Thanks for the heads up! Just saw it tonight! I know her video would be on my home screen, but I checked my email instead, and there you were! I dropped what I was doing and immediately streamed it on my living room TV for my family to watch. The sad thing is I was out there Thursday filming for November’s update. I tried to see if I could do a Friday morning release (unknowing of her own Friday morning release). I was going to stay up late to finished, but figure it could wait. Saw this, and was like, “Crap! Have to finish overlays ASAP!”
Lovely footage, loved the overlays too xd subscribed :) .. I have this weird feeling that they will recreate one of these kids Universals in Florida in the future as a 4th park there (next to Epic). It will really hit Disney if they do, be cheap(er) than a regular full park, also can be built on a smaller plot, plus will hit Disney as the child friendly destination to go to (as it currently is) and will augment the more child friendly direction of Epic too sealing that idea.
Thank you. I have heard fan theories on what Universal may plan on doing with a parcel of land they own near Epic. Many have suggested this. It would be the reverse of what Disney did, opening up the first DisneyQuest in WDW before building regional locations elsewhere. I don’t think this is a good idea however. They need enjoyable kiddie areas within the existing parks. Family members who enjoy thrill rides can ride them while other family members wait in the kids area, enjoying those. That’s what made Disney so great. In addition to rides the entire family could enjoy, they had rides that were a little too intense for some, but there was always a decent area nearby for younger children to play, and also give the adults who were too scared to ride also something to do while they wait. They need to keep families together, not tear them apart by forcing them to go to different parks. I think that’s one of the bad things of Wizarding World. All the rides are a bit intense, even the hippogryph “family coaster.” My husband and daughter are huge fans, but can’t really ride anything. Now that she’s older, she likes the two coasters, but even I don’t really care for Hagrids. And my husband can’t even ride Forbidden Journey because his shoulders are too broad, and he’s hates coasters. Maybe they were thinking the thrill seekers would ride, young children would cast spells, and adults would shop and soak in the atmosphere, allowing the family to enjoy the land together through a meal or show. At the original Universal Studios Orlando park, we took our daughter for the first time as a 7yo, believing that there really wasn’t much she could enjoy when she was younger. There were a few times even at that age where the only option was having a parent take her to KidZone, while the other was far away in a different land. I think Epic will have a better mixture of things to do so parents and teens aren’t stuck in separate areas of the park from the rest of their family. Our local Six Flags finally figured this out, after acquiring several rides from other failed/closed parks. Growing up, there was always this one separate kiddie land, so my dad would take me to ride other rides, while my mom stayed with my little brother who was too little for the bigger rides. A generation later, even though the kiddie area remains, there are a lot more tamer rides, typically near the high thrills roller coasters. Someone wants to ride the same coaster people have died on? The rest of the family can still remain close, but enjoy a more safer ride. Maybe a decade from now, Universal will see what works in Texas, and try to clone that in their new DreamWorksLand (former KidZone), as what’s there now seems a bit lacking and cheap.
Agreed, but garages are more expensive than just wide open lots. Remember, Universal Orlando used to not have parking garages at all. They only got garages because they needed space for Islands of Adventure and their CityWalk. What this means though is that there is room for growth. They have already set aside land for a future expansion. It is right next to the north lot. So if they decide that the park is successful enough to warrant a need for an even larger expansion, they could annex the northern parking, converting the southern lot into a parking garage. A parking garage would have the added benefit of hail protection. Ideally, locals would not want to visit a park when a storm is predicted, but it could happen. I remember one time they kept several schools in Frisco from letting out due to bad weather. The bigger issue is sight lines. They were in agreement with the city that they would not be visible from a certain height. The southern lot had its elevation graded much lower to account for this, but I do not know how many levels of a garage they could get away with before becoming an eyesore to their neighbors.
Someone ask that question in the meeting. This is not their exact words, but they mentioned something about there being a possibility of that in the future with expansion. We already know where a lot of the cars are parked for the construction workers is the actual expansion area they are leaving open for future development. The big parking lot next to that could also be converted if they build a big parking deck later.
People are excited because it's something new and it's universal studios, but everything about this project from a business standpoint just screams "bad impulsive investment". I give it 2-5 years after construction for it to flop.
