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

MisterPenguin

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
Disstevefan1 said:
There are simply ANTI Universal folks and there always be, just like there are ANTI SeaWorld folks. These folks are ANTI just to be ANTI and thats ok, they are Disney only fans.
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Good thing there are no ANTI Disney people being ANTI Disney just to be ANTI. Certainly haven't seen any of that on these forums.

;)
 
Minnesota disney fan

Minnesota disney fan

Well-Known Member
MrPromey said:
I'm not saying a big chunk of Disney folks are also going to Universal but I think a high percentage of people coming from out of state that are going to Universal are also going to Disney for part of that stay.

Based on annual attendance difference between the two resorts, it's easy for both of those two things I just said to be true at the same time.

Also, to counter your self-admitted anecdotal evidence, I'll provide some of my own admittedly worthless anecdotal evedence not based on my circle of friends but from experience as a local in Universal parks: As a top level AP holder at Universal which includes Express Pass after 4, I see the crowd levels regularly and the impacts that Express Pass has on the regular lines both when it's open to the small percentage who pay for it and for the people who get it for "free" at Universal's deluxe resorts.

Most days at most attractions, it's a drop in the bucket until 4 when riffraff like me are allowed to use it so no, while their hotel presence has increased and their most discounted resorts don't have that perk, I don't think a majority of people visiting Universal parks are staying on Universal property, just like most people visiting WDW are not staying on Disney property, either. (and if you doubt that, ask yourself how all those hotels on I-4 between the two manage to stay in business - it's not off Sea World and the Ripley's Museum)

While I'm sure there are people staying at Universal for better accommodation at lower rates who also take advantage of that express pass perk for their days at Universal parks, I think you'd be hard pressed to find many that are spending more than three days at Universal for the parks there (today). Really, if they have the all-day express pass, a lot may not do more than two and the idea that there are a large percentage of people flying or driving in from out of state to spend a long weekend at Universal and leave doesn't feel like it lines up very well with the way either time off in this country or the financials for that kind of travel work out for most people.

Tacking on a visit at either location while in town for a convention is another story, of course but again, to recap: I doubt most people coming to Orlando for Disney are also planning to visit Universal while they're here. Otherwise, attendance at Universal parks would be through the roof but I absolutely believe a decent chunk of people who visit Universal also visit WDW. I'm not saying 100% but the number is probably closer to 50% than you're imagining since you'd need to be talking to people who weren't necessarily also Disney-first in mindset to get that impression.*


*I bet with international travel, the percentages are a good deal higher, too.
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We just stayed at Universal for 5 days, and it was not enough to do everything. We don't run from ride to ride, but take our time and actually look at the amazing architecture in Universal. The various stores are fun to see too. They have items that are unique to that area. We can wander around and ride what we want to , when we want to, and eat where we want to eat. Of course the pools are a nice diversion and a place to rest in the sun. Then there is City Walk and the other resorts to explore.
So I think the old saying that people don't usually stay more than 2 or 3 days at Universal might be wrong, or at least changing at this time.
 
Earlie the Pearlie

Earlie the Pearlie

Well-Known Member
fall125 said:
I really hope Universal leans into attracting adults as well as children with Epic Universe. I would like some good bars in the new restaurants and in the hotel. Adults should have fun just as much as the kids -- just ask my father who took me many times to WDW in 80s and early 90s.
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Then you’ll like the Burning Blade Tavern, a bar inside of a perpetually burning windmill!

Agree with your points about the monsters; they could be much worse. I mean, have you people SEEN Hotel Transylvania? Frankenstein in particular looks awesome here.
 
C

celluloid

Well-Known Member
Earlie the Pearlie said:
Then you’ll like the Burning Blade Tavern, a bar inside of a perpetually burning windmill!

Agree with your points about the monsters; they could be much worse. I mean, have you people SEEN Hotel Transylvania? Frankenstein in particular looks awesome here.
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Anyone who has been going to HHN since 2019 with a few scattered past haunts knows that Uni updates the monsters awesomely.
 
nickys

nickys

Premium Member
celluloid said:
With three attractions, dining and entertainment with an abstract but cohesive theme I think it is fair that they do.
Discovery Island and Hollywood Blvd, Port of Entry, Main Street USA at Disney do the same with less.

Two E tickets and a flat ride alone it would have already surpassed what Toy Story Land offers. It is complimented with small things like fountains and splash pads to explore.
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There’s only one E ticket isn’t there? They mentioned three experiences- carousel (“like you’ve never seen before” - ie: themed to constellations), splash pad and a coaster.

But fair enough. I guess it’s just they hyped it so much - an entrance “like no other theme park”. Epcot has Spaceship Earth - I think that’s more stunning personally.
 
Lil Copter Cap

Lil Copter Cap

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
Not really but the land would make more sense with its second ride.
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I'm uncertain of what you're saying, but making the decision to throw an already designed ride based not on the French Ministry of Magic, but rather the British Ministry of Magic with the likes of the original trio (Harry, Ron, Hermione) in a land from a film franchise (Fantastic Beasts) that ended up not doing as well as projected is literally what happened.

