All things Universal Studios Hollywood

[Phroobar]

Disneyland's commercials have always been the same thing. People getting excited surrounded by the "magic". Somehow there are never crowds and you get exclusive hugs from Mickey.

Universal's commercials have always felt "in your face". They use fast clips from the movies and the rides.

 

[CaptinEO]

Seeing clips of fanfest nights, some things aren't perfect but D&D and Back to the Future are phenomenal.

All for half the price Disney charges for their after hours events and you have actual walkthroughs/experiences and not just cardboard cutout photo ops.

 

[ProjectXBlog]

I went to Fan Fest Night #1 last night and compiled my experiences into this review, which has some footage of the experiences (sorry for the spoilers!) and some insights and tips for those going.

 

[D.Silentu]

Pardon a redundant request, but would you mind sharing those tips sans spoilers?

 

[ProjectXBlog]

Pardon a redundant request, but would you mind sharing those tips sans spoilers?

Here’s what I posted on IU:
I highly recommend Early Entry if it’s an option for you; I started with D&D, which I figured would be popular and generally had the highest wait times through the night (~20 minutes).
Star Trek and Jujutsu Kaisen came after with minimal waits and after those it was 7PM, so I went to the Hill Valley area to watch the sun set there.
Nintendo isn’t worth much if you aren’t into character interactions (there’s an Egg Hunt with some interesting scavenger hunt elements) and HP monsters were on rotation so it was a little tough to figure out what was where and when.
I spent most of my time in Hill Valley since I adore BttF but I felt like there was a good amount of fanservice for the other properties represented.

 

[Phroobar]

So it isn't quite as crazy and big as HHN due to the few mazes but far more interactive than Star Wars Nights at Disneyland.

 

[wdrive]

So it isn't quite as crazy and big as HHN due to the few mazes but far more interactive than Star Wars Nights at Disneyland.

Far less expensive to buy a ticket too

 

[Rich T]

East Coast Notes: Well, the fun “exclusive” feeling of Passholder Preview days at Epic Universe was fun while it lasted; Universal has now opened preview ticket sales to everybody. It’s a logical step toward ramping things up as May 22 approaches, but I hope it doesn’t wreck the “just right” crowd situation (from a guest’s perspective) of the pre-grand-opening days up till this point.

 

[mickEblu]

East Coast Notes: Well, the fun “exclusive” feeling of Passholder Preview days at Epic Universe was fun while it lasted; Universal has now opened preview ticket sales to everybody. It’s a logical step toward ramping things up as May 22 approaches, but I hope it doesn’t wreck the “just right” crowd situation (from a guest’s perspective) of the pre-grand-opening days up till this point.

You’ll always have the memories. lol

 

[Rich Brownn]

East Coast Notes: Well, the fun “exclusive” feeling of Passholder Preview days at Epic Universe was fun while it lasted; Universal has now opened preview ticket sales to everybody. It’s a logical step toward ramping things up as May 22 approaches, but I hope it doesn’t wreck the “just right” crowd situation (from a guest’s perspective) of the pre-grand-opening days up till this point.

It was never just a pass holder preview. Right off the bat there were military, hotel guests and visa card holders. And they didn't even sell all of those. Just because they said they had a block of tickets reserved for pass holders didn't mean all the tickets were. Capacity is still capped at 10k which was the same before with all the allotments added together. The difference now is they are actually selling more the tickets rather than a large chunk remaining unsold

 

[FoodRockz]

East Coast Notes: Well, the fun “exclusive” feeling of Passholder Preview days at Epic Universe was fun while it lasted; Universal has now opened preview ticket sales to everybody. It’s a logical step toward ramping things up as May 22 approaches, but I hope it doesn’t wreck the “just right” crowd situation (from a guest’s perspective) of the pre-grand-opening days up till this point.

It was a lovely time, but I knew it wouldn't last long.

 

[SuddenStorm]

In your opinion, is it time for Disney to panic? Should they be worried or is Epic Universe just more of the same in the theme park industry?

Disney needs to start really thinking about how they want to be perceived by the next generation.

