Universal's Epic Universe Construction Thread

[WaterToWade]

I always loved that from the vids i watched of ppl going to parks with sky flies, it tended to be one of their fav attractions even when the park they visited had coasters. The idea that a flat ride could compete with pricier rides to be someone’s favorite is the dream ideal for a flat ride imo! Hope these are as fun as they sound

 

[blue180]

I would have loved to see them do something with the life-size HP land buildings - i.e. special hotel room experiences, etc etc. So much potential to leverage all that sqft

 

[JoeCamel]

I would have loved to see them do something with the life-size HP land buildings - i.e. special hotel room experiences, etc etc. So much potential to leverage all that sqft

I wonder what guardrails WB and JKR put on the use of the IP? Might not allow themed hotel rooms plus security of the park at night would be an extra cost of the offering. Everytime I have been to an event after hours I was escorted to and from the event if it was after operating hours and when I say escorted it is walked there and back side by side.

But this is the wrong thread for speculation

 

[Marle Brando]

I’m still holding out hope for the backside of the bbq restaurant outside of monsters land to get some kind of theming. I wonder if logistics won’t allow them to add village theming there since it’s facing a walkway in the land..my guess now is it’ll b tree lined or maybe a berm

 

[Nico]

I’m still holding out hope for the backside of the bbq restaurant outside of monsters lane to get some kind of theming. I wonder if logistics won’t allow them to add village theming there since it’s facing a walkway in the land.

If I had to guess, I’d assume trees/landscaping to separate the hub from the lands. The whole benefit of the portal system is to control a guest’s sight lines and complete the immersion. Hoping that holds true when we start seeing details and landscaping go in.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If I had to guess, I’d assume trees/landscaping to separate the hub from the lands. The whole benefit of the portal system is to control a guest’s sight lines and complete the immersion. Hoping that holds true when we start seeing details and landscaping go in.

It seems like Nintendo & Potter will be 100% "contained" in their environments while Monsters & HTTYD will have some intrusions.

Seems like Monsters will be entirely dependent on a berm that will take a while to mature, while the other side is flanked by the Helios hotel. HTTYD seems to be in a similar situation

(I say this as someone who does not care about sightlines, as long as there's some effort to conceal it)

 

[belloq87]

I’m still holding out hope for the backside of the bbq restaurant outside of monsters land to get some kind of theming. I wonder if logistics won’t allow them to add village theming there since it’s facing a walkway in the land..my guess now is it’ll b tree lined or maybe a berm

All I know is this: if guests will be able to walk on that side of the Monsters land over towards the coaster (and I guess we don't know that for sure yet), I don't want to be able to see any of the backside of that restaurant unless it's themed.

I'm also fascinated to see how they attempt to hide the dark ride's showbuilding from the rest of the land.

 

[Alicia]

Trees.

 

[belloq87]

Trees.

For which area?

 

[Loki]

Here is a top down view of Hogwarts Castle in IOA. Universal is very good at hiding those huge buildings.

 

[belloq87]

See, for me, the Forbidden Journey showbuilding is not hidden well enough! Especially if you look to the right as you're approaching Hogwarts (or look around while on Flight of the Hippogriff).

I get that plenty of people don't care about this stuff, and at the end of the day, it's a (relatively) minor annoyance. But I was (and am) hoping Universal would go above and beyond for their new park. Especially since it's a ground-up new build.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

The trees will amortize the theming debt, as they usually do. Just look at any picture of one of the Disney parks after they first opened, you can see everywhere. I doubt this will be nearly as bad as that, everything seems to be properly isolated.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Here is a top down view of Hogwarts Castle in IOA. Universal is very good at hiding those huge buildings.

not from Jurassic Park lol, very in your face lol

 

[Felipe]

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post

I was just looking at the EU renderings and I'm hoping when the hype machine revs up next year that we get an updated rendering. I'm always so impressed with how accurate the renderings are, and it will be nice to see the updated version with the missing/replaced restaurants and the changes to Dark Universe made. Of course we can see MOST changes in the real world already, but the rendering will still give a better idea of some of the details.

I would typically be inclined to say we won't get updated concept art, but the rumblings of an EPIC preview center are strong, so I think we can expect updated renderings and hopefully some cool models, as well.