Are you inferring the land will make sense with the second attraction for EU? That I agree with.
But the time and location travel of the Ministry of Magic attraction is lazy and not within the rules of this IP.

People split hairs on story and narrative all the time with Disney and I'm not about to let it slide just because Universal has a shiny new theme park.
 
lazyboy97o

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
nickys said:
There’s only one E ticket isn’t there? They mentioned three experiences- carousel (“like you’ve never seen before” - ie: themed to constellations), splash pad and a coaster.
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If you look closely at the video you’ll see that the carousel is different beyond just its theme.

Lil Copter Cap said:
I'm uncertain of what you're saying, but making the decision to throw an already designed ride based not on the French Ministry of Magic, but rather the British Ministry of Magic with the likes of the original trio (Harry, Ron, Hermione) in a land from a film franchise (Fantastic Beasts) that ended up not doing as well as projected is literally what happened.

Are you inferring the land will make sense with the second attraction for EU? That I agree with.
But the time and location travel of the Ministry of Magic attraction is lazy and not within the rules of this IP.

People split hairs on story and narrative all the time with Disney and I'm not about to let it slide just because Universal has a shiny new theme park.
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It is not what literally happened.
 
UNCgolf

UNCgolf

Well-Known Member
lazyboy97o said:
If you look closely at the video you’ll see that the carousel is different beyond just its theme.
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It's definitely different than a standard carousel but I wouldn't call it an E ticket, unless it's going to do a lot more than what they've indicated thus far.
 
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sonoma15

sonoma15

Well-Known Member
imagineer97 said:
Could someone elaborate on what the other Potter attraction was going to be in EU?
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It would've been a Fantastic Beasts themed VR broomstick adventure through Paris. The concept sounded very similar to the Twilight: Midnight Ride attraction at Lionsgate Entertainment World. Rumor is that the ride was cancelled because the amount of staff needed to operate the attraction would've been very costly. Also I think they weren't 100% down with the idea of putting a VR attraction into the park.
 
C

celluloid

Well-Known Member
nickys said:
There’s only one E ticket isn’t there? They mentioned three experiences- carousel (“like you’ve never seen before” - ie: themed to constellations), splash pad and a coaster.

But fair enough. I guess it’s just they hyped it so much - an entrance “like no other theme park”. Epcot has Spaceship Earth - I think that’s more stunning personally.
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The coasters are both large in scale, and are different layouts.(if they are identical than that is one) So I was giving them two E-tickets on that one. It is not like the coasters are exact mirror image layouts? Even if you give it one E-ticket for those two coaster layouts, its on par with what Toy Storyland brought in. This entire area is brand new and Toy Story Mania was only in Toy Story Land because it was over a decade old and they built it next to its show building with a new entrance.
The carrousel also has no roof connection, themed to constellations as you say and interacts more like Swirling Saucers with elapsing spirals more than a carousel.
And of course the buzz script will always be like no other theme park, because every park has unique qualities. I too don't think SSE has ever really been topped in terms of entrance statement attractions, but even the original Communicore it was the only ride attraction.

I get it if one thinks Celestial Park is overhyped, but it definitely has enough substance to be a land.
 
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trr1

trr1

Well-Known Member
Minnesota disney fan said:
We just stayed at Universal for 5 days, and it was not enough to do everything. We don't run from ride to ride, but take our time and actually look at the amazing architecture in Universal. The various stores are fun to see too. They have items that are unique to that area. We can wander around and ride what we want to , when we want to, and eat where we want to eat. Of course the pools are a nice diversion and a place to rest in the sun. Then there is City Walk and the other resorts to explore.
So I think the old saying that people don't usually stay more than 2 or 3 days at Universal might be wrong, or at least changing at this time.
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my last stay was 10 days at Universal we did 1 day at Disney Springs
 
Rich Brownn

Rich Brownn

Well-Known Member
UniversalIsMid98 said:
Aside from that, kind of wished they would have built an area themed to Shrek's Far Far Away instead of an area based on a spin-off of a beloved movie franchise like Fantastic Beasts where the third movie flopped like crazy, yeah, I know Shrek isn't the biggest animated franchise anymore(especially with Shrek the Third(and to some, Shrek Forever After) being a cinematic afterthought to moviegoers) and the Dragons series was the more constant of the DreamWorks bunch, but that franchise suddenly had a resurgence lately thanks to Puss in Boots: The Last Wish being a hit with pretty much everyone, as for Fantastic Beasts, that is on pause indefinitely, but that won't stop Universal(and the license holdovers to the Wizarding World franchise) from giving us Ministry of Magic

PS: I've heard that it was rumored to sit alongside Diagon Alley at Studios, so I hope the space that used to be Fear Factor Live(where the Fantastic Beasts land was rumored to be) will eventually see more love or redevelop it to finally get a Floridian clone of the Pets ride from Hollywood after Epic Universe opens(probably not)
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Not sure how you get $500+ million gross on a $130 million budget is a flop....
 
Andrew25

Andrew25

Well-Known Member
The quality of the attractions and lands will be amazing... the one thing I question and the final "step" is in-park operations. Universal isn't the best, still stuck in the regional park mindset, hoping this year and next they can improve.

Universal Creative has matched Imagineering, every other department... not so much.
 

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