Universal Orlando announced, today that they would be making a “major announcement” on August 1 at the Orange County Convention Center. Could this be for a new theme park?
Disclaimer: Unless where otherwise noted, the following is rumor and speculation. None of it should be regarded as fact, unless confirmed by the companies mentioned.
Back in December 2018, an anonymous source leaked photos from a handout allegedly shared in a Comcast employee town hall pointing to an as yet unannounced new theme park. The new park would be named Fantastic Worlds.
The Twitterverse quickly jumped on the leak and began circulating the picture. Speculation grew about a new theme park at Universal Orlando.
Universal Orlando Major Announcement
Now, with Universal Orlando scheduling this major announcement, speculation about Fantastic Worlds and Nintendo World began circulating, again.
Universal remains tight-lipped about the contents of the major announcement. The theme park’s owners have said in the past, “they are investing in Florida’s market and want to beef up Universal to become a seven-day destination by building another theme park.”
Super Nintendo World
So, what happened to Nintendo World? I thought that would be the next theme park? Or, at least the next area of an existing theme park?
At the same Comcast town hall, an image was leaked that showed Super Nintendo World would be one of the new “worlds” in Fantastic Worlds.
Additionally, some gleaned details about Super Nintendo World from the leaked documents.
All of the adventure, fun and whimsy you experience through screen will now be all around you […]
These will be expansive, immersive and interactive. They will be highly themed and authentic […] filled with multiple attractions, shops and restaurants
Guests will feel as if they are playing inside their favorite games – this time in real life.
There will be something for everyone – regardless of their age or gaming experience level.
The new themed areas come as the result of a global partnership between Universal Parks & […] Nintendo – two icons of the entertainment world.
We can’t wait to reveal more of the new park in the next few years.
Universal Orlando Major Announcement: New Park Design
The leaked documents included details about the design of the new park, as well. A “first” for Universal Orlando; a hub-and-spoke layout for the new park.
This allows guests to navigate the park with ease (following Disney’s park layout design standards). With Universal Orlando’s movie background, the “entrances” to the spokes could feature any number of movie-themed portals to the different “worlds.”
Fantastic Beasts
Along with Super Nintendo World, the rumor mill suggests that a Fantastic Beasts “world” may reside in Fantastic Worlds, as well.
How many Harry Potter fans out there want a Fantastic Beasts world? I know I would!
Let us know your thoughts on the Universal Orlando major announcement in the comments. We’ll be sure to update the site after the press conference, next week.