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

[mkt]

I'm not saying right now with previews. I'm talking about when it opens in May.


I can buy the non US guest not coming. I can't quite get there with the US visitors. Yes the economy isn't great right now and an Orlando vacation is expensive. Yet when I was planning my summer parks vacations at Dollywood and Cedar Point, their resorts have been the highest rates I've seen since COVID. People don't have an issue paying $400 a night for a 3-4 nights there but won't travel to Orlando for Epic.

Those are literally bullet points from industry meetings that I've sat in as recently as February.

 

[Jrb1979]

Those are literally bullet points from industry meetings that I've sat in as recently as February.

It is having an affect but iMO it's not the only thing is my point.

 

[mkt]

It is having an affect but iMO it's not the only thing is my point.

It's never simple.

 

[Jrb1979]

It's never simple.

I agree it's never simple. I also think they put too much stock into these forecasts

 

[MouseEarsMom33]

If true, they why is Epic rumored to be low in ticket sales?

I'm planning on going to Universal & Epic this year for the first time. I will be buying tickets. But Universal says it will be releasing other tickets options and express pass prior to opening. I am waiting for these details. I don't want one day Epic tickets, I want 2 days. That seems to be the thought of many people. I wouldn't be surprised if people are waiting for better ticket packages.

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm planning on going to Universal & Epic this year for the first time. I will be buying tickets. But Universal says it will be releasing other tickets options and express pass prior to opening. I am waiting for these details. I don't want one day Epic tickets, I want 2 days. That seems to be the thought of many people. I wouldn't be surprised if people are waiting for better ticket packages.

That's a possibility. I also don't see many holding off due to that. Most people don't do last minute trips to Disney or Universal. Like I said when you add that, the prices, the economy and summer being the down season now, it's the perfect storm going on. It's a shame too cause of Epic did raise all boats like they hoped, it would have helped both Disney and Universal.

With this happening I really do feel the Orlando market is tapped and has little room for growth. Those who can afford Disney and Universal prices, many have moved on to cruises. Add in those priced out and you have lost a big chunk of the market.

 

[lazyboy97o]

What was cut from the original plans?

What do you consider “original”? Plenty of things get kicked around but were never really moved forwards. Others made it further along. Three attractions were cut after the building permits were issued and another added to replace some of that lost capacity.

 

[Disstevefan1]

If Epic is a disappointment it likely means it will make the suits at Disney think they know what they’re talking about.

FIFY

 

[Sorcerer Mickey]

What do you consider “original”? Plenty of things get kicked around but were never really moved forwards. Others made it further along. Three attractions were cut after the building permits were issued and another added to replace some of that lost capacity.

What were the three attractions? I recall Monster land originally having a show instead of the wolf coaster, but not aware of the other two cut rides.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

What were the three attractions? I recall Monster land originally having a show instead of the wolf coaster, but not aware of the other two cut rides.

I know Harry Potter VR broomstick attraction was planned for Epic Universe and Creature from the Black lagoon boat ride. I know Creature from the Black Lagoon boat ride is now one of the rumored things for Epic Universe's phase 2

 

[lazyboy97o]

I know Harry Potter VR broomstick attraction was planned for Epic Universe and Creature from the Black lagoon boat ride. I know Creature from the Black Lagoon boat ride is now one of the rumored things for Epic Universe's phase 2

Creature from the Black Lagoon never got that far and maybe don’t get your hopes too high. There was going to be an outdoor walkthrough area in the land.

 

[CosmicDuck]

It's March 1st. I'm planning a trip to Florida in June. This park opens on May 22nd. Is there a single rational reason why I can't buy a ticket to this theme park yet.

 

[MisterPenguin]

What do you consider “original”? Plenty of things get kicked around but were never really moved forwards. Others made it further along. Three attractions were cut after the building permits were issued and another added to replace some of that lost capacity.

There goes Universal "value engineering" again!!!!

 

[Disney Analyst]

I mean, it makes sense.

The US economy has not been doing as well as it should, an Orlando vacation is expensive, consumer confidence is down, and for reasons that are "not political", many foreign visitors who would normally choose Orlando are opting for non-US destinations instead.

Yep.

We were going to be doing Coachella in April, and Disneyland in June, and we’ve cancelled all those plans, no USA, for “not political” reasons.

Now we’ve opted to bump up our Japan trip to late this year instead of 2026, and can get our theme park fix, and visit an amazing country, at the same time!

 

[mkt]

Yep.

We were going to be doing Coachella in April, and Disneyland in June, and we’ve cancelled all those plans, no USA, for “not political” reasons.

Now we’ve opted to bump up our Japan trip to late this year instead of 2026, and can get our theme park fix, and visit an amazing country, at the same time!

Love it. Love all of it.

Do it.

 

[jrhwdw]

It would be sad/ironic if EU had the issue that SWL had at DL when it opened, namely, the hype that it would be so mobbed that the mobs stay away.

I know Mobs are not Fun but I would like to EU get off to a Great Start!

UOR and WDW are so close to an Amazing Summer 2025!! Let's hope nothing changes!!!....

Hopefully, EU's light Forecast(so far)is not effecting WDW's 2025 Start Dates.........

 

[Mike C]

From tm frirnds. Yes monsters unchained is spiderman level changing without the screens. Also the goal of ticketing is to not flood epic and spread it out. Tom is unsurprisingly misinterpreting things.

 

[Gusey]

Tom being the same person to spend an hour ranting about how Epic is going to be a failure based on Universal announcing their partnership with Nintendo 2 years before SNW at Japan was announced. I don't think I ever heard him say anything positive about Universal simply because it's not Disney

 

[Sorcerer Mickey]

I know Harry Potter VR broomstick attraction was planned for Epic Universe and Creature from the Black lagoon boat ride. I know Creature from the Black Lagoon boat ride is now one of the rumored things for Epic Universe's phase 2

Completely forgot about the VR broomstick ride, but my understanding for Black Lagoon was that it was always planned for phase 2.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Also the goal of ticketing is to not flood epic and spread it out. Tom is unsurprisingly misinterpreting things.

He acknowledges this in his video and even agrees with it lol.

That being said, I don’t. I have zero reason to believe that NBCUniversal doesn’t want crowds, especially with lowered hotel rates.