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

[MisterPenguin]

The monorail also isn't a themed experience.

Just add narration with a goofy premise. Works for the PeopleMover!!

 

[sedati]

I'd love to see a crowd flow analysis for this land. The center area looks like an instant bottle neck with the tent/show entrance, especially as it leads to the parks headliner attraction on the left which also exits on the left onto the very same street. The show holds 642 people and what is that place going to be like when it gets out. Oddly, the right side at least has options for crowd flow with the alternate back alley area. The center to left just seems like a logistical nightmare especially when you add in butterbeer carts and interactive windows.

The streets do look fairly wide- wider at the other lands, but the center point seems poorly conceived. Exiting Hogwarts we can split off in two directions. Exiting Gringotts, three. Here we all go in one direction from Ministry and it leads to another attraction entrance. (Or... is that the goal and we're all expected to cut through the retail shop?)

 

[MisterPenguin]

I'd love to see a crowd flow analysis for this land. The center area looks like an instant bottle neck with the tent/show entrance,

No worries. Almost everyone will be in the outdoor switchbacks.

 

[MrPromey]

No worries. Almost everyone will be in the outdoor switchbacks.

Which will start, first thing in the morning in IOA's Lost Continent, right next to the start of the line for Hagrid's before snaking it's way it's way down I-4.

 

[Coaster Lover]

As Far as Pokemon goes, there are 3 possible reasons for why not Epic Universe.

I'd argue that there are (at least) four reasons. Universal knows the broad appeal and drawing power of Nintendo and, just like Harry Potter, they know they will get the most bang for their buck by placing a little Nintendo in each park. It spreads the Nintendo out and tells the Nintendo guests "if you want to see all the Nintendo stuff, you need to visit all three parks" (exactly as they did with Harry Potter). To do such, each parks needs a big franchise as the anchor... EU will have Mario, IOA will likely have LoZ, and USO will (likely) have Pokemon.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Now they are just rubbing it in, fly a dragon over a new land? Who would do that (more than once).......

Geeze, can you imagine how much more impactful Galaxy's Edge or Pandora would have been with stuff like this soaring over the land(s)?

 

[TalkToEthan]

IOA will likely have LoZ,

What is Loz ??

 

[andre85]

What is Loz ??

Legend of Zelda

 

[lewisc]

Geeze, can you imagine how much more impactful Galaxy's Edge or Pandora would have been with stuff like this soaring over the land(s)?

I was at SWGE the day after Rise opened. The day ended with X fighter drone flying overhead.

 

[Coaster Lover]

I was at SWGE the day after Rise opened. The day ended with X fighter drone flying overhead.

...and in typical Disney fashion, they do something really cool, but they only do it once and for a select group of people.

 

[JoeCamel]

I was at SWGE the day after Rise opened. The day ended with X fighter drone flying overhead.

...and in typical Disney fashion, they do something really cool, but they only do it once and for a select group of people.

They did a one time flyover when they opened NFL for the media

 

[lewisc]

...and in typical Disney fashion, they do something really cool, but they only do it once and for a select group of people.

Be fair. The X drone flew the first 2 days of the Rise.

 

[Coaster Lover]

Be fair. The X drone flew the first 2 days of the Rise.

If they did it more than once, I certainly stand corrected (I thought it was just once)... still, something like the X-Wing drone, had it been a routine thing, would have set Galaxy's Edge apart and really "upped" the "level". Should this dragon drone work out and be a regular part of EU (and not just an opening day thing), EU would just be getting the credit that Disney should have got for the idea (as if DHS was regularly flying an X-wing drone, the spectacle of this flying dragon wouldn't be nearly as impactful).

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial photo of site of Universal's electric bus service area. Electric buses to shuttle resort guests to Epic Universe.Parking lot was one of the first things developed in the Epic Universe site. One of the first uses was the staging area for Yoshi's Adventure track.

Aerial look at the intersection of Kirkman Rd and Epic Blvd, where a raised traffic circle is under construction. At top is site of Universal's electric bus service area. Electric buses will shuttle Universal resort guests to Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of a raised traffic circle in progress near Epic Universe. Kirkman Rd runs left-right. Epic Blvd top-bottom. The bottom direction leads to guest parking for the park.This raised circle eliminates left turns, improves traffic flow.

