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

[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.

 

[DKampy]

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.

I don’t know if anyone is rooting for Epic failure…. I know I am not…being critical is not the same as complete failure…. I have been and enjoy much of Universals offerings and I look forward to checking out Epic one day….but there are things the creatives could have done differently… they did not have to build the yoshi ride as it is else where…. The could of added some sort of shaded covering or how about an indoor Curse of the Werewolf coaster… it may have been better received in the moonlit dark with the occasional Werewolf popping out at you

 

[wdwfan4ver]

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.

Doesn't seem that way. All known right is new wall, new Special event building, Italian eating place and Mexican eating placing for Epic Universe.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

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.

I agree with you that shade is going to take a bit to build up, but I don't think that is true for Super Nintendo World.

 

[Disney Analyst]

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.

There are literally three indoor rides for an entire theme park… in Florida. And a covered carousel…

That’s not acceptable in my eyes, especially for a new theme park built in 2025, when extreme weather events are on the rise, let alone in Florida. They know better. We know better. We don’t need to settle.

Epic is a gorgeous park, but it has flaws.

 

[JT3000]

Has anyone considered the possibility that creating more indoor attractions simply didn't align with their creative vision? It's easy to ask for more indoor attractions, but they can't just build something that's indoors for the sake of it.