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

[UNCgolf]

Animal Kingdom only pull is flight of Passage

Don't forget about Kiliminjaro Safari; it may be more popular than Flight of Passage. I think @lentesta said the safari is rated by guests as the best attraction at WDW. Expedition Everest is pretty popular too.

For me, DHS probably has the worst attraction lineup of any park (especially if you count the animal trails as attractions at DAK) -- Tower of Terror and Rise are great attractions, MMRR is a good secondary attraction (although worse than what it replaced) and Slinky is fine but not special. Everything else there is easily skippable for me (Slinky is too, actually, but I do enjoy it).

 

[nickys]

A bit of a mixed bag here.

Celestial Park sounds loverhyped. A carousel, a water play area and a coaster. Presumably the first two are for the rest of the family waiting for the coaster fan.

Mario - just doesn’t interest me at all.
Monsters?
HTTYD has potential but they need a mixture of rides for everyone, and they didn’t say much.

And the HP land suggests they realised the prequels couldn’t support a whole land so they added the Ministry of Magic for the HP fans.

It adds a day for me at the most.

 

[celluloid]

A bit of a mixed bag here.

Celestial Park sounds loverhyped. A carousel, a water play area and a coaster. Presumably the first two are for the rest of the family waiting for the coaster fan.

Mario - just doesn’t interest me at all.
Monsters?
HTTYD has potential but they need a mixture of rides for everyone, and they didn’t say much.

And the HP land suggests they realised the prequels couldn’t support a whole land so they added the Ministry of Magic for the HP fans.

It adds a day for me at the most.

A few thoughts to echo what you are saying.

Celestial Park maybe overhyped, but how many attractions does an entry exit hub land typically have? Main Street USA, Port of Entry, Hollywood Blvd until you get to the theater etc..

It is the center hub land and has attractions. That alone is an anomaly. It will be a nice supporting attraction set to have roaming entertainment, splash play area, Fountain show and two coasters as they are unique in layout and dueling.

The other lands won't have interest for everyone, but their specific attraction line up specifics are not announced yet.

If it has most people spending another day at Universal Orlando on its own, than it is a win. For many, another day on property means another night on property, a big win for that segment that will make up some of the numbers.


It has been so long since a new theme park opened, I think people are not realizing how many new attractions in number this actually is. for an opening day list. It is a great start compared to Disney's non MK opening attraction line ups and even if not quite, close to IOA's.

 

[nickys]

A few thoughts to echo what you are saying.

Celestial Park maybe overhyped, but how many attractions does an entry exit hub land typically have? Main Street USA, Port of Entry, Hollywood Blvd until you get to the theater etc..

It is the center hub land and has attractions. That alone is an anomaly. It will be a nice supporting attraction set to have roaming entertainment, splash play area, Fountain show and two coasters as they are unique in layout and dueling.

The other lands won't have interest for everyone, but their specific attraction line up specifics are not announced yet.

If it has most people spending another day at Universal Orlando on its own, than it is a win. For many, another day on property means another night on property, a big win for that segment that will make up some of the numbers.


It has been so long since a new theme park opened, I think people are not realizing how many new attractions in number this actually is. for an opening day list. It is a great start compared to Disney's non MK opening attraction line ups and even if not quite, close to IOA's.

All good points.

But they seem to be treating Celestial Park as a land of its own.

 

[JIMINYCR]

DH and me, too!

We'd been married for almost 10 years before we happened to have a conversation about books we enjoyed as kids. I told him there was this series of black-and-white monster movie books in my elementary school library, that I loved so much, and checked out so many times, that by the time I hit 6th grade, the check-out cards for each of them were filled almost exclusively with my name. He said that was weird, because there was a similar series in his school library that he used to check out and reread repeatedly, as well.

It turned out it was the very same series -- occupying the shelves of 2 elementary schools, 60+ miles away from one another, being obsessively adored by two little nerds who'd meet and fall in love 15 years later. The first time we went into Monsters Cafe at Universal Orlando, we were like kids in a candy store!

As you can imagine, we are irrationally excited for Dark Universe.

View attachment 765917

I grew up watching the classic monster movies on late night TV. We had a station that played both the B sci-fi and horror films, I couldnt get enough. When my parents went out and a babysitter was used , she knew I would mind her only if she allowed me to watch the flicks. If my parents drove in, I had to jump in bed and pretend to be asleep... they never knew. A friend of mine had all the plastic models of the monsters put together and painted displayed in his house.
I now have all the classic monsters figurines in mine.

 

[JIMINYCR]

The original story is well worth a read, if you like Poe! (FWIW, the films that have been based on it have all made significant changes to the story.)

