Universal's New Monsters Land Is a Big Risk

[@GTNover]

-Hollowween Horror Nights are Universal Parks' biggest event. -Universal caters to a slightly older demographic than Disney parks. -Even Disney park fans have been wanting a "villians" land. -A poll from 5 months ago show its the land people are most excited for. I think this land is a pretty safe bet.

[@MACMAMI]

Yeah, this is a rare instance in which I was completely scratching my head over the thesis of a Poseidon video. Dark Universe is pretty much the safest home run imaginable. I personally find the scary movie/horror genre to be my least favorite of all film genres because of how boring and interchangeable it is and its conventions my least favorite aesthetically and beyond long in the tooth.............but I'm most clearly the minority because my family and virtually everyone I know are OBSESSED with them and can't get enough of them with nary the slightest iota of fatigue. There is absolutely NOTHING risky about Dark Universe.

[@Adam-vq1uy]

Also, the Haunted Mansion at Disney has always been popular. I've been waiting a long time for Universal to create their equivalent, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[@GTNover]

@Adam-vq1uy The main ride isn't going to be child friendly like Haunted Mansion is.

[@awesomess9953]

nintendo is not the most hyped i am surprised that is the one that i am most excited about

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

@@GTNover No, but that's because, again, Universal skewers - blood & guts included - towards an older demographic than Disney does with its audience.

[@kc3d777]

I think if you look at it from the perspective of a typical Disney guest it would be a risk but Universal is the biggest Halloween Haunt venue in the country and their audience skews older and more thrill seeking. This is the perfect way to do Halloween year round.

[@kevikiru]

Interesting, didn't have a clue that this is the case. If so, this is not as risky for Universal as it seems. And with Disney cheaping out, with the crowds, high cost, artistic bankruptcy, then Universal are setting themselves apart for a good reputation.

[@kc3d777]

@@kevikiru universal is huge on Halloween they even had a year round Halloween store for quite a while. I've been theorizing it for a while that they did the numbers and decided to go after older kids and adults. Particularly since most families don't see the value in bringing kids under about 7-8 to the parks anymore. They don't remember it, they complain the whole time and it's too expensive.

[@kevikiru]

@@kc3d777 Wow alright. Is there some significant difference between Disney and Universal parks that makes the former more friendly to families with small children? Is it the IP, rides....?

[@kc3d777]

@@kevikiru mix of IP and rides. Universal has way more coasters and intense rides. Their IP like Jurassic Park, Fast and Furious and even Harry Potter skews older. Even the stuff at Nintendo land with the power up bands isn't really for small children it's all geared towards kids that are a bit older and adventurous. A lot of people forget Harry Potter is aimed at kids 10 and older and those books get more intense. Disney's focus is on gentler rides that are kid friendly lots of pg meet and greets and less intense attractions with a focus on dark rides and nostalgia.

[@MrMac1138]

@@kevikiru Disney is hardly cheaping out. Universal is actually building Epic on the cheap. Disney's $17 Billion commitment over the next decade that they are contractually obligated to spend at WDW is over 3x the entire money spent by Universal over the entire life of Universal Orlando. They spent $500 MILLION on Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. That is HALF the budget of all of Epic Universe. Universal is the one that cheaps out far more frequently. They did it on Hagrid's - which is why they have to come back and build a vehicle bay expansion. It does not fix the loading area issues, however, that prevent that ride from coming anywhere near its 1700 per hour capacity. So Disney spends - but it's fair to question how and where they spend. One thing to remember is Peacock loses about $2 BILLION per year and Comcast is losing subscribers while NBC and its networks lose viewers. They will pinch the parks if it means getting more profit out of them.

[@EveryCrazyDay]

Parks fans have been asking for a “villians” land or even park for years, Universal using their absolutely iconic monsters for a land may even sound better. Yeah it’s not a traditional modern IP but I’m willing to bet the Dark Universe will get the first expansions at the new park.

[@hairyson94]

Not to mention theyre all staples of Halloween Horror Nights for modern audiences

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

@@hairyson94 Not just HHN, but Halloween itself overall.

[@spidermaster0543]

First expansion I don’t know about, because if I were to bet, I’d say that Nintendoland would be first up, but certainly it’ll be at the top of the list.

[@skh1964]

There was a rumor of a dedicated Creature From The Black Lagoon boat attraction.

[@samplautz5586]

The current rumor is that Harry Potter is getting the first expansion. It will be a Great Hall dining experience. I know, super confusing considering they already built the castle at another park

[@MalakiaLaGattaNera]

People who would NEVER go to a theme park will flock to Dark Universe if they can afford it. The untapped market of horror/gothic fans is gigantic. Little addition since the comment is taking off (thanks for the likes!): My home park is Disneyland Paris which is where the more 'hardcore' version of the Haunted Mansion, Phantom Manor, is located. The ride has a massive cult following and it's a meeting spot for teens and adults in the alternative fashion scene. This year, I plan to take a dear friend of mine to DLP for the first time and as a massive horror fan, I know that she is going to ADORE Phantom Manor. I sent her the official Dark Universe video too and her reply was, and I quote "...is this heaven?" :P

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

And Monster mag generation kids, too.

[@Lil-Britches]

Literally this, I love horror and OG horror I'd go to this. Would I go to a regular family themed park....NOPE. 😂

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

@@Lil-Britches Nonethless, for me, although I am generally a thrill-adverse person (I get motion sick, so intense roller coasters/thrill rides are a no-go), I just think it'd be nice to chill - but hopefully, not turned into one of the undead, nor horrifically consumed, nor painfully bludgeoned by -- with Count Dracula (based on Vlad the Impaler), Lawrence "Larry" Talbot (The Wolfman), The Monster & his Bride (Frankenstein's Monster played by Boris Karloff & Ella Lancaster as The Bride of Frankenstein), Ithmotep/Ardath Bay (The Mummy, also performed by Boris Karloff), Gill Man (The Creature from the Black Lagoon), Erik The Phantom (Phantom of the Opera) & the human of his affections Christine, The Invisible Man (even if, as soon-to-be retired WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood actor John Cena would posit, "You Can't See Me") & his female counterpart The Invisible Woman (no correlation to Sue Richards [the wife of Mr. Fantastic, Reed Richards] of Marvel's Fantasic Four franchise, who also has the ability to make herself & anything she interacts with entirely invisible), and any other culturally iconic Universal Studios take on the original icons of horror.

