Everything We Learned and Didn’t Learn about Epic Universe
The CEO of NBCUniversal just revealed several tantalizing tidbits about Epic Universe, the next theme park at Universal Orlando Resort.
While we didn’t learn everything we wanted about the upcoming project, we did get enough to draw some conclusions. Here’s what we currently know about Epic Universe.
Photo: NBCUniversal
The New Epic Universe Timeline
Photo: Universal
Before the pandemic, Universal executives had prioritized the new theme park. They viewed it as an immediate revenue-generator in Orlando. Universal strategists knew from experience that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter boosted traffic mightily.
Then, they watched as Walt Disney World opened Pandora – The World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, both of which led to increased crowds. Meanwhile, Universal and Disney hadn’t opened a new theme park in Orlando in more than 20 years.
Photo: The Apopka Voice
You can do the calculus here to understand why Universal executives had cartoon cash registers for eyes.
Then, the pandemic struck, which caused Comcast to recognize that its $160 billion (!) in debt wouldn’t drop anytime soon. Universal received word that it must cut costs at all costs, thereby delaying Epic Universe by several years.
Photo: gameintime.com
In fact, at one point, the Nintendo themed land may have switched to a Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure locale instead.Universal toyed with this as a way to make money off Nintendo without waiting for a new theme park.
According to CEO Jeff Shell, that’s no longer the case, presuming it ever was.During an investor conference, Shell firmly stated that Epic Universe will arrive in “a couple of years.”
The most recent target date for its arrival had been 2025. So, the possibility of a 2023 debut feels…ambitious. Still, even a 2024 start represents a more optimistic estimate than we’d had previously. So, let’s call this forward progress.
Everything Else We Just Learned about Epic
While PR people shamelessly hype all their projects, CEOs must play their cards closer to the vest. They’re subject to federal regulations. As such, Shell seems reliable and forthcoming when he states that Epic Universe will be the largest Universal theme park in America.
The early blueprints had hinted at that, but you never know once budget cuts come into play. Shell’s acting as if that won’t be a problem, though.
Universal selected land near the Orange County Convention Center and is now campaigning to get a Brightline station near I-4.
If Universal can make that happen, guests may fly into Orlando International Airport and then take a high-speed train to the convention center.
From there, Universal should have no problem transporting guests to and from the parks.
Having said that, Universal doesn’t currently offer free transportation for park visitors. Would that change after the arrival of a Brightline station? Shell offered no information about this, but the company has made no secret of its lust for an I-4 station.
However, Shell did hint at the greater aspiration here. By building a new park, Universal can siphon market share from Walt Disney World.
Photo: Miami New Times
Specifically, the location near the convention center will add a new crowd, the out-of-towners visiting on corporate expense accounts.
Folks, Universal has a plan about how to maximize revenue and park attendance at Epic Universe. They’ve got everything figured out except…
No Mention of Harry Potter
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
Writing about Epic Universe sometimes feels similar to trying to solve math problems from a random number generator. Just when you’ve proven that two plus two equals four, you look back, and the numbers are now four and seven.
I say this because Epic Universe’s plans for one of its theme lands have changed twice already and possibly now for the third time. That’s a lot of modifications for a theme park that won’t exist for another two years.
Photo: Science Fiction
Initially, plans called for a themed land based on the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Here’s an article I wrote about it.
The sticking point involved the disappointing box office performance of the first two films. They earned a combined total of just under $1.5 billion. That sounds like a lot until you realize that the final Harry Potter movie grossed $1.34 billion on its own.
Even worse, the most recent movie earned only $655 million, the worst ever for the ten-film franchise.I haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet.
Raise your hand if you’re involved with Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and you’re not canceled. Johnny Depp and J.K. Rowling, you should put your hands down. Yeah, Depp’s divorce proceedings and legal struggles have forced a re-casting.
Photo:cnbc.com
Meanwhile, every time Rowling tweets about a specific subject, the internet rage-quits the Potterverse.
Not coincidentally, Epic Universe is now taking a wait-and-see approach to another Wizarding World of Harry Potter.The new theme park may or may not include Harry Potter. A lot depends on the July 15th, 2022, release of Fantastic Beasts 3…and its press junket.
Can Rowling avoid talking about That One Thing people want her to shut up about? IF the answer’s no, we may get double the Nintendo at Epic Universe.
We’re All Here for Super Nintendo World
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
We now live in a world that has Super Nintendo in it. The Japanese version of the themed land opened earlier this year.
Universal Studios Hollywood hopes to open its version in 2022. However, Epic Universe plans to anchor the entire park around Nintendo. That’s where the money is, after all. So, it’s the smart play. Unfortunately, we still don’t know much about the attractions.
Photo: Universal Studios Japan
The expectation is that a Mario Kart ride will anchor this place, just like in Japan. A dark roller coaster is a possibility as well.
However, we could get substantially more, too. The Japanese park has worked as a proof of concept for the untapped demand for a Nintendo land.
So, if Harry Potter doesn’t have a presence at Epic Universe, we could see twice as much Nintendo here. The park could also add more DreamWorks stuff.
Photo: Universal Japan
Personally, I’d go all-in on Nintendo, as that’s the future. In contrast, Harry Potter is fighting to sustain relevance at the moment. (Don’t shoot the messenger.)
Overall, we’re still waiting for meaningful updates about construction and probably won’t know anything for another several months.
Still, the news that Universal has prioritized the project should be enough to put a song in your heart! Could we really get Epic Universe in 2023? MAYBE!
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Feature Photo: Photo: Universal
