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

[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...

 

[celluloid]

Some changes some of the nitpickers will be happy with in the next week, but many are going to be nitpicking either way.

Nothing major, but positive tweaks.

Also, the Botanical beuaty of Celestial Park is realy coming in now. Loving that.


For those who do not know you can make Blue Dragon reservations now.

 

[Agent H]

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

I can’t speak for everyone but whenever I ride the only thing that’s broken is the cannons.

 

[Misted Compass]

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

Speaking of which, have they gotten the final Dracula animatronic functioning reliably yet? Seems like that's what has the most issues, and I haven't seen any video of it working.

 

[jrhwdw]

Some changes some of the nitpickers will be happy with in the next week, but many are going to be nitpicking either way.

Nothing major, but positive tweaks.

Also, the Botanical beuaty of Celestial Park is realy coming in now. Loving that.


For those who do not know you can make Blue Dragon reservations now.

Attractions becoming more reliable?

 

[MisterPenguin]

 

[Architectural Guinea Pig]

I can’t speak for everyone but whenever I ride the only thing that’s broken is the cannons.

My sister went on the DL Rise yesterday. Unlucky enough for the ride to break down while she was in line just once the entire day (as far as I know). Aside from that, after the ride reopened she reported that all effects were working, including the cannons! Operations are very smooth there.

 

[celluloid]

Attractions becoming more reliable?

One would hope. One specifically in particular. But some show elements too is specifically partly what I was referring to.(atmospheric touches)

 

[Agent H]

One would hope. One specifically in particular. But some show elements too is specifically partly what I was referring to.(atmospheric touches)

If any attraction were to get big updates I would pick donkey Kong. That ride seriously needs more capacity.

 

[Agent H]

My sister went on the DL Rise yesterday. Unlucky enough for the ride to break down while she was in line just once the entire day (as far as I know). Aside from that, after the ride reopened she reported that all effects were working, including the cannons! Operations are very smooth there.

I’m pretty sure there was a whole press release about it a bit back.

 

[Agent H]

View attachment 858742

I’m most interested to see if there will be anything about the fantastic beasts ride that was originally planned.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

One thing that EU can improve: the ice cream stand. They did not sell caramel sauce! This needs to be remedied immediately.

 

[MrPromey]

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.

I don't thing Universal's goal was ever to stick it to Disney.

I'm pretty sure it's always been about building the strength of their own business. I don't know that they actually care about market share as long as they're doing well in their own right.

Of course they'd like to better develop their own bubble and lock people in with resort stays but there's a lot in Unviersal and Disney guests that don't overlap that much. This may change as Disney continues to dip their toes in the thrill/action ride category to some degree but that's still a space they're clearly not feeling overly threatened by or trying to dominate... yet.

I could see this peeling off a day of what might otherwise have been a Disney-only trip in some instances and that might give TDO some pause if that ends up being the case, especially when it comes to where those folks are staying.

I'd like to see it succeed and scare Disney into doing a better job. Whether it does or not is anyone's guess.

 

[McMickeyWorld]

I really enjoyed their analysis of Epic’s design — it’s probably my favorite channel at the moment.

 

[DCBaker]

Universal has announced a livestream for the Grand Opening Celebration on May 21 at 7pm:

 

[Purduevian]

If any attraction were to get big updates I would pick donkey Kong. That ride seriously needs more capacity.

Not sure how much they can do to expand DK capacity outside of better OPs and reliability. The coaster is a prototype and suffers capacity for it.

My guess is they build a DK barrel flat ride, Jungle vine swing ride, ect. Give people something to do in the area that doesn't have a horrible wait.

 

[Andrew C]

I don't thing Universal's goal was ever to stick it to Disney.

I'm pretty sure it's always been about building the strength of their own business. I don't know that they actually care about market share as long as they're doing well in their own right.

Of course they'd like to better develop their own bubble and lock people in with resort stays but there's a lot in Unviersal and Disney guests that don't overlap that much. This may change as Disney continues to dip their toes in the thrill/action ride category to some degree but that's still a space they're clearly not feeling overly threatened by or trying to dominate... yet.

I could see this peeling off a day of what might otherwise have been a Disney-only trip in some instances and that might give TDO some pause if it ends up being the case, especially when it comes to where those folks are staying.

I'd like to see it succeed and scare Disney into doing a better job. Whether it does or not is anyone's guess.

I have mentioned some of this before, but when it comes to theme park vacations, our family has completely shifted from WDW to Universal. The value proposition at WDW just isn't there anymore for us. And that combined with what Universal can offer us (even before this new park), it is a no brainer. More value for us, better pre-arrival experience, and honestly a better experience while being there. So, while I will miss many things about WDW, I just cannot justify going there when I know we will have a better experience at Universal, and will not feel like I am being ripped off. And that doesn't even touch on the fact that my kids are starting to get older...

I cannot be the only one who is going this way. Although I am also not exactly a typical theme park guest...

 

[Stripes]

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.

D'Amaro: Epic Universe Will Not Cannibalize Walt Disney World Visitation

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro was recently asked about Universal Epic Universe and the impact it'll have on Walt Disney World

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