[@cami5173]

@@TherealRNOwwfpooh theres so much ahppening in this comment that i cant tell if its a joke or a rant lol

[@Lil-Britches]

@cami5173 😂 facts ❤

[@JM-er2yl]

Local passholder here and the consensus seems to be Dark Universe is the most anticipated land in Epic. HHN is now tradition and has steadily grown more popular as the decades passed. Universal is smart to embrace their roots. They're giving the public what it wants.

[@MrMac1138]

Also a local passholder and it is pretty easily Super Nintendo World. Reality is no one cares about the other bits of the park - it is all about Nintendo. I have heard so little about anything else as people talk about it. Most think Epic Universe will have multiple Nintendo areas. These aren't theme park nuts - these are regular people that don't know much about it. Universal has not done a good job communicating to the average person. Dark Universe has not even cracked a million views on KZbin after nearly 2 weeks. Most of their videos don't do so well for the park outside of the introduction. I think most just don't care and it will all come down to word of mouth - which might be a problem as Universal has never launched a park in Orlando without a massive amount of problems in the first month.

[@michikip45]

Agreeing that Nintendo world is probably more popular overall but what is this dude going on about no one cares about the other sections at all in that comment above??? Uh, HTTYD and the monsters are really looked forward too as well lol

[@michikip45]

@@MrMac1138Nah, thinking ppl don’t care at all abt httyd is wild when I saw toothless plush flying off the shelves (lol) in the preview center

[@MrMac1138]

@@michikip45 Basing anything off the preview center is insane. They need the general public to embrace the park, not just theme park fans. The HTTYD franchise has not had a film in theaters in 5 years and that film declined from the second film as far as box office goes.

[@MrMac1138]

@@michikip45 For the general public? No one knows about it. Theme park fans do, but average people planning their vacations do not. They know about Nintendo. Period.

[@mutecryptid]

Finally, something designed by people who actually care

[@taal223]

I love the theming of horror more than I enjoy horror itself. Haunted Mansions, misty dark forests, gothic castles. An entire land getting the horror treatment is something I'm keen to visit.

[@tarazieminek1947]

Exactly!

[@chibicheeks78]

This is exactly how I feel. It’s the creativity and artistry I love about the horror/haunt industry

[@Wendish1971]

This is horror, not Halloween. This is not a year-round Halloween park section. It's the iconic monster movie genre. I welcome this way more than another superhero universe attraction.

[@SegaMaster172]

Horror and Halloween are synonymous with each other. At what other time would it be appropriate to dress up like the iconic Universal monsters, outside of a random costume party?

[@Okaypions]

@@SegaMaster172 not really

[@hpvamp246]

@@OkaypionsThe monster mash is a popular song and where do you hear it most, around HALLOWEEN. Some of our Halloween festivities are very closely related to horror and macabre myths. it’s a long tradition for people to watch horror films during Halloween, and an even longer tradition to dress up as a monster looking creature to scare away and hide from the evil spirits, which now today is still used for trick or treaters. There are Halloween and Horror conventions, a lot of Horror films and books take place on Halloween, the solstice is known to be the thinnest to commune with the dead around that time of year so again the spooky supernatural and horror elements are very popular during Halloween.

[@ErikHeimdallr]

​@@hpvamp246Excellent response!

[@Nitrospartan911]

Saying people only go to horror night is "just cause its the thing to do" is the most wildest take Ive seen

[@rb5078]

Right?? So out of touch. 😂

[@BlankPageEmperor1334]

It's not that wild, but it's definitely reductive and not giving guests in general much credit. Diehard repeat customers versus casual vacationers is a pretty common issue, but like, [citation needed]? Plenty of people are deeply Not Normal about haunt attractions, lol, and Universal HAS to nail that niche here. I see where he was coming from but no.

[@brandonninomtz336]

Bros been a bit off lately

[@KRobinson-ko1ne]

Yeah, I’m surprised While I’m not the biggest fan of horror nights I understand peoples enthusiasm: they may be basic walkthroughs but they’re fun and they do the very best with that approach with the theme/IP they’re given. And of course there’s the main fairground with all the walk around characters and attractions specific to Horrror Nights like the Bill and Ted Show I’m surprised he’s overlooked those factors

[@yusmiffins]

it seems like he avoided doing any research to prove that take lol

[@NinthShinigami]

The big risk is actually why I’m so excited for it. Many theme parks, ESPECIALLY DISNEY, have forgotten how to take risks and try to push boundaries. I so cannot wait for Epic and this land personally 🔥

[@tarazieminek1947]

💯

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, you make a good point there. I'm just interested to see how this land plays with general park goers.

[@shalomhobbitess7509]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I think it'll be popular with the sort of kids who dismiss Disney as "for babies." And, I'm hoping, with those who appreciate theming and mood who maybe won't care as much about the rides. As a parent, I always vetted rides before we went but we still explored and enjoyed well themed parts of whatever park we were at. If they make clear it's a "PG 13" sort of ride that should help avoid the Alien Encounter situation. Plus I think with Alien Encounter there was a betrayal aspect -- "How could Disney do this to me?" -- that wouldn't work the same way at Universal, which is less of a little kids park.

[@PreferredCustomer]

Ir has more of a "Dark Fantasy" aesthetic, which had a traditional popular lure of intrigue and mystique. Disney World lost some of that when it shelved Snow White's Adventures and toned down its other dark rides. Setting it in this environment gives it more of a timeless feel than trying to modernize it with ever-changing design trends. The buildings for Avenger's campus in Anaheim are already starting to look kind of last-decade dated.

[@memesarekeem]

I think you're missing out on how big the horror genre is. People LOVE horror, and Universal has not just some of the best, but THE horror household names; Dracula, Frankenstein, Swamp Thing, etc. There are a lot of people who ADORE horror, and to have an entire land themed around a dark, creepy experience, boasting how scary it is will bring in both horror fans and people seeking thrill.

