Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[fryoj]

If an obvious Mega-IP came along that was worthy of spending the third of the cost of a whole new park did come along - I don't believe any franchise fits that bill by ANY IP holder - it makes absolutely no financial sense at all to have a huge capital expenditure in one location. ROI would increase by spreading that IP across three parks. Even if Epic had opened in ~2009, it makes little sense to build all of Potter offerings in the one plot - their objective is to get more people visiting & staying for longer, not to thematically centre the same IP in one location - so i believe they would still do it the same way all over again to leverage attendance to across all their parks not just one.

If we escape the mindset that they are holding out for a singular IP to go into a giant 21 acre $2.2B land and it is not getting built whilst also considering it is more than likely Zelda goes in next door to Monsters in the next 2-5 years, then realistically one of those two remaining pads could literally come at any moment.

The reason i asked what IP would everyone choose from the WB library is if they do get a deal they might have to build sooner rather than later (contractually speaking) - and perhaps WB like the idea of their IP going next door to Potter

While I agree in principle, this is the same company that gave HTTYD ~15 acres. A major ip getting 20 isn't that far fetched.

 

[tommyhawkins]

While I agree in principle, this is the same company that gave HTTYD ~15 acres. A major ip getting 20 isn't that far fetched.

in reality the actual built land is half the 21 acre expansion pad. So if the answer is to fill it with like 8 acres of water features like the guy who traces Disney Blueprints drew up a while back for LOTR just to cut down on cost of building more attractions, who does that serve? So far, and this is not directed at you, but I havent seen any good reasons why it needs to be one singular land that make good business sense to UDX or any reason why two divested but sizeable lands that introduce more variety is not preferred by UDX or visitors alike

 

[Wicked Salad]

in reality the actual built land is half the 21 acre expansion pad. So if the answer is to fill it with like 8 acres of water features like the guy who traces Disney Blueprints drew up a while back for LOTR just to cut down on cost of building more attractions, who does that serve? So far, and this is not directed at you, but I havent seen any good reasons why it needs to be one singular land that make good business sense to UDX or any reason why two divested but sizeable lands that introduce more variety is not preferred by UDX or visitors alike

The front gate only has two spots to put new portal medallions lol. They could, of course, replace the gate if they wanted to split it into two portals. But also idk where everyone is getting 21/20 acres because when I measure it on Google Earth, it's just under 19.

 

[RFRees]

The front gate only has two spots to put new portal medallions lol. They could, of course, replace the gate if they wanted to split it into two portals. But also idk where everyone is getting 21/20 acres because when I measure it on Google Earth, it's just under 19.

So, playing somewhat of a devil's advocate here, Zelda might be considered part of SNW and thus not get its own medallion.

 

[Legacy]

So, playing somewhat of a devil's advocate here, Zelda might be considered part of SNW and thus not get its own medallion.

This was always my assumption of how any additional Nintendo land would get added to Epic. Sure it *could* get its own medallion, but it would likely be accessible from SNW as well.

 

[Wicked Salad]

So, playing somewhat of a devil's advocate here, Zelda might be considered part of SNW and thus not get its own medallion.

Yeah, but the locations on the gate match where each portal is or could go. I assume Universal will give Zelda its own medallion even if it's connected to Super Nintendo World, so that they can market it as a new world.

 

[fryoj]

in reality the actual built land is half the 21 acre expansion pad. So if the answer is to fill it with like 8 acres of water features like the guy who traces Disney Blueprints drew up a while back for LOTR just to cut down on cost of building more attractions, who does that serve? So far, and this is not directed at you, but I havent seen any good reasons why it needs to be one singular land that make good business sense to UDX or any reason why two divested but sizeable lands that introduce more variety is not preferred by UDX or visitors alike

The "best" reason I can come up with for a single IP is you don't need to cut the property up and tie up space with a second portal, two paths, etc. 20 acres is a lot, but it's also the last big plot in a park that needs as much capacity as it can get. With one IP, you can put the portal by Stardust and start world building with shops and food right there. With two, you have to back the portals up till there's room for both portals, and that's going to lead to some "wasted" space between celestial and the portal split.

But that still depends on an IP worth that much land that they'd actually build enough capacity in rides to make that matter, which is a whole other problem.

 

[Alicia]

Some of that plot may also be reserved for additional backstage connection roads once parking lot is replaced with future additions to the resort. To connect ring road to new backstage on the east.