Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!

[Stripes]

Celestial Park is the furthest land behind and not complete yet. From recent aerials, it seems that many of the restaurants and venues are still under construction. Still have 75 days to go and they will probably be working on it till the last minute.

As I said, I can tell. While some of the facades and landscaping are still being worked on, the land is complete enough that one should be able to form an opinion about the landscape and ambiance.

For context, the length of Celestial Park is about the same as the distance between the entrance to The Oasis and Harambe.

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

As I said, I can tell. While some of the facades and landscaping are still being worked on, the land is complete enough that one should be able to form an opinion about the landscape and ambiance.

For context, the length of Celestial Park is about the same as the distance between the entrance to The Oasis and Harambe.

As the crow flies, it’s just under 1500 feet from the Epic entrance to the back path by Helios. By comparison, as the crow flies it’s just over 1600 feet from the entrance of Epcot to the World Showcase. Curious on your thoughts re: the existence of all that concrete, number of immature trees, and the wide expanses of walkway over that distance at Epcot with no rides in sight.

 

[Stripes]

As the crow flies, it’s just under 1500 feet from the Epic entrance to the back path by Helios. By comparison, as the crow flies it’s just over 1600 feet from the entrance of Epcot to the World Showcase. Curious on thoughts re: the existence of all that concrete, immature trees, and wide expanses of walkway over that distance at Epcot.

Frankly, I thought DAK was a better comparison because it has a park-like atmosphere, similar to the goal of Celestial Park. Future World, as I still call it, has a very different vibe. I much, much prefer World Showcase over Future World and I always have.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

In this pic (bottom pic) I see a lot of trees, but none of them have leaves. Like, in front of the BBQ place and the path to the right of Astropub going towards Potter. From the air, the trees look small, but compared to the people, I think the POV is misleading.



It looks like barren concrete from 800 feet in the air.

 

[Andrew C]

I’m looking forward to not having to listen to “epic universe is gonna destroy Disney!” Over and over after this all shakes out.

You wouldn't have to if Disney did a better job at being creative again and provided value...

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

Frankly, I thought DAK was a better comparison because it has a park-like atmosphere, similar to the goal of Celestial Park. Future World, as I still call it, has a very different vibe. I much, much prefer World Showcase over Future World and I always have.

I think everyone prefers World Showcase to Future World. But I’m looking for a comment on Future World as it’s clear that Disney’s recent changes were an attempted step towards a more aesthetically pleasing “park like” entrance a la Celestial and thus I think is as close as a comparison as we’ll find between WDW and UO entrance hubs.

 

[flynnibus]

As for grounds I already likened Celestial Park to EPCOT——and EPCOT has a walking tree



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You mean the tree that provides no shade? Good call there... we call that missing the forest for the tree

 

[Stripes]

I think everyone prefers World Showcase to Future World. But I’m looking for a comment on Future World as it’s clear that Disney’s recent changes were an attempted step towards a more aesthetically pleasing “park like” entrance a la Celestial and thus I think is as close as a comparison as we’ll find between WDW and UO.

Well, Future World is lackluster and unfortunately was victim to Chapek-era budget cuts. My concern is that Celestial Park maintains the concrete and uninspiring landscaping while lacking the density and awe-inspiring architecture that gives Future World its visual interest.

 

[flynnibus]

Can't wait for the July stories of the Epic Death March!

 

[Agent H]

Ironic that after all the complaining about world celebration and people saying celestial park would be so much better universal made the same mistake of not planting enough trees

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

Well, Future World is lackluster and unfortunately was victim to Chapek-era budget cuts. My concern is that Celestial Park maintains the concrete and uninspiring landscaping while lacking the density and awe-inspiring architecture that gives Future World its visual interest.

“Awe-inspiring architecture” is certainly a new way I’ve heard to describe Connections Cafe.

I do appreciate the debate though. Once you’ve made it inside Epic I’d honestly be curious to hear your thoughts to see if they’ve changed or remain the same. Cheers.

 

[flynnibus]

Ironic that after all the complaining about world celebration and people saying celestial park would be so much better universal made the same mistake of not planting enough trees

It's not just a matter of trees - it's a design thing. When people try to create space for movement... you tend to create huge swathes of emptiness. When you don't break up the space.. or sightlines.. you end up with what feels like huge empty voids.

The trick is to make spaces that are efficent for movement.. but don't feel like a dry lake bed.

Trees around the edges.. are just on the edges. If you have a massive 5 acre empty spot... do the edges matter as much?

 

[Agent H]

It's not just a matter of trees - it's a design thing. When people try to create space for movement... you tend to create huge swathes of emptiness. When you don't break up the space.. or sightlines.. you end up with what feels like huge empty voids.

