Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[fryoj]

We think they may be getting ready to start on Parking garages? While I can't fathom they'd be even considering the next park yet, I think an argument can be made to get Citiwalk 2.0 up and running.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

We think they may be getting ready to start on Parking garages? While I can't fathom they'd be even considering the next park yet, I think an argument can be made to get Citiwalk 2.0 up and running.

Would it be worth adding another CityWalk when the current one is (I'd argue) underutilized on the upper level?

Outside of a Starbucks, a themed or restaurant or two and a Universal store, I can't see another major entertainment district.

 

[Brian G.]

Would it be worth adding another CityWalk when the current one is (I'd argue) underutilized on the upper level?

I'd argue underappreciated.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'd argue underappreciated.

I personally love some of the venues (ala Rising Star), but the area always appears empty.

 

[Alicia]

its 35 acres, not 88 .

You know what else is 35 acres?

the staging parcel, south of Epic Boulevard

The full parcel is 87.2 acres... the 35 is just what the water permit is for. That's what people have been referring to, as the "future development" is the exciting part.

 

[Brian G.]

I personally love some of the venues (ala Rising Star), but the area always appears empty.

I went to Pat O's and Rising Star a couple of weekends ago, and it was pretty damn busy for a random Jan weekend.

I've also seen Bob Marley's busy on random nights. It's definitely more of a nightlife area.

 

[fryoj]

Would it be worth adding another CityWalk when the current one is (I'd argue) underutilized on the upper level?

Outside of a Starbucks, a themed or restaurant or two and a Universal store, I can't see another major entertainment district.

Different location and different target audience. Are the people staying at the south Campus going to CW 1.0? There's also the Convention center crowd across the street that might be easier drawn there.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I'll admit this is just based on vibes tbh, but I also feel like Citywalk isn't quite booming enough to justify a second campus. I'm surprised the Escape Rooms have lasted so long. I feel like they would just cannabalize each other.

The excessive parking costs for non-park traffic kinda curbs any nightlife scene that could actually develop there imo.

Just open Celestial Park after 5:30pm and let that be the Citywalk 2.0. That would give some nightlife for Helios, Stella, Terra guests, the Convention crowd to enjoy.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I went to Pat O's and Rising Star a couple of weekends ago, and it was pretty damn busy for a random Jan weekend.

I've also seen Bob Marley's busy on random nights. It's definitely more of a nightlife area.

Not saying it doesn't draw a crowd (mainly on weekends) but it's certainly not a popular destination 5-6 nights out of the week. Even on its busiest nights (outside NYE) the space I'd argue is underutilized and can be better served with something else.

Different location and different target audience. Are the people staying at the south Campus going to CW 1.0? There's also the Convention center crowd across the street that might be easier drawn there.

It's the same audience. Guests staying at the southern campus will still travel through CityWalk for 2 of the 3 parks at the UOR resort. 4 if you include a trip to Volcano Bay with an evening dinner.

Not saying we shouldn't expect a small hub with some restaurants and a UOR shop, but I doubt we see a major CityWalk project.

 

[Brian G.]

Not saying it doesn't draw a crowd (mainly on weekends) but it's certainly not a popular destination 5-6 nights out of the week. Even on its busiest nights (outside NYE) the space I'd argue is underutilized and can be better served with something else.

I mean, what exactly are you proposing here?

CityWalk isn’t supposed to be at 100% capacity every night. It’s a dining/nightlife district, not a ride with hourly throughput goals. It's going to have peaks and valleys.

Being busy on weekends, especially on event nights, means it’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do. If everything were packed 5-6 nights a week, that would be the exception, not the expectation.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I mean, what exactly are you proposing here?

CityWalk isn’t supposed to be at 100% capacity every night. It’s a dining/nightlife district, not a ride with hourly throughput goals. It's going to have peaks and valleys.

Being busy on weekends, especially on event nights, means it’s doing exactly what it’s designed to do. If everything were packed 5-6 nights a week, that would be the exception, not the expectation.

This is going to stray from the topic, but (again this is just a personal take), CityWalk's upper level would be better off with a complete remodel/reuse of the existing space to improve guest utilization (new restaurants, venues, etc.). CityWalk's table service restaurants tend to be booked at night, so I'd love for them to continue with adding more unique concepts to the upper level that actually draw folks. New restaurant concepts to compete with Toothsome, etc... especially as more onsite resort hotels are added.

I'm not saying the upper level is in a dire state and a ghost town... but I could see the potential improvement. My general point is that, yes nightlife will tend to lean towards the weekend crowd (specifically locals), but wouldn't a new concept/reuse of the space that makes greater use every single night be the better option?

After all, with UOR now promoting itself as a "week long" destination, they'll need CityWalk to be operating on all cylinders every day of the week, not just the weekend.

 

[Brian G.]

This is going to stray from the topic, but (again this is just a personal take), CityWalk's upper level would be better off with a complete remodel/reuse of the existing space to improve guest utilization (new restaurants, venues, etc.). CityWalk's table service restaurants tend to be booked at night, so I'd love for them to continue with adding more unique concepts to the upper level that actually draw folks. New restaurant concepts to compete with Toothsome, etc... especially as more onsite resort hotels are added.

