Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[kingcooger]

Considering there’s been no public movement or acknowledgment on the second Unleashed (Chicago) in over a year, I wouldn’t plan a third (or more) until the second is built.

I am getting ready to head to head to Vegas this weekend and was wondering what had happened to this project

Interesting to note that the answer is nothing

Also, I would be curious if they would see any value in making a Horror Unleashed in Orlando as it could potentially confuse guests or cannibalize business?

 

[Skold]

Other than speculation on my podcast randomly saying whatever comes in my head, I hadn’t heard it anywhere myself.

Transit hub and entertainment district rumor is all I’ve seen till this.

I love that you're a star now, and it has been fun watching you do the work to get there.

And now, the next phase, I guess.


It'd be really funny to see you make up some bat-poop insane thing, and see who reports on it.

"Skold coaster with ankle feelers is rumored to take the place of Sindbad!"

(I still remember the day that I read that you pointed out the D)

Cheers, @Alicia

 

[Alicia]

It'd be really funny to see you make up some bat-poop insane thing, and see who reports on it.

I used to include one fake detail in every rumor story I did to see how it would get repeated or who would be first to say it without credit. It was fun at first, but now I’d just feel bad for spreading misinformation.. even if it was only small inconsequential details.

 

[tielo]

If there would be a second City walk being build (it won't) it would be in-between Epic and the fourth park as that worked very good for Universal.
This thing will probably be another hotel.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

If there would be a second City walk being build (it won't) it would be in-between Epic and the fourth park as that worked very good for Universal.
This thing will probably be another hotel.

This would be my assumption as well - that eventually the flat parking lot will be the 4th park and a new entertainment/dining hub would be in between.

They perfected that concept with the main campus, so they might as well just recreate that lol

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Considering there’s been no public movement or acknowledgment on the second Unleashed (Chicago) in over a year, I wouldn’t plan a third (or more) until the second is built.

True but Orlando is a much more proven market. Maybe they scrap Chicago plans and move the funding to Orlando too. HHN is so big in Orlando, as in Halloween themes and vibes in general, it’s almost shocking Orlando has never had a year round thing like this at Disney or Universal.

 

[moth]

That Dark Universe expansion has a 71,500 square foot show building.


Are we sure this ISN'T a boat ride featuring our boy in green?

 

[HHN Maddux]

That Dark Universe expansion has a 71,500 square foot show building.


Are we sure this ISN'T a boat ride featuring our boy in green?

That's bigger than Mummy!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

That Dark Universe expansion has a 71,500 square foot show building.


Are we sure this ISN'T a boat ride featuring our boy in green?

Where’s this at? Someone find the permits?

 

[HHN Maddux]

That's bigger than Mummy!

Actually, better yet, this thing is slightly bigger than Unchained, holy hell.

Where’s this at? Someone find the permits?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Heck yeah. This is such a win, let the speculation chaos commence!!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I wonder if DU or Potter comes first...

 

[Magic-Man]

I'm surprised Universal is going all in on expansions to be honest, with the economy being as rough as it is right now. Two new rides per park is pretty impressive.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I'm surprised Universal is going all in on expansions to be honest, with the economy being as rough as it is right now. Two new rides per park is pretty impressive.

Universal has been handsomly rewarded for buliding through rough times; there's stories of WDW brass making fun of UOR for going ahead with potter in 2009 and so. Guess who got the last laugh.

 

[Magic-Man]

Universal has been handsomly rewarded for buliding through rough times; there's stories of WDW brass making fun of UOR for going ahead with potter in 2009 and so. Guess who got the last laugh.

Still, six rides (at least!) in five years feels like a lot. Almost too much. Feels like Hollywood Drift, Pokemon, and the Potter expansion would have been enough.

 

[Clive]

Still, six rides (at least!) in five years feels like a lot. Almost too much. Feels like Hollywood Drift, Pokemon, and the Potter expansion would have been enough.

I mean, I personally think it's great that there are new attractions actively in the works for all three parks simultaneously -- all three need them! There'll be staggered openings, for sure.

 

[ReelJustice]

Still, six rides (at least!) in five years feels like a lot. Almost too much. Feels like Hollywood Drift, Pokemon, and the Potter expansion would have been enough.

It’s almost like Universal (like most non-Magic Kingdom style parks) is underbuilt.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Still, six rides (at least!) in five years feels like a lot. Almost too much. Feels like Hollywood Drift, Pokemon, and the Potter expansion would have been enough.

Six over the next 5 or so years isn't too crazy. Disney has how many in the works for WDW right now?

 

[Mike S]

I'm surprised Universal is going all in on expansions to be honest, with the economy being as rough as it is right now. Two new rides per park is pretty impressive.

Because it’ll eventually bounce back and when it does they’ll already have new things ready to draw people in. Short term thinking vs. long term thinking.

 

[Legacy]

True but Orlando is a much more proven market. Maybe they scrap Chicago plans and move the funding to Orlando too. HHN is so big in Orlando, as in Halloween themes and vibes in general, it’s almost shocking Orlando has never had a year round thing like this at Disney or Universal.

Maybe? Orlando has actually had numerous year-round haunts, including Skull Kingdom which was right across I-4 from CityWalk. None have lasted, even after HHN started taking off. And year-round haunts haven’t worked in LA either (which is a similarly proven market).

The purpose of Unleashed (and UKR) is to establish an expanded presence in other markets. They don’t need to do that in Orlando. I also don’t think it would see markedly better attendance than Vegas even in the fandom’s heart, but that’s a different conversation.