otherwise potentially boring/lightly themed coaster.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Wicked feels like it'll be a mixed media dark ride like Ministry with all the creatures and flying and such. Or a train.

 

[Clive]

Wicked feels like it'll be a mixed media dark ride like Ministry with all the creatures and flying and such. Or a train.

I wouldn't rule out a smaller, budget-friendly family-style coaster (i.e. Flight of the Hippogriff in scale) to round out a land's offerings, but yeah, I don't necessarily see a major coaster coming to a theoretical Oz portal. I'd guess high-tech indoor dark ride, stage show that's either a built-out "Wiz-O-Mania" and/or biggest hits from the musical, and a supplementary flat/outdoor thing.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I wouldn't rule out a smaller, budget-friendly family-style coaster (i.e. Flight of the Hippogriff in scale) to round out a land's offerings, but yeah, I don't necessarily see a major coaster coming to a theoretical Oz portal. I'd guess high-tech indoor dark ride, stage show that's either a built-out "Wiz-O-Mania" and/or biggest hits from the musical, and a supplementary flat/outdoor thing.

Yeah, when people say coaster, they mean a land anchoring, E Ticket, and that's what I'm thinking here. But a smaller coaster (please theme it to the Munchkins) for kids IS a good addition to Epic (less so in USF and IOA). And of course, we need a Wiz O Mania street show a la Diagon Alley.

 

[Wicked Salad]

Dark Ride focused on flying, and an expanded Wizomania show feels like a guarantee. It kinda depends on whether it's just Emerald City or if they include other locations. In the new film, Elphaba has a treehouse she hides in, and that could make an interesting interactive playground-type experience. If they do Shiz, I could see a boat ride, and if they did Munchkinland, I could see a tea cup ride.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

I'm not sure why a Wicked land would be anchored by an outdoor coaster when the land needs to be enjoyed by small children.

 

[RFRees]

Side note, I can't help but think of the Hogsmeade / Hogwarts forced perspective when I saw this Wicked For Good photo op at USF:

I'm not sure why a Wicked land would be anchored by an outdoor coaster when the land needs to be enjoyed by small children.

Since when is Wicked considered a small children's IP? I thought it was categorized in the same bucket as something like Potter or SNW (e.g. family and young adults), and less KidZone.

 

[Legacy]

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.

I did? I shared an RCT “Defying Gravity” dueling coaster video that I thought was cool, but it wasn’t a hint to anything specific.

Honestly, I could see a Wicked ride using the “boat to suspended coaster” patent that they were considering for Zelda. Or a pure boat ride. Either that or a modern, suspended dark ride. That, a Whiz-O-Mania spinner, a Wizard’s Palace walk-through… I think that’s good. Wicked will have to have a low height limit and be family approachable. Something more akin to Nintendo than Potter.

Which means Nintendo needs something more “grown” to balance it…

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Which means Nintendo needs something more “grown” to balance it…

So, Zelda hint?

 

[Tyc00n96]

I did? I shared an RCT “Defying Gravity” dueling coaster video that I thought was cool, but it wasn’t a hint to anything specific.

Honestly, I could see a Wicked ride using the “boat to suspended coaster” patent that they were considering for Zelda. Or a pure boat ride. Either that or a modern, suspended dark ride. That, a Whiz-O-Mania spinner, a Wizard’s Palace walk-through… I think that’s good. Wicked will have to have a low height limit and be family approachable. Something more akin to Nintendo than Potter.

Which means Nintendo needs something more “grown” to balance it…

Would they ever consider using the Mack Inverted Powered coaster that is featured in USB? I believe at one point that system was being considered for another attraction. Not the most thrilling but good for dark ride scenes/ storytelling.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Would they ever consider using the Mack Inverted Powered coaster that is featured in USB? I believe at one point that system was being considered for another attraction. Not the most thrilling but good for dark ride scenes/ storytelling.

The rumor I heard was a strict no-suspended-rides doctrine after the issues they had with that. I could be wrong/that's changed.

 

[Mad Dog]

I did? I shared an RCT “Defying Gravity” dueling coaster video that I thought was cool, but it wasn’t a hint to anything specific.

Honestly, I could see a Wicked ride using the “boat to suspended coaster” patent that they were considering for Zelda. Or a pure boat ride. Either that or a modern, suspended dark ride. That, a Whiz-O-Mania spinner, a Wizard’s Palace walk-through… I think that’s good. Wicked will have to have a low height limit and be family approachable. Something more akin to Nintendo than Potter.

Which means Nintendo needs something more “grown” to balance it…

Didn't know if that was a hint or not, but yes, that's what I was referring to. I'm glad to hear it wasn't a hint since no
way I'd want to see a Wicked outdoor coaster in Epic.

 

[amar831]

I did? I shared an RCT “Defying Gravity” dueling coaster video that I thought was cool, but it wasn’t a hint to anything specific.

Honestly, I could see a Wicked ride using the “boat to suspended coaster” patent that they were considering for Zelda. Or a pure boat ride. Either that or a modern, suspended dark ride. That, a Whiz-O-Mania spinner, a Wizard’s Palace walk-through… I think that’s good. Wicked will have to have a low height limit and be family approachable. Something more akin to Nintendo than Potter.

Which means Nintendo needs something more “grown” to balance it…

Hadn’t thought of it before, but a pure e-ticket POtC style boat ride themed to wicked would be fantastic.

 

[fryoj]

A FoP type ride is something that Epic really doesn't have that could work. You mount a broom and "things go wrong".

If it goes to epic, a black and white village that leads to a tornado portal with swirling winds that pops you into full color munchkinland would be pretty bad ass. Of course thats more WoO than Wicked, but a boy can dream....

 

[NotPennysBoat]

How about something along the lines of Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition ride. You get multiple ride experiences and it’s indoors!

 

[UniversalRBLX]

A FoP type ride is something that Epic really doesn't have that could work. You mount a broom and "things go wrong".

If it goes to epic, a black and white village that leads to a tornado portal with swirling winds that pops you into full color munchkinland would be pretty bad ass. Of course thats more WoO than Wicked, but a boy can dream....

If Epic were to receive a motion simulator-like experience, I'd think it's best reserved for HTTYD as it's limited in space. I think Wicked needs grandeur scenes with practical elements.

Love the idea of a black and white village that then transitions into a munckinland, then a yellow brick path to Emerald City.

Working on a Blue Sky concept for how this can work at Epic (did one for USF in the Blue Sky Channel).

How about something along the lines of Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition ride. You get multiple ride experiences and it’s indoors!

Unfortunately this attraction is likely to have a higher height requirement, and I think Wicked needs to be more family-friendly. I think the NightFlight ride system is best reserved for either Monsters or Jaws (if they ever want that back).

 

[RFRees]

Can someone please help me here - why is the community thinking Wicked is going to be for babies? (Or are we targeting the elderly?)

There will be a minimum height requirement of 39 inches for NightFlight.
The average height range of a 6 year old is 42-49".
The Wicked movie and stage play is recommended for ages 8+. Most live performances do not permit small children (5 and under) at all.