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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
Rich Brownn
Well-Known Member
MK is closer t0 85k (they actually hit 80k once). And tell me what theme park worries about comfortable capacity? Certainly not Disney or Universal. They are looking for $$$
SplashJacket
Well-Known Member
Yeah the company that still has a reservation system to balance demand
And the company that limited ticket sales and left money on the table by not selling more Epic tickets
Both don’t care abut comfortable capacity
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Iger and Chapek both spoke to how *feeling* overcrowded brought down GSATs. And when the guests are uncomfortable, their wallets stay shut. So, they're fiscally motivated to keep things comfortable.
This led to the many ways WDW tried to limit overcrowding.
- Higher costs for busy times and discounts for off-peak times
- Hiking ticket prices faster than inflation trying to find the tipping point that would dissuade a portion of the public
- Reservations
- New capacity
Also, After Hours and Party Nights events are capped for comfortableness.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
The stage for a future firework show at Epic Universe will be fantastic. Saw it last night and I’m excited for what they are planning.
As of now, they’re using the expansion pads between Monsters-SNW and Stardust-Ministry for them, but I’d imagine they can put more permanent ones on top of Monsters show building and Mininstry.
Every time I’m there at night, I’m always ed off that UOR keeps closing the park early… it deserves 11Pm closings
As of now, they’re using the expansion pads between Monsters-SNW and Stardust-Ministry for them, but I’d imagine they can put more permanent ones on top of Monsters show building and Mininstry.
Every time I’m there at night, I’m always ed off that UOR keeps closing the park early… it deserves 11Pm closings
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
Must say I am kind of puzzled that they didn’t open this park with a nighttime spectacular. Disney doesn’t do them out of the goodness of their heart, but because they bring in a lot of money and Epic has a lot of dining venues that would benefit from keeping people in the park later.
Pro:
- Lots of fireworks
- A lot of the fireworks looked really good... really good
- Syncing with all the lights is good
Cons:
- Non-stop fireworks really don't tell a story, and can start to become a bit much
- I thought the Luminous narration was too much...
- The main fountain was made for people to encircle it. That puts the fireworks to the backs of a good number of people. So, it'll be annoying or just wasted space for a fireworks-fountain show.
- I didn't recognize the music. It sounded like AI generated 'majestic orchestral' riffs.
- it's a 4th of July fireworks show because they tell you it is and make the lights RWB. But the show itself doesn't seem to be telling any Independence day story.
Conclusion:
- I'd go to see this over WDW's 4th of July fireworks shows
</hot take>
JusticeDisney
Well-Known Member
Fireworks. Just another area where Universal will always be second fiddle to Disney. But hey, no shame in a silver medal!
earlthesquirrellover23
Well-Known Member
The music is an newly arranged suite composed just for the fireworks show from Thomas Bergensen's American Dream album: https://www.thomasbergersen.com/album/american-dream/
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
This may be a bit divisive, but I think the fireworks are another area where the hotel doesn't make for a great backdrop.
I'm not sure quite how you overcome that, but I almost wonder whether they should be thinking of a Fantasmic-style set-up to add a night show to the park.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Even disney closes their dining early… especially obvious on a event night. They don’t extend f&b
The difference must really be the main street effect…
Sir_Cliff
Well-Known Member
Could well be, though dining seems to be the draw at Epcot.
This may be going a little too further afield, but one of the bigger theme park mysteries is why Disneyland Paris seems to close food and beverage early when it seems everything that remains open is slammed. I guess maybe f&b isn't as profitable as you'd imagine... though I struggle to see why that would be the case.
build_it
Well-Known Member
I think Universal is playing the long game with Epic. Why open with a nighttime spectacular when you can add it later to give people something new.
I also think they knew the park would open with some known lineup issues and some unknown issues. Get feedback from guests then use feedback to move forward on expansion plots and/or park revisions.
If this is true, I anticipate the Epic that exists in five or ten years looks even better than opening.
I also agree, Universal is trying to gain guests and grow their fan and visitor base. I don’t anticipate they are trying to take anyone else’s base, just add to their own. Some of those will come from Disney, a lot will come from other areas.
I also think they knew the park would open with some known lineup issues and some unknown issues. Get feedback from guests then use feedback to move forward on expansion plots and/or park revisions.
If this is true, I anticipate the Epic that exists in five or ten years looks even better than opening.
I also agree, Universal is trying to gain guests and grow their fan and visitor base. I don’t anticipate they are trying to take anyone else’s base, just add to their own. Some of those will come from Disney, a lot will come from other areas.
JusticeDisney
Well-Known Member
I respectfully disagree. Nothing they are doing is intentional. They opened Epic before it was ready and the operational issues have been a nightmare. The bloom came off that rose quick, fast and in a hurry.
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Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
Spent two days at Epic last weekend. Thoughts:
-- Incredibly detailed, stunning, elaborate placemaking. Reminded us a lot of Disneyland Paris when it first opened and others have compared it to Tokyo DisneySea.
-- Best theme park food we've had in a long time. Mobile ordering allows guests to sit down and relax(!) while waiting for food which is delivered to your table. Real silverware, delicious options and beautiful decor made for a laid back and rejuvenating experience.
-- The portal "reveals" as you enter each land were jaw-dropping and cinematic. A deliberate design choice masterfully executed. When a 58 year old gets tears in his eyes entering Super Nintendo World you know they've done something right. Pro tip: enter Darkmoor (Monsters land) after dark and right after a rainstorm.
