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

[Dranth]

Am I the only person who's super curious to see how Epic Universe will turn out during the Halloween and especially Christmas seasons? Did we get any hints on Epic getting some Christmas or Halloween decorations yet?

Not at all.

We were planning on going later this year to check out EU and catch whatever they end up doing for the holidays but ended up canceling the trip because their ticking setup turned us off. Even if we don't make it this year, I still very much want to see what they do.

 

[Philsfan77]

It pretty much has been sold out everyday and it isn't news to them. It's only news if you havent been paying attention. You can check out the website right now and single day tickets are already sold out for the entirety of this next week. Yes they have been limiting capacity to a certain extent but I personally believe its a much higher number than people think and the park is still extremely popular.

Single day tickets which were capped/have been sold out. Anyone can still buy the multi day plus 1 day epic ticket. Thrill Data had been publishing data after backdooring Universals hub, and they've had the park regularly at around 35-40% capacity. Universal must have finally wised up because Thrill Data's site the last 2 weeks has been jacked up as im guessing they shut down whatever Thrill Data was using to get the data.

 

[Philsfan77]

Hot Take - i don't care about sightlines in either instance. Guardians Coaster Box doesn't bother me because the attraction is top notch, and the sightlines around Epic were practically non-existent. I'm not going to my favorite theme parks looking for issues - it seems that has become the norm?

I will be honest, this was the first thing my buddy and I noticed as we entered the park from Helios. Mainly because we went in thinking you'd enter through these massive portals and then see the land, versus seeing parts of the land from anywhere in Celestial Gardens. Like you, it didn't bother me in the slightest, but that was our first take as we entered. Just wasn't what we were expecting.

 

[rd805]

I will be honest, this was the first thing my buddy and I noticed as we entered the park from Helios. Mainly because we went in thinking you'd enter through these massive portals and then see the land, versus seeing parts of the land from anywhere in Celestial Gardens. Like you, it didn't bother me in the slightest, but that was our first take as we entered. Just wasn't what we were expecting.

How bout Jhoan Duran though?!

 

[Philsfan77]

How bout Jhoan Duran though?!

I'd make an inappropriate comment right now about my excitement, but I don't want to get banned from these forums!

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Am I the only person who's super curious to see how Epic Universe will turn out during the Halloween and especially Christmas seasons? Did we get any hints on Epic getting some Christmas or Halloween decorations yet?

Your are not and there are no hints yet. Halloween is likely out of the question because I think they would've announced something by now.

I hope your expectations for Epic Universe Christmas decorations is very low this year. I think there will be a Christmas tree and maybe some decorations in Celestial Park, but likely nothing in the 4 Portals for Christmas Decorations.

My reasoning is what Universal did with Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal didn't give the Universal Studios Hollywood version of Super Nintendo World any Christmas decorations for its year in 2023, but had Christmas decorations in 2024 for Super Nintendo World.

 

[JoeCamel]

Your are not and there are no hints yet. Halloween is likely out of the question because I think they would've announced something by now.

I hope your expectations for Epic Universe Christmas decorations is very low this year. I think there will be a Christmas tree and maybe some decorations in Celestial Park, but likely nothing in the 4 Portals for Christmas Decorations.

My reasoning is what Universal did with Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal didn't give the Universal Studios Hollywood version of Super Nintendo World any Christmas decorations for its year in 2023, but had Christmas decorations in 2024 for Super Nintendo World.

I think being a new park they won't go all out but have a basic set adding to it over the years to come much like newlyweds do. After 20 years it looks like the Griswold's place

 

[TalkToEthan]

…….any somewhat reliable chatter out there about the prospects of annual passes applying to all Uni Orlando’s 3.5 parks ??? Any whispers or informal talk circulating with a shred of merit???


Uni would love bus loads of folk like me——those dropping in at 6pmish hit one(or none) attraction, grab a drink at Burning Blade and then getting a bite at Pizza Moon and picking up a Toothless coffee cup on the way out

In other words those who stick and move who won’t clutter the ride lines and drop a dollar or two in the park.

 

[Andrew25]

…….any somewhat reliable chatter out there about the prospects of annual passes applying to all Uni Orlando’s 3.5 parks ??? Any whispers or informal talk circulating with a shred of merit???


Uni would love bus loads of folk like me——those dropping in at 6pmish hit one(or none) attraction, grab a drink at Burning Blade and then getting a bite at Pizza Moon and picking up a Toothless coffee cup on the way out

In other words those who stick and move who won’t clutter the ride lines and drop a dollar or two in the park.