This project depends heavily on the local economy. They’ve had a Six Flags since 1961. And while that can only afford to run seasonally, Legoland Discovery Center opened in DFW back in 2011, and is still doing strong. It not only saw an expansion, but the company opened a SeaLife, a Peppa Pig World of Play, and in March, will open its first DFW outdoor entertainment venue. (Everything else here is indoors). The people of Frisco, and surrounding areas, have money. They are more likely to have a stay at home parent, or nanny, that will buy a season pass and take them monthly, even weekly. Of course, once there, they will spend spend spend, because, just like taking the kids to the mall, you’re going to buy them food, and probably some sort of toy or article of clothes. This isn’t a park for adults. Sure, they’re building a SpongeBob themed land that will attract some, but this is essentially one big Fantasyland, where they are spending their money for the children, and the adults are allowed to enjoy it with them. Basically a real life Legoland, but with a more wider child age range. People generally don’t get excited when they hear they’re building a Legoland near them. But being that this is Universal’s first attempt at a smaller kid focused regional park, they are. Unless the local economy absolutely tanks when this opens, I see it being successful. Sure, the kids will grow up and become bored, but families won’t stop having kids. There is an endless crop of consumers to replace them. Then there’s the long term investment that many people aren’t really seeing. You've heard of “Disney Adults?” These are adults who grew up watching Disney shows, movies, buying toys, going to the parks… …They grew up, and not only are going to the parks annually, but bringing their own children with them. By targeting children now, the children of today will grow up liking Universal properties, and going to the real Universal parks, taking their own kids with them. And it doesn’t even have to take that long either. We took our toddler to the local Legoland Discovery Center. It was underwhelming, but they weren’t targeting adults. They were targeting young children, and our daughter absolutely loved it. Because of this exposure, we ended up planning a vacation around the real park. Can only do one day at Legoland, but we spent three nights in their hotel. We probably would have never gone, had it not been for that small regional “park” that was local to us. So young children who enjoy UKR may end up having their parents booking a trip to Orlando to experience the real deal.
Just saw your video footage on Theme Park Stop with Alicia Stella!
Going big time now !!!
Thanks for the heads up! Just saw it tonight! I know her video would be on my home screen, but I checked my email instead, and there you were! I dropped what I was doing and immediately streamed it on my living room TV for my family to watch.
The sad thing is I was out there Thursday filming for November’s update. I tried to see if I could do a Friday morning release (unknowing of her own Friday morning release). I was going to stay up late to finished, but figure it could wait. Saw this, and was like, “Crap! Have to finish overlays ASAP!”
Lovely footage, loved the overlays too xd subscribed :) .. I have this weird feeling that they will recreate one of these kids Universals in Florida in the future as a 4th park there (next to Epic). It will really hit Disney if they do, be cheap(er) than a regular full park, also can be built on a smaller plot, plus will hit Disney as the child friendly destination to go to (as it currently is) and will augment the more child friendly direction of Epic too sealing that idea.
Thank you. I have heard fan theories on what Universal may plan on doing with a parcel of land they own near Epic. Many have suggested this. It would be the reverse of what Disney did, opening up the first DisneyQuest in WDW before building regional locations elsewhere. I don’t think this is a good idea however. They need enjoyable kiddie areas within the existing parks. Family members who enjoy thrill rides can ride them while other family members wait in the kids area, enjoying those. That’s what made Disney so great. In addition to rides the entire family could enjoy, they had rides that were a little too intense for some, but there was always a decent area nearby for younger children to play, and also give the adults who were too scared to ride also something to do while they wait.
They need to keep families together, not tear them apart by forcing them to go to different parks. I think that’s one of the bad things of Wizarding World. All the rides are a bit intense, even the hippogryph “family coaster.” My husband and daughter are huge fans, but can’t really ride anything. Now that she’s older, she likes the two coasters, but even I don’t really care for Hagrids. And my husband can’t even ride Forbidden Journey because his shoulders are too broad, and he’s hates coasters. Maybe they were thinking the thrill seekers would ride, young children would cast spells, and adults would shop and soak in the atmosphere, allowing the family to enjoy the land together through a meal or show.
