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

[UNCgolf]

I agree honestly, and I’ve said it on other forums. Epic specifically needed a few more lower tech reliable attractions. Think a long form boat ride, omnimover dark ride, fantasyland style dark ride, etc.

I am not sure if it’s guest expectations these days, but I kinda wish they’d go back to some old school techniques.

I also don't think newer tech always makes for a better experience even when it's working. Yes, we have super high definition screens and projections and CGI, e.g., but using them in place of physical sets generally makes a ride worse/less immersive, not better (with a few exceptions).

Obviously screens/projections generally don't have any reliability problems, so that's kind of a bad example, but I could say the same for the ride systems -- there are rides that would be just as good or possibly even better with a simpler, more reliable ride system.

That's not to suggest newer tech is bad or shouldn't be used, because it can do some really impressive things. It's just that at the moment it feels like they (I mean both Disney and Universal here) almost default to using whatever is new rather than just designing a quality ride and using whatever tech fits the best.

 

[Purduevian]

Theoretically there are quite a few rides in the park that should be reliable:

Fairly standard roller coaters:

• Curse of the Werewolf
• Hiccup's
• Stardust

Ride's copied from other parks (with a few years of experience)

• Mario Kart
• Yoshi

Flat rides:

• Dragon racers rally
• Carousel

Of course these rides can still break down... but they have a pretty low risk compared to things like Monsters or MoM

 

[EpicUniverseUpdate]

A lot of amusement and theme parks regularly open at 10:00 AM and do just fine. Cedar Point, for example.

I don't know why Orlando has conditioned everyone to think opening at 9:00 AM is a requirement. If you're a morning person, fine. If you're not, earlier openings just make your vacation that much more stressful.

Also, yes, it's a money and maintenance thing. If corporate is giving them the option of either: A - opening at 9:00 AM to be "in line" with the other parks but closing early so people barely get to see the park at night, or B: opening later so people can see more of the park at night, I am very glad they have apparently chosen the second option.

That said, June-August in Florida mean it basically doesn't get dark until 9:00, so still having 9:00 be the standard closing time isn't late enough.



Nobody tell him about the unannounced 5th portal - Muppet Metropolis.

Sorry, absolutely not. As someone who lives near theme parks, maybe I'm mostly not waking up to rope drop when I go. However, when I'm on vacation at say, DLR, early openings are the best. When Disneyland or DCA opens at 7 or 8, I can essentially get the entire park done then go for a nap while sleepyheads like yourself are still making their way to the park. This makes my vacation way less stressful.

There is absolutely no argument to be made for Universal opening later. They can absolutely do 9am - 10pm or 9am - 11pm, they're just too cheap to actually do so. Don't gaslight people into thinking that the only way Universal can stay open one extra hour is to open up an hour later. That's absurd.

 

[jrhwdw]

Sorry, absolutely not. As someone who lives near theme parks, maybe I'm mostly not waking up to rope drop when I go. However, when I'm on vacation at say, DLR, early openings are the best. When Disneyland or DCA opens at 7 or 8, I can essentially get the entire park done then go for a nap while sleepyheads like yourself are still making their way to the park. This makes my vacation way less stressful.

There is absolutely no argument to be made for Universal opening later. They can absolutely do 9am - 10pm or 9am - 11pm, they're just too cheap to actually do so. Don't gaslight people into thinking that the only way Universal can stay open one extra hour is to open up an hour later. That's absurd.

Indeed! For EU to adjust Hours( because it was crazy to begin with), still no Nighttime Spectacular, HP Ride needs a Week's Rest....not a Good Look! Two Weeks left...........

 

[Tom Morrow]

Sorry, absolutely not. As someone who lives near theme parks, maybe I'm mostly not waking up to rope drop when I go. However, when I'm on vacation at say, DLR, early openings are the best. When Disneyland or DCA opens at 7 or 8, I can essentially get the entire park done then go for a nap while sleepyheads like yourself are still making their way to the park. This makes my vacation way less stressful.

There is absolutely no argument to be made for Universal opening later. They can absolutely do 9am - 10pm or 9am - 11pm, they're just too cheap to actually do so. Don't gaslight people into thinking that the only way Universal can stay open one extra hour is to open up an hour later. That's absurd.

I think you misread what I’m trying to say. I’m not saying this is the only way to do it. I’m saying that if they’re going to be cheap (they are - UOR parks are basically never open more than 12-13 hours) and not increase the overall park hours, the better option for Epic Universe specifically is to open later. This is because Epic, more than any other park I’ve seen, really comes alive at night, AND Epic doesn’t have to “line up” with the north campus parks.

