Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Now Open!

[Andrew25]

The current Epic parking situation is very similar to Epcot. The difference is that Epic at least has some nice landscaping & music that plays Celestial Park music... so it gets you in the mood from the very start.

One thing that surprised me (though likely to change after a few months) is the lack of any other IPs at the park's merchandise stores. No Jurassic Park, no Minions, no DreamWorks outside HTTYD.

 

[TalkToEthan]

Ministry of Magic is just like Diagon, but on a larger scale. Ministry of Magic's queue puts Gringotts to shame (which I hate saying since that queue is fantastic as well).

So I’ll jump to conclude that French Potter is the best land on the planet along with the best queue ever created.

Yep, upon release it’s annual pass time………best news for theme parks around the globe since 2003 to learn this park out “pottered” Potter.

 

[Andrew25]

So I’ll jump to conclude that French Potter is the best land on the planet along with the best queue ever created.

Yep, upon release it’s annual pass time………best news for theme parks around the globe since 2003 to learn this park out “pottered” Potter.

Certainly the best queue I've been to. It's quite shocking how good it is.

It's definitely in the conversation of best lands though (along with Cars Land, Galaxy's Edge, DisneySea, etc.)

I think an apt comparison is that this does what Galaxy's Edge attempted to do. It's far more alive than Batuu and far more kinetic. Still haven't experiences Cirque Arcanus or Ministry, but so far the land is shockingly good considering its original intent was to promote a horrible film series.

 

[Lil Copter Cap]

It's definitely in the conversation of best lands though (along with Cars Land, Galaxy's Edge, DisneySea, etc.)

I also agree.

I fully anticipated it not working mainly because of the stretch of 1920s Paris to a Floo Network/Time Turner travel to 1990s British Ministry of Magic. (And if they build the originally intended French Ministry of Magic as the other ride, it feels utterly nonsensical on paper.)

Buuut, I'll eat my words and say that the land itself is one that I could absolutely spend the entire day in if I had to and I wouldn't be bored.

Le Cirque Arcanus I think sets a new standard for in-park show entertainment for modern times. I have an issue with it, but it's more from an operations standpoint than it is from a show perspective.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The Epic parking lot really needs tram service. It is very comparable to Epcot and DHS’s lot. Picture being in the very back of those and having to walk that entire way on a peak summer day. Comparatively, CityWalk and Disney Springs are much easier to get into. Without a tram, I’m not sure Epic will actually become a local hangout in the way that Epcot has become.

 

[Andrew25]

I do agree that Epic needs a "tram service" for select folks who have trouble walking. However, Epic's walk isn't as terrible as existing UOR campus or some WDW walks.

Epic North Lot (middle of parking) to park entrance is 2,170 feet. The farthest spot is 2,844.

Some comparisons:

• UOR South Garage (middle of garage) to Security is 1,178, to USF front gate is 3,000 ft.
• DAK middle of preferred lot to park entrance (to close for tram service) is 1,652 ft.
• MK middle of preferred lot to monorail platform is 1,770 ft.
• MK back of Zurg lot to monorail platform is 2,465 ft.

 

[celluloid]

Being there and with others, it is ultimately less walking than garage to Citywalk and existing theme parks with surface lots.

The heat will certainly make that feel worse, but it is not like AK was for years.

 

[twebber55]

Time for a very early review - Epic Universe is great. Easily UOR's best park. Thematically it's great and filled with kinetic energy. The scale at Potter is mind-boggling. HTTYD & SNW will be a hit with kids and Comcast investors. DU is great with what it has, but will need to be the first major expansion for Epic out of necessity.

Let me be clear, not every attraction is a major hit or industry-changing experience, but the variety/collection here surprised me. It still needs a major "passive" experience ala Haunted Mansion/Pirates of the Caribbean, but Epic Universe at least provides something for every sort of park guest.

The queues throughout Epic are arguably the best.

Monsters Unchained... will set a standard for how to blend practical & virtual effects. I really hope this attraction will be maintained to the highest standard.

The park was designed with lots of dining capacity, so I have to imagine APs will come available sooner than later to allow them to operate restaurants late into the evening after the initial summer rush.


