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

[sedati]

As a huge coaster fan (farewell Rip Ride Rocket) I'm worried about reports that Stardust is rougher than Velocicoaster- a ride I was not expecting to be rattled on so much. Also some have said Donkey Kong seems to shudder after turns due to the unique ride system. Coasters don't tend to get smoother over time. The DK comments are distressing as it is basically a prototype and this may be indicative of long term problems (Do we know why Japan was delayed?)

Stardust as a coaster looks fun and a must ride though it is basically a Six-Flags attraction in execution. (Actually, Six Flags will destroy this with "Falcon's Flight")

Werewolf- should be fun, but short and covered in nets.

Mine Cart- a curiosity mostly- worth a try as it is a novel concept.

Hiccups- A fine looking family coaster with what looks like an odd 50/50 split between great theming and show elements and theme-shattering site-lines and... more nets.

 

[Agent H]

Makes sense, they have to please the companies that are licensing out the IP.

Doesn’t excuse it. If anything we should be thankful Rowling and Nintendo have such high standards.

 

[JoeCamel]

I'm just going to blame Harry Potter for taking up budget/time/space again and call it a day because I don't like it /s.

Wow dude I think you need to seek help for that condition or unleash your heart

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

As a huge coaster fan (farewell Rip Ride Rocket) I'm worried about reports that Stardust is rougher than Velocicoaster- a ride I was not expecting to be rattled on so much. Also some have said Donkey Kong seems to shudder after turns due to the unique ride system. Coasters don't tend to get smoother over time. The DK comments are distressing as it is basically a prototype and this may be indicative of long term problems (Do we know why Japan was delayed?)

Stardust as a coaster looks fun and a must ride though it is basically a Six-Flags attraction in execution. (Actually, Six Flags will destroy this with "Falcon's Flight")

Werewolf- should be fun, but short and covered in nets.

Mine Cart- a curiosity mostly- worth a try as it is a novel concept.

Hiccups- A fine looking family coaster with what looks like an odd 50/50 split between great theming and show elements and theme-shattering site-lines and... more nets.

Roughness is a function of wheel maintenance and for a coaster this new nothing to do with the track itself. I’ve had rough rides and smooth rides in the same day on Stardust. If you’re having a rough ride then you just got unlucky and caught a car that will probably get a wheel replacement that night. As far as it being a Six Flags attraction, even in its simplicity I can’t recall a Six Flags coaster anywhere having the level of detail you’ll see on Stardust’s trains, the crispy on-board audio they have, or the impressive interlocking and dueling elements they have. Also weird that we’re just throwing in a comparison to an oil funded pet project literally 7,402 miles from Epic, but I’m sure for all their money the Saudis have at least figured out the sightline issues for their massive coaster in a way Universal couldn’t.

All of this recent conversation, including the past 20 pages of sightline complaints, comes off as very FOTPBTAMTADPFTNSM to me (IYKYK but for the uninitiated that’s ’Fear Of This Park Being Talked About More Than Any Disney Park For The Next Six Months’). That said, I also recognize that my posts in this thread are starting to sound like I’m going off the Universal fanboi deep end, which to an extent is true. I’ll help you breathe a sigh of relief: Epic is not perfect. But Universal is taking the first multi-billion dollar theme park gamble in the U.S. in 25 years, through difficult times to boot, and that’s gotta be worth something. I’m proud to work for this company, and I’m so so appreciative that our leadership team has trusted us and given us so much time to preview this park. It’s a once in a lifetime event, and for anyone that’s had even a small sliver of involvement in getting those gates open it’s given them a strong sense of pride. Epic will be the topic of discussion for the industry this year, but eventually everything will go back to normal. Disney has been and will continue to be the standard bearer, but without Universal Disney would have no reason to improve. If you live or vacation in Central Florida you should always root for the best new parks, lands, and attractions regardless if it’s Universal, Disney, Seaworld, or Fun Spot (I jest) putting them in. It makes everyone else have to be better. Maybe that’s an argument for better sightlines after all.