[@DaffyTaffy93]

I love when a park takes a huge risk instead of playing it the boring safe way. I feel Universal Dark Universe will do great and hope add a land out in universal Hollywood one day.

[@georgeemery3295]

Frankenstein and Dracula are some of the most iconic images in modern American culture. Everybody knows them.

[@kennethadler7380]

Bram stoker and Mary Shelley are English

[@jaceyking47]

@@kennethadler7380 It's true, but I think what the original commenter was getting at is that the Universal Frankenstein and Dracula (American made films for a primarily American audience) have become super recognizable in American pop culture. Like how Rock and Roll and Jazz are American music forms and yet there are tons of European/Asian/Around the World in General people who've become icons in those respective genres.

[@AThemeParkGuy]

Are you aware of the sheer amount of ticket sales they have for Halloween horror nights, now take that on an annual basis and you find you so called niche.....

[@kc3d777]

Yeah I've always wanted to do Halloween there but it's never lined up right for us to do a trip. I think it will be a smash hit and super good use of a classic IP that won't age out of relevance

[@martzthomas]

Regardless of its success as a limited event hhn IS a niche product by design

[@martzthomas]

This isn't a bad thing either! Being niche allows them to hone in their design and cater to those interests instead of watering down the experience for general audiences

[@martzthomas]

Dark universe will not be the same intensity as hhn because of that but it can be the most intense experience in a day park by a mile which will be fun since alien encounter was replaced.

[@TimeKeeperBris]

@@martzthomasexactly, sometimes an event for everyone becomes an event for no-one

[@randomusernameCallin]

The gothic horror of classic movies has been very common in children cartoons and the like. I would say it is horror punk style.

[@bostongeis5123]

I really hope we get the black lagoon boat ride. It could be a successor to the Jaws ride. When was the last time we got an animatronic heavy boat ride in recent years? (Seriously, if anyone knows, please share)

[@nuffyj8614]

As long as they maintain it. I went on Jaws when it was new, and it was great, but after a while, the wear and tear definitely showed. And the Jurassic Park water ride in Orlando needs a refurb DESPERATELY.

[@bostongeis5123]

@@nuffyj8614 holy shit you did?! Thats fantastic! God what id give to ride those attractions when they were new. That’s probably why a lot of water rides like that haven’t been made in a while. Honestly, as sad as would be, Jurassic Park, turning into Jurassic World would be the best if it means the attraction gets the love it deserves.

[@officialmonarchmusic]

@@bostongeis5123 No. What would be the best is giving it the love it deserves WITHOUT turning it into Jurassic World. And luckily enough, at this stage, I think Universal has finally seen the writing on the wall and knows that nobody cares about JW anymore. If they give it the big refurb, it should be keeping it the same

[@therealventures]

Same!

[@JudgeDunfeeTheParkitecter]

There is Pirates of the Caribbean in Shanghai.

[@robertporter6641]

I feel like they felt safe with this niche land because they have increased their level of young family friendly offerings to such a large scale that one area amongst 3 parks that caters specifically but not exclusively to more mature families at least. Between Minions Land and Dreamworks Land you have 2 entirely new child focused areas, Nintendo and Dragons is child focused, Seuss Landing and Camp Jurassic is child focused as well and most other attractions have family crossover. I believe that with the booming success of HHN, this is seen as a worthy sacrifice of those young family dollars in order to do something no one else is willing to nor can pull off like they can.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think it has an audience, but I think that Universal is even skeptical. If a new park were not being built, I don't think that this would ever be considered for a full land.

[@robertporter6641]

@@PoseidonEntertainment you’re probably right about that although, they’ve never been in a position to attempt anything to this scale using these properties before so I don’t know that it would have been worth the attempt. This new park is the perfect opportunity to do something no one else has had the guts to try nor does anyone else who might consider it have the ability to pull it off. If anyone is going to make a full time horror themed land work, it’s Universal.

[@blumoon131]

The Universal Monsters are some of the most widely recognized pop-culture icons. They *made* Universal. I don't think "niche" is an apt description for them.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

Couldn't have said it better

[@izolme15]

The fact that it’s a risk is exactly why it’s exciting, it feels like the creatives are in charge. Opposite of modern Disney.

[@jasmine-rose18]

The funny thing is someone went to the preview of the park and they couldn’t keep the monsters items in stock vs any other land

[@aubreynaulin6207]

No risk, people have wanted a villains kingdom for years and all my friends are super in to horror. Everyone can’t stop talking about this. We wanted a Dark Universe ever since we got teased by Van Helsing. We are all HHN nuts too.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, but that's my point, right? This land is popular with parks fans. Most general park goers are going to be running to Nintendo.

[@jaked8949]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Don’t casual park goers love Tower of Terror and The Haunted Mansion though? Nintendo may sell the tickets but the Monsters will still be popular with families and sell merch.

[@ValkyrieVisits]

@@jaked8949Exactlyyyy casual park fans go crazy for good suspense and horror, I think with the way Universal is designing the land is in great taste and will become a classic in years to come.

[@dannielz6]

​@jaked8949 Yes but in Poseidons defense, those rides are mild compared to what Universal is cooking up. Remember the Walking Dead and it's predecessors in Hollywood? Universal doesn't hold back when it comes to Horror.

[@ChienaAvtzon]

@@jaked8949 - Yes, the general public loves Haunted Mansion and Tower of Terror. Disneyland Paris’ Phantom Manor is also incredibly popular. Not to mention, Disney recently revealed they are planning to finally build Villains land in Magic Kingdom, designed to look like Maleficent’s Forbidden Mountain. Though, a name like “Nightmare Kingdom” or “Dark Kingdom” should be what it ends up being called. This new land is obviously in response to Epic Universe building Dark Universe. As until Disney has its own version, Dark Universe will be the large-scale Haunted Mansion.

[@raviolialamode]

I am the exact demographic Dark Universe is targeting and my wallet is ready. Gonna walk outta there with every piece of Dracula merch that isn't nailed down.

