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

[celluloid]

Why are you surprised its sold out?

Not surprised. I used the term wild as in wild as it is impressive to see it.

No major theme park has ever opened post Disneyland that consistently sold out for that many days consecutively where Employees are also blocked out.

It is a new era. When IOA opened in 1999 the internet was different(Port of Entry had an Email Internet Cafe!)

Wild not but surprising, so it is cool to see. There is no AP add on feature for gratis days. Nearly every guest you see(because for sure there are VIPs somewhere) payed at least a value of 117 bucks to be there, or far more that day. No other opening of a theme park in Central FL since has been able to do this. Sell out without AP add on and many paying 3 day to a week packages.

And as confusing and frustrating as it may have been to wait for day tickets to go on sale, I think it worked for Universal's goal of banking more people onsite with packages.

I also imagine more days are going to sell out. Over two weeks are sold out after opening day, at 17 days and we are still over a month away.

The future may fizzle a bit or economic whoas could happen if people want to speculate that, but there is no doubt that this park is a slam dunk for the resort right now.

 

[celluloid]

For those that did not see it, the hotel rates have gone up a pretty penny. As with the case with travel as it nears, the demand is not low as my room I nabbed for the Helios at the end of last year for two nights Park View are now more than nearly 300 more a night than the spendy they already were. All other room style rates have gone up as well.

 

[Lil Copter Cap]

The future may fizzle a bit or economic whoas could happen if people want to speculate that, but there is no doubt that this park is a slam dunk for the resort right now.

I do think there is doubt to be had (but if only from a financial and demand perspective). We don’t yet know how this will affect attendance at Universal’s existing parks. Even if single-day tickets are sold out for opening and multi-day tickets are selling well, there’s a chance guests are simply shifting their days around, not necessarily increasing overall foot traffic or spend.

We also don't know current attendance capacity limits and if Universal is waiting to release a block day-of or closer to May 22 for those not pre-purchasing tickets. May 22nd is the only day that is currently showing on the calendar as completely blocked for attendance on a single-day and multi-day ticket. (Single day tickets are sold out for ~the first two weeks, but the park itself is not via multi-day tickets).

With this being the first theme park to open domestically at this scale since the creation of modern internet, I think there are too many variables that cast doubt and isn't just a blanket "slam dunk" for Universal.

I'm only coming at this from a financial and demand perspective since it seems to be your main thesis. Is this new park a slam dunk for Universal's portfolio? I'm sure in the long run. For central Floridians? Absolutely.

But for a company that spent upwards of $7-$10 billion on this theme park...the first couple weeks being sold out to only single-day ticket buyers does not a financial or demand slam dunk make, especially when two of the three new hotels are still available for booking during that same initial time frame.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That puts pressure on ride reliability, which is not a great position to be in for a new park.

Overall I am very excited but this is my biggest worry and if on our day we are there MoM or MU (Or God forbid both) are down, not only miss out on doing them but will make the lines for everything else so much worse.

Did already invest in express pass, but just hoping for a "good ride day"

(But if that is my biggest concern. Guess that is a pretty good thing)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

For those that did not see it, the hotel rates have gone up a pretty penny. As with the case with travel as it nears, the demand is not low as my room I nabbed for the Helios at the end of last year for two nights Park View are now more than nearly 300 more a night than the spendy they already were. All other room style rates have gone up as well.

As video is coming out I can definitely see people being willing to pay more for the theme park view rooms specifically

 

[celluloid]

As video is coming out I can definitely see people being willing to pay more for the theme park view rooms specifically

I am sure. Demand must be good all across as the prices have gone up substantially for all rooms.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I do think there is doubt to be had (but if only from a financial and demand perspective). We don’t yet know how this will affect attendance at Universal’s existing parks. Even if single-day tickets are sold out for opening and multi-day tickets are selling well, there’s a chance guests are simply shifting their days around, not necessarily increasing overall foot traffic or spend.

We also don't know current attendance capacity limits and if Universal is waiting to release a block day-of or closer to May 22 for those not pre-purchasing tickets. May 22nd is the only day that is currently showing on the calendar as completely blocked for attendance on a single-day and multi-day ticket. (Single day tickets are sold out for ~the first two weeks, but the park itself is not via multi-day tickets).

With this being the first theme park to open domestically at this scale since the creation of modern internet, I think there are too many variables that cast doubt and isn't just a blanket "slam dunk" for Universal.

