Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025

[celluloid]

That's a lovely memory.

On my recent trip last October, it was raining one of the days when I was at MK. I of course wore my PSU poncho. I must've gotten like four We Are chants during the 2 hour rain storm. Caught me off guard at first but it ended up being a memorable exchange everytime since people around us were in shock or had no clue what was going on lol

FL is one of the biggest Penn State Fandom areas, besides the obvious state. A sports pub place down in Southwest FL called Buckets is famous for being a Headquarters. You really do have to be ready for them when you dawn those panchos.

 

[celluloid]

I also want to say I think it should not be understated how peaceful Celestial Park is. Universal has never really done a hub and spoke design, and with the portals so spread out it may be busy at certain times, but it seems far spread and plenty of landscaping to feel serene. I think that is why the video stressed putting the park back into theme park. Its classy and not the intensity that some guests often critique in parks. Even the dueling/racing coasters does not go over the land or around much unless you are near it. I mean, that is technically three original attractions and in house IP landscaping and theming albeit abstract for now. Who knows what may happen there in the future.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I also want to say I think it should not be understated how peaceful Celestial Park is. Universal has never really done a hub and spoke design, and with the portals so spread out it may be busy at certain times, but it seems far spread and plenty of landscaping to feel serene. I think that is why the video stressed putting the park back into theme park. Its classy and not the intensity that some guests often critique in parks. Even the dueling/racing coasters does not go over the land or around much unless you are near it. I mean, that is technically three original attractions and in house IP landscaping and theming albeit abstract for now. Who knows what may happen there in the future.

This was one of my immediate takeaways from the video also, Celestial park looks like a nice place to be to just enjoy the park atmosphere. It’s what has always set the Disney “parks” apart from most other amusement parks for us, it’s not uncommon for us to grab a snack and just sit and people watch at Disney, I could see us doing the same at Celestial park.

 

[MrPromey]

I just think that's a relatively small percentage of guests. There aren't that many people who go to Orlando and do both Universal and Disney -- it may be a large percentage of people on forums like this one, but not among average visitors. Most people (at least among American/Canadian visitors; people coming from Europe etc. may be a bit different) are going to one or the other.

I actually don't know anyone who has done both on one trip, although obviously some people do. Most families I know have done Disney and not Universal, but the ones who have done Universal have done it as a separate, shorter trip -- mainly for Harry Potter.

If this were actually true, Universal's first park would have gone out of business before they were even able to consider building a second one.

 

[MrPromey]

I can see this working for them longterm and tend to believe the market is able to grow to support a significant amount of people staying and spending most of their time at Universal and another group doing the same at WDW.

The one thing that I think both Disney and Universal have lost sight of is that WDW initially built its appeal on having a variety of options. That was kind of the genius of WDW: each park was different enough that you felt like you were missing out on a unique experience if you didn't go to one of them.

I'm less convinced by the model of multiple more or less interchangeable theme parks as a basis for a week-long vacation destination. Disney is lucky because before they moved in that direction the company built parks like Epcot and DAK that worked their way into the popular imagination in their own right, even if they're increasingly converging in practice under the IP mandate. They also used to build themed resorts that were a destination in their own right. For Universal, I just wonder how much the pitch of Epic Universe in addition to Islands of Adventure is going to change how people see Universal as a more complete resort experience rather than just understanding it as new things to see.

I agree.

And the part at the end where I talk about this threatening Disney's current way of doing business and being trouble for them financially isn't really so much about Universal stealing their business but them having to be more competitive, looking over their shoulder to prevent that.

I'm talking more room offers, slower price increases, more reinvestment in the parks - all things that would be great for guests and probably the end of life as they know it in the minds of lot of executives working for Dis.

Just imagine the horror for TDO if the MK crowds became manageable enough it started becoming a challenge to sell after-hours access at current pricing - they'll definitely be offering free dinging to prevent that day from ever coming!

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I agree.

And the part at the end where I talk about this threatening Disney's current business model and being trouble for them financially isn't really so much about Universal stealing their business but them having to be more competitive.

I'm talking more room offers, slower price increases, more reinvestment in the parks - all things that would be great for guests and probably the end of life as they know it in the minds of lot of executives working for Dis.

Just imagine the horror for TDO if the MK crowds became manageable enough it became hard to sell after-hours access at current pricing.

Indeed!

Whether this announcement excites me personally or not, I hope it is a step along the road to Universal being more competitive with Disney. I would certainly much rather a world where Disney feels they need to convince people to visit WDW rather than creating ever more complicated and expensive hoops through which guests have to jump to visit their parks and enjoy their attractions.

