Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort Executive Vice President and General Manager Jeff Polk has revealed details about the technology partly responsible for bringing the future theme park to life.
He provided the sneak peek while narrating previously released fly-though videos of Epic Universe during an Aug. 8 luncheon of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce at Loew’s Sapphire Falls Resort. The theme park, slated to open in 2025, is expected to bring a flood of business to hotels, restaurants and venues in that part of town.
Immersive set design — a fast-progressing discipline at Universal Creative, said Polk — is critical to the success of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, he said. At the Harry Potter-themed land's main attraction, “you will step into a fireplace and travel through time and space and arrive in London. I have walked through it many times and I've got to tell you; it is something you cannot believe until you see with your own eyes.”
Described by Polk as Universal’s most technologically advanced ride yet, the Battle at the Ministry ride incorporates several ride technologies.
Omnidirectional ride vehicles, a trackless ride system, high-resolution projections and media screens, animatronics of characters like Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, smoke effects, motion simulation, interactive elements like wands and wrist bands, real-time control systems, augmented-reality integrations and spatial audio technology are all in the mix.
"This ride is going to take you into the Wizarding World and ... let you experience what it feels like to [fly like] you see in the movies, moving back and forth and up and down and side to side ... and telling the story of the trial of Dolores Umbridge,” said Polk.
This Epic Universe land should be a huge draw, said International Theme Park Services CEO Dennis Speigel, who attended the 2014 opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley and witnessed first-hand the intense public scrutiny and embrace of Universal’s themed depiction of the beloved book series.
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"The technology and the story — there's never been a better marriage, in my opinion, in our industry than Harry Potter and what's happening with technology," Speigel said.
Some of the Battle at the Ministry ride’s immersive technologies play out in other parts of Epic Universe, too.
Polk pointed out that in Super Mario World — one of Epic Universe’s five lands — Donkey Kong Country will feature advanced roller coaster engineering for a mine cart experience, including dynamic track elements like gaps and splashing effects, to help the ride feel true to the video game.
“You will feel as if you're in the little mine carts on a very rickety track, jumping over gaps in the track across the fronts of waterfalls and splashing down into the water," said Polk.
Another Epic Universe land — How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk — incorporates breakthrough technology in its experiences and entertainment programming. The thrill coaster Hiccup’s Wing Gliders has a ride system that simulates flying on the back of a dragon using motion-based technology.
“The [wing glider] is really this contraption to help you learn how to fly on the back of the dragon,” Polk said.
The Untrainable Dragon live show has advanced animatronics intended to create realistic dragon interactions.
“This show debuted in Beijing at our park there and was very popular, and we're excited to have this level of live show in this park,” he said. “It's a big spectacle. You'll see somebody ... flying in on a dragon.”
Polk did not detail the technology behind the flying spectacle, though Orlando residents in recent weeks have spotted dragon drones flying in the sky above Epic Universe.
Another thrill ride, Dragon Racer’s Rally, has motion simulators that deliver sensations of flight and inversion, like aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls.
"It brings with it the ability to go almost 70 feet in the air,” Polk said. “The upside down as you're flying around may not be for everybody."
The land of Dark Universe uses special effects in several ways. "You'll enter through this electrified portal, you'll see electricity coursing through all the buildings throughout the entire world, through the town of Darkmoor that you'll enter,” said Polk, describing the immersive experience Universal has in the works.
Meanwhile, interactive elements, animatronics and high-intensity effects are woven into ride engineering for Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf.
“Within Frankenstein Manor, we'll have one of our most fantastic dark rides ... [Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment] has lots of interaction with the monsters and lots of interaction with [Dr. Victoria Frankenstein and] keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through,” he said.
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