Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025

[BrianLo]

And why are we trusting that guy?

Other than being a measured long term poster who does not seem to seek secondary gain, he’s generally been on the money the whole time.

The cost of the overall build he was extolling to much doubt for years. But we have confirmation of the figure. If you are privy to that metric you are probably privy to others like initial build attendance goals.

 

[TalkingHead]

No - its simply an upsell to lock in a multiday SPEND.

The only people stressing about gate clicks are online people.

Read the other posts in this thread. It’s become a deterrent for some customers because there’s less general interest in a ticket that locks you into paying for all three parks.

 

[flynnibus]

But these ticketing policies are due to material weakness in the other gates

I think it’s because they can… not panic.

They know they have something super lucrative so they are bundling to ensure an upsell.

Just like so many product strategies that force you to buy more… because they know the customers can be coerced into buying more.

 

[flynnibus]

This isn’t an upsell if they sell out first, it’s a forced lack of option. An upsell would be a second day at Epic in a 6 or 7 day package.

They are taking people that may only buy one or teo days and locking them into three and more.. upsell.

I’d also counter that shareholders probably do care.

In the grand scheme… yes… but its a stat easily blown past by saying we added more nights… higher avg spend… and growth in total sales. Attendance doesn’t pay the bills - spending does

 

[flynnibus]

Read the other posts in this thread. It’s become a deterrent for some customers because there’s less general interest in a ticket that locks you into paying for all three parks.

I was responding to your statement “keep attendance from cratering at those other gates”

The answer above doesn’t support that either.

They are using the epic interest to upsell. Just like they use discounts to extend stays.

 

[BrianLo]

I think it’s because they can… not panic.

They definitely don’t need to panic! I just get back to @Stripes and @Sir_Cliff point between what Comcast’s actual goals now are compared to what the average forum denizen is trying to hopefully project them to be. Unrealistic expectations that I don’t think the parent company really should have (nor does).

There is material weakness though. The declines domestically aren’t just 18 month, they are more like 24+ and have compounded year on year. There was a 10% decline in 2023 and more that we don’t even have gauged yet all of last year. Without immediate remedy to original product inbound.

 

[flynnibus]

There is material weakness though. The declines domestically aren’t just 18 month, they are more like 24+ and have compounded year on year. There was a 10% decline in 2023 and more that we don’t even have gauged yet all of last year. Without immediate remedy to original product inbound.

They are still in the major expansion phase… it will take nearly a year after opening before patterns return to anything non-artificial.

It’s something that is still easily spoken to because of other factors. As long as tge other key factors like spend and stays increase because of what the resort as a whole is doing… no one is going to dump them over one gate’s clicks.

Delay is an obvious factor when they are so publicly doing such big expansions

 

[mellyf]

I am a bit baffled they don’t have a 6 or 7 day ticketing product that includes two days with Epic. I still think that achieves both their goals.

I would have loved that, since we're going for 6 nights.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

How many soft rock songs do you know with an tangential mention of 'stars'?

If they run out, they can always move on to this gem of an album of moon-themed songs:

One thing I particularly enjoy is that at the end of the song Swingin' On the Moon he sings the whole tracklist of the album so you know what's coming up.

 

[sedati]

Pizza Moon understood the assignment.
As a Mucha fan, that restaurant in Wizzarding Paris intrigues me.
So many wonderful details... and yet.
This park seems often like watching a great movie where a boom-mike keeps falling into frame.

Again, I'm very much looking forward to this park. My concerns from the beginning are what lessons I want Disney and others to take from this park and which ones I don't.

 

[McMickeyWorld]

Spoiler: battle of the ministry of magic evacuation

 

[Disney Analyst]

It's giving EPCOT Communicore Plaza...

I’ve seen a few of the offerings on video. It all feels very temporary… park busker. None of it seems celestial, in theme, or exciting.

 

[Jrb1979]

I’ve seen a few of the offerings on video. It all feels very temporary… park busker. None of it seems celestial, in theme, or exciting.

At least it's some streetmosphere in the park. Something Disney has lacked for awhile.

 

[Disney Analyst]

At least it's some streetmosphere in the park. Something Disney has lacked for awhile.

Lots of great in theme streetmosphere at Disneyland, and DCA! Heck magic kingdom still has wonderful acts like Dapper Dans, pianist, band, etc.

So far the examples I’ve seen would be better cut, it’s embarrassing.

 

[Jrb1979]

Lots of great in theme streetmosphere at Disneyland, and DCA! Heck magic kingdom still has wonderful acts like Dapper Dans, pianist, band, etc.

So far the stuff I mentioned would be better cut, it’s embarrassing.

Disneyland isn't the same market as Epic Universe for one. While MK has streetmosphere, DHS, Epcot and AK don't have anywhere near the amount they once had. Where as Universal parks have always had a lot of streetmosphere.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Disneyland isn't the same market as Epic Universe for one. While MK has streetmosphere, DHS, Epcot and AK don't have anywhere near the amount they once had. Where as Universal parks have always had a lot of streetmosphere.

Great. And Celestial Park’s is lacking. Which is my point.

This is meant to be the next evolution of theme park, but the creatives don’t seem to have a vision for Celestial Park. The other lands are great, but what is happening in the park?

One thing I’d have done:

create a musical show for the stage in the park, that tells the story of the how the park came to be, the portals, who created it. Share the lore. Think the story of the Wizard from “Wicked” in “Wizomania” for inspiration. Somehow work in Captain Cacao.

Nothing should look like this:

We need some sort of cohesion or world building here, this feels like a vendor at a farmer markets or city walk.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Another example:

Just looks… half assed, frankly.

 

[Agent H]

Great. And Celestial Park’s is lacking. Which is my point.

This is meant to be the next evolution of theme park, but the creatives don’t seem to have a vision for Celestial Park. The other lands are great, but what is happening in the park?

One thing I’d have done:

create a musical show for the stage in the park, that tells the story of the how the park came to be, the portals, who created it. Share the lore. Think the story of the Wizard from “Wicked” in “Wizomania” for inspiration. Somehow work in Captain Cacao.

Nothing should look like this:


View attachment 855705

We need some sort of cohesion or world building here, this feels like a vendor at a farmer markets or city walk.

Another example:

View attachment 855708

Just looks… half assed, frankly.

I really hope there’s better angles than this in the actual park because these pictures look like they were taken at a fancy aquarium.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I really hope there’s better angles than this in the actual park because these pictures look like they were taken at a fancy aquarium.

There is lots of great stuff, don’t get me wrong… but some very… obvious misses.

 

[Jrb1979]

Great. And Celestial Park’s is lacking. Which is my point.

This is meant to be the next evolution of theme park, but the creatives don’t seem to have a vision for Celestial Park. The other lands are great, but what is happening in the park?

One thing I’d have done:

create a musical show for the stage in the park, that tells the story of the how the park came to be, the portals, who created it. Share the lore. Think the story of the Wizard from “Wicked” in “Wizomania” for inspiration. Somehow work in Captain Cacao.

Nothing should look like this:


View attachment 855705

We need some sort of cohesion or world building here, this feels like a vendor at a farmer markets or city walk.

I don't think Celestial Park lacks anything at all. It's very much like the entrance to IOA. This video is a really good review of Epic and is a balanced view.