 

[MrPromey]

For the love of all that is holy… another theme park does NOT need another New York or Hollywood section. USO only or never.

My son would never forgive me if he knew I was typing this* but I'd be willing to offer up Race Through New York as a sacrifice to the gods of space constraints to make this happen.

*He's 11, he's never even seen the show but for some reason, he loves this ride. I really don't get it but I'm thankful the waits are short and I've gotten pretty good at the racing and memory mini-games in the lobby!

 

[sedati]

Dark Universe is one of the few projects where they actually own the IP and they still went with Party City knockoff versions. My most anticipated land just got knocked down several notches. Honestly, the Ministry ride better knock it out of the park as there's not much left that I'm really excited about.

I do like the new archway, especially as the other concept just looked like a grander version of the studios one.

Celestial park has some nice elements and I love the statues.

That said- so, there's not just a hotel at the back, there's also a Chinese restaurant (a CELESTIAL Chinese restaurant?)

I think they fell a little too in love with the reveal of Diagon Alley and forgetting what a bottleneck it can cause by having the best photo/selfie spot right where others are trying to enter/exit. Each land seem built around a primary "money shot". Not saying it's bad, but Universal has a habit of strategic theming that can give it a Disney in the front, Six Flags in the back vibe. I love that I've spent a good amount of time in both Pandora or Galaxy's Edge before reaching what I consider the zenith.

 

[trr1]

 

[UNCgolf]

If this were actually true, Universal's first park would have gone out of business before they were even able to consider building a second one.

No, because that was 1990 and not 2024 -- it wasn't intended or marketed as anything more than something you did for a single day back then. Now Universal wants people to stay in their hotels and spend their full trip at Universal parks, and Disney is larger (thus requiring more time commitment if you want to see it all) than it was then. It's not comparable to today.

Do you think more than 50% of Disney guests are also going to all Universal parks on the same trip (and vice versa) now? I think that's wildly unlikely. I personally doubt even 50% go to the other for just one or two side days, but that's more likely than a full trip to both.

Of course I could be completely wrong about that, but I haven't seen any strong evidence to suggest otherwise, and my admittedly anecdotal experience from both the people I know personally and just general social media seems to back it up.

There are a lot of people who don't really like what Universal offers, and a lot of people who don't really like what Disney offers. We should also remember that most people don't go regularly -- people on forums like this who go to Orlando every year or possibly even multiple times a year are the outliers, not the average guest. People that are visiting Disney (or Universal) once in 5-10 years are far more likely to want to experience everything on offer there, and many (if not most) are staying for less than a week. Cost is also a factor, and buying tickets to both is far more expensive than buying tickets to one since they both discount for multiple days.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

For the love of all that is holy… another theme park does NOT need another New York or Hollywood section. USO only or never.

I feel like "fake Paris" is overdone too, and not just in theme parks thanks to Vegas, Macao etc

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

"Integrated in the theme park like no other in the world..."

So.... that leaves the question

Does he mean viewing fireworks from the hotel whether your in the park or inside...

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

I feel like "fake Paris" is overdone too, and not just in theme parks thanks to Vegas, Macao etc

Well really there is no choice so to not have London again... unlike Paris, Las Vegas this won't be Paris, but Paris Parisian sense... Parisian street vibes... just like Diagon Alley was Londonesque street vibe. It gives the chance for there to feature French food... didn't Diagon Alley have British London food.

 

[celluloid]

Dark Universe is one of the few projects where they actually own the IP and they still went with Party City knockoff versions. My most anticipated land just got knocked down several notches. Honestly, the Ministry ride better knock it out of the park as there's not much left that I'm really excited about.

Sort of true. The estates of the original monsters' actors are actually quite costly. I don't think the dark universe land versions look that bad.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

"Integrated in the theme park like no other in the world..."

So.... that leaves the question

Does he mean viewing fireworks from the hotel whether your in the park or inside...

I guess there may be special features. Design wise, though, hard to compete with...

 

[Weather_Lady]

So... perhaps we're jumping the gun, but DH and I went ahead and booked a room for our family at Royal Pacific for August 2025 today! No harm, no foul if we cancel between now and 6 days ahead, and in case the rates skyrocket as we get closer to Epic Universe opening and/or no decent annual passholder rates are offered (assuming we do the usual and buy Seasonal Annual Passes), we're locked in to a decent Stay More, Save More deal. Plus, I'm assuming at present that the rates at the premier Epic Universe hotel will be prohibitively expensive: if they're not, we might switch.

