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

[celluloid]

I have a hard time believing people buying multi day tickets to Universal for Epic Universe and not going to the other parks at all.

There may be some who would do that. The ones who would do that aren't Universal fans but just want to see Epic.

And Moreso. When they do.stay.the night at a hotel cheaper than Helios bht go.for HRH, Porto or RP...they are gojng to have fun with those unlimited expresses where? Yep.

Also, not just day tickets selling out for EPIC. You can't select dates May 22nd opening into June for 2 day park to park with one Epic. Soon, the top tier ticket options will be the only availability for dates if is keeps up.

 

[Gusey]

Finally, photos of the Parking Lot symbols

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I was watching an Epic video last night and it struck me how impressive it is we now compare Universal directly to Disney, I’m still a Disney fanboy at heart but the fact Uni is now held to the same standards as Disney (sightlines, theming, immersion, etc) should be seen as a massive accomplishment.

20 years ago I loathed Uni as “screen parks” and had zero desire to visit them, to me they were on par with Six flags, the fact they’ve elevated their game so much in 20 years, now contain a couple of my all time favorite rides, contain a couple of my favorite lands, are worthy of at least 1-2 days of a FL trip, etc is frankly incredible.

 

[celluloid]

I was watching an Epic video last night and it struck me how impressive it is we now compare Universal directly to Disney, I’m still a Disney fanboy at heart but the fact Uni is now held to the same standards as Disney (sightlines, theming, immersion, etc) should be seen as a massive accomplishment.

20 years ago I loathed Uni as “screen parks” and had zero desire to visit them, to me they were on par with Six flags, the fact they’ve elevated their game so much in 20 years, now contain a couple of my all time favorite rides, contain a couple of my favorite lands, are worthy of at least 1-2 days of a FL trip, etc is frankly incredipark's.

If they can get Studios a bit back closer.to it's 195-2000 era in variety and shape up IOA...it would/will be great.

 

[eddie104]

to me they were on par with Six flags

Universal has never been in any shape or form a Six Flags counterpart so I have no clue where that notion came from. Thats actually a very snobbish remark in my opinion.

From USF’s opening in 1990 nothing about it screamed amusement park quality. The attractions usually had a lot of detail and thought put into them.

They did have some shaky leadership in the beginning but overtime with Comcast’s investment the quality has increased ten fold.

 

[flynnibus]

Many certainly will, but it’s not a guaranteed done deal.

Of course not - because absolutes are stupid. But the prior two messages already address that.

People are steered to come for more than one day and park and most travelers will do so.

 

[Disstevefan1]

If folks actually visited Universal Orlando parks and they can be honest with themselves and not let the “it’s not Disney so it’s automatically bad” bias take over, they will see these parks are world class.

From the Harry Potter lands in Universal and IOA connected by the train, which is an attraction in its self; going back to the original ET ride, always a favorite, even back then, they knew how to make a queue; the queue for ET is one of my favorites.

Watching the videos of EPIC, the immersion EVERYWHERE is amazing! Of course there will be folks who will complain about sight lines, GOOD Universal SHOULD be held to the same standard we USED to hold WDW to as Universal Orlando is no longer the little brother to be ignored any more.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

Watching the videos of EPIC, the immersion EVERYWHERE is amazing! Of course there will be folks who will complain about sight lines, GOOD Universal SHOULD be held to the same standard we USED to hold WDW to as Universal Orlando is no longer the little brother to be ignored any more.

But you're not doing that right here?

 

[Disstevefan1]

But you're not doing that right here?

In my opinion, from what I can see from the videos, EPIC has surpassed the quality and immersion I expect even from Disney.

For me personally, I don't care much about sightlines like the massive show building for Guardians seen from the parking lot, or the views of TRON from storybook circus folks complain about that I never noticed.

I heard from the top of the stardust racers coaster in EPIC you can see the sewage plant, I not sure if I would have noticed it, well NOW I WILL

I think Universal should be held to the same standard as Disney. I think Universal did an excellent job on EPIC (from what I see in videos I mean) I expect the same from Disney's future projects.

Lets see what happens.

 

[mkt]

are worthy of at least 1-2 days of a FL trip, etc is frankly incredible.

I’ve met more than one family doing an Orlando parks trip, and their only Disney experience was the gift shop at MCO.

WDW is still the 800-pound gorilla in the market, sure, but it’s surprisingly easy now to spend a full week in Orlando or Central Florida without setting foot on Disney property. Plenty of families are skipping it entirely. Maybe they hit the beach for a day, maybe they check out more local stuff. Lately it feels like downtown Winter Garden, Winter Park, and Audubon Park attracting out of town tourists.

 

[Agent H]

if you look at hours in late May once Epic gets rolling and both night time shows hit Studios and IOA most nights go to 8/9/10pm closes.

Check next week and I imagine Epic Universe and June 1st onward of USF and IOA are posted.

yes! Finally!

