The Future of Lost Continent

[GA-MBIT]

Animal Crossing is a legitimate wild card imo. It is one of Nintendo's biggest IPs as of late, would likely sell a solid amount of merch and themed food, and could definitely fit well into a smaller plot of land. A slow-moving Small World-type dark ride around the Town / Island would fit that IP remarkably well.

I wouldn't say it's out of the question for Universal in 2025 to lean towards an Animal Crossing expansion over Zelda, especially if properties like Lord of the Rings are possible for the resort in the longterm.

It probably doesn't help Zelda's chances that Sony is the one making the upcoming film, and not Universal a la Super Mario.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I’m sorry, but I don’t think anyone who makes vacation planning decisions knows what One Piece is. I just looked it up and it looks like all the other Manga out there— there is no appeal to anyone who doesn’t already know what it is.

I’m not a gamer, but I can recognize Nintendo, Zelda, Pokemon. I would absolutely be interested in any of those, or Wicked/Oz, or LOTR any day.

One Piece to me only sounds like a skimpy KFC combo…
View attachment 27918

https://www.netflix.com/title/80217863

This is incredibly reductive and up there with "why get Potter it's just like all other fairytales". I'm not even confident they'd even do it, but this comment just seems so reductive and hand waving.

 

[bagphrases]

I'm hoping it's Wicked for the totally selfish reason that UOR doesn't really have anything girly going on. They really let Disney take over when it comes to the young female demographic and it feels like they're leaving money on the table.

 

[GAcoaster]

https://www.netflix.com/title/80217863

This is incredibly reductive and up there with "why get Potter it's just like all other fairytales". I'm not even confident they'd even do it, but this comment just seems so reductive and hand waving.

Except the MAJORITY of the population has also never heard of this property. No doubt it has a following and a rabid following at that, but it's still niche.

I felt the same way about Gabby's Dollhouse being part of any plans for the kid park and Dreamworks Land. Yes, there are people who know it, but it's not something that will drive business with people planning entire vacations around it like Nintendo, Potter, or even Wicked might.

They want something that tips people to spending thousands on a "Universal Vacation", and as popular as Manga may be in niche stores in malls with tumbleweeds blowing through the halls, it's not "mainstream" enough to warrant spending millions on a land in a theme park.

 

[Patrokls]

The Demon Slayer movie made $70 million at the American box office this weekend. Someone is watching anime.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Except the MAJORITY of the population has also never heard of this property. No doubt it has a following and a rabid following at that, but it's still niche.

I felt the same way about Gabby's Dollhouse being part of any plans for the kid park and Dreamworks Land. Yes, there are people who know it, but it's not something that will drive business with people planning entire vacations around it like Nintendo, Potter, or even Wicked might.

They want something that tips people to spending thousands on a "Universal Vacation", and as popular as Manga may be in niche stores in malls with tumbleweeds blowing through the halls, it's not "mainstream" enough to warrant spending millions on a land in a theme park.

This is so thinking from your own point of view and discounting others. One Piece is worth estimated around $20 billion as a franchise. It’s absolutely not niche in anyway, it just may not appeal to you specifically. I’m not saying it will happen here, but it’s significantly more a draw for a vacation than say Toon Lagoon.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

Just go ahead and build a Shrek land to open up with Shrek 5

If they make it like the Singapore version that would be great. Though I think it can fit into Epic Universe also.

Except the MAJORITY of the population has also never heard of this property. No doubt it has a following and a rabid following at that, but it's still niche.

I felt the same way about Gabby's Dollhouse being part of any plans for the kid park and Dreamworks Land. Yes, there are people who know it, but it's not something that will drive business with people planning entire vacations around it like Nintendo, Potter, or even Wicked might.

They want something that tips people to spending thousands on a "Universal Vacation", and as popular as Manga may be in niche stores in malls with tumbleweeds blowing through the halls, it's not "mainstream" enough to warrant spending millions on a land in a theme park.

I don’t follow anime well, but aren’t Attack on Titan and Death Note fairly mainstream?

 

[Legacy]

The Demon Slayer movie made $70 million at the American box office this weekend. Someone is watching anime.

