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

Bob Harlem

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Couple generic-ish Epic questions...

Early Park Access - I know that APs don't get it at Epic, but is it just Helios guests or all Universal hotel guests who do get it? For our upcoming visit we are not staying onsite at Universal, but I'm curious.

Parking - do APs get free parking at Epic? And, if not... really?

Thanks for any insight anybody has.
All the universal hotels get early entry.

And yeah Epic parking is included for annual passholders, including the prime & valet on the premier (gold card) tier. The prime spots are covered (solar panels above) and closer up.
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member

That space up front isn't going to be a portal. It's an event space.

There are two 'missing orbs' on the front gate for up to two new portal lands. One of these is between SNW and Dark, the other is between Berk and Potter.

So, the small space up front is not one of the new portal lands. (cf. math, QED)

It's a 'phase 2' space, just like the unfinished restaurants. Only, this hasn't even begun to be unfinished.
 

rd805

Well-Known Member
If Universal gets these rumored revamps going and completed in the next couple of years, it would be such an amazing win for the parks:

1) The new Roller Coaster in USF will be an incredible upgrade over RRR and is already on it's way
2) Turning Lost Continent into SOMETHING -- I still think Zelda would fit here the best, but an entirely new area for Wicked/Wizard of Oz would also be wonderful. Wicked could work well with a stageshow, as well as some sort of dark ride attraction for Oz.
3) Getting a new indoor attraction completed for Epic in one of the existing world's. The park needs a little extra capacity boost.
 

Andrew25

Well-Known Member
If Universal gets these rumored revamps going and completed in the next couple of years, it would be such an amazing win for the parks:

1) The new Roller Coaster in USF will be an incredible upgrade over RRR and is already on it's way
2) Turning Lost Continent into SOMETHING -- I still think Zelda would fit here the best, but an entirely new area for Wicked/Wizard of Oz would also be wonderful. Wicked could work well with a stageshow, as well as some sort of dark ride attraction for Oz.
3) Getting a new indoor attraction completed for Epic in one of the existing world's. The park needs a little extra capacity boost.
I echo this, but counter with:

USF - Rockit Replacement, FF Replacement ,Park Entrance Redo (ala DCA's a few years back) and Springfield replacement
IOA - Wicked replaces Lost Continent (bring a much needed stage show to IOA) and SpongeBob/Nickeleodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon
EU - Indoor "Classic" Dark Ride (Boat/Omnimover), Nighttime Show, Dark Universe 2nd E-Ticket
 

rd805

Well-Known Member
I echo this, but counter with:

USF - Rockit Replacement, FF Replacement ,Park Entrance Redo (ala DCA's a few years back) and Springfield replacement
IOA - Wicked replaces Lost Continent (bring a much needed stage show to IOA) and SpongeBob/Nickeleodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon
EU - Indoor "Classic" Dark Ride (Boat/Omnimover), Nighttime Show, Dark Universe 2nd E-Ticket

The Spongebob & Nickelodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon is not something I've thought of before, but I do enjoy the idea of it. My only worry is that the best Nick IPs are all super dated now and not sure how that would translate to a modern themed area.
**While fully acknowledging that the current Toon Lagoon is quite possibly the worst collection of IP for this day in age, and still is one of my favorite theme park areas in Orlando ha.
 

Andrew25

Well-Known Member
The Spongebob & Nickelodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon is not something I've thought of before, but I do enjoy the idea of it. My only worry is that the best Nick IPs are all super dated now and not sure how that would translate to a modern themed area.
**While fully acknowledging that the current Toon Lagoon is quite possibly the worst collection of IP for this day in age, and still is one of my favorite theme park areas in Orlando ha.
A few years back, I was hoping for DreamWorks/Illumination to take over, but UOR decided to replace Kidzone/Minion Land instead.

There's not many other IPs I can think of that Universal owns outright that can replace Toon Lagoon. I think SpongeBob is the real only fit for the area that only requires light reskin of existing facilities.
 