 

[EpicUniverseUpdate]

I think you misread what I’m trying to say. I’m not saying this is the only way to do it. I’m saying that if they’re going to be cheap (they are - UOR parks are basically never open more than 12-13 hours) and not increase the overall park hours, the better option for Epic Universe specifically is to open later. This is because Epic, more than any other park I’ve seen, really comes alive at night, AND Epic doesn’t have to “line up” with the north campus parks.

I still feel that you've talked about it positively and compared it to "Cedar Point" (?) and also spoke out again early opens in another reply. I don't want them to see any positive feedback on this horrible move.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I still feel that you've talked about it positively and compared it to "Cedar Point" (?) and also spoke out again early opens in another reply. I don't want them to see any positive feedback on this horrible move.

I think the point, though, is if the park is only going to be open for a set number of hours, for this park it may make sense to open later so that it has more nighttime hours which suits the park's design better. Animal Kingdom is kind of a counter-example where it makes more sense to open earlier as the animal-based experiences have to close before it gets dark.

I know a few of us are very enthusiastic about later opening and closing times, but I think everyone recognises that different people have different preferences and no-one is "correct". If this is the one Universal park that opened at 10am instead of 9am, would it really be a huge inconvenience even if you are an early riser?

 

[jrhwdw]

I think the point, though, is if the park is only going to be open for a set number of hours, for this park it may make sense to open later so that it has more nighttime hours which suits the park's design better. Animal Kingdom is kind of a counter-example where it makes more sense to open earlier as the animal-based experiences have to close before it gets dark.

I know a few of us are very enthusiastic about later opening and closing times, but I think everyone recognises that different people have different preferences and no-one is "correct". If this is the one Universal park that opened at 10am instead of 9am, would it really be a huge inconvenience even if you are an early riser?

True. Is Rope Drop really a thing at Universal?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

If I had my way all the theme parks both Disney and universal would open at 8 and close at 11.

Those three hours would be wild!

 

[Andrew25]

True. Is Rope Drop really a thing at Universal?

Yes, Hagrid's gets a decent sized crowd for Early Park Admission to this day. Epic previews have been the same, and USF gets it to a degree for Gringotts (EPA is held at IOA only so far, so most people drop drop Hagrid/Velocicoaster).

 

[Andrew C]

True. Is Rope Drop really a thing at Universal?

For Hagrids.

 

[Misted Compass]

is it just me or...
the Dolores Umbridge animatronic in the climax of Battle at the Ministry remind me of Mark Twain and Ben Franklin in the American Adventure, when they are on the statue of liberty?

Probably due to staging, she's standing on a relatively small physical set which then goes dark which is a common staging technique in American Adventure.

 

[Giss Neric]

I understand if the complicated dark rides are closed but rollercoasters tend to be reliable rides for the most part so why are they closed as well?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I understand if the complicated dark rides are closed but rollercoasters tend to be reliable rides for the most part so why are they closed as well?

They’re not stand alone coasters with just a couple of trains. They have integrated show systems and more vehicles.

 

[Giss Neric]

They’re not stand alone coasters with just a couple of trains. They have integrated show systems and more vehicles.

2 coasters closed for 2 days is not a good show.

 

[MisterPenguin]

2 coasters closed for 2 days is not a good show.

Both Uni and Disney have had issues with getting complicated new attractions and technologies to work ten hours a day every single day. We've seen fabulous, new attractions have constant breakdowns over the course of months before all the kinks are worked out.

And some of the issues aren't easy to diagnose let alone fix.

I hope EU can pull it together and be successful. But, I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out disastrously. Getting one, new E-Ticket ride is a huge undertaking. Getting six of them up and running all at once...

 

[flynnibus]

I understand if the complicated dark rides are closed but rollercoasters tend to be reliable rides for the most part so why are they closed as well?

Haggrid’s would like a word with you…

 

[Giss Neric]

Haggrid’s would like a word with you…

Yeah but there are other options to choose from if Hagrids is problematic unlike here where majority of the rides are down so there's barely any options.

 

[Agent H]

Anyone else getting more than a little worried about this ride yet. Is it time to go full board panic mode??? I watched a content creator yesterday who said just go in assuming you WON’T get on Battle of the Ministry and be pleasantly surprised if you do. How sad

Not that this isn’t disappointing but what’s to be worried about? They will get the ride open sooner or later. You can be sure of that.

 

[Piebald]

Im glad I went Sunday and did basically everything except DK. In some cases we rode rides 2x. These past few days have been rough. Even MoM was pretty much perfect for me from what I could tell but am aware their sensors are pretty crazy.

With the stormy weather coming in I'm curious to see how this park goes during the summer months.