Someone got overzealous with the New Year's fireworks.
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Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025
- Thread starter Bob Harlem
- Start date
Someone got overzealous with the New Year's fireworks.
Andrew C
You know what's funny?
We just completed our very first Universal trip the week prior to Christmas. 5 nights at the Royal Pacific. Hotel was great, parks were great (enjoyed the Christmas decor and events). Including express pass with the hotel stay...man, game changer. The Wizarding World, and its kinetic energy, put Galaxy's Edge to shame. It was such a relaxing and fun experience from start to finish. My oldest thinks she enjoyed it more than our Disney trips. Bottom line, we will be back either 2026 or 2027. Definitely want to experience Epic Universe sooner rather than later.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
Glad you had a good time, I remember my enthusiasm after my first stay.
rd805
Well-Known Member
IMO Universal is a superior product -- if the children are over idk....13? I still love WDW, and they do a lot well, but the the reduced crowds/lesser wait times/ability to do a single rider frequently/more energetic attractions etc
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Epic will host early park admission daily starting 5/23 through at least 12/31. The following attractions will operate:
- Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
- Yoshi's Adventure™
- Mine-Cart Madness
- Stardust Racers
Sorcerer Mickey
Well-Known Member
Do you have to stay in any particular hotel? And why so Nintendo-heavy?
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
Universal hotels and, perhaps, (they haven’t said) some tiers of UOAP on some dates.
No different than the existing parks just opening WWoHP plus one more ride.
Andrew25
Well-Known Member
A way to spread crowds a bit. Prioritize EPA at Islands/USF for Potter, Nintendo for Epic.
trr1
Well-Known Member
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial video overview of current construction in Epic Universe.
Aerial look at construction of the raised traffic circle near Epic Universe.1 Road sign recently added for Epic Blvd WB to Kirkman Rd NB. Also to Helios Grand Hotel and I-4.2 Bridge construction to Universal's electric bus service area.3 Electric bus service area.
Aerial look at road signs being raised at Epic Blvd WB to Kirkman Rd NB. Near Epic Universe.Arrow at a crate with directions to the other Universal parks
@bioreconstruct
Aerial video overview of current construction in Epic Universe.
Aerial look at construction of the raised traffic circle near Epic Universe.1 Road sign recently added for Epic Blvd WB to Kirkman Rd NB. Also to Helios Grand Hotel and I-4.2 Bridge construction to Universal's electric bus service area.3 Electric bus service area.
Aerial look at road signs being raised at Epic Blvd WB to Kirkman Rd NB. Near Epic Universe.Arrow at a crate with directions to the other Universal parks
They weren't the attractions that I was expecting, but I'll take it!
I was expecting Harry Potter and Celestial Park to be the ones open, to be similar to IOA
- Ministry of Magic = Forbidden Journey
- Stardust Racers 1 = Hagrids
- Stardust Racers 2 = Velocicoaster
- Carousel = Flight of the Hippogriff (not exact, but something that younger guests could ride).
It's going to be interesting to see how they do the early entry.
It seems that the journey from Helios (the hotel connected to the hotel) is further to Super Nintendo World, than from the entrance to Super Nintendo World (where other non-connected hotel guests will be coming from).
If everyone enters at the same time from both entrances, then although it may be quicker to make your way through the Helios entrance, you could be at a disadvantage for the extra distance to travel compared to those arriving from the entrance (although if you are at the back of the entrance queue, then you would arrive at SNW after Helios guests).
I wonder if they will do like Disneyland/California Adventure where they will allow you into the park early, and hold people at either the entrance to SNW/Stardust Racers, or whether they will allow Helios guests in earlier than the entrance guests, to allow them to be in front of the entrance guests.
Rich Brownn
Well-Known Member
The whole idea is that these are separate worlds. Celestial Park works as a buffer to allow the themes not to bleed into each other.
Good idea from a logistics perspective, but it goes against the entire concept of the park.
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
Well, since the park entrance is between HTTYD and SNW, a connection there is out. Hellos Grand Hotel is between Potter and Monsters, a connection there is out. And between SNW and Monsters, and between HTTYD and Potter there are large expansion plots. I really just don't see how it would even be possible.
Disneyhead'71
Well-Known Member
I don't think many of the rooms will have a view of the show building. Only those on the far left side of the back side of the hotel.
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sedati
Well-Known Member
Would a show-building be any worse than the view half that hotel will have anyway?I don't think many of the rooms will have a view of the show building. Only those on the far left side of the back side of the hotel.
drew81
Well-Known Member
That’s true.