The trick is to make spaces that are efficent for movement.. but don't feel like a dry lake bed.

Trees around the edges.. are just on the edges. If you have a massive 5 acre empty spot... do the edges matter as much?

Functionally the Epcot core works very well but it’s missing a lot of interesting features.

 

[BrianLo]

We’ve lost the plot a bit. The criticisms being discussed are the ones being brought forth by in park reviews now. Not just aerials.

My current understanding is no one posting here has been, right?

I’m happy to hear everyone’s take whether been or not, because I most certainly haven’t. But it seems most of the in park reviews are starting to be in alignment with the broader consensus derived from the aerials and that’s more what’s being dismissed now. It looks like a more sparse and spread out Disney Springs Landing. I like Springs a heck of a lot, so that’s not entirely a criticism.

The restaurants look very promising. The expansiveness of the central spine of the hub less so. It’s meant to service the hotel and the show.

The in park review refers to the Paris land itself as Ministry of Magic, an error and confusing. But I believe they meant Paris just feels like more Diagon. Which I also don’t think is a bad thing nor unexpected.

 

[Agent H]

We’ve lost the plot a bit. The criticisms being discussed are the ones being brought forth by in park reviews now. Not just aerials.

My current understanding is no one posting here has been, right?

I’m happy to hear everyone’s take whether been or not, because I most certainly haven’t. But it seems most of the in park reviews are starting to be in alignment with the broader consensus derived from the aerials and that’s more what’s being dismissed now. It looks like a more sparse and spread out Disney Springs Landing. I like Springs a heck of a lot, so that’s not entirely a criticism.

I can’t speak for anyone else but I just find it ironic that celestial parks worst flaw is the one thing people kept saying it would do better than the Epcot remodel. Obviously it’s still better than world celebration though.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

The in park review refers to the Paris land itself as Ministry of Magic, an error and confusing. But I believe they meant Paris just feels like more Diagon. Which I also don’t think is a bad thing nor unexpected.

Not an error — it’s officially called Ministry of Magic, while the ride is called Battle at the Ministry. Dumb, I know.

 

[BrianLo]

I can’t speak for anyone else but I just find it ironic that celestial parks worst flaw is the one thing people kept saying it would do better than the Epcot remodel. Obviously it’s still better than world celebration though.

It suffers the same flaws. The flanks look more valuable (the restaurants), but currently I think World Showcase actually does a better job with shade in its current format. Other than the new stage, which is atrocious. You can tell they forgot why they were doing the project in the first place (shade).

Though the goal posts have always been Tokyo Disney Sea and Animal Kingdom. So I’m missing why everyone wants to defend it against a maligned Epcot project or a free (very well done) outdoor Mall. Those weren’t really the goal.

 

[Stripes]

“Awe-inspiring architecture” is certainly a new way I’ve heard to describe Connections Cafe.

I do appreciate the debate though. Once you’ve made it inside Epic I’d honestly be curious to hear your thoughts to see if they’ve changed or remain the same. Cheers.

EPCOT has awe-inspiring architecture.

Spaceship Earth stands 180 feet tall, weighs approximately 16 million pounds elevated into the air by six legs, and has an entire dark ride inside—making it the largest geodesic sphere in the world and the only one that doubles as a fully operational dark ride. Part of the recent EPCOT project was giving it those new beacons of light which have provided the structure with the ability to showcase beautiful light shows and make it stand out even more within the park at night.

Journey of Water integrates a beautiful park-like setting that provides an intimate escape from the openness and bustle of the rest of EPCOT while providing fantastic and interactive edutainment for younger audiences.

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

I can’t speak for anyone else but I just find it ironic that celestial parks worst flaw is the one thing people kept saying it would do better than the Epcot remodel. Obviously it’s still better than world celebration though.

I’ll chime in: I compared it to Epcot’s remodel because I’m trying to see if the same gripes people have with Celestial Park (concrete, not enough shade, wide open spaces, devoid of any feeling) would then also apply to Epcot’s remodel. I haven’t gotten an answer to that question yet.

If the answer is yes, then I will yield. If the answer is no, then I’m going to have to disagree with the logic involved.

 

[Agent H]

It suffers the same flaws. The flanks look more valuable (the restaurants), but currently I think World Showcase actually does a better job with shade in its current format. Other than the new stage, which is atrocious. You can tell they forgot why they were doing the project in the first place (shade).

Though the goal posts have always been Tokyo Disney Sea and Animal Kingdom. So I’m missing why everyone wants to defend it against a maligned Epcot project or a free (very well done) outdoor Mall. Those weren’t really the goal.

One time I actually saw someone in a YouTube comment section say I think this will be better than Tokyo disneysea. I swear I’m telling the truth.