[@princeofalltoasters8813]

If things like Five Nights at Freddy's or the entire rise of the mascot horror genre have proven anything its this: Kids LIKE to be scared. Dark Universe is going to be the surprise hit at the park I feel, I actually see Dragons being the land that actually lags behind, despite its themeing it has the vibe of a "kiddie" land

[@PreferredCustomer]

Dragons gives a nice breath of fresh air from the horror and video game action. It's a decent counterbalance as it is--after all, you don't see much Norse fantasy in U.S. parks. But they shouldn't add any more bryond that.

[@traciecombs7030]

Adult & teen park goers will love this land! Less strollers & screaming toddlers and a ride that thrills and scares you? Counting down the days!!!!

[@dannielz6]

You're right. My 7 year old was too scared in Galaxy's Edge and started crying. Just walking around the land! No way are we even getting into this land lol.

[@kylegathright]

​@@dannielz6 Give 'em 2-3yrs. They'll likely change their tune.

[@PreferredCustomer]

Peer pressure from other school kids encourages them to get braver. 😉

[@bloodtrinitypluse]

the children screaming will add to the experience in this land!

[@TreySarver]

Universal Monsters isn’t a risk at all, it along with Nintendo will be the most popular lands (yes more popular than HP). You wanna talk about niche? That would be a whole land dedicated to How To Train Your Dragon

[@georgeemery3295]

Dude, EXACTLY, I honestly don't see myself ever visiting that part of the park.

[@spencerjoplin2885]

HTTYD is a good premise for a theme park: low-magic, unexplored lands, variable danger level, land/water/air elements, and teen protagonists.

[@Irisfruit]

​@@spencerjoplin2885 the IP is already past its peak and will be irrelevant in 10 years, let alone 20. That's the real issue.

[@joshbean39]

@@Irisfruit As long as the lands are as good as they seem to be, the'll be fine regardless of the IP (As long as that doesn't take a massive nosedive)

[@nox5555]

@@Irisfruit well its Vikings and Dragons, kids would love that even without IP.

[@Sparty-pi3jq]

I'm MOST excited about the monter land at Universal! Disney "could" do an amazing villain land too. Think about how cool the expensive (as hell) villain Halloween nights were. I believe Universal will do right by their monster land, they have been killing it lately.

[@Ihartwalrusguy]

Though with Disney’s reputation these days when it comes to their domestic theme parks and how they build their new rides (mind you Tron took five years to build compared to to VelociCoaster’s 2 and a half), I would rather keep my expectations low, especially since Disney is a family brand and they don’t want any thrill rides that are way too scary for kids.

[@bigbangbot-SuperSqank]

Indeed. There is no way I could see Disney in its current state doing a villain's land (or at the very least, doing it well).

[@artagle_14]

@@IhartwalrusguyThat little 10 second Tron coaster took 5 years to build?? Man…I don’t even want to know how long it’ll take for them to build the Villians land…

[@ChienaAvtzon]

@@artagle_14 - Disney’s new projects will be built much faster, now that they need to deal with Florida permits and zoning.

[@ChienaAvtzon]

@@bigbangbot-SuperSqank - Except, Disney is building a Villains land modeled after Maleficent’s Forbidden Mountain. Which is exactly what they should have built a decade ago, instead of wasting money on the “Star Wars” hotel that closed.

[@ajzeg01]

The monsters are more popular and have made a greater cultural impact than Avatar, and just look at the crowds Pandora pulled.

[@maui3551]

I have a feeling that for whatever reason Dark Universe will be a hit seen day one 🦇

[@artagle_14]

I feel like this generation seems to like edgy stuff nowadays so it wouldn’t surprise me if it does end up being a hit

[@ithinkthistimeitsgoingtowork]

horror nights is a big part of what kept universal remotely competitive with disney before harry potter. leaning into that legacy makes a lot of sense, and i am so excited for it

[@silverheart4049]

The themed entertainment space could use a little risk these days. It's funny that this is coming at a time when Disney is so averse to having things be scary they won't put so much as a cartoon villain in their update to a thrill ride. I look forward to seeing what they can do with the idea of "what if horror nights all the time?", given the care and effort they often put into that.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I agree, I think this is an interesting experiment. I'm hoping that this does well

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I think people will go just because it looks like *fun.* And, visually, the Universal monsters have become the go-to look for every generic monster since then, so I think there's always going to some level of familiarity with the characters.

[@cameronsommers2784]

On the contrary some of the fan favorite attractions are dark scary rides go to Disney and you’ll see that Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion are some of the most popular Attractions to this day due to having some parts having some kind of highly detailed dark scary elements, for Universal to do this is one of the smartest moves and a huge step up from what they did in the past because it gives the adults and teens to do something thrilling and scary to do and the land itself is a blast from the past while also having a unique story not just for the adults to love but also the kids to grow up with and to love them. This is honestly the most genius lands because it’s highly detailed and has a unique feeling that you won’t feel in the other parks.

[@shinyagumon7015]

I actually think it's a fun way to differentiate themselves from Disney while paying tribute to one of their most iconic properties. Like Epic Universe is supposed to compete with Disney World, but that doesn't mean they have to copy them completely. Also I think that Dark Universe could be the place for all the teens who generally feel out of place in a Disney Park.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, you make a good point there. It feels like Universal is doing its own thing, while Disney is trying to catch up and prevent them from grabbing more market share. Universal is what Disney was 20 years ago.

[@ProfessorWeekend]

Do teens even know what these versions of the monsters even are? They don't even know what the Brendan Fraser version of the Mummy is.

[@PreferredCustomer]

​@@ProfessorWeekendStill ends up being a fun ride. It helps that the focus is more on Ancient Egypt = Bad. Meanwhile, vampires, werewolves. and bolt-necked monsters are pretty generally well known in the world.

[@herrelladventures]

Without exaggeration, almost every video I've watched about epic universe for the past 3 years, It seems that universal monsters was the section that people are looking forward to most.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, but that reflects the park community though. It's that kind of person that is making videos or seeking them out. Your average suburbanite doesn't do that, which is why I'm interested to see how this land plays with general park crowds.

