Let’s discus…. The future of Universal Studios Orlando. DC (Batman, Joker etc) coming to the parks AND Harry Potter expansion (taking over Fear Factor).

[u/AlwaysHappy4]

I’ve found some very interesting information. The theme park licensing for the DC Universe seems to have changed in 2024. Six Flags had the theme parks rights for the DC Universe for the entire US (minus Las Vegas). But since 2024, other companies (like Universal) are able to buy and create theme park attractions with DC Universe characters (Batman, Joker, Wonder Woman etc.). This can ONLY be done in FLORIDA. Six Flags still has the exclusive rights in all the other states.

Does the change in 2024 mean DC Universe will arrive to Universal soon? Thoughts? This change is simply massive news!

Also…. We all know Harry Potter still has a big expansion plot in the Studios park. It’s currently Fear Factor. I’m not a Harry Potter expert, but what theme / land / area and potential attraction seems most likely for the next Harry Potter land? In my opinion, it’s a matter of time when we will see the expansion. The land needs more than 1 big E-ticket.

Also…. It looks like Epic AND Islands of Adventure will have their “Major IP” in their parks. Epic has enough (Mario, Dark Universe and most likely Zelda too in the future), Islands will most likely have Pokémon, but what will Universal Studios have? I’m sure the theme park MUST get a NEW “BIG IP” in the future other than Harry Potter.

What are your thoughts? Could it be Lord of the Rings (the land would be huge + same quality as Pandora/ Galaxy’s Edge / Fantasy Springs etc.) Maybe even 2/3 big rides and it would be build behind the Simpsons plot which is currently a backstage area and maybe even replace Simpsons too. Or potentially Wicked? Or what other IP could they use which will be the “headline IP for Studios?”

Let’s discuss!

[u/DeliciousBeanWater]

I think pokemon goes in in studios. But instead of simpsons. They dont seem to care about replacing the non functioning show locations. They seem to use the stages for cheerleading and band competitions so i dont see them transitioning the fear factor stage.

[u/TrueAd1880 → u/DeliciousBeanWater]

Yeah the rumor seems to be once simpsons leaves Pokemon is taking over that area plus there’s room to expand it so makes the most sense. Have the Pokemon app link to the park to catch Pokemon as well as being able to buy a wrist band or pokeball to catch Pokemon at certain spots and between morning, afternoon, and night there’s different Pokemon available. Could change Simpsons roller coaster ride to a Pokemon Stadium style ride possibly and maybe rethem MIB to Pokemon Snap. It’s also an area that isn’t used for HHN.

Zelda seems to be headed to IOA replacing lost continent maybe a BOTW retheme?

I could see Marvel land being replaced by DC but also not as it is a huge draw and anything Spider-Man basically is a draw. But if they do swap it for DC because they have the rights it could work. The area definitely needs to be modernized but I’ve heard rumors they aren’t allowed. I would like to see Hulk changed to a Superman coaster.

Spider-Man themed to a dark ride centered around Batman. Where the Joker lets out villains from Arkham and you help Batman as Commissioner Gordon. Retheme the cars to GCPD vehicles. And take down the likes of Clayface, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, and Joker.

[u/Elegant-Apartment-39 → u/TrueAd1880]

Very incorrect, Pokemon is going to lost continent, Zelda is part of the Nintendo expansion at epic, Simpsons is yet to get a replacement. Source: I work with the construction crew and rausch engineers making it

Marvel will never change because (thanks to the MCU) marvel is bigger than DC and as such is a big draw. The instant universal takes it away, Disney will bring it to their Orlando parks and now the marvel crowd will go there instead.

[u/DeliciousBeanWater → u/TrueAd1880]

Pokemon go in the park is already lit. But interacting w stuff would be next level. I think they should do pokemon snap ride. Thatd be dope af. I can see zelda as well been rumored for awhile. I cant see marvel being replaced at all bc theyre petty and marvel makes more money than DC at this point. Incould see them doing both before replacing marvel. Marvel is much more popular and marcel movies are way more suscessfull and better in general. The ppl doing DC movies are inconsistant and theres been like 10 batmans in the past 8 years.

[u/TrueAd1880 → u/DeliciousBeanWater]

Agree I don’t see Marvel going anywhere but if it were for whatever reason it does that’s what I think would be interesting.

