Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[Disneyhead]

When MK opened you could see the Haunted Mansion show building-- you can't now. Same here most likely as greenery grows in.

When the MK opened they had a gondola that went over the roofs of all the Fantasyland buildings that showed everything. Air conditioning ducts, backstage areas, every show building including Small World and Haunted Mansion, the whole nine yards.

So I don't think this park is doomed if you can see a show building from the extended outdoor queue.

 

[belloq87]

Nobody's talking about anything being "doomed," though.

It's about personal preference, as well as holding the company to the standard they're aiming for (we'll know more about the standard they're aiming for once they really start promoting the park).

And also, given that Monsters is by far the land I care most about, it wouldn't feel great if it's also the one where the attitude of the designers is "Eh, who cares if people can see these backstage areas."

IF.

 

[GAcoaster]

When the MK opened they had a gondola that went over the roofs of all the Fantasyland buildings that showed everything. Air conditioning ducts, backstage areas, every show building including Small World and Haunted Mansion, the whole nine yards.

So I don't think this park is doomed if you can see a show building from the extended outdoor queue.

People have selective memories (especially when it comes to Disney) and will always have the idea in their head that everything was perfect from day one of opening when the truth is any park when it opens is far from perfect.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Not to mention you could always see the backside of Main Street building from certain points in the park.

 

[Nico]

Nobody's talking about anything being "doomed," though.

It's about personal preference, as well as holding the company to the standard they're aiming for (we'll know more about the standard they're aiming for once they really start promoting the park).

And also, given that Monsters is by far the land I care most about, it wouldn't feel great if it's also the one where the attitude of the designers is "Eh, who cares if people can see these backstage areas."

IF.

The whole way this “sightlines” thing works is, “If you look for it, you will find it.”

That being said, I am curious about Starfall and Dragons. I know dragons has some forced perspective through the land, and they are building “viewing stands” and rockwork between Skyfly and Starfall. But that’s a big ass coaster to hide.

 

[GAcoaster]

The whole way this “sightlines” thing works is, “If you look for it, you will find it.”

That being said, I am curious about Starfall and Dragons. I know dragons has some forced perspective through the land, and they are building “viewing stands” and rockwork between Skyfly and Starfall. But that’s a big ass coaster to hide.

It was interesting to hear in the ParkStop Podcast how the original plans for HTTYD (pre coaster) would have solved some more of the sightline issues. That was well worth my Patreon membership to hear about all the stuff that almost was...

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

The whole way this “sightlines” thing works is, “If you look for it, you will find it.”

That being said, I am curious about Starfall and Dragons. I know dragons has some forced perspective through the land, and they are building “viewing stands” and rockwork between Skyfly and Starfall. But that’s a big ass coaster to hide.

Sight lines happen however, I don’t wanna see Starfall from Dragons. On the dragons coaster is a different story, but from the ground of the land I don’t want it!

 

[Tomfoolery]

Sight lines happen however, I don’t wanna see Starfall from Dragons. On the dragons coaster is a different story, but from the ground of the land I don’t want it!

You may want to sit down for this but you will see starfall racers from inside httyd

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

You may want to sit down for this but you will see starfall racers from inside httyd

I was able to see Starfall from Mako, so yeah.

 

[belloq87]

The whole way this “sightlines” thing works is, “If you look for it, you will find it.”

If it can be found, I think some effort should be made to theme it. Or more of an effort made to conceal it.

I'm not asking or looking for perfection. I am looking for an attempt.

But that's me!

 

[Nico]

If it can be found, I think some effort should be made to theme it. Or more of an effort made to conceal it.

I'm not asking or looking for perfection. I am looking for an attempt.

But that's me!

But how do you define an attempt? We already see landscaping, paint, themed walls blocking backstage on the rollercoaster in Monsters. And that’s before construction is even done.

I sometimes think we predict the future stuff while also ignoring the active examples we have right now. I also would like high level theming and the minimization of site lines. I believe they are going to do their best in both. They have given me literally no reason to believe otherwise with Epic.