 

[Rich T]

It was never just a pass holder preview. Right off the bat there were military, hotel guests and visa card holders. And they didn't even sell all of those. Just because they said they had a block of tickets reserved for pass holders didn't mean all the tickets were. Capacity is still capped at 10k which was the same before with all the allotments added together. The difference now is they are actually selling more the tickets rather than a large chunk remaining unsold

I’ll add this little update to my original comment: I went to Epic again yesterday (5th visit) thinking that maybe word hadn’t really spread yet and that it might be my last chance to see the park before the crowds increased. I got there right when the parking lot opened at 9, and my jaw dropped open as I found myself in the middle of the largest entry line crowd I’ve ever personally experienced. Security, however, was doing a fantastic job keeping things organized, and that one terrific security guy who regularly entertains and interacts with the opening crowds has got be be one of my favorite theme park team members EVER.

Anyway, once in, I had another wonderful park day, and though I’d casually estimate that the crowd was close to double what I’ve previously experienced, the park handled it all very well. Met some wonderful people from all over the world, and easily experienced—with one big, obvious, predictable exception—everything I wanted to do.

And, of course, that one exception was Ministry, which in 5 full days of EU visits, I’ve only been able to ride once. Whatever it takes, Universal has GOT to get the capacity issue solved and the Virtual Line situation fixed or eliminated by May 22. It’s the one cloud in an otherwise stellar New Park situation.

 

[Phroobar]

I went to Fan Fest last night. It wasn't very crowded so I didn't need the express pass. Everything including rides was a walk on. The m&gs had a long lines especially One Piece characters.

The D&D attraction was really cool. There was five scenes that move a group from. Actors relate the story. Fantastic puppets are used. It was really fun and interactive.

Star Trek was not as good as D&D. The scenes seemed detached and the acting was too emotional for Star Trek. They freaked out too much. Still it would have made a great HNN maze with some Borg.

Back to the Future's Hill Dale was the highlight of the night. You got to interact with the characters and they reacted the movie. It had a party atmosphere. There were a lot of picture opportunities.

I was lost on the anime stuff especially the 3d movie from USJ. I would have added more the One Piece stuff. It was a fun night to do the entire park with no lines.

 

[Phroobar]

 

[MistaDee]

I wonder if Avenger's Campus could be well utilized for a Marvel Fan Night after-hours event

 

[mickEblu]

Maybe I’m biased but when thinking about all the potential Potter additions to the park I think USH needs Hagrids more than Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Paris or MoM. I think Diagon Alley or Paris would be overkill in the same park. The last thing USH needs is more screen based rides. So Gringotts is out. From what I understand MoM is so grand and so unique that it sort of trancends being perceived as a stereotypical “screen ride.” But it has to go somewhere and that means Paris or Diagon Alley. Hagrids is the ideal way to add more Potter to the park if they are keen on doing so. It’s checks a few boxes for USH. Physical (non screen based), indoor/ outdoor family coaster attraction. It also would fill the role the Mummy currently plays for the park which I believe is not long for this world.

As much as I’d love a Classic monsters presence at USH I also think the Monsters ride and land at Epic U would be a bit redundant due to the similarities with FJ’s ride system and Wizarding Worlds aesthetic.

 

[J4546]

no. more. potter. please.
Universal has so many great IPs to pick from and JK Rowling is a massive tool as well

 

[Disney Analyst]

Maybe I’m biased but when thinking about all the potential Potter additions to the park I think USH needs Hagrids more than Diagon Alley, Gringotts, Paris or MoM. I think Diagon Alley or Paris would be overkill in the same park. The last thing USH needs is more screen based rides. So Gringotts is out. From what I understand MoM is so grand and so unique that it sort of trancends being perceived as a stereotypical “screen ride.” But it has to go somewhere and that means Paris or Diagon Alley. Hagrids is the ideal way to add more Potter to the park if they are keen on doing so. It’s checks a few boxes for USH. Physical (non screen based), indoor/ outdoor family coaster attraction. It also would fill the role the Mummy currently plays for the park which I believe is not long for this world.

As much as I’d love a Classic monsters presence at USH I also think the Monsters ride and land at Epic U would be a bit redundant due to the similarities with FJ’s ride system and Wizarding Worlds aesthetic.

They’d also probably give USH some scaled down, cheapened version of Paris, and it would be no where as grand and fantastic as the one at EU. (I see you Nintendo west vs east)

 

[mickEblu]

They’d also probably give USH some scaled down, cheapened version of Paris, and it would be no where as grand and fantastic as the one at EU. (I see you Nintendo west vs east)

True. It doesn’t feel like there is any clone that’s just an obvious fit at USH for various reasons. But something is brewing. Might be something out of left field.