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

[Agent H]

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.

They certainly apply to both. at least based on what I’ve seen so far of celestial park. Just ironic is all.

 

[BrianLo]

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

Thanks, completely missed that. Ya that is a very odd choice. Maybe when it was going to be dueling ministries? But it should be called the Wizarding World of Paris.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Maybe I missed my calling then. To put it more succinctly, drone footage and a list of attractions doesn’t scratch the surface of the total theme park package people are going to find at Epic.

I was admittedly a bit peeved earlier because it struck me as a little too holier-than-thou for a theme park discussion, but it was actually good writing, lol. But I don’t disagree with you overall, I just think the discussion is a little more dynamic.

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.

I think this forum despises the Epcot core so heavily that it goes without saying. I greatly prefer it to the old core but I can also see why people dislike it and I think, for me, there’s a difference of scope. I think I would dislike it if it were grander in size and trying to do more than it is is.

 

[Stripes]

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.

World Celebration, as it was built, has too much bare concrete, not enough shade, wide open spaces, and lacks feeling. Nonetheless, EPCOT’s pre-existing architecture is awe-inspiring.

However, I do consider Journey of Water to be a great addition that doesn’t have these issues.

 

[BrianLo]

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.

Even Disney said it was a problem. Chapek announced the intention on stage to bring more shade to great applause. The other land that really suffers is Toy Story.

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

Thanks for the responses. They are similar and comparable. I think Celestial has a touch more whimsicalness thanks to the portals, Constellation Carousel, fountains, and architecture of the restaurants on the outside, but I can see it still feeling sanitized to most. Without anyone in the park it does feel vast in some places, but I think it’s designed perfectly for flow to the portals. The trees absolutely will need to grow in and I haven't been in at night so jury is out on how the nighttime lighting impacts the general perception (curiously most of the concept art depicts it at dusk/nighttime).

 

[Agent H]

Thanks for the responses. They are similar and comparable. I think Celestial has a touch more whimsicalness thanks to the portals, Constellation Carousel, fountains, and architecture of the restaurants on the outside, but I can see it still feeling sanitized to most. Without anyone in the park it does feel vast in some places, but I think it’s designed perfectly for flow to the portals. The trees absolutely will need to grow in and I haven't been in at night so jury is out on how the nighttime lighting impacts the general perception (curiously most of the concept art depicts it at dusk/nighttime).

Of course it’s better. The carousel in particular looks really pretty.

 

[TalkToEthan]

One time I actually saw someone in a YouTube comment section say I think this will be better than Tokyo disneysea.

So in other words:
——Mama raised a dummy—-

 

[lazyboy97o]

Thanks, completely missed that. Ya that is a very odd choice. Maybe when it was going to be dueling ministries? But it should be called the Wizarding World of Paris.

When it had the other ride it was just Ministries of Magic, so not really much better.

Warner Bros didn’t want it to be just Paris, thus the E-Ticket set in London and other, cut elements, also set elsewhere.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I know not everyone will feel the same, as Fantasy Springs does it, DCA does it.. etc...

but I really just can't stand a hotel in the park, especially one that really looks plainly like a hotel, and is essentially the weenie.

Disney Sea does this right. Heck, Disneyland Paris does it right as well. The hotels blend in beautifully, and are behind you, away from the true weenie of the park.

Helios looks big, imposing, perhaps grand, but like a hotel. Nothing feels immersive to me about that.

 

[Agent H]

I know not everyone will feel the same, as Fantasy Springs does it, DCA does it.. etc...

but I really just can't stand a hotel in the park, especially once that really looks plainly like a hotel, and is essentially the weenie.

Disney Sea does this right. Heck, Disneyland Paris does it right as well. The hotels blend in beautifully, and are behind you, away from the true weenie of the park.

Helios looks big, imposing, perhaps grand, but like a hotel. Nothing feels immersive to me about that.

Helios is really disappointing especially on the inside and when I look at the model i can tell you will definitely have a view of backstage from some rooms.

 

[MisterPenguin]

This looks like plenty of trees to me...

You just need to wait for Team Members to glue on all the leaves.

 

[TalkToEthan]

I look at the model i can tell you will definitely have a view of backstage from some rooms.

As for the hotels on park perimeters….

practically there is no real way around that. Inevitably a group of rooms will have disappointing views. Mira Costa, Grand Californian, Paris Dis Hotel, Fantasy Springs Hotel and others will have sections of rooms where one can see rooftops, parking lots or backstage areas.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I understand the plan is to have people wait in Celestial Park until they are granted virtual queue access into the one of the other four lands.

That's a good idea.

Ratatouille Plaza, TSL, the Potter lands all suffer from rides that draw in more people per hour than the mini-land can comfortably hold. And then you get crowding.

Having the crowds held waiting (but not in a queue) in Celestial Park -- which is big and wide-open -- is a good thing.

 

[MisterPenguin]

As for the hotels on park perimeters….

practically there is no real way around that. Inevitably a group of rooms will have disappointing views. Mira Costa, Grand Californian, Paris Dis Hotel, Fantasy Springs Hotel and others will have sections of rooms where one can see rooftops, parking lots or backstage areas.

Ask for the Lockheed Martin view room!

 

[Agent H]

As for the hotels on park perimeters….

practically there is no real way around that. Inevitably a group of rooms will have disappointing views. Mira Costa, Grand Californian, Paris Dis Hotel, Fantasy Springs Hotel and others will have sections of rooms where one can see rooftops, parking lots or backstage areas.

Maybe but I feel like the way epic universe is designed with 2 lands backed up against the hotel is just bad design.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Ask for the Lockheed Martin view room!

Just don’t bring any telephoto lens or some spooks might have some questions.

 

[Agent H]

Just don’t bring any telephoto lens or some spooks might have some questions.

Hmm. Ghosts in the rooms. People will have to do something about that. They will have to call someone. But who are they gonna call? I got it! ghostbusters will be the first expansion for epic universe!

 

[Stripes]

practically there is no real way around that. Inevitably a group of rooms will have disappointing views. Mira Costa, Grand Californian, Paris Dis Hotel, Fantasy Springs Hotel and others will have sections of rooms where one can see rooftops, parking

The problem with Helios is that you can see the show buildings and the show facades at the same time. It breaks the magic. If someone can see the back of a show building but can’t see the show facades, while it might not be the prettiest view, it’s not ruining the magic.

 

[JT3000]

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.

It's also been there since 1982.

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.

This looks like plenty of trees to me...

You just need to wait for Team Members to glue on all the leaves.

Is that how Spring works!?