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
A few years back, I was hoping for DreamWorks/Illumination to take over, but UOR decided to replace Kidzone/Minion Land instead.

There's not many other IPs I can think of that Universal owns outright that can replace Toon Lagoon. I think SpongeBob is the real only fit for the area that only requires light reskin of existing facilities.

They've got choices.

 

simon9454

New Member
I echo this, but counter with:

USF - Rockit Replacement, FF Replacement ,Park Entrance Redo (ala DCA's a few years back) and Springfield replacement
IOA - Wicked replaces Lost Continent (bring a much needed stage show to IOA) and SpongeBob/Nickeleodeon retheme of Toon Lagoon
EU - Indoor "Classic" Dark Ride (Boat/Omnimover), Nighttime Show, Dark Universe 2nd E-Ticket
There is already omnimover-style dark ride in Epic called Yoshi's Adventure.
 

Andrew25

Well-Known Member
There is already omnimover-style dark ride in Epic called Yoshi's Adventure.
Referring to more classic uses of Omnimover like Haunted Mansion, Spaceship Earth, etc., actual show scenes.

Yoshi's Adventure is not a dark ride and it should not have been built as it is in Florida.
100% agree

I think the concept is there, but it should have been adjusted for the Florida climate. A covered bridge and all indoor scenes would have worked tremendously.

It’s one of the few rides where its appearance/kinetic energy is better than the experience itself lol
 

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
I think this is a good way of describing the vibe around Epic Universe since it opened to guests and why it stands out: few people seem blown away.

The response generally seems positive to me beyond what will hopefully be teething issues regarding reliability, capacity, and shade. However, it is more 'positive' than 'blown away', and I think expectations were set more toward the latter before it opened.

I see a smattering of problems as previously highlighted. The protracted preview window, the ticketing restrictions, typical retrenchment.

Mixed a little bit with 2/5 lands only really delivered fully on the immersion promise and we’ve seen the one before and really have seen the other before in other takes.

I’m trying not to fall into only hot takes before I’ve personally had a chance to experience it. But the park is meant to close the gap on WDW and I think how quickly Universal has been catching up is overstated. We’re now at year 25 and by year 27 of WDW we are into DAK.

Which speaking of, this park on most metrics does not overtake DAK. While it’s certainly not necessary and would be admirable if a new park overtook one almost 25 years old, on most metrics (capacity, immersion, food, attractions, entertainment, thematic integration) it either approaches, matches or in some cases misses DAK. It’s hard to extol endless enthusiasm when it missed that benchmark.

BUT - almost as good as DAK is a heck of a good effort from my lens. I just wish the other parks weren’t sidelined, as is typical when resorts expand gates.
 

TalkingHead

Well-Known Member
I see a smattering of problems as previously highlighted. The protracted preview window, the ticketing restrictions, typical retrenchment.

Mixed a little bit with 2/5 lands only really delivered fully on the immersion promise and we’ve seen the one before and really have seen the other before in other takes.

I’m trying not to fall into only hot takes before I’ve personally had a chance to experience it. But the park is meant to close the gap on WDW and I think how quickly Universal has been catching up is overstated. We’re now at year 25 and by year 27 of WDW we are into DAK.

Which speaking of, this park on most metrics does not overtake DAK. While it’s certainly not necessary and would be admirable if a new park overtook one almost 25 years old, on most metrics (capacity, immersion, food, attractions, entertainment, thematic integration) it either approaches, matches or in some cases misses DAK. It’s hard to extol endless enthusiasm when it missed that benchmark.

BUT - almost as good as DAK is a heck of a good effort from my lens. I just wish the other parks weren’t sidelined, as is typical when resorts expand gates.
Google reviews have a 4.2 rating for Epic, the lowest for any of the major Orlando parks. By comparison the other two Universal parks have a 4.7. SeaWorld has a 4.4. The lowest WDW park is Hollywood Studios with 4.6.

That crowdsourced metric shows Epic has had a bit of a rocky reception, certainly related to its number of attractions and the wait times. Best thing they could do is fast track a couple indoor C-tickets to open ASAP.
 

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