Universal Studios Reveals Epic Universe Timeline and New Ride Details
While other companies enjoy a sleepy December with little by way of non-holiday-related news, Universal is out here dropping bombshells.
Yes, we just got two more announcements, each of which are essential to the company’s future.
Universal Studios just revealed the timeline for Universal Epic Universe and provided details about a new Donkey Kong expansion.
Universal Stella Nova Resort Opens in 13 Months
Image: Loews
I realize that when you hear the year 2025 thrown around, it sounds far away. So, I’ve phrased the headline this way to reinforce the announcement.
Universal just confirmed the opening of Universal Stella Nova Resort on January 25th, 2025. Folks, that is just 417 days from today!
As a reminder, the Stella Nova will operate as one of two primary hotels for the upcoming Universal Epic Universe.
So, we can safely conclude that Universal expects the theme park to open during the first half of 2025.
This specific opening date suggests that Epic Universe could debut as soon as late January 2025! Again, that’s 417 days from today!!!
Realistically, I suspect that’s a bit early. I say this because Universal also revealed the opening date for Stella Nova’s twin.
Image: Loews
Universal Terra Luna Resort will host its first guests on February 25th, 2025.
My guess is that Universal won’t open its latest theme park until both the associated hotels are operational.
After all, attendance should prove shockingly strong for Epic Universe during its early days.
Image: Loews
We’re talking about a park that will host new themed lands for Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Then, we can throw in the other original themed lands based on Universal Classic Monsters and How to Train Your Dragon.
Theme park fanatics are gonna flock to this park in droves, and Universal will need every hotel room to host them.
Image: Loews
So, my completely baseless speculation is that we’re probably looking at an opening in late February or March.
If I were betting money right now, I’d expect a soft opening or possibly the early launch of Super Nintendo World around President’s Day 2025.
Universal is still vaguely listing “summer 2025” as the target opening, though.
About the New Resorts
Image: Loews
Just yesterday, I discussed the new path Universal is currently plotting.
Three weeks ago, I talked about the Loews snafu wherein the hospitality chain accidentally revealed details about Stella Nova.
So, today’s announcement shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of our readers. We’ve been heading down this path for a while.
Image: Loews
Still, I was a bit surprised by today’s official announcement in that I had expected Universal to save it until the slow January news cycle.
Instead, Loews apparently believes it can go ahead and get some holiday vacation money spent with early bookings.
That’s right, my friends. You can go ahead and reserve a hotel stay at Stella Love or Terra Luna now!
Here’s part of the press release:
“Today, Universal Orlando Resort announced the addition of two new hotel properties to the Universal Orlando hotels portfolio. Co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels & Co, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each feature 750 guest rooms in the resort’s Prime Value category – bringing the total number of guest rooms across the destination to 10,500 – and are slated to open in early 2025.”
NBCUniversal describes Stella Nova as “inspired by distant galaxies, new stars and mysterious black holes.”
Terra Luna “is inspired by the massive and diverse planetary elements of the universe.”
With regard to pricing, Stella Nova shows rooms starting at $189 per night in January 2025, while Terra Luna starts at $210 for its opening.
Donkey Kong Country Is Coming Soon
Photo:gameinformer.com
Okay, I realize only a few people reading this intend to visit Universal Studios Japan in 2024. Some of you will, though.
As for the rest, you should still pay careful attention because what I’m about to discuss will likely arrive in America soon enough.
Universal Studios Japan just posted this YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY_v1w9ALC8
That Warp Pipe leads to Donkey Kong Country!
Park officials have confirmed that the Super Nintendo World expansion will open in Spring 2024.
Photo:Orlandoparkstop.com
Roughly three years after the world’s first Nintendo theme park land opened, Japanese creatives will improve it with this Donkey Kong area.
The highlight of the new land is Mine Cart Madness, a name that should put a smile on the faces of classic gamers. Yes, it’s a tribute to this:
Universal executives are leaning hard into a new catchphrase, “PLAY WILD” as a way to underscore the Donkey Kong theming.
I wrote extensively about the ride mechanics of Mine Cart Madness right at a year ago. You can read the details here.
The gist is that hidden tracks will create the illusion that your mine cart “jumps” the tracks even as you remain firmly entrenched and thereby safe.
USJ情報局 Photo: Twitter/L.C.A.STUDIOS@LCASTUDIOS_USJ
This ride will blow people’s minds, and that’s not even the best part!
Universal Epic Universe isn’t waiting for an expansion to build its version!
Construction pictures show that its version of Mine Cart Madness is well underway and should be ready when the park opens in 2025!
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Main image: Loews