It's going to be a good land overall, but the rides don't look to be anything special. The coaster looks just okay, the Sky-Fly attractions are really cool but aren't unique, the splash battle looks incredibly short, and we're missing a dark ride. It doesn't have a standout ride like the other lands do.

To echo what others mentioned, I think the show (which has gotten glowing reviews overseas) will be one of the main attractions for the land. I know that we tend to dismiss theme park shows in attraction lineups, but I believe both stage shows at EPIC will live up to the park's name. I also think that, although the HTTYD coaster isn't full of layout tricks, the main feature will be the cool views we'll get going all around the land (as well as the rumored dragon animatronics). I do agree that the flat boat ride looks quite short, even if the boats move at glacial speed. BTW, I haven't seen this mentioned in the last few pages, but isn't there also a rumored Camp Jurassic style playground in this land? While not a big attraction, it would be another point for the land. And the cool restaurant... This land feels, to me, like it has the most going on, tbh. I really need to get watching those movies

By my count, we've got the following at opening --

• 3 headliner dark ride-adjacent experiences (Ministry of Magic, Mario Kart, Monsters)
• 3 family coasters (DK, Wolfman, Dragons)
• 2 headliner shows (Fantastic Beasts, Dragons)
• 2 adult coasters (Starfall Racers)
• 2 simple-but-a-step-above-flat rides (Yoshi, Splash Battle)
• 2 flat rides (celestial flat, Dragons sky fly)

I think that's a pretty strong lineup! More physical rides than any of the secondary Disney parks right now, plus the shows and other experiences (Nintendo World games, Potter wand stuff, etc.)

I think it's such a great lineup! And to think they have enough expansion space to basically double the park, if and when they choose to... but going off what's allegedly coming at opening, it's pretty fantastic (no pun intended), especially compared to other local parks. I'm a huge coaster fan, but I am most curious about the Wizarding World show. I have a complicated relationship with the IP, having grown up a Potter superfan, but then being so disappointed in the author who shall not be named as well as the FB movies... but Cursed Child is honestly one of the most spectacular shows/experiences I've ever seen, so if they can capture that same magic within this land's show, I will probably be seeing it at least once every visit. I'm also super excited about the celestial theme and also all the theming in general. Universal has really stepped up their style & show quality in recent years, and I'm looking forward to this next level. Now, my most anticipated IP/land overall is Monsters... but it does seem like the least "full" land out of all of them, to me... and I'm also kinda concerned/curious about the huge show building currently seen to the right of the façade for the Monster dark ride... but anyways, this is all based off rumors and speculation and pictures of unfinished construction... so I'll remain cautiously optimistic until we're further along or opening.

Some highlights from today's new Bio pics (so far):

Is that copper on those roofs? That's gonna look so nice both as is and also in time as a patina forms over it. More and more beautiful theming touches. I love it! Edit: LOL, those are just wood panels, but anyway, amazing how quick everything is going up and how great everything is looking!

This is awesome. Love the idea of a potentially creepy slow burn reveal of the main street and manor.

Ok, last thing for now, and the main reason I wanted to come over and post on here... Please forgive me if this has already been discussed, but are there any rumors or speculation about what these octagonal structures are? They're by the entrance/exit to every land, inside each land. Looks like there's a door and then 7 windows all around on each one. The windows look to be pretty high up, not like it's a quick-sevice type window. It's quite tall, but not really big enough to hold many people inside. I'm perplexed. Does anyone have any info or ideas to help enlighten me? I've been curious about it for months and months looking at Bio's pictures, lol.

 

[Loki]

See, for me, the Forbidden Journey showbuilding is not hidden well enough! Especially if you look to the right as you're approaching Hogwarts (or look around while on Flight of the Hippogriff).

I get that plenty of people don't care about this stuff, and at the end of the day, it's a (relatively) minor annoyance. But I was (and am) hoping Universal would go above and beyond for their new park. Especially since it's a ground-up new build.

Well in some cases it is nearly impossible to hide everything. I admit that. Especially when you have roller coasters in the mix. That's one of the reasons Disney has been painting their buildings camouflage blue and green. I can excuse roller coasters being able to see parts of the show buildings because while you are riding a roller coaster you are "supposed" to be paying attention to the ride you on. God knows if I went on Velocicoaster I would be scared senseless to the point of not seeing anything.

