Universal Epic Universe theme park

Okay, someone please link if there is already a forum for this, but today, Universal announced the Universal Epic Universe expansion to their Orlando resort.

The worlds will include one original world to tie them all together and then Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe (yes, it’s back), and Harry Potter.

At this point, we know the most about the original world: Celestial Park. The lore behind it is guests enter through a device called Chronos to enter into this cosmic port of call where there are these portals to the other worlds. Celestial Park will have water features, a restaurant, a carousel, a roller-coaster, and a 500-room hotel. Here’s a fly-through:

And an article on it from Blog Mickey

https://t.co/yPMysz0jM4

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 30th 2024 at 10:26:16 AM

Huh, I guess there's no place in the Media threads to put theme park stuff? Then again, Disney Park announcements and stuff usually just goes in the Disney thread.

But this definitely looks cool. I do think the focus on only four IPs seems a bit limiting (I remember rumors based on construction photos that the entrance area was, like, Star Trek-themed or something), but they picked some strong ones. I was definitely hoping that the Dragons area would be a general Dreamworks-themed one, though, get some Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Madagascar stuff in there, but Dragons definitely does have enough to fill its own land.

The Fantastic Beasts stuff, though... I bet they definitely weren't banking on that franchise going under so quickly.

Edited by lbssb on Jan 30th 2024 at 3:36:21 PM

They can always expand.

And everything I’ve seen online has been positive! Believe me, if I could afford it, I’d go in a heartbeat.

The idea of these worlds being seperate planets accessible through portals is a great idea and Celestial Park looks gorgeous.

Of course, people are taking the opportunity to dunk on Disney… but that’s largely on Chapek. Maybe they’ll try to match them and open a new park in Texas or the Midwest or something. I dunno.

Yeah, it sounds like they pivoted quickly when the movies started drying up. If worse comes to worse, they can replace it with another Jurassic World or something.

Everyone is already starting the memes with jokes about a Ted world and the like. What I wanna know is where is Scott Pilgrim’s Toronto?

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 30th 2024 at 3:41:54 PM

Universal also has some outside licenses that aren't currently being used for attractions, both SpongeBob and Scooby-Doo have merch and walkaround characters but nothing else. They could use one of those.

Edited by lbssb on Jan 30th 2024 at 3:52:51 PM

Bikini Bottom is prime theme park material, yes. The one tricky bit would be the flower clouds.

Though I think Hilenberg said he didn’t want to see a real Krusty Krab. I might be misremembering, though.

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 30th 2024 at 4:02:51 AM

And they could potentially even just put Scooby stuff in the Dark Universe. Like, as something less hardcore scary for younger guests to enjoy there or something.

Or maybe a Luigi’s Mansion scare zone for HHN.

But that could go in any of the parks.

A part of me had the mad vision of a Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza in Dark Universe.

They have a website up with details of the park, but they’re mostly focusing on Celestial Park for now.

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/epic-universe

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 30th 2024 at 4:50:07 AM

It's kind of funny how the "Nintendo Super Star Store" is outside the Super Nintendo World gate and as a result is Celestial Park themed, but featuring Nintendo characters, rather than simply being Mushroom Kingdom themed.

Could be to make room for the Donkey Kong ride?

Anyway, we can all agree that those portals and that carousel are gorgeous.

Looks like Dark Universe is the area getting the most hype.

Universal Studios is getting a DreamWorks land where Barney, Woody Woodpecker, Fievel & Curious George used to be.

I don’t remember those guys having a section.

I don't think the Nintendo Super Star Store is something that was removed from Super Nintendo World. The Mushroom Kingdom area seems to be the same size as the one in Japan, so I'm sure it will have the 1-UP Factory gift shop too. I just think it's funny, how the store is called the Super Star Store because it's in Celestial Park, and has a constellation patterned roof where all the constellations are Nintendo characters, and, like, Roman-style architecture but with Mario sculptures carved into it. It's a halfway point, like the same architects behind all of the mythical themed buildings in the rest of Celestial Park were also really into Mario.

Dark Universe does seem really cool. I'd say it was smart of them to choose a theme that has already proven its timelessness, but the reality is that they probably greenlit the theme back when they were banking on the Dark Universe being a new hit film franchise, and essentially lucked into it dying so quickly that people don't associate these monsters with lackluster modern reboots.

Sadly, DreamWorks is just more popular. Plus they are rebooting Dragons in live action next year.

I bet there was some pivoting involved. Getting away from the planned films.

I at least remember a Dudley Do-Right log flume at one park. Not sure which.

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 30th 2024 at 9:03:00 AM

Yeah, I honestly think if the film franchise had lasted long enough for Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman to all get modern movies, the theme park would have wound up with attractions specifically based off of those movies and been worse off for it.

Dark Universe is dead, long live Dark Universe!

That's in Toon Lagoon, which is in Islands of Adventure and not being removed anytime soon. It's Lost Continent that is on the chopping block in that park.

The area that got closed to build Dreamworks Land was "Woody Woodpecker's Kid Zone", which isn't an area you walk through if you're just walking around the Universal Studios Florida, but it's right behind the Animal Actors on Location stage. Or rather, it was. I guess the Dreamworks Land construction site is right behind the Animal Actors on Location stage at the moment.

Oh yeah, that’s a fun one.

Also, this is apparently the first major domestic theme park opening in 24 years. Disney is gonna have to make some serious moves because the internet is still talking smack.

Seriously, the portals are genius. Just perfect justification and immersion. Really next level.

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 30th 2024 at 9:57:54 AM

You can see the Dreamworks Land construction fence without going out of your way for it — it’s across from E.T. & the SpongeBob store.

Okay, I’m going to bed but first: the preview promised over fifty rides and attractions, so minus the three we know of, what are we suspecting for each land? The Dragon world looks like it’ll have a roller coaster…

I wonder if Dark Universe might branch out further into horror stuff than just the Universal Monsters. Like, I mentioned using Scooby-Doo as a lighter experience there, but they could also do stuff with more modern horror films. Throw in Michael Myers as a walkaround character, or have some show with an animatronic Chucky or something. And heck, Beetlejuice is still a walkaround character in the Studios park, do something with him, maybe a Ghostbusters thing too. I can think of plenty of possibilities for this area.

I would like to reiterate my idea of a Freddy Fazbear’s. Dining with live-entertainment.

I suspect that the Frankenstein’s castle in the footage will be a huge dark ride or show.

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 31st 2024 at 9:10:13 AM

Oh yes, definitely that too.

And it should be the restaurant's policy to respond to any question about murders on the property with fervent denial, and that there is no such person as William Afton, even if he wasn't brought up. And to do it in a transparently prerehearsed corporate speech on behalf of Fazbear Entertainment(TM).

Edited by lbssb on Jan 31st 2024 at 3:06:21 PM

And the animatronics walk around, build forts, and stare at customers longer than nessecary. And the staff actively gaslight guests when there’s a jumpscare.

And the only staff member not participating is a security guard who urges the guests to take their food to go.

Edited by BigBadShadow25 on Jan 31st 2024 at 3:12:46 PM

"Oh, that's just Michael. He's kinda crazy. And occasionally smells like a corpse for some reason."

Alright, in a more realistic sense, what food options do we see for each of the IP areas? I see the Toadstool cafe for Nintendo… there will probably be butterbeer and fish and chips at the ministry of magic… what else? Giant turkey legs at Berk?

"Universal Epic Universe"?

Sounds like a child named it but it looks cool i guess