Some big news today, Universal and Nintendo fans: there might be a chance that the iconic video game franchise The Legend of Zelda will be coming to Universal Orlando! It might even come to Islands of Adventure, instead of the much anticipated Epic Universe, which will open in 2025.
Shigeru Miyamoto and Eiji Aonuma were spotted in Universal Orlando this week, overseeing the construction process of the brand new rides. Who are they, you might ask? Well, Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the most powerful names inside Nintendo, considered the father of big franchises like Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Pikmin and more.
Eiji Aonuma is a game designer, director, producer and basically the head of The Legend of Zelda franchise. He directed some of the best games of all time, like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time and was a producer of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. More than that, if there is anything related to Zelda, be it a big announcement or just a trailer, you bet he will be the guy on stage showing it to everyone.
It makes sense to have Miyamoto overseeing some of the rides, since he is such a big name and can give pointers to the new Donkey Kong Country Land. But what about Aonuma? There isn’t much reason for him to be there, unless Universal is planning something related to Zelda in the near future. Hmm!
Not... Epic Universe?
Rumors have been gaining steam in the last few days, by the way. A lot of people even say that a Zelda land is coming to Universal, but it will take over The Lost Continent in Islands of Adventure. I mean, it makes sense. Poseidon’s Fury was never that good and takes a huge portion of the theme park. There is even space there for Universal to build Hyrule Castle and have an amazing ride based on Zelda.
Of course that there is always the chance that Zelda will appear in Epic Universe in 2025, or maybe later in a new expansion. It also makes sense to have Link, Zelda, Ganondorf and everyone else in Super Nintendo World, after all.
Even more rumors
Oh, the rumors don’t even stop at Zelda, by the way. Some people say that Springfield and The Simpsons ride at Universal Studios Orlando will close to give space to a brand new Pokemon area. Is there something to back it up? Not really. It does make sense for Universal to bet on Pokemon, since it’s one of the biggest, most prolific IPs in the world.
What about you, what would you love to see in a Zelda land? I personally want to see a boat ride inspired by Wind Waker, and a giant steel roller coaster that takes us around Death Mountain so we can spot a few Gorons here and there. Honestly, I am good with anything, as long as they keep some Zelda songs playing 24/7.
So, excited to visit Universal Orlando before Epic Universe opens its doors in 2025? Send us a message, and we will make sure to get you there faster than Link riding Epona. Until the next one!
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