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

[MrPromey]

Of course but the Harry Potter crowd is already going to universal. I can’t see this land suddenly convincing any potterhead to go if Hogwarts and diagon alley didn’t do the trick.

Ah, the way you worded, It looked as though you were referring to the park as in - wouldn't be a draw to bring anyone to Epic that wasn't already there for Mario (or whatever else).

To that point, they don't need this single land to be the sole reason someone travels to central Florida. If people extend their Universal visit to hit up this and the other two still insanely popular Potter lands, and early entry to this park in particular along with the Uni Express at the other two convinces people to stay at one of their moderate/deluxe hotels, they're making their money between that and merch sales.

In the case of the Potter crowd, this is more likely to extend a stay than to cannibalize a day at the other two which can't necessarily be said for people visiting who aren't as into that franchise.

 

[Agent H]

Ah, the way you worded, It looked as though you were referring to the park as in - wouldn't be a draw to bring anyone to Epic that wasn't already there for Mario (or whatever else).

To that point, they don't need this single land to be the sole reason someone travels to central Florida. If people extend their Universal visit to hit up this and the other two still insanely popular Potter lands, and early entry to this park in particular along with the Uni Express at the other two convinces people to stay at one of their moderate/deluxe hotels, they're making their money between that and merch sales.

In the case of the Potter crowd, this is more likely to extend a stay than to cannibalize a day at the other two which can't necessarily be said for people visiting who aren't as into that franchise.

Yes. This park will increase overall profit and attendance for universal but the parks impact on Disney is grossly overstated and honestly just comes off as wishful thinking. I predict this park will be the third most visited park in Orlando for the first 2 to 3 years and then will join the the ranks of the parks that have to be updated every couple of years to keep attendance as high as the other parks.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Again, I strongly believe that a good portion of what you're calling "issues" are things that cannot reasonably be argued to be detracting from the guest experience or the quality of the park. I tend to not spend my day in a theme park craning my neck around at sightlines to get mad over.

Me when someone observes the theming at a theme park

 

[Dranth]

Again, I strongly believe that a good portion of what you're calling "issues" are things that cannot reasonably be argued to be detracting from the guest experience or the quality of the park. I tend to not spend my day in a theme park craning my neck around at sightlines to get mad over.

Disagree that most won't notice. Many people notice these things, even if they can't exactly put their finger on exactly what is off.

As for folks getting mad, I doubt anyone is doing that. Being a theme park fan and pointing out this issue is not even remotely the same thing as getting mad or bashing the rest of the park.

 

[Andrew C]

Disagree that most won't notice. Many people notice these things, even if they can't exactly put their finger on exactly what is off.

As for folks getting mad, I doubt anyone is doing that. Being a theme park fan and pointing out this issue is not even remotely the same thing as getting mad or bashing the rest of the park.

Hundreds of pages since previews started for a brand new theme park. Most talked about topic in here is sightlines. Not sure if that says more about the people in here or the theme park itself. Probably the former. People say sightlines not that big of a deal, and others can’t help themselves but to counter. And vice versa. Over and over. This is officially the new box office thread.

 

[Purduevian]

Yes. This park will increase overall profit and attendance for universal but the parks impact on Disney is grossly overstated and honestly just comes off as wishful thinking. I predict this park will be the third most visited park in Orlando for the first 2 to 3 years and then will join the the ranks of the parks that have to be updated every couple of years to keep attendance as high as the other parks.

It will be interesting to see what Universal caps this park at for the first few years... the capacity doesn't seem like it will be able to climb too high in the rankings.

I'm guessing within the first 3 years we will see a few more flat rides/mostly off the shelf added in order to increase capacity. Curse of the werewolf being the current example.

 

[Dranth]

Hundreds of pages since previews started for a brand new theme park. Most talked about topic in here is sightlines. Not sure if that says more about the people in here or the theme park itself. Probably the former. People say sightlines not that big of a deal, and others can’t help themselves but to counter. And vice versa. Over and over. This is officially the new box office thread.

To be fair, sightlines are the one thing most of us who aren't going to get a chance to see the park for awhile can look at (without major attraction spoilers). Also, we are on a theme park fan forum so the types of folks most likely to notice and care and want to discuss it are already here.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

To be fair, sightlines are the one thing most of us who aren't going to get a chance to see the park for awhile can look at (without major attraction spoilers). Also, we are on a theme park fan forum so the types of folks most likely to notice and care and want to discuss it are already here.