[Sidebar: In our experience, booking as early as possible is essential: last time we visited Universal, we booked our hotel 12+ months ahead, and room rates had nearly doubled for our dates by the time of travel, to the point where the standard price at which we'd booked was cheaper than what it would have cost for the same room 12 months later with an APH discount!]

It's always nice to have something to look forward to, even if plans might change...

 

[networkpro]

From what I expect from the opening-day ride-lineup, it’ll contend with the best in Orlando from day 1.

The announcements today don’t really even acknowledge any of the rides, so I would expect a park who’s main focus is the rides to not blow anyone out of the water.

Distinctly, the park is very similar to Epcot in a lot of ways. Obviously very different over-arching theme, but Epcot is effectively a hub and spoke park (as opposed to hub and outer loop seen in MK, HWS, and AK or IOA’s loop).


It’s also worth noting that the other Universal parks mostly lack a chill, relaxing area. They’re often very loud, so the hub will provide a very nice reprieve from the noise and add immense value.

It's also comparable to Kings Island if you want to compare maps.

 

[MrPromey]

No, because that was 1990 and not 2024 -- it wasn't intended or marketed as anything more than something you did for a single day back then. Now Universal wants people to stay in their hotels and spend their full trip at Universal parks, and Disney is larger (thus requiring more time commitment if you want to see it all) than it was then. It's not comparable to today.

Do you think more than 50% of Disney guests are also going to all Universal parks on the same trip (and vice versa) now? I think that's wildly unlikely. I personally doubt even 50% go to the other for just one or two side days, but that's more likely than a full trip to both.

Of course I could be completely wrong about that, but I haven't seen any strong evidence to suggest otherwise, and my admittedly anecdotal experience from both the people I know personally and just general social media seems to back it up.

There are a lot of people who don't really like what Universal offers, and a lot of people who don't really like what Disney offers. We should also remember that most people don't go regularly -- people on forums like this who go to Orlando every year or possibly even multiple times a year are the outliers, not the average guest. People that are visiting Disney (or Universal) once in 5-10 years are far more likely to want to experience everything on offer there, and many (if not most) are staying for less than a week. Cost is also a factor, and buying tickets to both is far more expensive than buying tickets to one since they both discount for multiple days.

I'm not saying a big chunk of Disney folks are also going to Universal but I think a high percentage of people coming from out of state that are going to Universal are also going to Disney for part of that stay.

Based on annual attendance difference between the two resorts, it's easy for both of those two things I just said to be true at the same time.

Also, to counter your self-admitted anecdotal evidence, I'll provide some of my own admittedly worthless anecdotal evedence not based on my circle of friends but from experience as a local in Universal parks: As a top level AP holder at Universal which includes Express Pass after 4, I see the crowd levels regularly and the impacts that Express Pass has on the regular lines both when it's open to the small percentage who pay for it and for the people who get it for "free" at Universal's deluxe resorts.

Most days at most attractions, it's a drop in the bucket until 4 when riffraff like me are allowed to use it so no, while their hotel presence has increased and their most discounted resorts don't have that perk, I don't think a majority of people visiting Universal parks are staying on Universal property, just like most people visiting WDW are not staying on Disney property, either. (and if you doubt that, ask yourself how all those hotels on I-4 between the two manage to stay in business - it's not off Sea World and the Ripley's Museum)

While I'm sure there are people staying at Universal for better accommodation at lower rates who also take advantage of that express pass perk for their days at Universal parks, I think you'd be hard pressed to find many that are spending more than three days at Universal for the parks there (today). Really, if they have the all-day express pass, a lot may not do more than two and the idea that there are a large percentage of people flying or driving in from out of state to spend a long weekend at Universal and leave doesn't feel like it lines up very well with the way either time off in this country or the financials for that kind of travel work out for most people.

Tacking on a visit at either location while in town for a convention is another story, of course but again, to recap: I doubt most people coming to Orlando for Disney are also planning to visit Universal while they're here. Otherwise, attendance at Universal parks would be through the roof but I absolutely believe a decent chunk of people who visit Universal also visit WDW. I'm not saying 100% but the number is probably closer to 50% than you're imagining since you'd need to be talking to people who weren't necessarily also Disney-first in mindset to get that impression.*


*I bet with international travel, the percentages are a good deal higher, too.

 

[MrPromey]

I feel like "fake Paris" is overdone too, and not just in theme parks thanks to Vegas, Macao etc

.. and thanks to part of the decor of at least 70% of the girls* I know.


*some of them would be flattered to know I'm calling them "girls".

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

Let's see how everyone is feeling about this park based on the reveal earlier today:
https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...make-you-feel-about-the-upcoming-park.982986/