[@JordanMyers-m1u]

I think that universal actually made a safe bet by theming their monster land to the classic monsters simply because none of the original films are even close to what we call scary today so I think the land has high potential to succeed

[@TheVloggerDude2018]

I had never watched any of the monster movies until October of 2022, when a friend took me to a double feature of The Mummy and the bride of Frankenstein. Before I even walk into this land, I want to watch all of them because they’re so iconic.

[@butterfish-g9f]

Invisible man is probably the best one, even though he's the least used monster.

[@officialmonarchmusic]

@@butterfish-g9f Just because we haven't seen him in the marketing yet doesn't mean he isn't there ;) Okay, I apologize, that was a bad joke, even for me

[@Biscuit-Triscuit]

You realize these are literally the most iconic depictions of these characters in history right? Everyone knows who Dracula, Frankenstein, etc are. Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff are what 75%+ of people picture these monsters as. That’s not even to mention they created the concept of the bride for the monster, they came up with one of the most iconic looking sea creatures in film, they were the first people to depict a mummy as a walking quiet killer, and they popularized the idea of werewolves in film. There’s just no way that it’s too niche, the concepts that we know best from these creatures and characters come from the Universal films

[@jaimeerindy4573]

I think it's great that it's almost NOT intended for the average person. It provides a space for people who really want the thrills, and a space that the kids keep away from. The beauty of Epic Universe is how it's going to have something for everyone

[@Mr17051963]

Even not talking about the ride itself, their “dark” land is already a masterpiece of design. A great relief after the “milionnaire five year destruction work” Disney did on the once spectacular Future World in Epcot.

[@dancebrittany23]

I think Dark Universe will be a huge draw because of how DIFFERENT it is. Universal has put a lot of effort into making more kid-friendly areas, people will definitely appreciate having this diverse choice of theming.

[@PreferredCustomer]

Yeah, Dollywood for exanple got voted best theme park in Anerica recently. And it has basically got similar offerings, food, and themed rides as Disney or so many others. Less IP, to be sure, but the experiences are otherwise generally the same. They just did more of it better. But....Dollywood sure doesn't have monsters...

[@dancebrittany23]

@@PreferredCustomer You're right, Dollywood is a great theme park. My family and I would go in the off-season and practically walk on some of the rides!

[@thefly7331]

I agree that its a risk but please take risks. The thing that makes me disappointed with Disney is its lack of risk taking.

[@HMFan2010]

There's a reason they're called "classic" monsters. As antiquated as they are, they will ALWAYS hold a high position in the Canon of horror movies. Personally, I'm looking forward to experiencing Darkmoor.

[@3Gads]

With how crazy popular Halloween has gotten in the states, (seriously, I'm seeing stores put out decor mid June this year), I wouldn't say a spooky area is that niche.

[@stevielove4778]

Too niche? People have dressed as these characters for Halloween every year for like 80 years…

[@Sakura_Matou]

Dark Universe and Nintendo will be the most sucessful I think , opening another Harry Potter land was the bigger risk imo. We already have the great Wizarding world area.. That land could have been used for a full blown Jurrasic Park theme for example.

[@ct6852]

When people go to a theme park for the day they usually end up sampling everything that's there. I can't imagine anyone just skipping a section of the park entirely.

[@dannielz6]

I think they wanted a Lord of the Rings land. But since they couldn't acquire the rights, they went with their tried and true Wizarding World.

[@ChienaAvtzon]

@@dannielz6 - “Lord of the Rings” does not lend itself to a theme park land or attractions. Plus, Universal wanted to build the British Ministry of Magic for years, but could not fit it within USF, as there was not enough room near Diagon Alley.

[@CptGoBot]

This is the land I was MOST excited about out of the whole bunch! There is so much Universal history and potential here and who doesn’t love monsters! And Universal Monsters don’t get more iconic than that!

[@sssspider]

It’s only a risk if you’re terminally Mousebrained and think modern IP’s are critical to a theme park’s success. These classic monsters are actually the perfect theme park IP because they’re so ubiquitous and recognizable despite not being particularly relevant nowadays.

[@nox5555]

There is also the international crowd if the land is to scary for the disney people...

[@officialmonarchmusic]

You clearly don't know Poseidon's channel

[@Serithe]

The classic monsters are perfect for a generic horror/Halloween theme park. You don't have to be a "fan" of the monsters to get excited about the overall vibe.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

"...terminally Mousebrained and think modern IP’s are critical to a theme park’s success". There's a lot of people out there like that though

[@piereandreturner2818]

I agree with you with the IP things. I never watched Universal Monster, and, being from Southeast Asia, I never knew what Universal Monster was. Heck, it's true that I don't care about their lore and story, but I knew what Werewolves, Dracula, and Frankenstein were, and they're popular classic monsters that, at this point, are comparable to classic fairytales. It's the reason why, while many Universal fans are debating about it being a sequel and worrying about it, I didn't really care. It's the same thing with Disney Princess; I don't know any of them (shocking, right, but it's true), but I am interested in what the land has to offer. It feels novel to see the Frankenstein mansion. And werewolves come to life. It's why I started to check on Universal Epic Universe this day.

[@bakedcrusader455]

niche is such a strong word, we have an entire holiday you can’t even think of without these characters. people love fun, people love to be scared, even if they haven’t seen those original movies this will give guests nostalgia and excitement. no way it flops.

[@twocentsmiguel]

Seems odd to acknowledge how omnipresent and iconic the monsters are in pop culture while also positing that the brand is too niche to make for a popular land, especially when all polling and discourse around Epic Universe is indicative to the contrary regarding the latter.

[@ratbones620]

Dark Universe is easily my most anticipated Epic Universe land. It’s definitely gonna be a game changer in the industry for sure. I just hope the land has enough broader success so it can be expanded upon more (creature boat ride anyone?).

[@EnzoFilmsProd]

Universal would’ve been nothing without the Monsters films, and the removal of the cafe was a big example of the backlash people gave Universal when they did, and as to why the Monsters matter so much I believe the land will be extremely popular and thrive, especially if they expand Horror Nights into Epic during the season

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Backlash? I don't recall ever really seeing anyone in there. I'm still disappointed it's gone, but I wouldn't have described it as popular.

