What We Just Learned about Epic Universe
Universal Orlando Resort has recently filed some trademark names.
While we don’t want to jump to any conclusions, they seem to confirm rumors we have reported here for a while.
Photo: Universal
Let’s talk about what we have learned about Epic Universe through these filings.
(Editor’s Note: The park’s name may have changed to Universal Epic Universe. I’ll use the old version until that’s a certainty.)
Semi-Confirmation of Themed Lands
Image: Universal
For a while now, UniversalParksBlog has told you the identity of several themed lands coming to Epic Universe.
To date, Universal Studios has only confirmed one of those places: Super Nintendo World.
Image: Universal
Obviously, the presence of the largest Super Nintendo World on the planet remains the driving force behind Epic Universe as a whole.
While park officials at least toyed with the notion of adding elements to the existing parks at Universal Orlando during the pandemic, common sense won the day.
Image: Universal
Now, we’ll gain the most comprehensive video game interactive themed land ever, although Universal Studios Japan has already announced an expansion that could challenge that.
The point remains that Super Nintendo World is the known quantity at Epic Universe. We’ve all spent the body of the pandemic debating the rest.
Photo:Nintendo/Universal Studios
I’ve previously linked images of park construction that support another assertion.
A Classic Monsters themed land appears likely, and it would explain the closure of the popular Monsters Café at Universal Studios Florida.
We’ve also suggested that a Berk themed land is coming to Epic Universe.
Photo: Pinterest
The recent announcement that Universal Pictures will remake How to Train Your Dragon with live action supports this notion.
Universal officials understand the popularity of the franchise and believe it lends well to a themed land.
Photo: Universal
Finally, Universal Studios still perceives The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as its anchor theme park experience.
As such, we can expect a third Wizarding World at Epic Universe when it debuts.
My understanding is that this themed land has caused the most internal struggle at Universal as strategists plan the setting.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
At one point, Fantastic Beasts would have held court here. The disappointment of that franchise eliminated the possibility.
Now, the new filings suggest what’s happening for sure.
Let’s Talk Dark Universe
Photo: Universal Studios
Universal posted official concept art a while ago, although I understand if you’ve forgotten.
Based on construction photos from @Bioreconstruct on Twitter and some other sources, the new build aligns with earlier guesses.
Photo: Orlando Sentinel
The four themed lands will consist of an east side and a west side. On one side, Super Nintendo World will reside in the lower corner. Above it will be Monsters Land.
The other side consists of Berk on the bottom and another Wizarding World on the top.
Photo: Universal Studios
So, Berk is parallel to Super Nintendo World, while Monsters Land is parallel to Wizarding World.
We’ve since learned about a few surprises, including an unmistakable dueling roller coaster in development.
Photo: Facebook/ universal
The latest filings verify some of these things. For starters, Universal is at least considering a trademark for Dark Universe.
By way of explanation, many trademark applications fail. In fact, government officials reject almost exactly half of them.
Photo: Facebook/Universal Monsters Universe
We should think of all these names in air quotes rather than written in permanent marker.
Still, that Dark Universe title is gripping, right? I suspect this might be the name for the entire themed land, too.
Photo:laughing place.com
As a reminder, a few years ago, Universal Pictures tried to revive the Classic Monsters with a new connected story.
The studio took inspiration from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and even hired Tom Cruise to star in The Mummy remake.
Alas, the new films universally (no pun intended) disappointed at the box office.
Photo:laughing place.com
Still, Dark Universe carries some gravitas as a name for the themed land, and I hope it stays! Then again, it could just as easily be some ride experience.
However, one of the filings is for Curse of the Werewolf, which sounds much more like a ride.
A Few Other Filings
Photo:howtotrainyourdragon.fandom.com
Here’s a filing that doesn’t require any guesswork. Universal has tried to trademark How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
I’d argue that Berk is simpler and cleaner as a name. Some people aren’t as obsessive about How to Train Your Dragon as I am, though.
Image: Universal
Perhaps Universal officials fear everyone would ask, “What is Berk?” during their visit.
By putting How to Train Your Dragon in the title, Universal sidesteps the problem. That’s gonna be a big name on a park map, though.
Photo: Pinterest
Three other filings, almost assuredly for Berk, are Dragon Racer’s Rally, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, and The Untrainable Dragon.
Those are presumably two rides plus a stage show. It’s possible that Universal will pick between Dragon Racer and Hiccup as potential names for the same ride, though.
Photo: dreamworks
There’s also a filing for Fyre Drill, and I have to be honest with you. That could be ANYTHING.
Is Fyre Drill an interactive pageant of some sort? A play on dragon fire? I honestly couldn’t tell you, although Alicia Stella suggests it’s the boat ride’s name.
Photo: dreamworks
However, I can let you know that the dual racing coaster at the center of the park will apparently be called Starfall Racers, presuming the trademark application works.
Also, I must say that Starfall Racers works brilliantly as a coaster name. If I knew nothing about the dual coaster, I’d want to ride it based on that name!
Photo: Universal
Also at the center of the park is a kind of carousel. That’s been the guess of many theme park experts anyway.
Well, they may have had their suppositions confirmed. Universal has asked to trademark Constellation Carousel.
In combination with Starfall Racers, the middle of Epic Universe will apparently feature an outer space theme…at least somewhat.
What Didn’t We Learn from the Filings?
Photo: Pin
I’m confident you noticed a glaring omission here. I present you with no information on trademark filings for the third Wizarding World.
Some online sleuths wonder whether Warner Bros. would do those rather than Universal Studios anyway.
Photo: Universal
That’s a possibility, maybe even a likelihood. Still, I believe it’s more reflective of the sustained indecision regarding how to market this themed land.
Park planners have continued with the classic Fantastic Beasts early 20th century European setting from the first film.
Image: Universal
Alas, Universal really doesn’t want guests thinking about Fantastic Beasts for fear of tourists immediately dismissing the work as lesser in nature.
I’m genuinely curious about the trademark filing for this themed land since it’s such an awkward position.
Photo: Universal
I mean, you don’t really want it connected too closely to J.K. Rowling right now, either.
Universal doesn’t have an ideal solution here, but we’re talking about smart people who are building an absolutely dazzling E-ticket attraction here.
Photo:instagram/universalorlando
They’ll get the name right, I’m sure! Still, the overriding point here is simple.
Based on these filings, we can be confident that two of the three unnamed lands at Epic Universe are the ones I’d previously suggested: Berk and Classic Monsters.
Image: Universal
Epic Universe will possess some form of Wizarding World as well. For all the reasons we’ve discussed, Universal just isn’t ready to say it yet.
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Featured photo: Universal