And just so you don’t think I’ve lost all my marbles and snorted all the new floo powder: I prefer Velocicoaster to Stardust.

 

[Rich Brownn]

No. Deloris Umbridge, who is the main antagonist in the new ride, is a major character in the Movies/Books.

According to the synopsis we are helping Harry, Ron and Hermione track down Umbridge, so I'd assume the characters will be in the ride.

 

[sedati]

I’ll help you breathe a sigh of relief: Epic is not perfect.

Eh?
I'd love it if it were perfect (though who was really expecting "perfect").
I had been rooting for this project and following it from the moment the land acquisition was announced (the first time they acquired it). I love Universal and have been going since it opened.
My fear with this park is that while I don't doubt it will be successful and fun, there could be many bad takeaways from that success just as there could be good.

Nit-picking Universal on the same level as Disney should be taken as praise for what they've achieved. Sea World and Six Flags being spared such a critical eye is not a compliment.

 

[jrhwdw]

 

[Stripes]

That hotel…not a fan. Reminds me of Riviera.

An imposing box that’s unsettlingly asymmetric and ugly with a little bit of lipstick on top.

 

[Moth]

Wow dude I think you need to seek help for that condition or unleash your heart

Well, if we're all gonna die, I have one secret I have to confess.

I did not care for the British wizard books.

Anyways, I hope this park kicks Disney into gear and next D23 shows a commitment to deeper funding put into Florida parks.


And that Berk is fun. Did y'all see the new photos Bio posted today of Berk? I didn't think it was possible for me to get more excited for it.

 

[JoeCamel]

Well, if we're all gonna die, I have one secret I have to confess.

I did not care for the British wizard books.View attachment 848474

Anyways, I hope this park kicks Disney into gear and next D23 shows a commitment to deeper funding put into Florida parks.


And that Berk is fun. Did y'all see the new photos Bio posted today of Berk? I didn't think it was possible for me to get more excited for it.

Maybe that's the difference, I've never read the books but the films and Williams' score was plenty to hook me. Personally I think JKR told the story of WW2 through classic good and evil tropes but it was well done.

 

[sedati]

Well, I won’t pull up all the old posts disavowing my claim that this mediocre monstrosity of a hotel would serve as Icon/weenie/centerpiece/focal-point//heart of this new park, but they were insistent and abundant.

 

[Moth]

Maybe that's the difference, I've never read the books but the films and Williams' score was plenty to hook me. Personally I think JKR told the story of WW2 through classic good and evil tropes but it was well done.

The films never hooked me into, it just wasn't a franchise I could ever get into. I am mildly excited for the circus show because I love me some cute fantasy critters though.

 

[BringMeTheHoriz]

Well, I won’t pull up all the old posts disavowing my claim that this mediocre monstrosity of a hotel would serve as Icon/weenie/centerpiece/focal-point//heart of this new park, but they were insistent and abundant.

While the Chronos is the icon of the park, Helios is a focal point.

 

[Stripes]

I’ve read the Potter books beginning to end about 10 times. Paris does nothing for me. Fantastic Beasts does nothing for me.

The Ministry ride is the one thing I’m excited for. My only concerns are the reliability and the repetitiveness of the same tiles on every single wall. I don’t know who the vendor was for the Ministry tile but they made a fortune off this project.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Well, if we're all gonna die, I have one secret I have to confess.

I did not care for the British wizard books.

They do indeed insist upon themselves.

 

[Moth]

Well, this at least attests to the versatility of Potter as a brand at least, someone like me, who doesn't care about the franchise is interested because of the Beast stuff, and someone who doesn't care about the beasts has the Ministry ride. I think that's pretty cool at least.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

That's interesting to read about those who did not read the books but loved the movies. My husband was like that. He loved the movies. I kept telling him about what was Not in the movies and he got interested in reading the books after that. He is glad he did. Those books started him reading more books. He has never cared for reading books, period. But the HP books started him on the road of experiencing more books. All turned out good All because he read the HP novels.