Judgment Day for Disney? Universal's Epic Universe to Invade Orlando!

Another Bug Hunt: The Machine's New Playground

Listen up people. Sarah Connor here. I've seen the future and it's not just about chrome skeletons. It's about corporations battling for your wallets in…Orlando. Universal's building this 'Epic Universe' thing. Biggest one yet they say first major park in Florida for 25 years. Reminds me of Cyberdyne all shiny and new promising the world while building our doom. You think these theme parks are innocent? Please. They're training grounds... for consumerism! But hey at least it's not Skynet...yet.

No Fate But What We Make: Or Is It?

This 'Epic Universe' is supposed to be a game changer. 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter,' 'Super Nintendo World,' dragons and dark universes...sounds like a recipe for chaos. Orlando already pulls in over 74 million tourists a year contributing about 50% of Orange County sales tax. Universal is projecting a boost in revenue for themselves Disney and billions for the local economy! As Casandra Matej CEO of Visit Orlando said 'This is a compelling reason to visit Orlando.' Right because a new theme park is exactly what this world needs… more distractions. I wonder if there's a rollercoaster that simulates the end of the world?

I'll Be Back: With a Corporate Takeover

Comcast Universal's parent company is dropping a rumored $7 billion on this park. Seven. Billion. Dollars. Think about that. They could end world hunger...nah just kidding. They'd rather build a bigger shinier distraction. This is their biggest investment according to CEO Brian Roberts. But what are they really investing in? Control? Influence? More profit? I see you corporations. I see what you're doing. 'The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves,' unless Comcast has something to say about it right?

Hasta la Vista Baby: To My Savings Account

So this 'Epic Universe' will supposedly generate $2 billion for Florida in its first year. $2 billion! And create over 17,500 new jobs. You hear that? Jobs. Means more people hooked into the system. It's all interconnected people. Sean Snaith from the University of Central Florida says Florida's economy will 'continue to outpace the national economy.' Good for them. I'm sure that'll stop the machines from rising...NOT! But what about the real cost? The long term consequences? Does anyone think about that anymore?

Come With Me If You Want to Live: Through a Crowd of Tourists

Jakob Wahl CEO of International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions claims that parks lands or rides will also spark competition between the companies to create more compelling and innovative attractions to lure in guests. He also said 'You see new infrastructure. You see new housing. You see new hotels being built. You see new restaurants being build. It's a boost for the whole area.' Sure it's a boost. A boost of concrete crowds and commercialism. And don't even get me started on the competition with Disney. It's a rising tide that lifts all boats. But what if the boats are just ferrying us towards oblivion? I'm just asking the questions here!

It's in Your Nature to Destroy Yourselves: By Waiting in Line

They're saying that because people might extend their stays in Orlando this will be economically good for the community. More money for the corporations. More distractions for the masses. Matej says every day that someone extends their stay that is millions of dollars worth of economic impact. So there you have it: 'Epic Universe.' A theme park. A distraction. A potential goldmine for corporations. And me? I'll be watching. Always watching. Waiting for the other shoe to drop or in this case the robotic foot.