Though Universal has only ever offered a firm “no comment” when it comes to its massive Real Estate purchase from the day before Christmas in 2015, their plans to build new theme parks on this land has been a very poorly-kept secret for several years now, with the new park plans being quietly confirmed inside Comcast’s second-quarter 2018 financial results. And though the company finally went on record earlier this year and confirmed that it was indeed developing a new “gate” in Florida, it looks like we are finally about to get the first real details about this new park at a mystery event Universal is holding next week.
Universal making a “Major Announcement” next week
It was confirmed this week that Universal Orlando Resort would be making a major announcement on August 1, and is holding a press conference at the Orange County Convention Center to unveil this surprise. And though it hasn’t been confirmed, considering this is such a big event we’re assuming that Universal will finally, officially unveil their newest theme park, tentatively named “Fantastic Worlds” to the world. So what will we learn?
Universal’s answer to the Magic Kingdom
Universal has always tried to be a little different than its magical neighbor next door, but thanks to a leaked document posted by Attractions Magazine earlier this year, it looks like Universal is trying to build the next Magic Kingdom, saying:
Whilst our creative teams are still in the early stages of developing this new park, we can already reveal some more details besides just the [Fantastic Worlds] name. The park will be designed in a ‘hub and spoke’ design, with a central icon and space, known as a ‘hub,’ allowing for easy wayfinding between the many immersive ‘Worlds.’”
And while there isn’t much information right now about what “Worlds” guests will be transported to, we do know at least one IP that will have a strong presence in this new park…
What kind of “Fantastic Worlds” could we see at this new park?
Image: Nintendo
If this new park is indeed a mash of IPs (similar to Islands of Adventure), guests might wonder what kinds of far off places they could visit at this upcoming destination. And though we already know that Nintendo Land, will be a big part of this new land (plans were reportedly scrapped for this land at Universal Studios Florida) there are some other rumored new lands that we’re hoping to hear more about during this event next week!
Though unconfirmed, given the continuing popularity of the Harry Potter franchise we’d guess that there will probably be another Wizarding World (perhaps based on the world of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) in this new land as well as a new DreamWorks Land, featuring characters from popular films like Kung-Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Madagascar and of course Shrek. Now that Universal owns these properties, a DreamWorks Land especially seems like a no-brainer for a new land. It has also been widely rumored that a spooky new land based on Universal Monsters could be a part of this brand new park.
Image: Universal
Of course, there’s no telling what additional properties Universal could license for its new park, and it seems likely that there will be one or two surprises announced when this new park is finally confirmed next week.
Though it has been nearly two decades since Islands of Adventure opened at Universal Orlando Resort, fans have always been excited by the prospect of a third Universal park joining the lineup at this growing resort, it looks like this project is finally going to get official soon, and we couldn’t be more excited!