I'm only coming at this from a financial and demand perspective since it seems to be your main thesis. Is this new park a slam dunk for Universal's portfolio? I'm sure in the long run. For central Floridians? Absolutely.

But for a company that spent upwards of $7-$10 billion on this theme park...the first couple weeks being sold out to only single-day ticket buyers does not a financial or demand slam dunk make, especially when two of the three new hotels are still available for booking during that same initial time frame.

I think in a vacuum it will be a slam dunk and theme park fans will love it ... But like you said, how will this impact their other parks? And just not sure it will turn it into the week long destination that their leadership said they were wanting - and think a big reason is still not enough for you get kids/"everybody rides" ... Only a couple of the rides are really for the under 10 crowd and just think hard to ask a family to do their entire vacation here when that is the case - bust definitely will see even more people so split stays or add on at least a day to check out the new park, etc

 

[Andrew C]

I think in a vacuum it will be a slam dunk and theme park fans will love it ... But like you said, how will this impact their other parks? And just not sure it will turn it into the week long destination that their leadership said they were wanting - and think a big reason is still not enough for you get kids/"everybody rides" ... Only a couple of the rides are really for the under 10 crowd and just think hard to ask a family to do their entire vacation here when that is the case - bust definitely will see even more people so split stays or add on at least a day to check out the new park, etc

We just did a sole Universal vacation in December with kids ages 6 and 11. And we are highly likely to do another next year for spring break. We are one family they converted. How many more are out there?

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I think in a vacuum it will be a slam dunk and theme park fans will love it ... But like you said, how will this impact their other parks? And just not sure it will turn it into the week long destination that their leadership said they were wanting - and think a big reason is still not enough for you get kids/"everybody rides" ... Only a couple of the rides are really for the under 10 crowd and just think hard to ask a family to do their entire vacation here when that is the case - bust definitely will see even more people so split stays or add on at least a day to check out the new park, etc

Yup. Epic looks like a triumph but it needs to be a financial gamechanger and pull in a crowd that Universal previously hasn’t. I don’t think it’ll rise to that level that the original Wizarding World did, though. Nintendo is Uni’s best bet in that department, but Epic SNW needs to prove much more longevity than the USH version.

I am sure. Demand must be good all across as the prices have gone up substantially for all rooms.

Imo in prior experience there is very little rhyme or reason to Universal’s pricing spikes. And for the week of my visit the pricing of Stella, Aventura, Cabana, and Endless Summer have been largely static for the last two-ish months. Got a good deal in October.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We just did a sole Universal vacation in December with kids ages 6 and 11. And we are highly likely to do another next year for spring break. We are one family they converted. How many more are out there?

Guess we will find out - we went back in 2021 and thought it was fine but really just highlighted how much more we like Disney. We are doing a day at Epic in August (though without the kids)

 

[DarkMetroid567]

We just did a sole Universal vacation in December with kids ages 6 and 11. And we are highly likely to do another next year for spring break. We are one family they converted. How many more are out there?

A ton. But that’s nothing new. I’ve been hearing stuff like that since 2010 (usually bc of lower crowds and price). But the bread and butter isn’t in winning converts — it’s winning people who were never interested in Disney or Universal in the first place. That’s what made WWoHP so brilliant.

Interestingly I’ve encountered a few people planning Disney/Epic vacations. One of them I’ve tried to convince to come to IoA to no avail. That’s almost certainly what Universal doesn’t want.

 

[celluloid]

We just did a sole Universal vacation in December with kids ages 6 and 11. And we are highly likely to do another next year for spring break. We are one family they converted. How many more are out there?

A lot. And you can bet those other parks will be busier not just because of the package deals, but Universal's Team Member base has just grown by thousands across and behind the scenes of a new theme park and hotels.

It is safe to presume on a busier than ever HHN too(even more so than usual), with that much more exposure and pool of guests. We are only four and a half months from that amping up.

 

[celluloid]

A ton. But that’s nothing new. I’ve been hearing stuff like that since 2010 (usually bc of lower crowds and price). But the bread and butter isn’t in winning converts — it’s winning people who were never interested in Disney or Universal in the first place. That’s what made WWoHP so brilliant.

Interestingly I’ve encountered a few people planning Disney/Epic vacations. One of them I’ve tried to convince to come to IoA to no avail. That’s almost certainly what Universal doesn’t want.

