Universal Orlando starts pitching Epic Universe with details about Celestial Park

Looks like this is a gradual rollout of official information, since they're only detailing the one world so far. I think they've made some interesting choices, because they're really only leaning on two "big" IP properties in Nintendo and Harry Potter. Train Your Dragon is the weirdest choice because that's leaning on something that doesn't seem like it will endure for a couple of decades. The monster stuff I'm not sure what to think of. But Celestial Park reminds me of what they can do when they want to invent something, much as they did with the original Lost Continent.

I have not been following this at all. Does this replace their existing parks in Orlando or is it a completely new park?

Take my money Universal !!!

Kinda excited to see what they do with the classic monster world. Has there ever been a horror theme world before in any amusement park?

How about a Fast and Furious theme world for the future? It is about family….

@Shades

Brand new park over by the Convention Center. Studios, IOA, and CItywalk are all still around and will be.

I still think some dedicated transportation (not busses) that ties the properties together is what would truly make this Epic.

Thanks. Just took a look on Google; already showing the site on the map. Looks like it will be very impressive.

wahoo skipper:

I still think some dedicated transportation (not busses) that ties the properties together is what would truly make this Epic.

Yea. Sort of the one drawback. This park looks like it will be separated a decent distance from the current Universal parks Not within walking distance

Unfortunately it is going to be buses -- they are adding some bus-only lanes in the roads between the resorts. During the planning phase of Epic, Universal filed a patent for a gondola system that uses autonomous vehicles that can drive around and then hook up to the cable car. One can dream that's still in the pipeline.

Jeff:

Train Your Dragon is the weirdest choice because that's leaning on something that doesn't seem like it will endure for a couple of decades.

Maybe. My now 16 year old is going to start crying when I show her this. Train your Dragon has been the thing for her, like my Star Wars, and they are soon coming out with a live-action movie to tie into the stories. She owns every film, has watched all the countless spinoffs, and has every line memorized. Last year at Cedar Point we rode Windseeker and what magically started playing when she got on? Yep. The theme song.

Just this past weekend she hosted a virtual watch party from our home to watch the first movie with like 5 of her friends from all over.

If it wasn't for her, I also wouldn't get that world, but I think it's that much of a thing for that generation.

Interesting. None of them have been flops, but not exactly blockbusters either by modern standards.

I think the bus transport will be fine, and certainly no worse than going to Magic Kingdom from Animal Kingdom lodge, for example. In fact, it's less than half the distance and looks like it will take about two-thirds the time (approximately, since the new roads don't exist on Google Maps yet). Looks like ten minutes door to door, which seems legit because I've used that cut-over on Carrier Dr. between Universal Blvd. and Kirkman.

The the most exciting thing to me is Dark Universe, cause although they have failed terribly at making connected movies the rides are the most impressive to me.

A HP Forbidden Journey next gen ride in Draculas Castle, and the Werewolve themed multi launch coaster, and the restaurants look amazing, though we are not sure just how exactly the burning wind mill for Frankenstein will be integrated.

Also as I stated before why Disney waited is silly, but this will he the first deluxe in park hotel in the US. And it looks DisneySea level in execution.

How To Train Your Dragon is huge with elder Gen Z.

Jeff:

Interesting. None of them have been flops, but not exactly blockbusters either by modern standards.

I get that. On the surface it feels a little like an IP that hasn’t resonated deeply with the public. They still say the same things about Avatar too. But if the world building and rides are good, people will come.

we shall see.

wahoo skipper:

still think some dedicated transportation (not busses)

I had no idea where the new resort was being built and just looked at Google maps, wow that is out there on it's own away from the rest of the resort! Maybe Universal/Comcast has plans to buy up property between the two, demolish what is there, and better link the whole resort in the future? I definitely think a high-speed monorail or some levitating train would be a cool way to link the properties...I mean who wants to ride buses when you go to Disney and Universal for the "experience?"

As far as Disney, I don't think anyone necessarily wants a bus over a boat, monorail, or gondola, but the vast majority of guests are moving around by car or bus out of necessity.

Line of sight it's less than two miles, generously three by road, depending on where the drop-offs will be at the original parks. It's eight miles from AK Lodge to MK, or five miles between bus terminals at Hollywood Studios and MK.

I do not at all understand the fascination with hotels in park, but isn't that essentially what the Grand Californian is? The Contemporary? The Epcot hotels? Hotel Breakers? I mean, what's the criteria, it has to cast a shadow on the turnstiles?

If we want to discuss hotels in the park take a look at the Hotel Charles Lindbergh. That is a proper in park hotel. But typically in park hotels should allow access into the park from their doorstep, so GC in DL, the defunct GSC at DHS.

They could just make a fleet of busses like the Hogwarts Express, and make their own experience during the ride.

Jeff:

I do not at all understand the fascination with hotels in park, but isn't that essentially what the Grand Californian is? The Contemporary? The Epcot hotels? Hotel Breakers? I mean, what's the criteria, it has to cast a shadow on the turnstiles?

I’ve stayed at both the Grand Californian and the Disney Contemporary. At least for me and my family, there is nothing like the buzz you get out of being right there next to the parks.

Jeff:

It's eight miles from AK Lodge to MK, or five miles between bus terminals at Hollywood Studios and MK.

It's not the distance but the effort, the waiting, the noise, the whining kids, traffic lights, etc. I love Universal Orlando because I can leave my hotel and feel like I am somewhere else. If there's a line for the boat I can walk in as much time as the boat takes.

TheMillenniumRider:
If we want to discuss hotels in the park

Phantasialand's hotels are incredible. Walking from the hotel directly into the matching themed area is a wonderful experience.