We should all know by now that Zelda U is going to have a very massive world.  Let's come up with ways for Nintendo to make use of this big world. 

For me, I know I might get a little heat from saying this, but I akin this version of Zelda to GTA, I'm sure I'm not the only one to suggest this.  And because I know others have, my prediction for this mass world is that they are their own separate kingdoms and or have towns or specialty places.  Think Link to the Past with Dark world and light world, instead, kingdom 1, kingdom 2, kingdom 3, etc.  Two things have driven me to this conclusion.  

First off, DLC.  The game will be finished as is with every Zelda game; dungeons, castles, fields, the same fanfare you get with all Zelda games.  But then, Nintendo has created this giant world.  Why not have Link go to another kingdom.  Hyrule, Termina, umm, I can't think of any more zelda overworld maps, but I think you get the gist.  You have to admit, recently Nintendo has embraced this whole microtransaction fad.  But don't fault them, they are using this method very well for the most part.  Of course, this isn't a Nintendo thing to do, or at least Nintendo hasn't done this kind of thing before and so it's sounds like I'm just grasping at straws.  It may be a long shot that Nintendo would do this, but Nintendo has been doing a lot of things differently as of late. 

My next point was why I'm thinking this direction will be taken for Zelda.  Installments.  OOT, MM, WW, TP, SS.  I've played them all and finished them with an exception of Zelda 1 and 2.  With each installment from Ocarina of Time to the most recent Skyward Sword(counting only main console games), there has been a hook, a novelty, a gimmick, an asthetic to the newest installment of Zelda.  For instance, OOT had 3d, target lock, Camera.  Windwaker had traversing a waterworld while you're tripping on all the cellshaded colors.  Twililight Princess had waggle and SS had better waggle.  AS for the Next one, it seems the hook is the world itself.  After Zelda U, where do we go from there?  We don't.  We stop.  We give the Zelda Console team 10 years to work on the next one and Zelda u forward will be lone Zelda game.  New Zelda games every so often by way of DLC at a discounted price from how much ever you would normally pay for a Zelda game.  Under 15 dollars, i would pay.  I mean, honestly, i don't know If any fan would want a lesser Zelda experience than a game where you can actually explore the world of Zelda. 

Of course, maybe if you had a better idea for the game coming up, by all means...

If there's flying dragons. I am just going to lose my mind in pure excitement

And no...DLC in Zelda ain't going to happen.

hopefully more than in twilight princess. The whole space was pointless because the game didnt even have "bomb here to find secret hole" things.

The world will be filled with MAGIC and ADVENTURE! Seek it and you will find fun.

On a less delirium note, DLC? please no! I know Nintendo have been adventurous as of late but to put DLC in a game like this would cause more harm than good.

As for a gimmick? Well I would really say Zelda games have gimmick rather than a focus. WW was sailing, TP was Dark World, SS was waggle orientated. Hard to say what this Zelda will be focused on from just the 2 short trailers.

I would LOVE if it had many towns/cities (which it should) as well as bosses roaming around the field (although Im pretty sure im just salivating at Xenoblade X).

I know DLC sucks, but how about a DLC worth it.  How about this for thought: Zelda U 2 the following year for only $20 in DLC form?  Let's say that Nintendo has a bigger story to tell, that in the past were unable to tell due to say a very lengthy developing cycle that must have abided by the life of the console.  Zelda U 3 in 2018 to finish the game off.  By 2019, Nintendo's next console will have already been announced and Zelda Next will be something fresh and would make use of the next Console's focus. 

What'll be in the massive open world? 

Well if there isn't a Robin William npc somewhere I'll be pissed as fuck. Also maybe multiplayer? I trust the development team to handle it correctly, and having two players completing puzzles in dungeons would allow the developers to try out new things. Also I expect many, many, many sidequests. I can't think of anything else... 

Wait.... *Me Gusta for a Second 

Trees... lots of trees. Good thing the horse can't run in to them. Ow wait does that mean.... you can't interact with the only objects that are there!? OMG there is nothing to do!!

Seriously though i hope there is a lot of fasttravel otherwise it's going to be as boring as sailing in Wind Waker.

Minigames with crappy rewards and lots of hidden treasure chests with just rupees. Unless Aonuma cranks up to eleven the number of heart pieces per container, because items useful for something more than just puzzle solving or magic like in aLttP isn't going to happen.

Monster Hunter dlc. Always wanted to pit Link against Rathalos

(grind that fucker into the dirt, Hyrule-style)

I'm hoping, while developing game, they were humble enough to play decent amount of open-world WRPGs, both older and newer, and that they were taking notes on how to make interesting, exploration-packed overworld.