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

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

The lack of a giant in-the-park icon which has a large area in front of which to view it has haunted USO in that they didn't have the space for a big nighttime show like a MK.

In trying to create such a thing with Hogwart's projection shows is severely hampered by lack of space.

EU seems created to resolve that problem. Tho... if the main fountain and the fireworks are meant to go together in sync, then that whole area between the fountain and hotel forces guests to face one or the other.

Mmm That's a clever observation... perhaps it makes sense then that way the hotel entrance side won't be a clustered viewing hub..I also think the closer you are to the hotel the less you could see the fireworks.

 

[celluloid]

Mmm That's a clever observation... perhaps it makes sense then that way the hotel entrance side won't be a clustered viewing hub..I also think the closer you are to the hotel the less you could see the fireworks.

The Hotel was designed in a similar was so that the most expensive rooms get a view of park and its nighttime entertainment, akin to Tokyo Disney Sea's Mira Costa.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The Hotel was designed in a similar was so that the most expensive rooms get a view of park and its nighttime entertainment, akin to Tokyo Disney Sea's Mira Costa.

The one side that faces the fireworks is also facing the parking lot and hiway.

The other side faces the park and fountain. No fireworks for them.

 

[TalkToEthan]

No fireworks for them.

 

[SpectreJordan]

My point was that the average in-park Disney meal is light years better than what's offered at Universal, and that's not because the average Disney food is anything exceptionally good. It's that what Universal offers is unbelievably bad -- the food in the Simpsons area, e.g., was truly one of the worst things I've ever tried to eat in my life. The in-park stuff at Disney is at least edible and relatively acceptable -- for the most part; there's some really bad food in-park food at WDW too but it's not as widespread as at Universal.

That said, I personally don't eat much in the parks at Disney either since Disney Springs generally has much better food.

The last time I went to HHN I forced myself to eat some crappy snack because all of the other options are even worse. I really hope Universal can step up their food game in the US.

The Mario food options in Japan look pretty good. Bring that stuff here too.

 

[SplashJacket]

The last time I went to HHN I forced myself to eat some crappy snack because all of the other options are even worse. I really hope Universal can step up their food game in the US.

The Mario food options in Japan look pretty good. Bring that stuff here too.

Food was good in Hollywood’s Nintendo.

 

[JT3000]

The last time I went to HHN I forced myself to eat some crappy snack because all of the other options are even worse. I really hope Universal can step up their food game in the US.

The Mario food options in Japan look pretty good. Bring that stuff here too.

I think HHN has some pretty decent snacks at the food stands, although some are better than others, and they're definitely overpriced for the portions you get (at least give me some fries with my $14 slider-sized burger.) Minion Cafe is now open during HHN for those wanting something more akin to a proper meal. I say this because it has good food but also suffers from small portion sizes in my limited experience (I had the good but tiny salmon.)

 

[Sorcerer Mickey]

The last time I went to HHN I forced myself to eat some crappy snack because all of the other options are even worse. I really hope Universal can step up their food game in the US.

The Mario food options in Japan look pretty good. Bring that stuff here too.

Absolutely. I went to HHN in 2022 understanding food and drinks would be themed to zombies and such. They might have gone a little too far. Nothing was appetizing in the slightest and I ended up not eating or drinking anything the whole night.

 

[Andrew25]

WDW gets complaints about portion sizes/pricing, but Universal is far worse in this category. Worse service, lesser quality, and is typically $1-3 more expensive than a comparable item at WDW. ($10.99 at WDW, $12.49 at UO for chicken tenders).

For HHN, there are a few excellent options, but they make Food & Wine look like a value. The only decent option last year was the cordyceps corn dog as it was massive and always well-cooked and the pizza fries were consistently great.

 

[celluloid]

The other side faces the park and fountain. No fireworks for them.

Good thing there are options for those guests.

 

[sedati]

After leaving the world behind we pass through an archway leading to a retail and food area with a towering central structure in the distance beckoning us forward. Arriving at a center park we are surrounded by smaller beacons or weenies specific to the themed lands that await us. After a day of exploring we return to the center park to watch firework show over the main icon before being ushered out through the same dining and retail area we entered.

I forget where I've seen this layout before.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Good thing there are options for those guests.

The gallows or firing squad.

Options!!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Citricos...wow would Orlando end up having two Citricos lol!

Oops, I meant Cassini's not Citrico's

 

[celluloid]

The gallows or firing squad.

Options!!

You think being a guest at a hotel and having a view of fireworks from your room or from other vantage points like an observation on top of a hotel you are staying at in the middle of a theme park is equivalent to that. You're lavender blue silly silly.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

The Hotel was designed in a similar was so that the most expensive rooms get a view of park and its nighttime entertainment, akin to Tokyo Disney Sea's Mira Costa.

Yes! Except what will be interesting is those in the hotel in their rooms, windows, observation deck (if one can face the back) or else if stand outside other side of building will get the closest firework views... sure you'll see them from the park but usually traditionally it's at the park your the closest!

 

[celluloid]

Yes! Except what will be interesting is those in the hotel in their rooms, windows, observation deck (if one can face the back) or else if stand outside other side of building will get the closest firework views... sure you'll see them from the park but usually traditionally it's at the park your the closest!

A couple important things, don't go by just the concept art, and we are used to "traditionally" WDW and a seasonal Disneyland.

As stated this is very similar to the Mira Costa format, but actually much better than what Tokyo Disney can do with the fireworks spot.

 

[MisterPenguin]

You think being a guest at a hotel and having a view of fireworks from your room or from other vantage points like an observation on top of a hotel you are staying at in the middle of a theme park is equivalent to that. You're lavender blue silly silly.

If you're in the hotel, you have to chose between lavender blue or lavender green. You're in between the fountain and the fireworks, you can't see both at the same time. (And if there are projections on the hotel, you can't see that at all if you're *in* the hotel).

And if you're in between the fountain and the hotel, you can't see the fireworks and the fountain at the same time.

(Presuming the fountain will be synced with the fireworks.)

It's like being by the carousel in MK during the fireworks. You can't see the projections. If you want to see both the projections and the fireworks, you have to be in the hub.

 

[celluloid]

If you're in the hotel, you have to chose between lavender blue or lavender green. You're in between the fountain and the fireworks, you can't see both at the same time. (And if there are projections on the hotel, you can't see that at all if you're *in* the hotel).

And if you're in between the fountain and the hotel, you can't see the fireworks and the fountain at the same time.

(Presuming the fountain will be synced with the fireworks.)

It's like being by the carousel in MK during the fireworks. You can't see the projections. If you want to see both the projections and the fireworks, you have to be in the hub.

These, are surely the struggles of the gallows or firing squad.

You can be in the park and see it all, or you can be in a hotel and get the level of show you want to get from room or observation decks.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Might not be a good idea to criticize things based on assumptions.

 

[surfsupdon]

What do we know about expected hotel benefits, contracts etc, especially with fine print?
Will the original three premiers get Express at Epic?
Are they building a new premier? Can that premier get Express at the original parks? Or would it be only at Epic?

I remember reading at some point there was a contract for 3 hotels with express and that was it. Not sure if that’s from the fandom or if it’s a fact.