Epic Universe is not in an operational state (in my opinion) to accept AP. Just like you, I'm looking forward to hopping in after work for a nice meal at Cafe L'Air or Atlantic, but the park is not operationally ready for the AP crowd yet.

What I could see happen, is a reservation system in place for APs, with possibly a similar rule to WDW's with no reservation required after a certain time (like 6PM). It seems like the park dies off like other parks later in the evening, so I think there's opportunity for Universal to allow APs in at that time.

 

[BrianLo]

…….any somewhat reliable chatter out there about the prospects of annual passes applying to all Uni Orlando’s 3.5 parks ??? Any whispers or informal talk circulating with a shred of merit???


Uni would love bus loads of folk like me——those dropping in at 6pmish hit one(or none) attraction, grab a drink at Burning Blade and then getting a bite at Pizza Moon and picking up a Toothless coffee cup on the way out

In other words those who stick and move who won’t clutter the ride lines and drop a dollar or two in the park.

Unfortunately we know the average AP functionally isn’t more positive than a day guest. You already start 100$ in revenue behind a typical day guest. A day guest might also buy a wand or a power up band, etc etc.

It’s only when and if they have excess room. I think the first thing that will occur when there is room will be a second Epic day in a 5-7 day vacation package.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

I’m curious as to how long it will take to get this park operating more efficiently.

 

[Andrew25]

I’m curious as to how long it will take to get this park operating more efficiently.

Problem with Epic Universe is that even with attractions operating at 99% efficiency and uptime, it'll still struggle capacity-wise. Donkey Kong can barely handle 1,000 guests an hour. And that's assuming they are hitting their best dispatch interval. Ministry of Magic is running at reduced capacity, but should get closer to the 1.5-1.6K hourly throughput.

I'm sure Universal realizes this, and is working on additional capacity relief as soon as possible. As rough as USF is at the moment, I think getting more capacity into Epic should be prioritized.

 

[TalkingHead]

Google reviews rating’s down to 3.9
TripAdvisor rating is 2.1

But they did get a positive writeup in the NYT for what it’s worth.

Surely they’ll fast track something for next summer, although not sure what they can quickly add to help with the afternoon issues.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Google reviews rating’s down to 3.9
TripAdvisor rating is 2.1

But they did get a positive writeup in the NYT for what it’s worth.

Surely they’ll fast track something for next summer, although not sure what they can quickly add to help with the afternoon issues.

As I feared long ago, the summer weather decimates the park. They really need to build for Florida weather. Heat, rain, storms, etc.

Capacity issues, plus ride shutdowns due to weather = bad experience.

I am thinking there will be an uptick in more positive reviews once the season changes, of course capacity issues will still exist, but won’t be as bad as it is right now.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Google reviews rating’s down to 3.9
TripAdvisor rating is 2.1

But they did get a positive writeup in the NYT for what it’s worth.

Surely they’ll fast track something for next summer, although not sure what they can quickly add to help with the afternoon issues.

The parks doesn’t need its own version of DreamWorks Land.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Surely they’ll fast track something for next summer, although not sure what they can quickly add to help with the afternoon issues.

They could always throw up a tent in one of the expansion plots and hand out coloring books and Goldfish crackers

 

[TalkingHead]

They could always throw up a tent in one of the expansion plots and hand out coloring books and Goldfish crackers

Seriously, a couple indoor walk-through attractions would probably do wonders.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Seriously, a couple indoor walk-through attractions would probably do wonders.

As would a large, covered theater like the one USF has for Animal Actors

 

[DKampy]

As I feared long ago, the summer weather decimates the park. They really need to build for Florida weather. Heat, rain, storms, etc.

Capacity issues, plus ride shutdowns due to weather = bad experience.

I am thinking there will be an uptick in more positive reviews once the season changes, of course capacity issues will still exist, but won’t be as bad as it is right now.

How did Universal not plan for Florida summers with as long as uni has been here…. Even Disney knew they had to do things differently vs Cali way back in 1971 with things like a cover for the Tea Cups and having the entire It’s a Small World boat ride indoors

 

[Andrew C]

How did Universal not plan for Florida summers with as long as uni has been here…. Even Disney knew they had to do things differently vs Cali way back in 1971 with things like a cover for the Tea Cups and having the entire It’s a Small World boat ride indoors

The two most popular attractions at epic are indoors. The two most popular attractions at IOA are outdoors. Shade will take a bit to build up. They will expand where necessary. Some people want to be dramatic. Some people root for failure even when success is inevitable.