Epic Universe is the lowest rated theme park in Orlando

[thelookingglass]

Finally made it back and I will say that the park did not feel like unorganized chaos like it did this summer, which was nice. The day was pretty chill, but I do have to point something out here - a shocking amount of "bad show" elements:

The "game" froze halfway through on Mario Kart
No sound on Mine Cart Madness
Lots of stuff in Nintendo already not moving
No sound on one train of Stardust Racers and barely audible on the other
Literally half of the animatronics in Monsters Unchained were not working
Animatronics out in Ministry of Magic
Lots of little things are already looking beat up

I really hope they understand this: The park is NOT strong enough unless all the attractions are performing as good as they can possibly look. I realize effects go out, but it was noticeably a lot, way more than I ever really notice at USF/IOA. Those parks also have much more solid attraction lineups.

 

[mergatroid]

Finally made it back and I will say that the park did not feel like unorganized chaos like it did this summer, which was nice. The day was pretty chill, but I do have to point something out here - a shocking amount of "bad show" elements:

The "game" froze halfway through on Mario Kart
No sound on Mine Cart Madness
Lots of stuff in Nintendo already not moving
No sound on one train of Stardust Racers and barely audible on the other
Literally half of the animatronics in Monsters Unchained were not working
Animatronics out in Ministry of Magic
Lots of little things are already looking beat up

I really hope they understand this: The park is NOT strong enough unless all the attractions are performing as good as they can possibly look. I realize effects go out, but it was noticeably a lot, way more than I ever really notice at USF/IOA. Those parks also have much more solid attraction lineups.

I'm very surprised about all this, did you mention it to guest services?

 

[tommyhawkins]

Finally made it back and I will say that the park did not feel like unorganized chaos like it did this summer, which was nice. The day was pretty chill, but I do have to point something out here - a shocking amount of "bad show" elements:

The "game" froze halfway through on Mario Kart
No sound on Mine Cart Madness
Lots of stuff in Nintendo already not moving
No sound on one train of Stardust Racers and barely audible on the other
Literally half of the animatronics in Monsters Unchained were not working
Animatronics out in Ministry of Magic
Lots of little things are already looking beat up

I really hope they understand this: The park is NOT strong enough unless all the attractions are performing as good as they can possibly look. I realize effects go out, but it was noticeably a lot, way more than I ever really notice at USF/IOA. Those parks also have much more solid attraction lineups.

Sounds like the park needs to stay open later and definitely doesn't need more maintenance time

 

[thelookingglass]

I'm very surprised about all this, did you mention it to guest services?

No, but that doesn't actually get the issues fixed. You typically get an apology and maybe some form of compensation. Pointing these things out online is probably more effective in getting them to fix things.

Sounds like the park needs to stay open later and definitely doesn't need more maintenance time

Yeah, something's up here. USF/IOA are typically pretty good with their ride show quality. However, Epic Universe is way better at night and should strive to give guests a decent amount of night time in the park. Right now during winter there's plenty of night, so it could probably close earlier. During the summer though it should open later rather than close later.

 

[mkt]

No, but that doesn't actually get the issues fixed. You typically get an apology and maybe some form of compensation. Pointing these things out online is probably more effective in getting them to fix things.

I've got to disagree.

Those issues are sent to the appropriate teams for investigation.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

If Disney had built the exact same type of park, with same attractions and capacity issues, would Disney fans have given it a first year pass or judged it even more harshly?

Secondly, if universal had actually opened Epic Universe in Texas, a brand new location and we're building from zero, would they be judged less harshly?

I feel a lot of Disney fans would give it a first year pass because I notice a double standard by some that are Disney fans.

Epic Universe in Texas would be judged just as harsh or even worse. I am saying possibly worse because Epic Universe is not exactly strong in the shade department and Texas gets even hotter than Florida during the summer. Also Epic has a lot of outdoor attractions, but not enough water attractions for a state like Texas.

 

[thelookingglass]

I've got to disagree.

Those issues are sent to the appropriate teams for investigation.

Yeah, but it's just as likely that it gets ignored until enough people complain. When you post these things online in places that come up in searches about the parks, it draws public attention to the issues and causes more people to take notice and speak up.

 

[mkt]

Yeah, but it's just as likely that it gets ignored until enough people complain. When you post these things online in places that come up in searches about the parks, it draws public attention to the issues and causes more people to take notice and speak up.

When you post it in a public message board, that gives the parks plausible deniability that they "didn't know"

Additionally, I've seen the emails go out. While one may not be taken seriously - except for major shortcomings/dangerous instances - once a few appear, they tend to take action.

 

[thelookingglass]

When you post it in a public message board, that gives the parks plausible deniability that they "didn't know"

Additionally, I've seen the emails go out. While one may not be taken seriously - except for major shortcomings/dangerous instances - once a few appear, they tend to take action.

And more will appear if more people are tipped off to look for it. Therefore I think doing both is beneficial.

 

[tommyhawkins]

I feel a lot of Disney fans would give it a first year pass because I notice a double standard by some that are Disney fans.

Epic Universe in Texas would be judged just as harsh or even worse. I am saying possibly worse because Epic Universe is not exactly strong in the shade department and Texas gets even hotter than Florida during the summer. Also Epic has a lot of outdoor attractions, but not enough water attractions for a state like Texas.

I was talking about the concept of an Epic sized park opening in texas not the exact same design, the point being if the park opened in a brand new location they would be starting from scratch with staffing and institutional knowledge - the assumption has been that because its florida and they have two other parks starting a brand new park would somehow be easier. When the institutional knowledge of Epic and all the attractions it contains is still at zero - I would even argue that staffing this park in Orlando is probably hardly given the affordable housing crisis - even if you offer competitive pay its useless if you cant move to orlando and find a place to live.

Im not completely giving Uni a pass on this one though. They had a solution with Catchlight Crossings, thats only just going vertical now, phase 1 at least should have been ready a year ago. theres only so much you can blame on the pandemic