At the original Universal Studios Orlando park, we took our daughter for the first time as a 7yo, believing that there really wasn’t much she could enjoy when she was younger. There were a few times even at that age where the only option was having a parent take her to KidZone, while the other was far away in a different land. I think Epic will have a better mixture of things to do so parents and teens aren’t stuck in separate areas of the park from the rest of their family. Our local Six Flags finally figured this out, after acquiring several rides from other failed/closed parks. Growing up, there was always this one separate kiddie land, so my dad would take me to ride other rides, while my mom stayed with my little brother who was too little for the bigger rides. A generation later, even though the kiddie area remains, there are a lot more tamer rides, typically near the high thrills roller coasters. Someone wants to ride the same coaster people have died on? The rest of the family can still remain close, but enjoy a more safer ride.
Maybe a decade from now, Universal will see what works in Texas, and try to clone that in their new DreamWorksLand (former KidZone), as what’s there now seems a bit lacking and cheap.
Great video! They are building fast! Cool stuff!
Exciting!!!!
Can’t wait!!!!
Definitely seeing progress now! When are they scheduled to complete construction?
I believe they said June 2026, so let’s go with summer 2026.
Seems like so much space wasted on parking lots when they could've gone for parking garages like Orlando. I am still optimistic for this though.
Agreed, but garages are more expensive than just wide open lots. Remember, Universal Orlando used to not have parking garages at all. They only got garages because they needed space for Islands of Adventure and their CityWalk. What this means though is that there is room for growth. They have already set aside land for a future expansion. It is right next to the north lot. So if they decide that the park is successful enough to warrant a need for an even larger expansion, they could annex the northern parking, converting the southern lot into a parking garage.
A parking garage would have the added benefit of hail protection. Ideally, locals would not want to visit a park when a storm is predicted, but it could happen. I remember one time they kept several schools in Frisco from letting out due to bad weather.
The bigger issue is sight lines. They were in agreement with the city that they would not be visible from a certain height. The southern lot had its elevation graded much lower to account for this, but I do not know how many levels of a garage they could get away with before becoming an eyesore to their neighbors.
Someone ask that question in the meeting. This is not their exact words, but they mentioned something about there being a possibility of that in the future with expansion. We already know where a lot of the cars are parked for the construction workers is the actual expansion area they are leaving open for future development. The big parking lot next to that could also be converted if they build a big parking deck later.
@@Aggie4life77 Good to know. Thank you!
People are excited because it's something new and it's universal studios, but everything about this project from a business standpoint just screams "bad impulsive investment". I give it 2-5 years after construction for it to flop.
This project depends heavily on the local economy. They’ve had a Six Flags since 1961. And while that can only afford to run seasonally, Legoland Discovery Center opened in DFW back in 2011, and is still doing strong. It not only saw an expansion, but the company opened a SeaLife, a Peppa Pig World of Play, and in March, will open its first DFW outdoor entertainment venue. (Everything else here is indoors). The people of Frisco, and surrounding areas, have money. They are more likely to have a stay at home parent, or nanny, that will buy a season pass and take them monthly, even weekly. Of course, once there, they will spend spend spend, because, just like taking the kids to the mall, you’re going to buy them food, and probably some sort of toy or article of clothes.
This isn’t a park for adults. Sure, they’re building a SpongeBob themed land that will attract some, but this is essentially one big Fantasyland, where they are spending their money for the children, and the adults are allowed to enjoy it with them. Basically a real life Legoland, but with a more wider child age range. People generally don’t get excited when they hear they’re building a Legoland near them. But being that this is Universal’s first attempt at a smaller kid focused regional park, they are. Unless the local economy absolutely tanks when this opens, I see it being successful. Sure, the kids will grow up and become bored, but families won’t stop having kids. There is an endless crop of consumers to replace them.
Then there’s the long term investment that many people aren’t really seeing. You've heard of “Disney Adults?” These are adults who grew up watching Disney shows, movies, buying toys, going to the parks… …They grew up, and not only are going to the parks annually, but bringing their own children with them. By targeting children now, the children of today will grow up liking Universal properties, and going to the real Universal parks, taking their own kids with them.
And it doesn’t even have to take that long either. We took our toddler to the local Legoland Discovery Center. It was underwhelming, but they weren’t targeting adults. They were targeting young children, and our daughter absolutely loved it. Because of this exposure, we ended up planning a vacation around the real park. Can only do one day at Legoland, but we spent three nights in their hotel. We probably would have never gone, had it not been for that small regional “park” that was local to us. So young children who enjoy UKR may end up having their parents booking a trip to Orlando to experience the real deal.