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

[MisterPenguin]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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[simon9454]

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.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

There is already omnimover-style dark ride in Epic called Yoshi's Adventure.

I consider that more of a slow baking factory conveyor belt

 

[Tom Morrow]

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

 

[Andrew25]

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]

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.

 

[simon9454]

If you like it or not, the ride is defined as an omnimover dark ride with a show scenes, animatronics from indoor to outdoor.

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

 

[DarkMetroid567]

If you like it or not, the ride is defined as an omnimover dark ride with a show scenes, animatronics from indoor to outdoor.

Sure, but technical definition doesn’t do much to help people who feel like the park is missing a trad dark ride. It can technically be a “dark ride”, but come on — it’s not.

 

[TalkingHead]

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.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

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.

I imagine that Google Score will rise and normalize as the numbers grow higher, but looking at the wait times today — yikes. Definitely would not recommend anyone visit anytime soon with a 100 minute Yoshi wait, a 90 minute Fyre Drill wait, and 145 minute Hiccup’s wait.

What’s worrying here is that these are USJ numbers but we know they’re not even close to USJ attendance. I’m really worried about how this shakes out as the park gets more popular. I’d like to visit again but if this story goes the way it’s looking, I might have to skip Epic on my next Orlando trip.

Then again, the two best rides in the park (Monsters and Stardust) have the lowest waits. That’s good!

 

[crispy]

We visited Epic for a preview day on May 18th. I really loved the park. Minecart Madness and Werewolf were closed that day, but we were able to ride everything else. We had very few issues when we visited and the park felt well-established. I thought it was absolutely beautiful and knocked it out of the park on immersion.

We were split on our favorite lands - my daughters loved Nintendo, my husband loved Harry Potter, and I loved Isle of Berk (which surprised me!). We all thought Monsters Unleashed was probably the best ride, but I think Dark Universe is just harder to appreciate in the daytime. Can't wait to visit again and see it at night. I loved Hiccup's coaster. It was an unexpectedly good little ride.

We did get to ride Ministry of Magic. We all thought the queue was insanely good. My oldest daughter thought the ride really delivered, but the rest of us thought it was good, but didn't live up to the hype. We all thought the Cirque de Arcanus was amazing. I wasn't sure what I was expected, but it was a highlight for me. Really fabulous!

Final shout out to the carousel. I love carousels anyway, and this one made me feel like I was in a ballet. It was a lovely experience and I would love to ride it at night.

Overall, we had a great experience.

 

[disneylandtour]

There is already omnimover-style dark ride in Epic called Yoshi's Adventure.

Yoshi is, by far, the weakest ride in the whole park. There are some amazing areas and attractions at Epic. But Yoshi's is Six Flags level. Also, I wouldn't say that this is a classic indoor dark ride. It reminds me more of the kiddie train at Knott's that takes you past outdoor dioramas of Peanuts characters. That there were no classic indoor dark rides for families, especially in Berk, is sorta a mind-blowing oversight IMO.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Yoshi is, by far, the weakest ride in the whole park. There are some amazing areas and attractions at Epic. But Yoshi's is Six Flags level. Also, I wouldn't say that this is a classic indoor dark ride. It reminds me more of the kiddie train at Knott's that takes you past outdoor dioramas of Peanuts characters. That there were no classic indoor dark rides for families, especially in Berk, is sorta a mind-blowing oversight IMO.

Yoshi could be their equivalent of Small World...but nah. They decided to skip any and all chill, family dark ride experiences.

 

[Andrew C]

Yoshi could be their equivalent of Small World...but nah. They decided to skip any and all chill, family dark ride experiences.

It is Epic Universe, not toddler world. This isn't the MK and they aren't Disney. Nor should they try to be. If someone wants chill, family dark ride experiences, this isn't the park for them.

 

[Andrew C]

Some people have unrealistic expectations. This new park can't be everything to everyone. That is just not how life works.