 

[belloq87]

But how do you define an attempt? We already see landscaping, paint, themed walls blocking backstage on the rollercoaster in Monsters. And that’s before construction is even done.

As it relates to the big Monsters showbuilding, which is where I see the greatest potential for another Forbidden Journey/Hogwarts situation (i.e. a grey box just sticking out of the side of an otherwise beautiful structure), I would define an attempt as painting the building to look like the rest of the manor, or constructing other town street facades to cover up what looks (at this stage of construction) to be a pretty wide open view of the building.

I'm not definitively passing any judgment until I see what the finished land looks like from inside the land. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about it and speculate until that time.

 

[Lucas C]

As it relates to the big Monsters showbuilding, which is where I see the greatest potential for another Forbidden Journey/Hogwarts situation (i.e. a grey box just sticking out of the side of an otherwise beautiful structure), I would define an attempt as painting the building to look like the rest of the manor, or constructing other town street facades to cover up what looks (at this stage of construction) to be a pretty wide open view of the building.

I'm not definitively passing any judgment until I see what the finished land looks like from inside the land. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about it and speculate until that time.

I agree 100% with this point of view.

I'm not asking for perfection, and I have to say I really like it when designers find clever ways to hide/attenuate the presence of a show building by using other techniques than a gigantic rockwork mountain (King Kong's painted backdrop, Diagon alley's berm, Cars Land tall wooden fences, Monsters land's backstage stores etc...).

As belloq said, I'm hoping and speculating until I see an attempt. And yes, at this stage of construction, anything can still happen.

 

[Henny]

Why do some mods here feel the need to police people's opinions and thoughts? It's a reoccurring theme I've noticed. Anyways, a leaked earlier plan for Monsters land seemed to have a tighter design and a more fleshed out village. That version seemed to have been altered even before the show was swapped out for the coaster.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

You may want to sit down for this but you will see starfall racers from inside httyd

I’ll be fine. I suspect this would be the cast. It’s absolutely not a deal breaker even if a bit disappointing.

It’s a giant coaster, I’ll likely be able to see it from everywhere except maybe Monsters and Potter.

 

[OrlLover]

Let’s be honest Universal’s record with sight lines is very much up and down. I think they will try their best with this park but they only can do so much with coasters involved.

However they are making sure even those have some theming as well which is good. We will just have to see the solutions they come up with to hide some of the structures.

 

[Nico]

As it relates to the big Monsters showbuilding, which is where I see the greatest potential for another Forbidden Journey/Hogwarts situation (i.e. a grey box just sticking out of the side of an otherwise beautiful structure), I would define an attempt as painting the building to look like the rest of the manor, or constructing other town street facades to cover up what looks (at this stage of construction) to be a pretty wide open view of the building.

I'm not definitively passing any judgment until I see what the finished land looks like from inside the land. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about it and speculate until that time.

Bell I agree - that building/land definitely has Hogsmeade vibes. I'm less worried about the right side (based on how the land directs your focus to the left) - and more curious about the extended queue on the left side. Dragons for example seems to be covering most major buildings in rockwork (which I think is based on the fact that a lot of those buildings are in the middle/visible from multiple sides). As of right now, looks like only The Burning Blade will be receiving that treatment in this land.

Why do some mods here feel the need to police people's opinions and thoughts? It's a reoccurring theme I've noticed. Anyways, a leaked earlier plan for Monsters land seemed to have a tighter design and a more fleshed out village. That version seemed to have been altered even before the show was swapped out for the coaster.

This is a good question. I am a fan of the forum and parks first. Mod second. Bell and I have been having these conversations far before I became a mod. As a fan and a person, I have feelings and opinions as well. I am not intending on policing Bell's opinion, I'm asking follow up questions to understand his opinion more. If anyone feels personally attacked or over-moderated, feel free to let one of us know.

 

[belloq87]

For the record, I enjoy the back-and-forth over subjects like this!

 

[Nico]

For the record, I enjoy the back-and-forth over subjects like this!

I appreciate that! I clearly do as well.

 

[Loki]

group hug