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

[drkarcher22]

If I had a complaint I don’t love that at certain points on the ride you can see the back side of the facades of buildings. The launch part is pretty bad but at least I can give it some slack since it’s on the border of the area and right next to Cody Rhodes racer, but the part where you see the back of Mead hall and it’s just a facade is really not great

 

[DCBaker]

Nintendo has a new walkthrough of Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan (officially opening December 11, 2024):

 

[EatSalsa]

^That's awesome. It does show a brief POV of the ride, just the main lift hill. I was about to turn it off cause I don't want to be spoiled, luckily it ended there. Looks like fun!

 

[DCBaker]

 

[DarkMetroid567]

If I had a complaint I don’t love that at certain points on the ride you can see the back side of the facades of buildings. The launch part is pretty bad but at least I can give it some slack since it’s on the border of the area and right next to Cody Rhodes racer, but the part where you see the back of Mead hall and it’s just a facade is really not great

That’s been Universal’s MO for a long time and the outdoor rides at Epic look no different. But imo it’s not a huge deal.

 

[networkpro]

I love how Universal is actually following through with thier plussing of the areas, hopefully not like the rat trap down the road that just does things for press parties and then immediately abandons them.

 

[drkarcher22]

Nintendo has a new walkthrough of Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan (officially opening December 11, 2024):

I love the mural in the queue of the original Donkey Kong game. Also that must feel so surreal for Miyamoto walking through multiple areas based off a video game that he helped create forty years ago

 

[ParkPeeker]

Nintendo has a new walkthrough of Donkey Kong Country at Universal Studios Japan (officially opening December 11, 2024):

Didn’t think I’d be this excited for a Donkey Kong land but that looks straight out of DKCR, wow! I want a pic with DK!

 

[cheezbat]

I’ve heard through the grapevine that Super Nintendo World may be fast-tracking an expansion to open a year or so after Epic Universe opens.

 

[MisterPenguin]

I’ve heard through the grapevine that Super Nintendo World may be fast-tracking an expansion to open a year or so after Epic Universe opens.

Have you heard where Comcast is going to get the cash to do that with all the other rumored new lands throughout all three parks?

 

[Andrew25]

I’ve heard through the grapevine that Super Nintendo World may be fast-tracking an expansion to open a year or so after Epic Universe opens.

Alicia Stella (and others) have been saying this for about 2 years now. Nothing new.

While I'd love Epic Universe to get an immediate expansion, the two current parks (especially USF) need to be prioritized.

Have you heard where Comcast is going to get the cash to do that with all the other rumored new lands throughout all three parks?

Epic (along with some of the other UDE ventures in the works) has put a strain on the company, but resources and cash should start to free up relatively soon.

I still believe Comcast is interested in continued investment at their parks, it's just a matter of which projects they end up prioritizing.

 

[OG Runner]

If I had a complaint I don’t love that at certain points on the ride you can see the back side of the facades of buildings. The launch part is pretty bad but at least I can give it some slack since it’s on the border of the area and right next to Cody Rhodes racer, but the part where you see the back of Mead hall and it’s just a facade is really not great

Two small points. That was an aerial view of the ride. You may not be able to see the back side or facades of any buildings.
Even when Hagrid's was testing, you could see a building and they painted it to help it blend in. Also, even though they are testing the ride, it is a long way from be completed.

 

[Andrew25]

Two small points. That was an aerial view of the ride. You may not be able to see the back side or facades of any buildings.
Even when Hagrid's was testing, you could see a building and they painted it to help it blend in. Also, even though they are testing the ride, it is a long way from be completed.

To be fair, there are still buildings & utilities easily visible throughout Hagrid's... both onboard and offride.

As for HTTYD coaster, as of right the backside of Mead Hall will be quite easily seen on the ride, similar to how you see a few BoH buildings on Slinky Dog. It's just for a few seconds, not the end of the world, but it's annoying they couldn't add more scenery to block (like the giant fence).

I do think this park will offer the strongest collection of rides, but thematically it's far from the level of Animal Kingdom or DisneySea.

 

[TalkToEthan]

but thematically it's far from the level of Animal Kingdom or DisneySea.

As for fronts, strictly talking facades here……I bet Epic will be just as good thematically as Disney Sea on a pound for pound, inch for inch basis

It’s just that Disney Sea will still enjoy so much more depth and size compared to Epic.


AK as far as I’m concerned is nowhere near the theme levels as Disney Sea——AK impresses no doubt but it ain’t no TDS

 

[andre85]

AK as far as I’m concerned is nowhere near the theme levels as Disney Sea——AK impresses no doubt but it ain’t no TDS

I truly don't see how one can say Epic Universe will rival Disney Sea thematically, and in the same breath say Animal Kingdom does not. At the bare minimum, there's a level of cohesion and authenticity to AK as a whole Epic Universe will not be able to even begin to approach from what I can tell, and I think could be argued as meeting, if not exceeding DisneySea as well, especially with how perfectly it blends nature with manmade creations.

 

[TalkToEthan]

I truly don't see how one can say Epic Universe will rival Disney Sea thematically,

I said **fronts** only——you remark as if I’m talking about all thematic facets to a park

Furthermore I’m placing a bet on what I wrote and we’ll have to wait to see if this over the top Epic theming will materialize

 

[Stripes]

I said **fronts** only——you remark as if I’m talking about all thematic facets to a park

Furthermore I’m placing a bet on what I wrote and we’ll have to wait to see if this over the top Epic theming will materialize

What do you mean by “fronts?”

Front entrance?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Epic (along with some of the other UDE ventures in the works) has put a strain on the company, but resources and cash should start to free up relatively soon.

I still believe Comcast is interested in continued investment at their parks, it's just a matter of which projects they end up prioritizing.

They’re still interested in investing but they also really want to get costs under control.

 

[JT3000]

I truly don't see how one can say Epic Universe will rival Disney Sea thematically, and in the same breath say Animal Kingdom does not. At the bare minimum, there's a level of cohesion and authenticity to AK as a whole Epic Universe will not be able to even begin to approach from what I can tell, and I think could be argued as meeting, if not exceeding DisneySea as well, especially with how perfectly it blends nature with manmade creations.

Can we at least wait until the part of DAK that resembles a parking lot has actually been replaced before dumping heaps of hyperbole onto it?

 

[JoeCamel]

Have you heard where Comcast is going to get the cash to do that with all the other rumored new lands throughout all three parks?

They will sell the cable operation