[@kayangstrom4692]

A lot of theme park fans have outgrown Disney. Yes, that sweet sweet hit of nostalgia will always bring us back but we're looking for more. Something new, something we haven't seen. Some people hit up the biggest coasters, I went to check out the European parks (Dear God! The theming at Phantasialand!) for some it's special events, or maybe a trip to Meowwolf. This is new. It's untried, untested and unprecedented. I can NOT wait!

[@mrchrisliddell]

I'll be at Phantasialand in November. I'm so excited!

[@PreferredCustomer]

Yeah, i think the issue is not even the IP...it's what's *done* with the IP. Too safe, predictable, literally copied over from other parks, trimmed down experiences abd expectations. Fans talk more about how they would *fix* attractions rather than what they liked about them. DisneySea being so different and rich is probably why it co tinues to be seen as the top Disney park in the world...almost 25 years later.

[@Mglay556]

As someone who lives near a drive in theater, the nights where they do the universal monsters on the big screen , those the nights the sell out. There are still cult followings for the old movies, but universal for some unknown reason just thought people don’t want them. I love that they are finally making a land to celebrate their monsters!

[@sharktooths]

Universal knows there is a market for year-round horror, because of the response to the Vegas haunt attraction. The spooky/goth Disney market is huge and tends to love this era of horror. I'm also part of the ones that wouldn't mind if foot traffic was a little less, or at least far fewer young children in that area. The lower foot traffic could allow them to experiment with new ride models that aren't huge capacity/people eaters.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

You make an interesting point about HHN in Vegas, but I also think that's more like visiting any touristy town and seeing a walk-through haunted house or two. I don't think year-round horror is necessarily an appeal for most people, so much as going to a haunted house right next to a Ripley's Museum or a novelty chocolate shop is.

[@anthonycm2883]

It'll be fine don't worry. This land will be popular, most likely the top land everyone will be at

[@RoadsideExplorers]

This land is a sure thing imo. The fanbase for the Universal Monsters is massive and not niche at all. And like others have pointed out, even the GP is familiar with the characters and there's a reason nearly every traditional amusement park has had haunted house dark rides that have decades of staying power, because horror and spooky themed things ARE very popular year-round. Just look at how Michaels and Hobby Lobby put out halloween decorations over half a year early, because people buy them. Halloween and horror is bigger than ever currently, and that's why Dark Universe isn't a risk at all. I'm sure they did their market research and came to the completely sensible conclusion that this will be one of the most popular areas of the park, behind only Super Nintendo World.

[@CTPerks]

I'm quite sure Universal did their due diligence and considered every possible outcome before signing off on this land. If they thought there was any significant risk I doubt they would have done it. Plus, I think most people appreciate that this ISN'T the usual kind of IP that would normally be considered for a theme park. Personally, I cannot wait to be immersed in this captivating world.

[@camseki9588]

Another point to consider is that people will come not just for the thrills but for the sheer innovation showcased in the main ride. I’ve heard people say the wolfman figure is the most fluid animatronic they’ve ever seen and I have a feeling people will go on the ride just to see it.

[@rb5078]

As a lifelong horror fan and a huge HHN fan, Dark Universe has always been my most anticipated world. I can’t explain how excited I am to be surrounded by classic horror monsters. The fact that they are adding in a new modern character with a modern storyline without taking away from the classics is the perfect approach. I’m absolutely thrilled!

[@artapples8417]

I diasgree with you on thinking it's a niche audience. To me it is bigger than Nintendo World, How To Train Your Dragon and even Harry Potter. Dracula, Frankenstein, Werewolves etc are ingrained in everyones cultural background whether we have seen the films or not. It's a master move from them I think

[@birdflox1337]

I don't think the appeal would really be the IP, everyone knows who Frankenstein's monster is but that doesn't mean they're particularly invested in the character in any meaningful way. This land just looks like it'll have really cool vibes, and the concept of such a unique ride is very enticing. Crowds for Nintendo are still likely gonna be much bigger just because both kids and adults have gotten deeply invested in that brand throughout their lives.

[@georgeemery3295]

Exactly, every culture has some type of vampire and wolfman. There's no language barrier to being scared

[@wereallyrollin6680]

You tripping 😂😂😂 Nintendo has like the biggest fan base it’s basically Disney of video games what you yapping about in general people’s favorite characters aren’t monsters sorry to brake it to you as a guy that love horror but we gotta be real 😂😂

[@artapples8417]

@@wereallyrollin6680 If you randomly knocked on a 1000 houses and spoke with the people there I bet you more have an affiliation and knowledge of general horror, Dracula, Frankenstein, Werewolves etc than they do for Nintendo

[@birdflox1337]

@@artapples8417 children have grown up with Nintendo for decades. people know names like "Dracula" or "Frankenstein" in the same way they know Moby Dick is a white whale and Scrooge an old rich man. I'm sure there are a decent chunk of classic horror fans out there who will love this land (or hate it for not using the original actors' likenesses), but Nintendo essentially owns the family gaming market and has an extremely large dedicated audience.

[@chillabrew_glycolinstall]

The age of heroes and princesses is over. It's time for lands full of gods and monsters!!!

[@PreferredCustomer]

*All* four of these things can be found somewhere in Epic Universe, which is why its going to be so successful.

[@kayceeleslie]

Universal has long had a niche as the place to take your tweens/teens who feel too grown up for Disney. Kids especially right now are really into creepy stuff. I think this will actually be a draw for families with older kids.

[@Desco9111]

Don't forget they're simultaneously developing Universal Horror Unleaded in Las Vegas, and some version of this also may be planned for Universal Great Britain. Something has told them to go all in on year-round horror attractions, and I hope it pans out for them.

[@anateixeira3945]

As someone who lives in Orlando and have many friends with saying power within the creative/merch departments at universal, this isn’t a risk- they know exactly what they’re doing because they listen to guests. The merch they put out at the tribute store is straight what guests say they want and that’s why it sells out. Truthfully I’m more worried about the Harry Potter land because fantastic beasts flopped horribly and there’s a huge drawback on ppl liking the franchise now because of the author…

[@DougYeager-i8b]

Dark Universe is being designed by former Disney Imagineers. Disney is stupid enough to screw people that they train and force them out. What a way to strike back at their former boss. Go Dark Universe!!!

