Universal continues Epic reveals with Dark Universe video

Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe. Naming things is hard.

I was most skeptical about this land, but I have to admit now that I think it could be pretty great. I'm trying my best to monitor the various rumors and leaks and fly-overs, because I really do want to see as much of this with fresh eyes as possible.

Will there be queue lines, ATM machines and people using PIN numbers at Universal's Epic Universe? :)

Seriously, this land looks amazing. I will wait till the newness wears off before venturing down, but this is definitely a bucket list park for me.

I’m over 50 now, but the 10 year old in me is more excited for this land than any other at this park. All the fun spooky scary of the old monster movies, combined with some Disney Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror vibes, and Universal’s tech and immersion. Don’t know if I would head there first, or wait for dusk. At night this land should be incredible

Regarding the name, in my opinion they should just keep it simple and call it “Darkmoor”. People will figure it out and it will increase the value of that name.

Jeff:

Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe. Naming things is hard.

Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe is straight corporate parody. Like, that's the joke guess.

How does that even get to the place where it can see the horizon of the point where the journey to YouTube announcement video begins is? (how's that for a sentence)

So bad, it's amazing. (both the previous sentence and the park's name)

I’m sure when this was first planned it was going to tie in heavily to the massive surefire hit that was the Dark Universe cinematic universe hence the name. Thankfully the area survived the DUCU dying after 1 movie.

Jeff:

Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe. Naming things is hard.

Lord Gonchar:
Dark Universe at Universal's Epic Universe is straight corporate parody. Like, that's the joke guess.

University of Maryland Global Campus literally used to be called University of Maryland University College. Heard radio ads for it all the time a few years ago, it drove me mad. May as well been called the School of Maryland School School.

You do have to wonder why no one had the nuts to stand up at a meeting, say it out loud, and be like, "Are you sure we want to go with this?" I mean, I was already scratching my head at "Universal's Epic Universe." And I didn't know there was even one movie for said universe, but calling it that at all is an homage to the MCU, which isn't even formally something used in the product itself (i.e., I don't think it's on movie posters or in trailers).

Lord Gonchar:

How does that even get to the place where it can see the horizon of the point where the journey to YouTube announcement video begins is?

Nobody circled back to run it up the flagpole in a follow up. Next time remember to Cc me before naming theme park lands.

Dark Universe isn’t even the worst case of this at the park, the HP area is called Ministry of Magic, even though the city is clearly Paris from Fantastic Beast, and has a French Magic circus in the middle of it! Like the first Fantastic Beast made decent money, and now people will expect London and instead you walk into Paris, and the ride takes you to the Ministry of Magic.

If only it wasn't so grounded in reality, like being transported by way of fireplaces and what not.

It’s called Ministry of Magic because that’s the ride. Everything I’ve read says that it’s going to be the true star of Epic Universe, even over Monsters Unleashed. It’s a new Scoop dressed up to be an elevator and it’s going to be a time bending trip taken as Delores Umbridge tries to change the time stream to avoid being sent to Azkaban as her trial is happening. The ride is going to enter multiple time periods and head into the Dept of Mysteries. There is a reason they are saving this land for the last announcement.

I know about the ride…

But the land and themeing around it is Magical Paris.

You literally walk through the portal into Paris, not the Ministry of Magic.

You walk into Hogsmeade, not

Harry Potter: Forbidden Journey

Name me another park anywhere where the ride is the name of the million dollar land that it sits in?

This is like naming Scotland at BGW Loch Ness.

Yes there is Fantastic Beast backlash, but Magical Paris doesn’t exist anywhere else but that movie.

So cool! Take my money Universal!!

will they bring in the original dark universe actors to promote? 🤣

Tom Cruise.
Russell Crowe.
Javier Bardem.
Benicio Del Toro.
Johnny Depp

Sucks. I am canceling my 2025 reservation.

I drove by Epic Universe to get to Fun Spot.

What's with enthusiasts and names? Does the name of a ride, park, or land make the experience better or worse? I can't say that it has ever changed my experience.

I don't think anyone suggested as much.

It's a terrible name that's hilariously "corporate output" in nature. People actually got paid for that.

That's all.

Park looks fun.

Who even knows about the failed cinematic universe? I would have no idea it was ever attempted if I didn’t listen to the 1 movie podcast I listen to. I expected it to be called Universal Monsters.

eightdotthree:

Who even knows about the failed cinematic universe?

I’m assuming that why they chose to just go the lazy route and reuse the name, rather than come up with a new name.

that Mummy movie with Tom Cruise was such a stinker and he rarely makes bad films.