I think the only thing a theme park could do, beyond more landscaping and trees, would be to paint a mural on the side of the buildings (of trees or rock work) to help it blend in more.

 

[Alicia]

Ok, last thing for now, and the main reason I wanted to come over and post on here... Please forgive me if this has already been discussed, but are there any rumors or speculation about what these octagonal structures are? They're by the entrance/exit to every land, inside each land. Looks like there's a door and then 7 windows all around on each one. The windows look to be pretty high up, not like it's a quick-sevice type window. It's quite tall, but not really big enough to hold many people inside. I'm perplexed. Does anyone have any info or ideas to help enlighten me? I've been curious about it for months and months looking at Bio's pictures, lol.

View attachment 19443
View attachment 19444
View attachment 19445

best guess we've had lately is that they are some sort of security booths. They are present at the exits to each land.

 

[Tbad556]

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post



I would typically be inclined to say we won't get updated concept art, but the rumblings of an EPIC preview center are strong, so I think we can expect updated renderings and hopefully some cool models, as well.



To echo what others mentioned, I think the show (which has gotten glowing reviews overseas) will be one of the main attractions for the land. I know that we tend to dismiss theme park shows in attraction lineups, but I believe both stage shows at EPIC will live up to the park's name. I also think that, although the HTTYD coaster isn't full of layout tricks, the main feature will be the cool views we'll get going all around the land (as well as the rumored dragon animatronics). I do agree that the flat boat ride looks quite short, even if the boats move at glacial speed. BTW, I haven't seen this mentioned in the last few pages, but isn't there also a rumored Camp Jurassic style playground in this land? While not a big attraction, it would be another point for the land. And the cool restaurant... This land feels, to me, like it has the most going on, tbh. I really need to get watching those movies



I think it's such a great lineup! And to think they have enough expansion space to basically double the park, if and when they choose to... but going off what's allegedly coming at opening, it's pretty fantastic (no pun intended), especially compared to other local parks. I'm a huge coaster fan, but I am most curious about the Wizarding World show. I have a complicated relationship with the IP, having grown up a Potter superfan, but then being so disappointed in the author who shall not be named as well as the FB movies... but Cursed Child is honestly one of the most spectacular shows/experiences I've ever seen, so if they can capture that same magic within this land's show, I will probably be seeing it at least once every visit. I'm also super excited about the celestial theme and also all the theming in general. Universal has really stepped up their style & show quality in recent years, and I'm looking forward to this next level. Now, my most anticipated IP/land overall is Monsters... but it does seem like the least "full" land out of all of them, to me... and I'm also kinda concerned/curious about the huge show building currently seen to the right of the façade for the Monster dark ride... but anyways, this is all based off rumors and speculation and pictures of unfinished construction... so I'll remain cautiously optimistic until we're further along or opening.



Is that copper on those roofs? That's gonna look so nice both as is and also in time as a patina forms over it. More and more beautiful theming touches. I love it!



Ok, last thing for now, and the main reason I wanted to come over and post on here... Please forgive me if this has already been discussed, but are there any rumors or speculation about what these octagonal structures are? They're by the entrance/exit to every land, inside each land. Looks like there's a door and then 7 windows all around on each one. The windows look to be pretty high up, not like it's a quick-sevice type window. It's quite tall, but not really big enough to hold many people inside. I'm perplexed. Does anyone have any info or ideas to help enlighten me? I've been curious about it for months and months looking at Bio's pictures, lol.

View attachment 19443
View attachment 19444
View attachment 19445

I don't have much to add/answer, but just wanted to throw out that it's super nice to see you posting again & that you have nothing to apologize for because the lengthy, in-depth discussions are great.

 

[Nico]

I don't have much to add/answer, but just wanted to throw out that it's super nice to see you posting again & that you have nothing to apologize for because the lengthy, in-depth discussions are great.

Seconded! Loved Felipe’s post.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

best guess we've had lately is that they are some sort of security booths. They are present at the exits to each land.

Presumably they'd be used for special events where the lands are locked off from the rest of the park?

 

[Alicia]

Presumably they'd be used for special events where the lands are locked off from the rest of the park?

Or after 6pm if the hub is open to other guests.

In any case, unlike Diagon Alley, no guests are meant to enter a land through the exit path, so security or other Team Members may be warranted all day long to let guests know to only enter via the main portal.