Virtual Toad
Well-Known Member
Have you done early entry to Epic yet from Helios? Curious to know how it works and where you end up in the park. We did Stella Nova and it put us right outside the Super Nintendo World portal for rope drop.
-
The new WDWMAGIC iOS app is here!
Stay up to date with the latest Disney news, photos, and discussions right from your iPhone. The app is free to download and gives you quick access to news articles, forums, photo galleries, park hours, weather and Lightning Lane pricing. Learn More -
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
You enter by the Blue Dragon restaurant near the Dark Universe portal.
EricsBiscuit
Well-Known Member
Not yet!
rd805
Well-Known Member
The entry is smooth - they usually start allowing people through a very quick security check around 8:15ish (sometimes earlier?) and you are walking right into the park to head to any portal you see fit! You will need to have your room key to show the security in the hotel, and then again possibly at the portal of choice.
TalkingHead
Well-Known Member
Google reviews rating has dropped to 4.0
Tom Morrow
Well-Known Member
One thing to consider is that people are probably bothering to rate Epic more than the other parks because it is new.
That said, its likely that the things we knew would be issues all along - not enough high capacity rides, not enough rides with no restrictions, not enough indoor attractions to carry the weight on rainy days are likely giving not the best impression.
That said, its likely that the things we knew would be issues all along - not enough high capacity rides, not enough rides with no restrictions, not enough indoor attractions to carry the weight on rainy days are likely giving not the best impression.
rd805
Well-Known Member
I had two amazing days at Epic. It also only rained starting at 5PM, it was early June so not DEVASTATINGLY hot yet, I got as close to Early Entry as possible both days, and paid for Express on my 2nd day. Without Express, I'm not sure I would have gotten my second ride on BATM, OR been able to experience Hiccup's.
If it rains....you are in trouble. I'm really hoping this causes them to look and say, "We really need to fast-track a few more things."
To me, this includes the Roller Coaster overhaul at USF - AND a replacement for current F&F attraction;
-but also, something new in IoA, and 1-3 other attractions at Epic. Obvious needed upgrades to the two older parks will help adjust crowds a bit all around more evenly, lowering crowds at Epic.
Concerning Epic - One of these new attractions should be on the level of the Carousel, a ride for all, a small filler which is cheap & fast ---> Zelda expansion gets announced at Epic? Have a grand ride, and a smaller style attraction (much like the purpose Flight of the Hippogriff serves - hopefully a newer idea).
That's anywhere from 4-6 attractions, in the next 4 years. If they can maintain their usual "one new experience" per year trend which typically happens. That is how Epic becomes much more balanced.
If it rains....you are in trouble. I'm really hoping this causes them to look and say, "We really need to fast-track a few more things."
To me, this includes the Roller Coaster overhaul at USF - AND a replacement for current F&F attraction;
-but also, something new in IoA, and 1-3 other attractions at Epic. Obvious needed upgrades to the two older parks will help adjust crowds a bit all around more evenly, lowering crowds at Epic.
Concerning Epic - One of these new attractions should be on the level of the Carousel, a ride for all, a small filler which is cheap & fast ---> Zelda expansion gets announced at Epic? Have a grand ride, and a smaller style attraction (much like the purpose Flight of the Hippogriff serves - hopefully a newer idea).
That's anywhere from 4-6 attractions, in the next 4 years. If they can maintain their usual "one new experience" per year trend which typically happens. That is how Epic becomes much more balanced.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
I was excited to see that outside the issues with capacity and weather issues I was expecting, the park is a success in every other way. I'm really hoping they can alleviate this sooner than later.
Creative success, operations are rough.
Agent H
Well-Known Member
I’m just gonna leave these here.https://parklore.com/vault/peek-special/buildout-ueu/
https://parklore.com/vault/peek-special/buildout-ueu-2/
https://parklore.com/vault/peek-special/buildout-ueu-2/
Epic Universe Opening Drives Record Month for Tourist Tax Collections in Orange County
Florida Schools See More A and B Grades in 2025 State Ratings & Epic Universe Drives Record Boost for Tourist Tax Collections
July 10, 2025 - This Week's News from Central Florida
centralflorida.substack.com
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Things they could add with (relative) ease to assist those capacity issues:
- flat ride with permanent roof and year-round maze for Monsters
- 3D movie theater attraction
- Covered amphitheater for live performances
- 2nd children's play area (not another splashpad)
- Olivander's type show or indoor exhibit for Wizarding Paris (I know there's a wand shop, but no "show")
This would be on top of whatever substantial expansion plans there are
I know a parade was considered, but I was thinking more about stuff that can stay open all day regardless of weather
- flat ride with permanent roof and year-round maze for Monsters
- 3D movie theater attraction
- Covered amphitheater for live performances
- 2nd children's play area (not another splashpad)
- Olivander's type show or indoor exhibit for Wizarding Paris (I know there's a wand shop, but no "show")
This would be on top of whatever substantial expansion plans there are
I know a parade was considered, but I was thinking more about stuff that can stay open all day regardless of weather
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
I've been following along thrill data with some fascination. I know attendance and wait times are by no means a 1:1 surrogate, but I think with the sheer volume and depth and data points that site pulls over time you can compare the bigger picture.
A few things I am seeing:
The booking curve on Epic is actually later than I expected. Quite a lot of ticket sales occur within the last 48hours. That might be a summer crowd thing, but a ton of last minute business. What I thought was going to be a precipitous July drop off for Epic seems much more gentle. Still a minor release from its peak opening frame compared to what is typically a build for the resort into late July with retreat in August into early Fall... but it's holding well.