The Murders in the Rue Morgue - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The kids now know nothing about the great horror stories. They need to get an anthology of the great horror and mystery authors and dive into them.

 

[TalkingHead]

If it has most people spending another day at Universal Orlando on its own, than it is a win. For many, another day on property means another night on property, a big win for that segment that will make up some of the numbers.

Could envision some tourists opting to do the new park alongside a Disney trip. The fact it isn’t contiguous with the current property makes it feel even more like an add-on.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Could envision some tourists opting to do the new park alongside a Disney trip. The fact it isn’t contiguous with the current property makes it feel even more like an add-on.

Galaxy’s edge was an add on.

EPIC Universe is a whole new theme park!

It looks like more than a one day will be needed.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

DHS still has many great rides. It includes the Tower of Terror (old but a classic), RockNRoller (one of the best thrill rides Disney offered), and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (a new, fun, family-oriented ride with a huge IP). There's also Toy Story Land with Slinky and Toy Story Midway Mania, two family fun rides.

Last but not least, there's Batu (Galaxy's Edge), a Star Wars-themed area. While the land is mid to low, Rise of the Resistance (RoR) stands out as the best Disney ride ever created, despite frequent maintenance issues. Additionally, Millennium Falcon and Star Tours add to the Star Wars experience.



Animal Kingdom only pull is flight of Passage


EPCOT Has more options, with a good start with GoG, FeA, TT and strong second base with Soarin, Ratatouille, Mission Space And all of World Showcase to wander.

Our biggest problem with HS is it shares so many rides with other parks. We are DL pass holders so we’ve done Galaxies Edge dozens of times, we’ve done Mickey and Minnie’s dozens of times, we’ve done TSMM dozens of times, etc.

The only major draws for us are Slinky Dog dash and RnRC. We still enjoy HS, it’s just the easiest to skip since we don’t feel like we’re missing out on much we haven’t done dozens of times.

AK and EP both offer a larger variety of unique rides (to use) but even more important is they are so unique on their own I can’t imagine skipping them. There’s nothing else in the world quite like either of them, whereas HS feels very similar to other theme parks with a “studio” theme.

 

[Disstevefan1]

The sad thing for Disney is, AT BEST, if WDW is as pro active as it can be, in 2025, WDW would be reacting to EPIC with new construction walls to their existing parks.

At this point In time, I think Disney is OK with taking the L for 2025 and will take the wait and see approach.

IF EPIC can’t take some attendance from WDW, at least it will be less mobbed in the WDW parks in 2025 and beyond.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Celestial Park sounds loverhyped.

It certainly does though based on the Park, lavish garden scenic scenery, adorned romanticized statues, fountains, MI amore <3

I think overall you will find this a relaxing stopping ground center where parents with younger tiny kids can play and wait while the older kids are in one of the Lands... it makes total sense for Nintendo Land and HTTYD may be not pleasant environment atmosphere for the tiny ones idk..

This is a space for groups and families a meeting place wherever there in between before dinner or when it's time to leave or be comfortable than wandering in a land whether they'll find you or not..or you'll find them..

The resort looks elegant for lovers perfect pair with a glass of wine.

 

[Disstevefan1]

When I was watching the EPIC video, I got mad to see they will have these grand fountains and Disney ripped out our fountain of nations and put in that very ugly planter.

As excited I am for EPIC, I really feel sad for our EPCOT.

 

[nickys]

It certainly does though based on the Park, lavish garden scenic scenery, adorned romanticized statues, fountains, MI amore <3

I think overall you will find this a relaxing stopping ground center where parents with younger tiny kids can play and wait while the older kids are in one of the Lands... it makes total sense for Nintendo Land and HTTYD may be not pleasant environment atmosphere for the tiny ones idk..

This is a space for groups and families a meeting place wherever there in between before dinner or when it's time to leave or be comfortable than wandering in a land whether they'll find you or not..or you'll find them..

The resort looks elegant for lovers perfect pair with a glass of wine.

Ha! Well spotted.

 

[TalkingHead]

Galaxy’s edge was an add on.

EPIC Universe is a whole new theme park!

It looks like more than a one day will be needed.

Absolutely some tourists will do 4 WDW days and the new Universal park, or 3 WDW days and 2 Universal days. The question is how many will do 3 Uni days and 1-4 WDW days. I think a lot of theme park fans overestimate that number.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Absolutely some tourists will do 4 WDW days and the new Universal park, or 3 WDW days and 2 Universal days. The question is how many will do 3 Uni days and 1-4 WDW days. I think a lot of theme park fans overestimate that number.