Oooo! I love this game!

Wicked made… wait... $114 million its opening weekend in North America.

That was kinda anticlimactic.

 

[nikem3]

Except the MAJORITY of the population has also never heard of this property. No doubt it has a following and a rabid following at that, but it's still niche.

I felt the same way about Gabby's Dollhouse being part of any plans for the kid park and Dreamworks Land. Yes, there are people who know it, but it's not something that will drive business with people planning entire vacations around it like Nintendo, Potter, or even Wicked might.

They want something that tips people to spending thousands on a "Universal Vacation", and as popular as Manga may be in niche stores in malls with tumbleweeds blowing through the halls, it's not "mainstream" enough to warrant spending millions on a land in a theme park.

Just to be clear, One Piece has grossed more revenue (over $26B) than Lord of the Rings (one of the lands people want to bring to the parks), more than Jurassic Park, King Kong, Seuss, Transformers, pretty much every single IP at universal beyond Harry Potter, Marvel and Mario.

It was also one of the most watched shows on Netflix in 2023 when the live action came out. I don't necessarily think it comes to Universal for the reasons laid out (especially because it would make more sense to bring it to USJ first.) However, its definitely a IP that people will travel for and is becoming even more known because of the live action show (which is on season 1 and will have around 12 seasons)

 

[greendude33]

Animal Crossing is a legitimate wild card imo. It is one of Nintendo's biggest IPs as of late, would likely sell a solid amount of merch and themed food, and could definitely fit well into a smaller plot of land. A slow-moving Small World-type dark ride around the Town / Island would fit that IP remarkably well.

I wouldn't say it's out of the question for Universal in 2025 to lean towards an Animal Crossing expansion over Zelda, especially if properties like Lord of the Rings are possible for the resort in the longterm.

It probably doesn't help Zelda's chances that Sony is the one making the upcoming film, and not Universal a la Super Mario.

This is my real hope and dream and the only option that excites me personally. I’ve been trying to speak it into existence.

Feels like it solves the problem of a bit of Nintendo at every park without stealing Pokémon from USF (although admittedly I think Pokémon fits better in IOA and AC in ISF, but ISF needs Pokémon more). It additionally prevents two fantasy franchises being put right next to each other in the IOA circle.

I also think in 2025 Animal Crossing has a broader relevancy than Zelda, with a wider appeal and more active fan base (look how much AC content gets posted to YouTube daily). The upcoming (2027) Legend of Zelda film may change that calculus - it’s a shame that Universal isn’t producing that film the way they’re doing the Mario films. AC also offers something different to the Harry Potter fantasy aesthetic compared to Zelda, LOTR, or Wicked.

Could be done fairly cost effectively too while filling in the gaps of IOA offerings. Small World style high capacity boat ride, KK Slider show, some flat rides and meet and greets would be a really well rounded land.

I just wonder what an AC land would look like from the lagoon - Mythos looks so great sitting on the water, not sure what AC could do with the lagoon front to compare.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Ignoring IP talk for a sec, what ride system do we think ends up getting utilized?

IMO, IOA desperately needs a family-friendly indoor dark ride with high-capacity. Very little motion profile to reduce nausea and very little to no screens. This sort of experiences lends itself well to either Pokemon or Wicked. LOTR or Zelda will likely lean to a "something goes wrong" classic Universal ride.

Ride Systems that are not utilized at IOA:

• Classic Boat Ride (Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Omnimover (Secret Life of Pets)
• Mack Powered Coaster (Jurassic Flyers)
• Vekoma Inverted Omnimover/Dark Ride (rumored for Dollywood)

 

[nikem3]

Ignoring IP talk for a sec, what ride system do we think ends up getting utilized?

IMO, IOA desperately needs a family-friendly indoor dark ride with high-capacity. Very little motion profile to reduce nausea and very little to no screens. This sort of experiences lends itself well to either Pokemon or Wicked. LOTR or Zelda will likely lean to a "something goes wrong" classic Universal ride.

