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Universal Orlando has been making waves in the theme park world with the announcement of their partnership with Nintendo. The highly anticipated Super Nintendo World is set to open at Epic Universe in 2025, featuring beloved characters from the iconic video game franchise. But could this just be the beginning of Universal’s plans for more video game-themed attractions? Rumors suggest that not only will we see a Pokémon Land, but also a Zelda ride and even Luigi’s Mansion at the new park.
Let’s dig into the latest rumors and see what could potentially be in store for Universal Orlando fans.
New Pokémon Ride at Universal Studios Florida
Pokémon has been a huge hit for Nintendo since its release in 1996. Fans have been eagerly awaiting a Pokémon-themed attraction at Universal Parks, and it seems like that time may finally be here. Universal Studios Japan is rumored to be replacing The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man with a new Pokémon ride that will utilize augmented reality technology.
Guests will be able to select their own Pokémon and battle against others in their ride vehicles. This attraction would be a perfect fit for the New York area of Universal Studios Florida, which could potentially be themed to Pokémon as well.
The Simpson Ride Possible Permanent Closure
The possibility of Pokémon coming to Universal Studios Florida has sparked new rumors about the fate of The Simpsons Ride. With the recent acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney, Universal may not renew their contract for The Simpsons intellectual property.
This means that The Simpsons Ride, located in the Springfield area of Universal Studios Florida, may be closing sooner than expected. There are also reports that the two sprung tents used for Halloween Horror Nights may be taken down permanently, which could potentially make room for a new Pokémon Land.
It has not been confirmed if the Back to the Future ride building will also be demolished to make way for this new area, but with all the research and development going into the new Pokémon ride, it’s likely that it will be replicated for the Orlando version.
Legend of Zelda maybe coming to Islands of Adventure
But it’s not just Pokémon that may be coming to Universal Orlando. The Legend of Zelda has been a long-rumored property to make its way into the parks. The original concepts for a Zelda attraction included a theater show with moving seats and a boat ride that transformed into a suspended dark ride. While these were not green-lit by Nintendo, there are recent rumors that suggest Zelda may finally be making an appearance at the parks, taking over the Lost Continent section of Islands of Adventure.
The Lost Continent has already undergone significant changes in recent years, with the closure of attractions such as The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show and Poseidon’s Fury. With these closures, it seems like Universal is clearing the way for new attractions to come in.
While it’s not confirmed what type of Zelda attraction we could expect, fans have been clamoring for any kind of ride based on the popular franchise. It’s possible that the ride could be similar to Universal’s popular Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, taking guests on a journey through the world of Hyrule.
Possible Luigi’s Mansion mini-land coming to Epic Universe
And let’s not forget about Luigi’s Mansion. While not as strong of a rumor as Pokémon or Zelda, there have been whispers of a possible Luigi’s Mansion mini-land coming to Epic Universe.
The area would feature elements from the popular video game series, including a haunted mansion dark ride similar to Disney’s Haunted Mansion or Universal’s Men in Black: Alien Attack. This could also potentially tie into Halloween Horror Nights, adding another themed area for guests to explore during the event.
While all of these rumors are exciting, it’s important to note that they are still just rumors at this point. Universal has not made any official announcements about future attractions at Epic Universe or other parks.
But with the success of their Wizarding World of Harry Potter franchise and the anticipation for Super Nintendo World, it’s not far-fetched to think that Universal would continue to incorporate popular media properties into their parks.
In conclusion, the future of Universal Orlando is looking bright, with the possibility of three major video game franchises making their way into the parks: Pokémon, Zelda, and Luigi’s Mansion. If these rumors prove to be true, it’s safe to say that Universal Orlando is going to be the destination for theme park fans and video game enthusiasts alike. Keep an eye out for official announcements, and get ready to experience your favorite video games come to life at Universal Orlando.
How do you feel about the potential closure of the Simpsons Ride to make way for a new Pokémon-themed land? How do you think the addition of these new lands will impact the overall Universal Orlando experience?
