Universal isn’t short on spectacle. With Epic Universe now open and new lands drawing global attention, the parks are busier—and more crowded—than ever. Yet despite the steady expansion, there’s one franchise that seems curiously absent from any long-term plans: Wicked.
The musical-turned-blockbuster film raked in box office success and sparked themed activations at multiple Universal parks. Since then, rumors have simmered about something more permanent. And with Wicked: For Good still on the way, they’re only gaining traction.
- Credit: Universal Pictures
Not officially, of course. Universal hasn’t announced any attraction. But speculation has rarely been louder.
No Yellow Brick Road—Yet
Leading up to the first film’s release, Universal Studios offered small but ambitious Wicked tie-ins. Pop-up experiences appeared in Orlando, Hollywood, and Japan, including themed snacks, immersive décor, and meet-and-greets with Glinda and Elphaba. They were promoted as limited events—but the response suggested something more.
Visitors lined up. Online reaction was immediate. In a park environment increasingly shaped by big IP, Wicked proved it could hold its own—even without a ride.
And that’s what’s made the current silence feel strange.
Fans haven’t let up. Online forums, park speculation sites, and social media feeds continue to pitch ideas for where a Wicked attraction could land. Most theories center on available space at Universal Studios Florida. One frequently mentioned option: the long-defunct Fear Factor Live theater, which could be reimagined as a large-scale musical stage show set in the Emerald City.
In Hollywood, others envision a dark ride staged within the park’s existing soundstage infrastructure. The concept: a narrative journey from Shiz University to the skies of Oz, capturing key moments in Elphaba’s transformation through effects-driven scenes and projection-mapped environments.
Oz-Sized Ambitions
Some fans are thinking even bigger. Concepts for a full Wicked mini-land have circulated online, featuring a winding Yellow Brick Road, Glinda’s crystal palace, and an Elphaba-themed coaster that simulates flight. A musical 4D experience delivering the show’s biggest numbers could anchor the space, paired with Oz-inspired food and retail.
While Epic Universe doesn’t currently include Wicked, insiders believe that could change—if the timing is right. With space running out inside Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, a new wave of expansions may depend on how Wicked: For Good performs when it arrives in theaters.
For Universal, the opportunity is sitting in plain view. The company already holds the rights. The audience is built in. And with demand for immersive, family-friendly fantasy rising, Wicked checks nearly every box.
So far, there’s no concept art. No leaked blueprints. No construction fences. But in the world of Universal theme parks, that rarely means the idea is off the table.
The real question may not be whether Oz is coming—it’s how quickly Universal can make it happen. And when they do, they won’t need a yellow brick road to show fans where to go.
Would you like to see Wicked attractions at Universal?