[@solcarlosofficial]

I’m hoping the restaurants have more kinetic energy and moving pieces. I felt minion cafe was too still. None of the figured moved. I think they should have more moving elements to make it more immersive.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Yeah, I agree. I had that issue with Toadstool Cafe as well. The screens are funny at first, but the restaurant could have had effects to feel a little less sterile.

[@dannielz6]

​@@PoseidonEntertainmentMe and my daughter actually prefer the 1Up Cafe in the upper lot. We actually liked the food better and no line or ridiculous reservation system.

[@prwong80]

HHN is one of the most popular features of Universal. This is going to be Epic’s best land, and definitely the one I am looking forward to the most.

[@carvahaunter122]

The plebs can enjoy their Harry Potter Land #3, I’m spending 90% of my day in Dark Universe

[@TheFett007]

With the increasing number of millenials in the Disney parks craving Disney Villains and their merch, and Disney hesitant to provide a real Villains Land, Universal has an opportunity to capitalize on their own brands and say "you like darker IPs? We're the OGs! Come to Epic Universe!"

[@kboi1170]

Definitely not a risk. Supposedly the Monsters Universe land is the most anticipated area of the new park… what really needs to be discussed as a risk is the new Harry Potter area. The Fantastic Beasts movies didn’t make “a splash” anywhere near the scale of the original Harry Potter movies. So I believe that most people would be more willing to pay for a ticket to IOA to go to the original Harry Potter area instead of going to see a Fantastic Beasts area.

[@DkunPete]

Went to the Epic Universe Preview last week and every person that came in was clamoring to see the Dark Universe portal including the younger teens.This is going to make bank. I can't wait

[@tymonster183]

I think you are very wrong. The horror market is absolutely huge and almost completely ignored. studios routinely behvae like horror movies are gigantic risks, but they always perform time after time. its the lowest flop rate of any genre from a money making perspective. its something different that hasnt been tried, but its something people have been showing they want for years.

[@jennahunt6861]

"People do t really care about the lore of hhn" lmao 😂 they have even started podcasts with stories about the original content houses which are so fun. Not to mention the lore is so deep and people have hours long videos dedicated to it. Which I imagine you know as you follow expedition theme park. I have a feeling it will be one of the most popular lands as long as its maintained.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

If you look at the viewership of his HHN videos, they are significantly less than almost everything else he produces. The HHN fan community is very niche and makes up a tiny fraction of people going to the event. I buy a pass every year and go quite often every week. The majority of people there aren't attending for the lore and story.

[@jennahunt6861]

​@PoseidonEntertainment I guess with me just being in that niche group it feels so big. And as someone who loves the event and holds so much value to it there feels weird that people can't tell you why Cindy isn't more popular or why Carey Ohio is so often used. I still think this area will do well. And I'll of course still continue to watch your content.

[@joshua-we9xr]

If Elvira isn't the one to cut the ribbon we riot.

[@Markimark151]

I don’t mind Universal taking big risks in the new Monsters Land, it’s all about the admission costs and value for the guests! Even though I’m not into the Universal monsters lore, it’s still enticing for the average theme park goer! James Rolfe from AVGN has been a big fan of the franchise in his Monster Madness videos. And mentioned historical attractions that are no longer at Universal Studios.

[@bezoticallyyours83]

I dont really see how its a risk, when people love Halloween, love horror, and these are some of Universals most iconic characters. That makes it a bit more on the safe side. Its like the equivalent of thinking using Mickey mouse and the crew is risky for Disney.

[@iamdigbick4675]

I know that major rides or lands being built for theme park/coaster enthusiasts don't make the best sense financially. As an enthusiast though I'm thankful for the Project 305's of the world. Things too intense for the general public are right up my alley. The ride/area is usually breathtaking and you're able to enjoy it as much as you want because the crowd is smaller. Parks very seldom think of enthusiasts, so it's nice to see Universal push the boundaries of family-friendly with Dark Universe.

[@chuckoneill2023]

This isn't a big risk. This is Universal building a land specifically for fans of HHN, which is the most popular annual event at the park.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

"This is Universal building a land specifically for fans of HHN" That's an incredibly small number of people who actually attend the event

[@clarktooncrossing3975]

I swore to myself that I’d plan my first Universal trip if they made a ride that included the Creature from the Black Lagoon. Happy to see that might be the case. Having said that, I have a hard time believing this land is niche considering how iconic these characters are. Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, these are the grandpas of horror! You can see their faces every Halloween in costumes, cereal boxes, Horror Night attractions, copious amounts of merchandise, etc. People love monsters.

[@cyclicmusings2661]

Less general parkgoers and families clogging up Dark Universe means more space and shorter lines for those of us that are fans!

[@charvelgaming2975]

This is the most anticipated land in Epic Universe for me. The digital rendering looks awesome. I imagine it will best experienced at night to appreciate the lighting and fog effects.

[@bbkangs]

I would say that replacing Splash Mountain with The Princess and the Log was a bigger risk than this 😂 The fact that this land is already the most anticipated part of Epic Universe already shows the “risk” has paid off

[@DocPicklez]

I have never been to Universal Florida because, up till about 5 years ago, only went to Disney. I was planning on returning to Florida and going to the new Universal Florida park solo but after this announcement i actually became giddy about taking my family there. My kids who are now in their late teens to early 20s are going to absolutely love this.

[@brennanclark6973]

We all can love a bit of strange in our lives; personally thats why I stopped going to Disney. I go to universal because its more thrilling and enjoyable to me and with this land opening up it warms my goth heart to see the strange finally getting their chance to be fully alive. 🦇

[@aotmr1604]

Universal Hollywood cured my dark ride pessimism; having no relationship with the IP, I consider the Fantastic Journey rides world-class; between the ride system, sound design, and physical sets. The dementors scene at Hollywood is bone-chilling! Universal has easily lapped Disney in modern theme park design and execution, and they have just enough high-thrill to please Cedar Fair enjoyers. All that goes to say, hearing about a home-grown horror-themed IP land at Universal has me considering an Orlando trip.