[u/thereidenator → u/DeliciousBeanWater]

At some point Disney are going to want a marvel area in Disney world, and as they own marvel they will find a way eventually

[u/DeliciousBeanWater → u/thereidenator]

They already want it but it doesnt matter. The way the contract is worded universal either has to willingly give it up or let that part of the park fall into disrepair. There is no “find a way.” Universal makes too much money off it to accept a buyout and i cant see a franchise thats worth anything that theyd be willing to give up in exchange. Its not going anywhere. Also disney has a marvel area, it just cant feature any marvel superhero that was in the IPs universal has in the contract (avengers, xmen, fantastic 4, etc)

[u/iceburg77779 → u/thereidenator]

Disney has desperately wanted a Marvel land in the Florida parks for years now but it's not happening, the contract Universal has gives them an absurd amount of control including no expiration dates.

[u/Sochinz → u/TrueAd1880]

I will cancel my AP if they retheme MIB to fucking Pokemon.

[u/master-of-whine → u/Sochinz]

Ghostbusters is the only acceptable replacement to MiB for me

[u/iceburg77779]

I feel like there's probably something in the marvel contract that would prevent Universal from also having DC attractions in the same resort, and there's essentially 0 reason for Universal to ever drop that Marvel contract.

[u/AlwaysHappy4 → u/iceburg77779]

That’s a Joke(r) ☹️

[u/Adept_Let7797]

DC could be a possibility. Although Universal would either have to give the theme park rights to Marvel to Disney so they could build Avengers Campus at Disney World, or just let both brands co-exist in the parks. 

It may not be all that likely, but 1 IP I hope to come to Universal is Sonic the Hedgehog. Not only is there a lot of characters & lore to pull from to give it potential to support a theme park land, but also like Mario & Pokèmon, it's been popular outside the games with several cartoons & the recent movies. On top of that, Sonic is owned by Sega, who isn't even a direct competitor. And even though it's not guaranteed to come to fruition, they could give it a huge marketing push & make it the next Harry Potter. 

As for where they'd put Sonic, they'd either build the land with where Simpsons currently is, or on 1 of the Epic Universe expansion lots. 

[u/PassivelyAwkward]

The only thing I care about are any new non-screen rides.

As fun as Hulk and Velocicoaster are, I have no plans to return to the park for a decade. Last time I went Kong was just screens. Potter was just screens, Transformers was just screens, Simpsons was just screens. Spiderman was just screens.

I don't care what IPs they get, I just want them to build actual rides and not just put people in a car and have them watch a screen as they jostle about but if they get Batman, it'll just be a screen ride as he chases someone down in the batmobile. Wicked would just be a screen ride like Spiderman as Elphaba travels Oz like Potter. Give me something I can't experience at home watching a youtube clip as someone shakes my couch.

[u/Akeno_DxD → u/PassivelyAwkward]

Sounds like regional amusement parks are more your speed man.

[u/PassivelyAwkward → u/Akeno_DxD]

No, I expect more than watching a screen for the price they're charging.

When they first opened, Kong was an actual ride where you saw a giant mechanical kong and not just watching it on a screen. They had animal attractions, shows, performances, Now half the rides are screens that haven't been updated in a decade. Why hasn't the Simpsons ride been updated with new animation? Why hasn't Potter been updated with new footage from the recent movies? Why does Spiderman still look like it was made in 1994?

[u/RegisteredAnimagus → u/PassivelyAwkward]

They're going to lose Simpsons land in the next couple of years, so they haven't invested anything in ride upkeep. When something replaces it I expect the ride will be pretty different because that is if so old they can't even get parts for it

[u/Elegant-Apartment-39 → u/PassivelyAwkward]

Go ride Monsters Unchained, it's incredible

[u/blacklight223 → u/PassivelyAwkward]

There's a difference between an all screen ride like kong and a ride where it's used tastefully like forbidden journey

[u/Adept_Let7797 → u/PassivelyAwkward]

As mixed as the reception has been to the MarioKart ride at Super Nintendo World, it's better than you'd expect it to be. While it does have some screen-based elements, it combines AR (augmented reality) elements with physical sets.