-- Each land has its own jaw-dropping moments. Isle of Berk beat our expectations. Ministry of Magic had "wow" factors we didn't expect. Super Nintendo World was our kids' (20 and 16yo) favorite by far. Judging by the crowd levels Uni has another huge IP hit on their hands.
-- Crowd levels, long queues, operational issues (breakdowns) and rain closures are definitely a problem. Ministry of Magic did not go well for us on day two and Mario Kart delays were also a challenge the second day. Plan ahead and set expectations accordingly.
-- Rope drop and/or Express Passes are a must. Those who plan ahead and arrive EARLY will have a much better experience than those who stroll in at 11am unprepared. We rope dropped successfully and were first in line to enter SNW both days which made a massive difference. Expect every 30 second delay in the morning to cost you 30 minutes later in the day. We strongly urge a minimum of two days to see and explore everything the park has to offer. We did not do Express Passes and saw almost everything on our must-do list on day one.
-- Not sure why others are lamenting the absence of a nighttime "spectacular." We found the fountain and light show at the end of the day spectacular enough and it was super-easy to find an excellent viewing spot. The show was a sweet "kiss goodnight" and the synchronized lights and fountains were a wonder to watch. Using a classical score instead of pandering pop versions of movie themes was a pleasant throwback to classic Illuminations and a classy move on Universal's part.
-- Constellation Park shows just how badly Disney botched the Epcot hub redo. What Universal accomplishes with synchronized lights and fountains makes Epcot's massive hub failure even more unforgivable.
-- Final takeaway: best theme park visit we've had as a family in a long time. Is Epic perfect? No. But there's an awful lot to like for theme park enthusiasts who know what to expect. Happy to answer any questions about the experience.
-- Incredibly detailed, stunning, elaborate placemaking. Reminded us a lot of Disneyland Paris when it first opened and others have compared it to Tokyo DisneySea.
-- Best theme park food we've had in a long time. Mobile ordering allows guests to sit down and relax(!) while waiting for food which is delivered to your table. Real silverware, delicious options and beautiful decor made for a laid back and rejuvenating experience.
-- The portal "reveals" as you enter each land were jaw-dropping and cinematic. A deliberate design choice masterfully executed. When a 58 year old gets tears in his eyes entering Super Nintendo World you know they've done something right. Pro tip: enter Darkmoor (Monsters land) after dark and right after a rainstorm.
-- Each land has its own jaw-dropping moments. Isle of Berk beat our expectations. Ministry of Magic had "wow" factors we didn't expect. Super Nintendo World was our kids' (20 and 16yo) favorite by far. Judging by the crowd levels Uni has another huge IP hit on their hands.
-- Crowd levels, long queues, operational issues (breakdowns) and rain closures are definitely a problem. Ministry of Magic did not go well for us on day two and Mario Kart delays were also a challenge the second day. Plan ahead and set expectations accordingly.
-- Rope drop and/or Express Passes are a must. Those who plan ahead and arrive EARLY will have a much better experience than those who stroll in at 11am unprepared. We rope dropped successfully and were first in line to enter SNW both days which made a massive difference. Expect every 30 second delay in the morning to cost you 30 minutes later in the day. We strongly urge a minimum of two days to see and explore everything the park has to offer. We did not do Express Passes and saw almost everything on our must-do list on day one.
-- Not sure why others are lamenting the absence of a nighttime "spectacular." We found the fountain and light show at the end of the day spectacular enough and it was super-easy to find an excellent viewing spot. The show was a sweet "kiss goodnight" and the synchronized lights and fountains were a wonder to watch. Using a classical score instead of pandering pop versions of movie themes was a pleasant throwback to classic Illuminations and a classy move on Universal's part.
-- Constellation Park shows just how badly Disney botched the Epcot hub redo. What Universal accomplishes with synchronized lights and fountains makes Epcot's massive hub failure even more unforgivable.
-- Final takeaway: best theme park visit we've had as a family in a long time. Is Epic perfect? No. But there's an awful lot to like for theme park enthusiasts who know what to expect. Happy to answer any questions about the experience.
999th Happy Haunt
Well-Known Member
Thoughts on Monsters Unchained? My favorite new ride in a longggggg time and happy it seems to be one of the best in the park operationally
JusticeDisney
Well-Known Member
It being the best operational. I was just busting chops, meaning that there have been well documented operational problems with a lot of the other attractions. All joking aside, I agree with your take on Monsters.
Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
Monsters was the one ride we heard a lot of hype about before our visit. The first ride-through perhaps didn't live up to the hype for us, though there was a ton of talking during the preshow that made it difficult to follow. But by the end of Day 2 it was one of my favorite rides in the park. I think repeat ride-throughs help a lot because there is a ton of stuff to take in, and once you understand the story, the pieces totally fall into place. Thankfully no down time either day but they did skip the preshow *and* stack the ride later in the day on Sunday (not loading every ride vehicle which led to longer-than-necessary waits), another one of those operational missteps they will hopefully correct ASAP.
But long story short, yes, it is definitely a masterpiece, taking what at first glance might seem like an outdated IP and giving it new life in a creative, compelling and visually impressive way. Edit to add and without spoilers: some of the animatronics are not to be missed!