What to Expect at Universal Studios in 2022

by David Mumpower · January 6, 2022

Over the past two years, Universal Studios has remained in survival mode.

The theme park’s parent company carried heavy debt at the worst possible time. So, when the pandemic struck, Universal had to fend for itself.

Photo: Universal Orlando

Now that the worst is presumably over, we can look forward to a vastly superior new year. Here’s what to expect at Universal in 2022.

Super Nintendo World Take Two

Photo: geekvsfan.com

During the heart of the pandemic, Universal Studios Japan boldly opened its most ambitious project to date. Last March, Super Nintendo World finally debuted after a prolonged delay stemming from the pandemic.

When this themed land hosted guests for the first time, they marveled at the splendor of the place.

Photo: TDRexplorer.com

You could visit the Mushroom Kingdom in all its glory, including Bowser’s Castle and Princess Peach’s Castle.

The theming here takes the immersion so seriously that park guests enter through a warp pipe.

Photo:mynintendonews.com

One of the attractions, Yoshi’s Adventure, displays the splendor of the entire area. This dark ride carries you through the land, allowing you to appreciate the small details.

Conversely, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge fittingly adds gamified elements. It’s an augmented reality attraction where you can wear goggles to add to the experience.

Photo:Nintendo/Universal Studios

In California, Universal Studios Hollywood will join Universal Studios Japan in having a Super Nintendo World. While we don’t know the date, it’ll open in 2022.

I also have terrific news for those of you who cannot wait. You can already buy Super Nintendo World merchandise at Universal Studios Hollywood right now!

A Return of More Shows

Photo: Universal Orlando

Recently, Universal announced the closure of Shrek 4-D, which came on the heels of Fear Factor Live closing. Meanwhile, Poseidon’s Fury remains shuttered for the time being.

Well, I have a welcome update for fans of show-based attractions. Universal hasn’t abandoned these presentations. On the contrary, the parks will reopen and add several more during the coming year.

Photo:uofanguide.com

Poseidon’s Fury could return as early as next month! Soon afterward, Universal should announce the permanent replacement for Shrek 4-D.

Everyone believes it’ll have something to do with the Despicable Me franchise or possibly The Secret Life of Pets. In fact, we could feasibly get both as the successors to Fear Factor Live and Shrek 4-D.

Photo: Illumination Entertainment

Lately, Universal has evaluated its IP and determined that the animated shows appeal to theme park fans the most. We shouldn’t act surprised by this news. Disney has proven it since the 1950s.

So, shows aren’t going away. Instead, Universal is merely rebooting some for the next generation of theme park fans.

A Rollback in Face Mask Policies

On Christmas Eve, Universal Orlando Resort did something close to unthinkable. The park strengthened its face-covering policies, requiring guests to wear face masks indoors.

Since the pandemic’s beginning, Universal has been the first park to reopen and the first to relax stringent policies.

Photo: Universal Orlando

As such, Universal’s decision spoke volumes about the sudden, shocking outbreak. The Central Florida area and Florida in general suddenly exploded with new cases.

That’s the bad news. On the plus side, we already know that Universal has emphasized a safe vacation before this incident.

Photo: Universal Orlando

For this reason, I fully expect a rollback in face mask policies within a matter of weeks, presuming that this wave proves as short-lived as it did in Africa. By the end of the year, we could easily return to the halcyon days of 2019.

That’s when nobody would have considered wearing a mask at Universal…unless it was Halloween Horror Nights.

New Project Announcements

AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (John Raoux/AP

I’ve touched on this a bit already but let me emphasize it here. One of the significant stories at Universal in 2022 isn’t any specific attraction or amenity. Instead, what we’re tracking is the impending announcement of several projects.

Now, Universal hasn’t been great about communication lately. Instead, the park’s social media channels have enjoyed toying with loyal fans.

Photo: Twitter

However, that stance should change in 2022. Universal has created ample space at the parks during the pandemic, enough to repurpose some of it.

Rumors persist of an expansion to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Photo: Facebook/ universal

Similarly, park officials might do something else with the least popular ride in Orlando, Fast & Furious Supercharged.

We also know that Revenge of the Mummy is undergoing changes that will keep it offline for at least half the year.

Could Universal add a re-theme or new ride elements? I suspect that the answer is yes.

We have three American parks that could feasibly announce new projects this year, and that’s not all…

Clarifications on Epic Universe

I’m happy to report that Universal has recommitted to Epic Universe. The company recently acquired new land and filed permits to start construction.

For the body of two years, we all wondered whether this project would ever come to fruition. However, now that these fears are in the rearview mirror, we may look forward.

Photo: NBCUniversal

For starters, we’d like confirmation that Super Nintendo World will reside at Epic Universe rather than Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure.

I strongly suspect that Universal will use Super Nintendo World as a selling point for the upcoming park, but it’s not certain yet. Similarly, nobody’s sure what kind of Harry Potter theming we’ll get at Epic Universe.

Photo: Slash Film

For a while, Fantastic Beasts appeared likely due to the potential theming ideas. But then, new rumors suggested that we might get a second Wizarding World instead.

Right now, nobody’s 100 percent certain, but I believe the setting won’t be the 1920s and 1930s a la Fantastic Beasts.