[@dannielz6]

Forbidden Journey? Without a doubt one of the best dark rides ever made. I put it in my top 3.

[@blanco2407]

Sorry my dude, you needed to speak with people who like horror nights and find out why we like it.

[@jeffreymurray2251]

The Dark Universe will be an hit, Because it's Universal's original IP.

[@nicbarrax76]

As long as it's done right, no problem at all. The Guardians of the Galaxy were a niche group but did pretty damn well because it was done right.

[@Okaypions]

It’s not a risk. Think of it outside of a Disney perspective

[@Robbie-pc1dl]

Dark Universe is a horror land. Of course, it will attract consumers, regardless of the IP. Look at Toon Lagoon. Toon Lagoon's IP is very unknown amongst pop culture, but the rides are still popular because they host good water rides and are a good land in general. This is what I predict would happen with Dark Universe. Sure, some people wouldn't know what these characters are referring to,, but they would visit regardless, due to it being the horror-type land there. Besides, IPs like Frankenstein are popular enough for people to recognise them, and there seem to be innovative type rides in Dark Universe, so people would want to naturally check them out. Also, I know you pointed out the IP stuff in your video (you point out good opinions), but I wanted to show some of my thoughts on this. Thank you.

[@octooddments5486]

I genuinely think an audience for this land is going to come out of the woodwork for this. As a target demographic for it myself I would go absolutely feral for a chance to immerse myself in these classic movies. Horror, especially classic horror, is an incredibly underserved genre with many big studios considering it unpopular. Despite this horror films consistently make box office profits as well as being relatively low budget in comparison to your standard action thrillers. This is why smaller studios like Blumhouse have thrived on horror and the indie horror movie scene is so strong. If you build it, they will come. Even a casual horror fan I think will be drawn to this land and I honestly hope it does well. Other permanent horror experiences in theme parks seem to have done well, such as the Saw coaster, and what theme park doesn't have some sort of haunted house attraction? Fingers crossed this comes to fruition.

[@therealventures]

Im not worried that Dark Universe is going to be a "dead" (no pun intended) land. I have a couple reasons why this land will be popular. You have those who absolutely love eveything horror, and the fact that now Universal will finally have their own horror land does appeal to a lot of people. Its like now theyre going to have their version of the "Haunted Mansion", but a bit more intense. Some kids will enjoy this land, but for those who don't, they will have other lands like Nintendo world to enjoy, and the adults will enjoy Dark Universe. Dark Universe is also going to be around pg-13, so some things for kids but nothing bad that they can't handle. Overall im excited to experience Dark Universe when it opens up next year! And I can see Disney Park peeps going specifically to Dark Universe since they've been crying to disney for a Villain Land for quite some time now.

[@batlady2]

Maybe guests with small children will not go near it but teens and adults will swarm it. I personally cannot WAIT for Dark Universe

[@andrewtaylor940]

The thing is, Disney used to understand that kids like scary stuff. That having fun facing something scary is an important part of growing up. Walt not simply understood this, he put his money behind it many times. Do you think modern Disney Imagineering would dare to make The Haunted Mansion from scratch? Yeah no, if you want to see what kids will HATE in a ride, look at Tiana’s. A shallow bland unexciting story about having a party..l yay? Whereas a PG-13 actually scary monster ride? That’s going to be a must do kid attraction. A badge of honor.

[@DrStarlander]

You're right, Disney would never make the Haunted Mansion today, and in fact, things changed when Walt died. In Imagineer Rolly Crump's book he tells a great story about his work on the Haunted Mansion and the Museum of the Weird, which kept Walt up all night after he saw Rolly's Creations at work one day. Walt was excited by the weird -- risk taking -- creative ideas and planned to showcase it all at Disneyland...but then he passed away and the Disney company didn't use the work much. Somewhere along the way, the Disney company got into it's head a very narrow perception of what the Disney brand is, or could be, and forfeited a huge range of emotional and entertainment potential to the competitive marketplace. That was fine for decades but with age compression (kids not acting like kids for as many years as in the past), and edgy and scary content growing across all media, from streaming to video games, this is a serious weakness and limitation for the Disney company.

[@JH-mp1jo]

So, your main thesis in most Disney videos is that Disney parks are too skewed toward little kids, but this park is too skewed toward adults... ?

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I'm not sure how you got that from what I said here. Epic is for the most part, an incredibly accessible park for families.

[@barfyman-wn3id]

I pretty much disagree with your thesis that truly scary horror attractions have never been done on a large scale and are an untested market. Universal's yearly HHN attractions couldn't be more popular.

[@benverboonen1108]

No, I think you're actually incorrect. They emphasized the family friendly nature of this land so so much during their trailer

[@midwestcrimecorner]

I'm 31, and have been in-love with Universal Monsters since I was 4. The level of excitement I have felt since I found out about this part of the park has been immense. I don't know which area I am more excited for, Monsters or Super Nintendo. I am so excited for this park that I wish I lived in Florida so I could have a reason to buy a season pass and go all the time.

[@imthelizardking]

It's an excuse to sell Goth merchandise of all of their licensed IPs. However, Gothic horror is the foundation for basically all modern horror (long tension builds, doors being left open, HP Lovecraft themes, being stalked, haunted castles and forests, dark and stormy night, etc.) Scooby Doo, Super Mario, The Witch, Dark Souls, Warhammer are just a few things that directly take from Gothic Horror, so by just making a good gothic place to exist within, it's going to be a good experience for a lot of people. I just want a super detailed haunted castle to live in. For a lot of people, the Resident Evil 8 Castle is like the Disney Castle, so just give us a good goth place to vibe in.

[@nokrepkie]

Only thing I hard disagree with is saying that the monsters houses are the “least popular” maybe for HHN 30 that may be the case, but 31 and 29 as well as 32 they were some of the more popular houses.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

The first year, yeah, maybe. Bride and Legends were only just kind of middle-of-the-road in wait times though.