 

[celluloid]

I’ve met more than one family doing an Orlando parks trip, and their only Disney experience was the gift shop at MCO.

WDW is still the 800-pound gorilla in the market, sure, but it’s surprisingly easy now to spend a full week in Orlando or Central Florida without setting foot on Disney property. Plenty of families are skipping it entirely. Maybe they hit the beach for a day, maybe they check out more local stuff. Lately it feels like downtown Winter Garden, Winter Park, and Audubon Park attracting out of town tourists.

And it does not need to be seismic numbers of turnstile clicks noticed by TEA estimates before big changes make owies to former guest spending patterns.

 

[TalkingHead]

Lately it feels like downtown Winter Garden

Genuinely asking why would tourists go there?

 

[celluloid]

If folks actually visited Universal Orlando parks and they can be honest with themselves and not let the “it’s not Disney so it’s automatically bad” bias take over, they will see these parks are world class.

From the Harry Potter lands in Universal and IOA connected by the train, which is an attraction in its self; going back to the original ET ride, always a favorite, even back then, they knew how to make a queue; the queue for ET is one of my favorites.

Watching the videos of EPIC, the immersion EVERYWHERE is amazing! Of course there will be folks who will complain about sight lines, GOOD Universal SHOULD be held to the same standard we USED to hold WDW to as Universal Orlando is no longer the little brother to be ignored any more.

And even though HHN's is not everyone's cup of Tea, the detail that has gone into that and grown from that already incredibly detailed event is astonishing.

 

[mkt]

Genuinely asking why would tourists go there?

It’s close to the parks, has a solid lineup of local food and drink spots, with even one venue winning a Michelin Bib Gourmand (Norigami Sushi). And yeah, it’s a cute little downtown.

And lately? Travelers want that. As of 2025, 62% feel like a trip’s a waste if they don’t explore the local scene, and 70% want to try at least one local restaurant.

 

[Disstevefan1]

And even though HHN's is not everyone's cup of Tea, the detail that has gone into that and grown from that already incredibly detailed event is astonishing.

HHN is amazing! Its AMAZING to me the detail and cost involved in these events. In my mind it justifies the cost of this event.

Contrast that with Disney Christmas and Halloween parties (we went to the Christmas party in 2024) Disney really does not do too much for these parties in my opinion.

 

[celluloid]

HHN is amazing! Its AMAZING to me the detail and cost involved in these events. In my mind it justifies the cost of this event.

Contrast that with Disney Christmas and Halloween parties (we went to the Christmas party in 2024) Disney really does not do too much for these parties in my opinion.

For sure. No comparison.

 

[celluloid]

Finally, photos of the Parking Lot symbols

Oh I thought people already saw these. Here is one from pre guest days of a monsters one. I imagine there of a better quality of these ones floating somewhere already. I love them.

 

[BrianLo]

I was watching an Epic video last night and it struck me how impressive it is we now compare Universal directly to Disney, I’m still a Disney fanboy at heart but the fact Uni is now held to the same standards as Disney (sightlines, theming, immersion, etc) should be seen as a massive accomplishment.

20 years ago I loathed Uni as “screen parks” and had zero desire to visit them, to me they were on par with Six flags, the fact they’ve elevated their game so much in 20 years, now contain a couple of my all time favorite rides, contain a couple of my favorite lands, are worthy of at least 1-2 days of a FL trip, etc is frankly incredible.

I agree with the broader point you are making. Universal has much more potential now that they have a well capitalized company behind them.

But your recollection seems off. The screen thing became an issue a decade ago. It definitely was not the issue with Universal 2 decades ago. It was an extremely practical based ride operator in its first 15 years of operation. The few instances it did have were of course more modern at the time.

I think very few people actually had familiarity with what Universal actually used to be anymore. I’m a huge fan of the Universal of old and it was the pivot they made approximately a decade ago when that light switch went off for me. You can actually find my earlier portion of my membership here championing Universal and wondering why everyone was so high on WDW, which I thought was an incredibly stagnant product.

They completely screwed up the balance and that’s why the Studios are the way they are. Epic actually seems to be a return to form for what I feel is a great attraction balance. But they need to carry that through to a fairly sizeable overhaul on USF - or at least show me evidence of that forthcoming, before I’ll start singing unending praises again. All of the projects designed in the last few years are not a vote of confidence. (Epic was not designed in the last few years).

I don’t think I’m a total contrarian, I just think I’m maybe a bit more forward looking than some of the membership. Which is why for example I was harder on WDW when everyone still seemed to be in their pixie duster phase.

 

[Gusey]

Oh I thought people already saw these. Here is one from pre guest days of a monsters one. I imagine there of a better quality of these ones floating somewhere already. I love them.

I had seen the Monsters one but not the others, specifically the Hero Parking Lot which Links to a current rumor