The walk (for me personally) isn't too bad but some folks might find it difficult. However, it's a straight shot with no major elevation changes... which the CityWalk walk does have. If they add shaded areas and benches between the parking lot and the park, I think it'll be fine. But they will need to provide some form of shuttle service for folks who need it.

had a family (who works at disney) go yesterday and he echoed a lot of this
MU is the best dark ride he has ever been on
Potter is massive
The Potter show was really good
HTTYD is massive and the coaster is a great family coaster
Stardust Racers is equal to Velocicoaster
Ate at oak and tavern food was good sizes were small
No shade in CP be prepared
SNW was closed

 

[Lil Copter Cap]

Ate at oak and tavern food was good sizes were small

Just wanted to add a +1 to this assessment. The Team Member discount helped, but if the full projected price is going to be around $20 for a meal there as a quick service offering...yikes. The plating is done on too large of a tray, so it makes the food sizing look far too inadequate.

No shade in CP be prepared

Yeaaaah. Even when the trees grow in, I still think it's going to be similar to the hub in Magic Kingdom. Which wouldn't be a cause for concern, but Celestial Park being touted as a fifth land and not just a connection hub is the eyebrow raise for me.

There is still time for all of this to change though, so who knows!

 

[TalkToEthan]

MU is the best dark ride he has ever been on
Potter is massive
The Potter show was really good
HTTYD is massive and the coaster is a great family coaster
Stardust Racers is equal to Velocicoaster

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Just wanted to add a +1 to this assessment. The Team Member discount helped, but if the full projected price is going to be around $20 for a meal there as a quick service offering...yikes. The plating is done on too large of a tray, so it makes the food sizing look far too inadequate.


Yeaaaah. Even when the trees grow in, I still think it's going to be similar to the hub in Magic Kingdom. Which wouldn't be a cause for concern, but Celestial Park being touted as a fifth land and not just a connection hub is the eyebrow raise for me.

There is still time for all of this to change though, so who knows!

There is TONS of places to sit in Celestial Park. And when the trees get their leaves, even in their immature state, will provide plenty of shade. I mean, it's just the beginning of April and many of these trees are deciduous, so they will get their leaves soon.

3 years from now people will be complaining that they can't see the fireworks because there are too many trees.

 

[Gusey]

Yeaaaah. Even when the trees grow in, I still think it's going to be similar to the hub in Magic Kingdom. Which wouldn't be a cause for concern, but Celestial Park being touted as a fifth land and not just a connection hub is the eyebrow raise for me.

There is still time for all of this to change though, so who knoknows

Doesn't Main Street count as a land? Celestial Park at least has 2 rides

 

[celluloid]

Doesn't Main Street count as a land? Celestial Park at least has 2 rides

Yeah. Celestial Park has just as many attractions as Liberty Square, Main Street USA and EPCOT's Entrance Plaza.

It had entertainment venues and features giant water features and multiple dining and shopping venues.

It is more abstract at times than immersive in its goals, (and the losing of entertainment do not help that) but it is certainly a land more than some.

 

[SamusAranX]

It was a huge mistake to offer Team Members to bring a guest.

There's no reason a first round of beta testing couldn't have been limited to Team Members, and when the park gets closer to opening, allow them guests.

I sir respectfully disagree. I as one of those guests am completely unbiased

 

[drew81]

Does anyone else think the park has enough dining capacity as is, even if a new portal is fast-tracked?

Don’t get me wrong, I like the variety and options. It just feels like they went heavy on the dining knowing something else is coming in 1-2 years.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I think the idea is that they want most of the daily visitors to enjoy a sitdown meal in the park, and made sure there were enough restaurants for that.

 

[JoeCamel]

Yeah. Celestial Park has just as many attractions as Liberty Square, Main Street USA and EPCOT's Entrance Plaza.

It had entertainment venues and features giant water features and multiple dining and shopping venues.

It is more abstract at times than immersive in its goals, (and the losing of entertainment do not help that) but it is certainly a land more than some.

Universal streetmosphere at the studios has ebbed and flowed over the years, just may come on strong in response to the opening or it may not. Hope for a great opening

 

[lewisc]

EPIC doesn't connect to something like citywalk. Restaurants are in the park and hotels

 

[celluloid]

Universal streetmosphere at the studios has ebbed and flowed over the years, just may come on strong in response to the opening or it may not. Hope for a great opening

My post was in reference to the fact that Celestial Park will not be opening with what was designed for it at this time.

The rest of this park has a lot of live entertainment for opening years. Not limited to Universal. Nature of live entertainment at parks as well as a benefit at times to live entertainment in general.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I heard Universal Creative didn't like how the entertainment fit into Celestial Park. They thought that instead of enhancing the CP vibe, it was a vibe killer. So entertainment has to start over.