Aerial look at the intersection of Kirkman Rd and Epic Blvd, where a raised traffic circle is under construction. Epic Universe guest parking is top right

Aerial peek inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe. This full-scale street leads to the featured attraction, at left. Battle at the Ministry.

Aerial photo of facades in a street of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Epic Universe, with full size streets of Paris.It's said that the shortest building here (top right) is taller than the highest building in Diagon Alley.Helios Grand Hotel at bottom left. Unseen within the world.

Aerial photo of a section of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe.Scaffolding is being removed from this narrow, steep street (with roped-off stairs). There's wording visible on one of the facades.Arrow at location of the wand shop for this world. Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique.

Aerial photo of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe.Arrow at entrance to the featured attraction. Battle at the Ministry.The red tent is at entrance to Le Cirque Arcanus. A theater show.Protective sheeting covers the street pavement.

Aerial photo July 29, 2024 showing a milestone at Epic Universe.The last tower crane in Epic Universe was recently removed. Previously seen at center, at Helios Grand Hotel.

 

[trr1]

https://x.com/bioreconstruct
bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial photo of a scaffolded area of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe.Shutters are among the recent theming of this facade. Windows with closed shutters were previously seen with recessed walls, no glass.

Aerial photo of a dirt bank or berm being lowered at the Epic Universe site.

Aerial photo of the plaza outside the portal of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of a street in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe. Protective sheets are over the pavement.Workers add scale. The buildings and streets in this world are full-size, as if walking through Paris.

Aerial photo of current construction of the Epic Universe parking toll plaza.

Aerial look at Helios Grand Hotel. Behind it is a peninsula where the first fireworks for Epic Universe were tested last night.

 

[Rich Brownn]

The Ministry of Magic ride was intended for USF until EU plans started formulating, and I agree it would have worked better (thematically) there, but the idea was too good to go unused and if they built it at USF, they would have had to come up with an equally amazing concept for EU. Was it the cheap way out? Sure. But I don't blame them. Just as how a Great Hall restaurant would make more sense at IOA, but if it ends up in EU as is rumored (where you get to it via Floo Network or Port Key), I think they'll get a pass.

As for Wizarding Paris, while I agree with your general sentiment, if not Paris, where? What other exterior locations could they do that would have any appeal? While the Paresian architecture isn't "fantastical", I do feel that setting the land in Paris allows for them too have a unique setting in which to infuse magic amongst the mundane.

The dining hall plan was scrapped

 

[Rich Brownn]

For me it's a so-so experience that exists to help sell park hopping.

I did it once just to see it, and honestly, now I'd just walk between the parks unless the wait was non-existent.

If it was a standalone attraction it would be ranked very poorly IMO.

It's fine as a way to connect the two lands and keep people immersed in the world, so it's not without value, but I didn't think it was particularly engaging.

Is it brought up here just to compare ride counts? I wouldn't consider it a major attraction by that standard.

For Potter fans it can be a trancendal experience. I worked the train and the amount of adults who got teary eyed watching the train pull into the station was incredbile. (Two trivia pieces: each direction has a different experience. And on the Higsmede-to-London run look carefully at the lightning strike when it first hits -- you'll see Voldemort for a second and on the second strike it's a tree!)

 

[Coaster Lover]

The dining hall plan was scrapped

Scrapped entirely of just scrapped for EU? I feel like it's too good an idea to scrap entirely. Built as a TSR for IOA, I feel like it could be Unis equivalent of BOG (both with regards to impact and popularity!)

For Potter fans it can be a trancendal experience.

As a self professed Potter Fan, I will echo that sentiment. Seeing the to scale (or close enough) train pull into the replica Platform 9 3/4 station with the "steam" and moving wheels and sound... yeah, that's the equivalent joyous feeling (for me) as turning the corner in Galaxy's Edge and seeing the Millennium Falcon.

 

[JoeCamel]

Scrapped entirely of just scrapped for EU? I feel like it's too good an idea to scrap entirely. Built as a TSR for IOA, I feel like it could be Unis equivalent of BOG (both with regards to impact and popularity!)

Suspended/saved for phase two is probably a better way to put it

 

[Epcot81Fan]

Your move, Epic Universe, your move.