I'm not saying the upper level is in a dire state and a ghost town... but I could see the potential improvement. My general point is that, yes nightlife will tend to lean towards the weekend crowd (specifically locals), but wouldn't a new concept/reuse of the space that makes greater use every single night be the better option?

After all, with UOR now promoting itself as a "week long" destination, they'll need CityWalk to be operating on all cylinders every day of the week, not just the weekend.

Universal doesn’t need every venue firing every night; it needs a mix that absorbs crowds on high-value nights and still functions the rest of the week. The nightlife spaces are designed just for that. Adding more table service may feel more “efficient,” but it doesn’t necessarily create new weekday demand.

If you'd like to continue the discourse, we can move it to the CW thread.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Fireworks being prepped!

 

[HHN Maddux]

 

[HHN Maddux]

 

[IndyRs]

Another neat idea I had randomly thought of. With Dark Universe and Nintendo World being next to each to have an expansion in-between. Not only would a Luigi's Mansion dark ride be perfect.
But also perhaps a Lavender Town section from Pokemon. With the Pokemon Tower and a few buildings. It was always a small town in the games so wouldn't need a lot of space.

 

[OrlLover]

I wonder ride system they decided to go with because that’s been a huge point of contention for this Potter expansion.

They kind of exhausted their choices with what they can do. But this land definitely needs this third attraction to help anchor it.

 

[RFRees]

Here's my $200 million "break in case of emergency" solution to Epic Universe's capacity and 'not enough things to do' problem. I've separated into three sections: 1+2 in the obvious, 3+4+5 in the somewhat obvious, and 6+7+8 in the debatable /outlandish recommendations.

1) They are building an events building - use it for a show and meet and greet (I'd theme this to Captain Cacao). This would be similar to how the Sound Stages are used for How The Grinch Stole Christmas. I'll be devastated if they just end up using this building for corporate events only.​

2) There are rumors of the Celestial Goodnight nighttime show. Hopefully we get this in 2026.​

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3) Let's get a parade going asap.​

4) and 5) Build two flat rides in Celestial Park.​

​

6) Buy an extra HHN tent and put up a year-round haunted house (or two) at Dark Universe. This would be temporary until they're ready for a real expansion. Note that there's precedence for a year-round house, so this isn't as unrealistic as some might think.​

7) Build the Water World show adjacent to Stardust Racers, in the future expansion spot. Leave enough room so that a new future portal could open adjacent to that (I'd assume after 2030). The show could either be demolished or rethemed to a new IP when they're ready to fully expand this section of the park (I'd assume after 2035).​

8) Expand the Toothless Meet and Greet. As it stands, it's often a 60+ minute wait to meet Toothless. Imagine how long this is going to be when they increase park capacity. Adding another Toothless would double the throughput of this attraction. And for heaven's sake, make it indoor or at least fully shaded.​

Everything above could be done relatively quickly (between now and end of 2027), with a relatively low budget, and could easily be replaced as they open bigger attractions and new portals. This would raise operational costs for sure (especially relying on more entertainment, between the two shows, parade, haunted house, and extra meet and greets) but I think it's necessary to get the park where it needs to be.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

$200 million "break in case of emergency" solution to Epic Universe's capacity and 'not enough things to do' problem:

1) They are building an events building - use it for a show and meet and greet (I'd theme this to Captain Cacao). This would be similar to how the Sound Stages are used for How The Grinch Stole Christmas.​

2) There are rumors of the Celestial Goodnight nighttime show. Hopefully we get this in 2026.​

3) Let's get a parade going asap.​

4) and 5) Build two flat rides in Celestial Park.​

6) Buy an extra HHN tent and put up a year-round haunted house (or two) at Dark Universe. This would be temporary until they're ready for a real expansion. Note that there's precedence for a year-round house, so this isn't as unrealistic as some might think.​

7) Build the Water World show adjacent to Stardust Racers, in the future expansion spot. Leave enough room so that a new future portal could open adjacent to that (I'd assume after 2030). The show could either be demolished or rethemed to a new IP when they're ready to fully expand this section of the park (I'd assume after 2035).​

Everything above could be done relatively quickly (between now and end of 2027), with a relatively low budget, and could easily be replaced as they open bigger attractions and new portals. This would raise operational costs for sure (especially relying on more entertainment, between the two shows, parade, and haunted house) but I think it's necessary to get the park where it needs to be.

I agree with most of this except for the HHN tent- I unfortunately don't think a year round haunted house work inside of theme parks, even at Universal. There's precedent, but they weren't massive hits and deteriorated in quality over time. I do think a non-scary walkthrough and/or mini expansion of the village could work here though.

 

[Clive]

I agree with most of this except for the HHN tent- I unfortunately don't think a year round haunted house work inside of theme parks, even at Universal. There's precedent, but they weren't massive hits and deteriorated in quality over time. I do think a non-scary walkthrough and/or mini expansion of the village could work here though.

I could see a walk-through that prioritizes effects and automated figures versus live performers. Perhaps a crypt that promises to reveal ghosts of the past, giving us an opportunity to glimpse the "original" versions of various Dark Universe monsters (and maybe even some more niche cameos). Think more Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer's Island versus House of Horrors.