Ride Systems that are not utilized at IOA:

• Classic Boat Ride (Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Omnimover (Secret Life of Pets)
• Mack Powered Coaster (Jurassic Flyers)
• Vekoma Inverted Omnimover/Dark Ride (rumored for Dollywood)

Weren't there a couple patents for Epic that weren't used? One being an almost Soarin'-esque ride with a handglider and then the weird drop tower show scene ride with the pig and cow in the image. Both seemed to be pretty high in capacity. I wonder if any of those will be considered.

Although, I would love to see a classic boat ride with high capacity.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

Ignoring IP talk for a sec, what ride system do we think ends up getting utilized?

IMO, IOA desperately needs a family-friendly indoor dark ride with high-capacity. Very little motion profile to reduce nausea and very little to no screens. This sort of experiences lends itself well to either Pokemon or Wicked. LOTR or Zelda will likely lean to a "something goes wrong" classic Universal ride.

Ride Systems that are not utilized at IOA:

• Classic Boat Ride (Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Omnimover (Secret Life of Pets)
• Mack Powered Coaster (Jurassic Flyers)
• Vekoma Inverted Omnimover/Dark Ride (rumored for Dollywood)

Well Jurassic Park fits th bill for boat ride. Pirates also has a few drops in their versions.

 

[Mad Dog]

Ignoring IP talk for a sec, what ride system do we think ends up getting utilized?

IMO, IOA desperately needs a family-friendly indoor dark ride with high-capacity. Very little motion profile to reduce nausea and very little to no screens. This sort of experiences lends itself well to either Pokemon or Wicked. LOTR or Zelda will likely lean to a "something goes wrong" classic Universal ride.

Ride Systems that are not utilized at IOA:

• Classic Boat Ride (Pirates of the Caribbean)
• Omnimover (Secret Life of Pets)
• Mack Powered Coaster (Jurassic Flyers)
• Vekoma Inverted Omnimover/Dark Ride (rumored for Dollywood)

Yes, definitely. Though unlike the distant Epic that also has too few indoor attractions, some IOA guests can run over to USF if the temperamental Florida weather stops the outdoor rides. But IOA would be a much better balanced park with another dark ride plus a live entertainment venue that's actually used.

 

[Patrokls]

All right let’s be honest. We all know what we want in this space.

Fast & Furious: Supercharged Island

 

[tielo]

I think most of us are going to be surprised.

But will it delight?

Yeah I know I had a lot of reading to do and all your ideas are...well meh (I'm Dutch so I can be direct).
In my eyes, going on the clear hint Alicia dropped, it can be only one of these 2 ideas:


Idea #1: Captain Cacao's travels.
That lovable bear from Celestial Gardens will get's it's travel and we can go with him. There is a stunning dark ride where we fly in the sky and float on the water to find candy as we meet many new worlds and characters. The lend will have 2 additional flat rides, shops and restaurants.

Idea#2: James Bond.
From the novels of Ian Flemming the land will have many typical bond locations each have a unique attraction. To them all and you will be globe trotting with 007. In London you get your mission from M in the queue of a dark ride where your training will be tested if you are fit for your assignment. Q made a test location where you can test your shooting skills, get informed about the villain and explain that your car will have and important button.
An exciting car chase in Italy will be a high speed thrill ride trough the streets of Rome. This will be a ride that uses the well tested wild mouse but your car is on a small road going trough sets and buildings (don't forget that red button). There is a small piazza where you can eat gelato and pizza.
Then go to the villain lair, a post modern marvel with the ride system of Dance Macabre from the Efteling. When exiting you trapped the villain and end up on a tropical beach with a bar. M will congratulate you on your mission. They could put a parachute drop tower ride in there to simulate movement from one location to the other. Of course you can skip rides but the full experience would be one complete adventure.

 

[soilsigh]

Brian at ParkLore (formerly ThemeParkTourist) made his blue-sky buildouts of Islands and Epic Universe and that was his lineup for Islands, plus Zelda. His lineup for Epic was adding Wicked and LotR. I don't think it's much of a contest as to which of those two hypothetical IP lineups is more lucrative--so naturally, I would prefer his proposed lineup for Epic (though including a raptor version of Alien Encounter in his Islands lineup makes it close).