Yes, I think this is part of it. It is a little akin to threads about new attractions before they are open to the public and we pour over the few observable details we have, whether it be the shade of yellow they have painted the old Splash Mountain queue building or the design of the car for the Test Track refurb. In the longer term, sight lines are also just the kind of thing a lot of theme park fans pay attention to and will be part of how the evaluate the park; you can thank Walt Disney for the decision to build a berm at Disneyland and then explain why if you don't like the attention people pay to that aspect of things.

To @Andrew C's point about the back and forth, I do feel most of what needs to be said on this has been said. It is a discussion forum and this is on topic, though, so if people keep replying the discussion will keep going.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Yes but in my mind it doesn’t obviously compare to anything Disney has built or will build.

Monsters Unchained is better than RotR. There. I said it.

 

[flynnibus]

I never said it was likely to be misunderstood.

The point is with signs it is all about conveying.

They are not created necessarily to be read like a written piece. Streamlining here makes MORE sense than enlingating the description to make it fit the notion you are critiquing.

It was dumb - chew on that

 

[MisterPenguin]

The point is ....

You coming up with a point I didn't make. So you can knock over an easy straw man.

 

[flynnibus]

You coming up with a point I didn't make.

No - you came up with a complaint that was off base and meaningless for a sign of that design and got called out on it. Pointing out what actually matters is not a strawman... it's you rejecting reality and inserting your own.

 

[MisterPenguin]

No - you came up with a complaint that was off base and meaningless for a sign of that design and got called out on it. Pointing out what actually matters is not a strawman... its you rejecting reality and inserting your own.

Well, that wasn't an apology. So, good day.

 

[OrlandoRising]

To @Andrew C's point about the back and forth, I do feel most of what needs to be said on this has been said. It is a discussion forum and this is on topic, though, so if people keep replying the discussion will keep going.

On that we can agree. There's not much point in continuing this debate.

I think people are nitpicking, some for the sake of tearing down Universal and defending Disney, and other people think they're pointing out very important issues and those denying said issues are being biased towards Universal. Hundreds of pages and we haven't convinced each other, so let's just move on to other things.

The Blog Mickey article about Universal's VQ system is spot on. That thing seriously sucks and not just because you may dislike VQs in general. I did fine with Rise of the Resistance on multiple visits, but Ministry was a total mess during the five drops I tried to get during my preview days.

 

[DKampy]

Yes. This park will increase overall profit and attendance for universal but the parks impact on Disney is grossly overstated and honestly just comes off as wishful thinking.

This…. I live in Wisconsin and people know about the new park and are excited to visit one day… but it really does not move the needle much in deciding on a Universal vacation over Disney…. It is really just a 1 day add on to a Disney week… just as they have done with Universal/IOA in the past…Universal knows this too which is why they are trying to force some peoples hands into buying tickets for the other 2 for a chance at seeing Epic

This will affect local annual pass holders the most… as something new is always exciting after visiting all the other parks hundreds of times

 

[UNCgolf]

Harry Potter Virtual Line: A Broken, Unfair System at Epic Universe

We discuss the Harry Potter Virtual Line - how to join it, why it is so broken right now, and if you should visit Epic Universe

blogmickey.com

That Presidential Suite is... pretty bad, to be generous, by higher end hotel top level suite standards.

It may be comparable to other Universal/Disney ones, though. I've never looked.

 

[avenger1138]

I stayed in the Royal Pacific Presidential suite twice. It’s quite nice. The shower in the master suite is the size of a standard room

 

[UNCgolf]

I stayed in the Royal Pacific Presidential suite twice. It’s quite nice. The shower in the master suite is the size of a standard room

Just looked at the one at the Royal Pacific -- it's actually smaller than the one at Grand Helios, although I think it looks nicer/has a better design. I'd choose it over Grand Helios if the price was the same.

Neither are really on the level of what I think of as Presidential Suite level accommodations, but now I'm guessing that's just kind of the theme park hotel standard.

 

[Agent H]

Monsters Unchained is better than RotR. There. I said it.

Oh hard disagree. Both are great rides but RtoR just has that extra bit of awesomeness for me as a Star Wars fan.

 

[Andrew C]

Oh hard disagree. Both are great rides but RtoR just has that extra bit of awesomeness for me as Star Wars fan.

Until a bunch of things are broken/in B-mode. We will see how Monsters does long-term...