Islands and USO were down quite precipitously in May year over year. That's on top of them having consistently declined year on year since COVID revenge travel for a number of years. While there is now some recovery in those patterns, it's also clear Epic is eating away at both parks attendance even still. I suspect Comcast Q2 attendance is relatively flat, even strangely accounting for Epic being open six weeks. It probably only barely budged the needle for how down IOA/USO were before opening and also their ongoing continual attendance drift.
This does explain ticketing ultimately. They really are trying hard not to let those two parks simply fall off a cliff.
A few things I am seeing:
The booking curve on Epic is actually later than I expected. Quite a lot of ticket sales occur within the last 48hours. That might be a summer crowd thing, but a ton of last minute business. What I thought was going to be a precipitous July drop off for Epic seems much more gentle. Still a minor release from its peak opening frame compared to what is typically a build for the resort into late July with retreat in August into early Fall... but it's holding well.
Islands and USO were down quite precipitously in May year over year. That's on top of them having consistently declined year on year since COVID revenge travel for a number of years. While there is now some recovery in those patterns, it's also clear Epic is eating away at both parks attendance even still. I suspect Comcast Q2 attendance is relatively flat, even strangely accounting for Epic being open six weeks. It probably only barely budged the needle for how down IOA/USO were before opening and also their ongoing continual attendance drift.
This does explain ticketing ultimately. They really are trying hard not to let those two parks simply fall off a cliff.
flynnibus
Premium Member
I think everything you are highlighting can be tied back to the choice to price Epic as the single day full price tickets.
These constraints make it difficult to commit to a multi-day vacation plan, especially when the convention is you get discounts for the more you stay. So I think this has the effect that it is less about people not wanting to visit the other parks, but that people are steering their visit and buying strategy based on the Epic ticket model. Thus causing many that would have normally just booked an extended stay to instead shy towards just buying the Epic portion. They aren't really being incentivized to buy the multi-park bundle strongly enough. So instead of just prioritizing Epic, people are being lead to basically skip the other parks.
I'm of the belief that these trends will correct themselves and look better for USO as a whole once they do away with this ticket rationing they are doing and move back towards a model that encourages a longer stay better.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
I think that's an interesting and worthy hypothesis. Making it all the more distressing they cannot do that because Epic cannot handle it. It's sort of now setting the benchmark for the resort and is in a round about way holding it back because it is under capacity to be adopted into a true multi day product.
flynnibus
Premium Member
I think there is a middle ground as they get more established... but it's probably too late.
They could have made 3 day tickets give one Epic day, and 5 day tickets 2 Epic days. This could have incentivized the longer stays while still giving some throttle control to Epic crowds. With a 5 day stay to get the bonus Epic day, the resort, the hotels, the rest of USO would have benefited. The 5 day deal would have been more attractive than more full single day ticket pricing.
Right now people are incentivized to just buy a single day Epic ticket.. it's the most flexible, least commitment, and you're not really giving up any discounts. So all those people who might have made a long weekend out of coming to Epic for the first time could have been locked into a solid USO booking in advance. Now, I'm sure more people are adlib'ing things and doing Epic alone, with maybe other bumper activities.
It is a really challenging problem. You want short term sales options to be there to fill in gaps... but you'd really prefer to lock everyone into longer, pre-booked stays and try to keep them in your sphere of influence.
It seems like Epic's true weakness for it's launch was it's capacity, where even Uni has to work around it.. limiting their sales options.
It will be interesting to see which approach they take to counter... as in what can you do as quickly as possible without being inferior stuff due to being rushed? There aren't any real sexy lucrative clones.. and even entertainment takes time.
Maybe they take a page out of the Disney book and monkey around with 'exclusive access' windows...
Baloo124
Premium Member
Take worth a grain of salt.
There are a couple other Disney fansites and a podcaster or two (not to be mentioned here) that have been encouraging members to downvote EU, whether or not they have actually been to EU.
Dranth
Well-Known Member
What a dumb and childish thing to do. It really is amazing how insecure some folks can be.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
I've been reading through the Epic Universe reviews, and I doubt any podcaster doing such a thing will impact the overall review significantly.
The general consensus of Epic Universe is that it's a creative success. People are applauding the rides, shows and creative design of each land. The vast majority of criticisms are ride reliability, weather-related delays, and lack of shade.
It was quite obvious during the construction period of Epic Universe that the park's attractions were not going to handle large crowds. The park's size itself can handle it, but ride throughput is unfortunately holding the entire park back.
There's no going back, so I'm hoping all future Epic Universe additions are indoors, feature high hourly throughput, and utilize more efficient ride systems that have been previously tested.
The general consensus of Epic Universe is that it's a creative success. People are applauding the rides, shows and creative design of each land. The vast majority of criticisms are ride reliability, weather-related delays, and lack of shade.
It was quite obvious during the construction period of Epic Universe that the park's attractions were not going to handle large crowds. The park's size itself can handle it, but ride throughput is unfortunately holding the entire park back.
There's no going back, so I'm hoping all future Epic Universe additions are indoors, feature high hourly throughput, and utilize more efficient ride systems that have been previously tested.
MrPromey
Well-Known Member
Agreed but not shocking. Same thing seems to happen with review bombing of almost every major movie release these days when someone on one side or the other of something isn't happy for some reason that has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the movie they haven't seen.
Pretty sure I read something about it happening ahead of last week's big theatrical release, for instance.