There are simply ANTI Universal folks and there always be, just like there are ANTI SeaWorld folks. These folks are ANTI just to be ANTI and thats ok, they are Disney only fans.

But for the rest, I think folks are going to want to go to EPIC and my guess between the now three Uni parks and their water park, that could easily account for four days in the Uni parks.

And the Uni hotels cost less to stay in too.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

When I was watching the EPIC video, I got mad to see they will have these grand fountains and Disney ripped out our fountain of nations and put in that very ugly planter.

As excited I am for EPIC, I really feel sad for our EPCOT.

2017 - Could be Epic Universe saw this and now are laughing today even decided to add a splash fountain on top to mock JOW... A Bellagio sized Fountain is more cool than a JOW anyday! Oh you can have BOTH! Epcot- no you Can't Kids!

 

[Andrew25]

Celestial Park is what Celebration Gardens should have been.

I also love how people are complaining about a hotel being the "weenie" of Epic when Disney was glorified for essentially putting up a giant table that 95% of us will never be able to access due to private events lol

 

[fall125]

There are simply ANTI Universal folks and there always be, just like there are ANTI SeaWorld folks. These folks are ANTI just to be ANTI and thats ok, they are Disney only fans.

But for the rest, I think folks are going to want to go to EPIC and my guess between the now three Uni parks and their water park, that could easily account for for days in the Uni parks.

And the Uni hotels cost less to stay in too.

So my thoughts on all this as a casual theme park forum visitor/enthusiast and a completely 'neutral non shill' for either major corporation that some people choose as hills to die on...

I’m in my early 40s and live in London, but I grew up in California and was raised on Disney and went to Disneyland many times. My last time at Disney World was 2006 when the Yeti was working.

Most of my interest in Disney parks is nostalgia based and I’m looking forward to another trip in 2025, mostly because of Epic Universe opening, and it feels like a good time to introduce my girlfriend to Orlando (who was born in the UK but has never been to Orlando). She had a great time at Universal Hollywood back in 2022, but not because of any of the IPs.

That is all just to say that we don’t support either soul-less corporation in any particular way. Anyway, random thoughts:

• We’ll be going to Orlando in Fall 2025 for about 2 weeks and will definitely spend time at both Disney and Universal, as well as Kennedy Space centre and Discovery Cove. We actually have already booked a Universal Hotel for 2025 and I’m waiting on Disney to announce massive discounts before I book any time there.
• None of the Disney Resorts are worth booking without the 35% discount offers. I used to work as a manager at Marriott and have stayed all over the world, and Disney rooms are just not worth Four Seasons prices, regardless of the location. Disney really needs to expand the perks for their hotels, deluxe especially, at the price point they are asking. I understand that monorail resorts have a great location for the MK and maybe Epcot, but I can’t even consider ‘extended evening hours’ as a perk because I have no idea when they will be offered when I’m going. Having a slightly upgraded ‘Marriott level’ room with some themed wall paper is not a perk. I might consider the Grand Floridian at the recent 35% offer of ~470 ish dollars per night, but the only perk is a slightly better pool, being able to walk to the MK, and having very close access to restaurants that cost $150 per person for dinner. How about some Universal 'cut the line' perks for the deluxe hotels?
• I really hope Universal leans into attracting adults as well as children with Epic Universe. I would like some good bars in the new restaurants and in the hotel. Adults should have fun just as much as the kids -- just ask my father who took me many times to WDW in 80s and early 90s.
• People complaining about the design of the Universal Monsters in the promo … huh? These characters have existed for nearly a hundred years now and in many different forms. They are like Jesus, or Zeus -- they aren’t real and have many different characterizations in human culture. Nobody will notice that. They will just notice if the land is terrible.

Anyway, I hope Disney turns it around as I'm still looking forward to being there next year, but I'm more looking forward to the completely new experience at Universal.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Celestial Park is what Celebration Gardens should have been.

I also love how people are complaining about a hotel being the "weenie" of Epic when Disney was glorified for essentially putting up a giant table that 95% of us will never be able to access due to private events lol

I think Universal did smart to pull a Tokyo Disney, California, Paris Disney move and be the only first with it in Florida! SeaWorld almost had it years ago by it's defunct entrance resort!

Which Table at MK or Epcot?

 

[celluloid]

All good points.

But they seem to be treating Celestial Park as a land of its own.

With three attractions, dining and entertainment with an abstract but cohesive theme I think it is fair that they do.
Discovery Island and Hollywood Blvd, Port of Entry, Main Street USA at Disney do the same with less.

Two E tickets and a flat ride alone it would have already surpassed what Toy Story Land offers. It is complimented with small things like fountains and splash pads to explore.