Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025

[Andrew25]

I’m not sure who it was but I think the park president said the other day, he now wants to be the park that people think of first in Orlando ahead of Disney.

I think that is the short and mid term plan.

Multiple Universal execs over the past few years have mentioned that they want to be a primary destination, not just a side trip from their WDW vacation. However, it's never been quoted by anyone (I could be wrong) that Universal sees themselves as a 'replacement' of WDW.

I'm curious to see what happens over the coming months, but this is also giving me IOA/Universal Escape vibes in the sense that there has been some glee in hyping up something new that will be an immediate game changer. Instead, I suspect it will take Universal more than Disney some time to absorb and understand the impact of the new park.

I am somewhat feeling the same that Universal is overhyping themselves and being too bold with their Epic pricing. Time will tell.

So far their marketing is great, but their ticketing and website information is throwing people off.

Just as a point of personal preference, I also think Uni should stop building so many exposed roller coasters. It's not that those rides aren't popular, but rather they send a signal that they parks are still on a continuum between amusement parks and Disney theme parks rather than equal to or better than Disney parks

I agree to an extent, however for a different reason. If Universal wants to increase its attendance at all parks, they need family-friendly additions to its parks. They've cornered the thrill market, and they need to expand on experiences that the entire family can do together.

 

[mkt]

SNW was closed the day I went...so. (shrug)

My thought on SNW. It's my favorite of the three SNWs in Universal Parks, and the one I have the most long term hope for. Why? Even though it doesn't have the most attractions (that's Osaka's win), Orlando's SNW has though is plenty of space to expand if it's successful.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Not sure the people in the Disney bubble have noticed, but Universal is already a primary destination for many visitors with Disney Days being the add on.

Potter gets all the credit, but Cabana Bay was when the shift really started.

 

[Moth]

When I say, "Epic is a solid park". That is exactly what I mean. It is absolutely a top tier world class theme park. It checks off 90% of the boxes.

I have always said HTTYD was the sleeper hit of the park, and I still think that...kinda. The revel out of the Portal is everything that I had hoped for and more. Brilliant!

SNW was closed the day I went...so. (shrug)

The Potter ride is "experiencing technical difficulties" and has not been available during TM previews. But Potter's Paris is impressive.

I have thoughts on the Frankenstein ride. Unbelievably impressive, but less HHN and more cartoony than I was expecting. LOTs of impressive AAs. Looks like a maintenance nightmare.

But I now think Celestial Park is in the running for sleeper hit. It is beautiful. And the soundtrack is fantastic. I won't call it a background loop because it is loud-ish, sub-woofers and all. Very cinematic. And the Carousel is surprisingly good. The movements of the "horses" are synced with the soundtrack. The more dramatic the music, the higher the horses. Subtle but very cool.

What do you mean by "kinda"... Worrying me.

 

[Streetway Again]

What do you mean by "kinda"... Worrying me.

Ive seen from some people that the sightlines are….well, according to them,you can see some stuff from other lands from it.

They could be wrong though! Don’t fret just yet!

 

[Moth]

Ive seen from some people that the sightlines are….well, according to them,you can see some stuff from other lands from it.

They could be wrong though! Don’t fret just yet!

No I can buy the sightline stuff. And I hope for their sake it's fixed.

 

[Streetway Again]

No I can buy the sightline stuff. And I hope for their sake it's fixed.

Agreed. Hope it is fixed. I have zero expectations for berk ngl bc I haven’t watched HTTYD in years.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

What do you mean by "kinda"... Worrying me.

Just that I think, as great as Berk is, and as a theme park land, Berk is FANTASTIC!, Celestial Park may actually be the real sleeper hit.

 

[Jayspency]

Just that I think, as great as Berk is, and as a theme park land, Berk is FANTASTIC!, Celestial Park may actually be the real sleeper hit.

Celestial park seems to have a lot more original ideas than I anticipated, I’m pretty excited.

 

[Moth]

Just that I think, as great as Berk is, and as a theme park land, Berk is FANTASTIC!, Celestial Park may actually be the real sleeper hit.

Both are wins for me!

 

[lazyboy97o]

Orlando's SNW has though is plenty of space to expand if it's successful.

Not easily.

 

[mkt]

Not easily.

But within the realm of possibility, especiall when compared to IOA and USF.

 

[jrhwdw]

Just that I think, as great as Berk is, and as a theme park land, Berk is FANTASTIC!, Celestial Park may actually be the real sleeper hit.

Can't wait for the Nighttime Lighting!! Are the Pavement Lights really just RGB & W? Would be nice if CP had Fountain Shows through out the Day!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Can't wait for the Nighttime Lighting!! Are the Pavement Lights really just RGB & W? Would be nice if CP had Fountain Shows through out the Day!

The fountains are on all day and, I could be wrong, but think they are synced to the soundtrack.

They wrote 16 hours of music for Celestial Parks soundtrack.

 

[SJN1279]

How long is the HTTYD coaster?

If i get sick on Forbidden Journey, will I experience the same with Monsters?

 

[SJN1279]

I don't have the same excitement for Epic Universe as I did for Islands of Adventure. The water rides of IOA are still some of my favorites, and Spiderman was truly groundbreaking at the time. Epic also looks like it could use a great dark ride for all ages, they could have used the Universal Monsters to kick the Haunted Mansion;s butt.

 

[SJN1279]

who is doing the voice for Harry, Ron, and Hermoine?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

who is doing the voice for Harry, Ron, and Hermoine?

Harry Potter is not in the new Harry Potter land.

How long is the HTTYD coaster?

If i get sick on Forbidden Journey, will I experience the same with Monsters?

Hiccup's Wing Gliders is longer than SDD.

Many people who experience motion sickness on FJ have not had a problem with Monsters.

 

[SJN1279]

Harry Potter is not in the new Harry Potter land.

Hes in the ride though, isn't he?

 

[jrhwdw]

Harry Potter is not in the new Harry Potter land.

So, nothing in Potter Paris is related to Harry's Story????