Why We’re Worried About Universal’s New Epic Universe Announcements

Could Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe be too good to be true? Disney World of all things might suggest that’s the case.

Epic Universe is slated to open sometime next year and serve as Universal Orlando’s third major theme park. Right now, the hype is astronomical and only building with each land announcement, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have our worries.

We use the term “blue sky” pretty often, which is code for creative ideas or plans that aren’t completely restrained by practicalities such as budget, land space restrictions, and more. When it comes to blue sky projects, you’ll see a ton of concept art — which is exactly where our concerns stem.

Most recently, we saw how concept art differed greatly from the real thing with EPCOT’s CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza.

To quote the Marvel villain Thanos, “Reality is often disappointing.”

Disney choosing to debut CommuniCore Hall without any theming is so strange to me. I know it’s a flex space and it will probably make sense when we see it utilized during a festival – but the debut is so odd. I’m all for keeping EPCOT weird …but eeek. (Video via @TharinWhite) pic.twitter.com/sjBHZs07H7

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) June 13, 2024

This isn’t the only instance where Disney’s concept art has overpromised. We’ve seen concept art for a new Avengers attraction at Disney California Adventure that has yet to materialize in any fashion, hotels that were never built, and projects that were ultimately scrapped.

Some more concept art that never came to fruition was the Willis Wood Theater Main Street U.S.A. Magic Kingdom. Teased in 2017, this theater was going to be built behind the existing Main Street, U.S.A., and would have offered world-class entertainment.

Of course, EPCOT’s latest creation was supposed to look a little bit different. Disney had previously announced a Festival Center right in the heart of World Celebration. The center was supposed to be a multi-level building that had a plaza, an expo, and a park on the top level. This was so real that a model was built.

Eventually, the Festival Center became a Festival area and we will never know what could have been.

Of course, Epic Universe is in a much different position. Construction has moved along rapidly and Universal is teasing the park in what could be just months before opening. So for the final product to look wildly different from the concept art would be shocking.

Still, we’ve been burned before with false promises and we’ll continue to keep our guard up. Don’t let us down, Universal!

We’ll keep you posted on all the latest Universal and Disney Parks news, so be sure to stay tuned right here at AllEars!

“Disney World Is Finished.” Fans React to Epic Universe News Drop

Do you trust Universal to deliver on its Epic Universe promises? Let us know in the comments!

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