While they may not have one over everyone completely yet, them choosing EPIC over day 2, 3 or 4 cost with auxiliary spending lost is something Disney does not want.

 

[BrianLo]

I've also watched a few videos and was in two minds about whether to comment as I think I've been perhaps too much on the negative side in this thread and more than a little repetitive.

My overriding view, though, was confusion about why they seem to go so close toward Disney-level theming and immersion as though that's what they're aiming for, even in the portal concept, but then cut corners all over the place such that it doesn't quite get there. For example, Darkmoor has a lot that looks great, but why build a plain steel rollercoaster surrounded by nets and plain metal fences in the middle of it all? Or why not go all in on the portal concept and build up the berm so that the hotel tower is not looming behind the graveyard inside the entrance?

You've already covered all the many things in Isle of Berk where you think "couldn't they have just...?" In general, why invest so much into what could be a very cool "portal" concept without then putting in the effort to make them work beyond SNW and Wizarding Paris?

At the risk of being repetitive, after watching some videos, Celestial Park is still the area where I am the most puzzled by the excitement it seems to inspire from some. To me, it looks very much like it could be a new hotel, retail, and dining complex in Las Vegas or a Disney Springs-style venture. It is not bad, per se, but in terms of themed entertainment it seems more on a Disney Springs level than a DisneySea level. On that note, it kind of makes sense when people suggest it will become a park where locals would hang out after work and maybe get dinner or a few drinks as it looks like a venue designed for that in a touristy city.

Well, I think I've said too much and been too negative yet again! I am honestly glad that people are finding it lives up to their expectations, though, and just want to reassure you that I am also very negative about a lot of things current Disney is doing, too!

I think there’s for whatever reason an executive culture of not seeing the artistry in their product. For some reason WDI often seem to have a longer leash to advocate against the corners. Maybe it’s because some of them historically have been so long in their positions that they have a bit more power.

When we don’t see it is when there are collaborations (Nintendo, WB on Potter), which suggests to me it seems to be a higher up culture problem. Because a berm really wasn’t breaking the bank, but yet it was.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

While they may not have one over everyone completely yet, them choosing EPIC over day 2, 3 or 4 cost with auxiliary spending lost is something Disney does not want.

Definitely. I just think of the broader implications for both resorts. It makes me wonder if there’s a finite audience for the Orlando resorts and if that’s why Disney has emphasized DCL.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Because a berm really wasn’t breaking the bank, but yet it was.

The park is full of contradictions.

The Monsters steakhouse has beautifully crafted custom chairs for you to sit on, and then you walk outside and see CotW.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Disney spent a lot of money on Euro Disneyland, but the team behind it knew how to make the most of their money

They budgeted for a roof over Main Street. We ended up with arcades because that was actually cheaper and the extra money was spent on making the shops themselves nicer.

They budgeted for a castle as big as the one in Florida, but realized a smaller one would give more money for the inside.

Not needing to have a motor and CM in every boat meant Storybookland could have an actual scene inside the cave.

It's knowing how to maximize the potential of a budget, which WDI and Universal Creative now seem to struggle with. They blow a lot of money on frills, and forget the big picture stuff like sightlines, staging and capacity.

 

[BrianLo]

I’ve logged this before, but in no universe will USO and IOA be ‘busier’ post-Epic. That’s not how new gates work.

A major portion of crowds will be from redistribution and will remain that way for 5-10 years.

To suggest they will be actually sets a silly benchmark of success that is both impossible and not internally what they’d ever expect.

They want resort wide attendance to hit 125-130% of their prior attendance records and slowly reach 150% approaching year 10. The bigger trouble is they might barely hit 115% since the starting line pulled so far back the last two years.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Also, Monsters steakhouse is another cafeteria that looks like a cafeteria.

Not as bad as some of Disney's recent stuff, but still...

They're designed for capacity and efficiently getting people in and out with as few obstructions as possible, with leads to big, bright flat empty rooms and no sense of intimacy or variation in the space as far as scale, lighting and organization.

 

[BrianLo]

Also, Monsters steakhouse is another cafeteria that looks like a cafeteria.

Not as bad as some of Disney's recent stuff, but still...

I’m not looking at any photos, in pure commentary only mode. But I assume you are referencing Connections rather than Docking Bay 7 or the Pandora Cantina? But I guess those are also supposed to be cafeteria’s.