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

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Epic Universe in acreage is pretty standard with other parks... BUT it doesn't have "dead zones" like a large central lagoon like at IOA/Epcot or a bunch of random empty pathways/buildings like at DHS. It's pretty close to Disneyland/MK with attractions/venues located in every single corner.

That’s not gonna stop praetorians from trashing the place while attempting to look “unbiased”

 

[JT3000]

Epic Universe in acreage is pretty standard with other parks... BUT it doesn't have "dead zones" like a large central lagoon like at IOA/Epcot or a bunch of random empty pathways/buildings like at DHS. It's pretty close to Disneyland/MK with attractions/venues located in every single corner.

I feel like the expansion pads need to be used before we can say this. I mean there's literally two large areas in the park's midsection that will be unaccounted for on opening day. There's also the matter of the hotel in the back, which one could easily argue is a waste of valuable park space.

 

[Andrew25]

I feel like the expansion pads need to be used before we can say this. I mean there's literally two large areas in the park's midsection that will be unaccounted for on opening day. There's also the matter of the hotel in the back, which one could easily argue is a waste of valuable park space.

Ignoring the expansion pads, it's still a very compact/filled-in park maximizing every space for some form of guest use.

Also, not sure why everyone is insistent that bigger lands are better than smaller ones. Diagon is arguably better than SWGE as a land, and it's half the size.

I don't think the hotel is a waste of space, considering it's going to be a beautiful structure/backdrop. This park is opening with MORE attractions than DAK currently has, so not sure why we're worried about wasting park space.

This is a park opening with 5 solid E-Ticket attractions from the start, not too mention the flats/shows/smaller attractions.

 

[JT3000]

Ignoring the expansion pads, it's still a very compact/filled-in park maximizing every space for some form of guest use.

Also, not sure why everyone is insistent that bigger lands are better than smaller ones. Diagon is arguably better than SWGE as a land, and it's half the size.

I don't think the hotel is a waste of space, considering it's going to be a beautiful structure/backdrop. This park is opening with MORE attractions than DAK currently has, so not sure why we're worried about wasting park space.

This is a park opening with 5 solid E-Ticket attractions from the start, not too mention the flats/shows/smaller attractions.

I probably won't be fully content with the state of the park until the expansion pads get filled in. It's just one of those things I can't ignore. That's a lot of unused space.

Not sure where there was a debate on bigger lands vs. smaller ones, but the obvious advantage of having a larger land is having more experiences. Does this guarantee the land will be better? No, but more content is typically a good thing versus having less content.

What's better than a beautiful backdrop? Attractions. Attractions with nice facades.

This park is opening with MORE attractions than DAK currently has

 

[TalkToEthan]

Epic Universe in acreage is pretty standard with other parks... BUT it doesn't have "dead zones" like a large central lagoon like at IOA/Epcot or a bunch of random empty pathways/buildings like at DHS. It's pretty close to Disneyland/MK with attractions/venues located in every single corner.

Agreed on all points.

The park will have no “downtime” or fillers slapping us upside our heads with over the top themes at every step.

I’m betting the entire park- every square foot of guest area- will have Diagon/Hogmead/Carsland/Pandora/Galaxy level visuals and meaningful venues.

 

[Andrew25]

I probably won't be fully content with the state of the park until the expansion pads get filled in. It's just one of those things I can't ignore. That's a lot of unused space.

Wouldn't that be the state of every single theme park in existence? As fans, we always want areas of the park to be filled in/improved/expanded/etc.

Obviously, we all want more rides, shows, and lands... but this park is opening with a SOLID opening lineup, probably the best since DisneySea first opened with attraction AND park lands quality.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I probably won't be fully content with the state of the park until the expansion pads get filled in. It's just one of those things I can't ignore. That's a lot of unused space.

Not sure where there was a debate on bigger lands vs. smaller ones, but the obvious advantage of having a larger land is having more experiences. Does this guarantee the land will be better? No, but more content is typically a good thing versus having less content.

What's better than a beautiful backdrop? Attractions. Attractions with nice facades.

“Experiences”….


…yeah…that’s an automatic rejection there

 

[trr1]

I probably won't be fully content with the state of the park until the expansion pads get filled in. It's just one of those things I can't ignore. That's a lot of unused space.

Not sure where there was a debate on bigger lands vs. smaller ones, but the obvious advantage of having a larger land is having more experiences. Does this guarantee the land will be better? No, but more content is typically a good thing versus having less content.

What's better than a beautiful backdrop? Attractions. Attractions with nice facades.

do you feel the same bout Epcot? It has I believe 6 expansion plots please correct me if I am wrong

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

do you feel the same bout Epcot? It has I believe 6 expansion plots please correct me if I am wrong

…more than that…and they fully wasted a couple too

But Epcot is DISNEY…key difference

 

[wdwfan4ver]

There's also the matter of the hotel in the back, which one could easily argue is a waste of valuable park space.

Do you think there is wasted space at Tokyo Disney Sea?

I am asking that because Tokyo Disney Sea has a hotel inside the theme park just like Epic Universe does.

…more than that…and they fully wasted a couple too

But Epcot is DISNEY…key difference

Not a big surprise in bias.

 

[JT3000]

Wouldn't that be the state of every single theme park in existence? As fans, we always want areas of the park to be filled in/improved/expanded/etc.

Obviously, we all want more rides, shows, and lands... but this park is opening with a SOLID opening lineup, probably the best since DisneySea first opened with attraction AND park lands quality.

No. Look at an overhead shot of IOA. Not counting the already built-out areas currently awaiting replacement, it only has one small space left to actually expand. Disneyland is filled to the brim as well, although it feels like they always find new ways to fill it even more. USH is pretty built-out considering the terrible spot it was built in. Leaving parks woefully underbuilt is mainly a WDW thing.

“Experiences”….


…yeah…that’s an automatic rejection there

do you feel the same bout Epcot? It has I believe 6 expansion plots please correct me if I am wrong

Yep.

Do you think there is wasted space at Tokyo Disney Sea?

I am asking that because Tokyo Disney Sea has a hotel inside the theme park just like Epic Universe does.

Somewhat, but to a much lesser degree, because of where it's situated. It's essentially replacing the park's entrance plaza, which is not prime real estate like the back of a park is. The backside of Epic Universe is a massive area... that's entirely taken up by a hotel with a large lake behind it.

Not a big surprise in bias.

Are you referring to me? Because I almost never leave the Universal section of the forum, so me being Disney biased would be a funny plot twist.

 

[Rich Brownn]

They are above the panel and project down onto it correct?

Yup. The panels diffuse it enough to look like a projections.

 

[Rich Brownn]

I probably won't be fully content with the state of the park until the expansion pads get filled in. It's just one of those things I can't ignore. That's a lot of unused space.

Not sure where there was a debate on bigger lands vs. smaller ones, but the obvious advantage of having a larger land is having more experiences. Does this guarantee the land will be better? No, but more content is typically a good thing versus having less content.

What's better than a beautiful backdrop? Attractions. Attractions with nice facades.

At least Epic didn't block off expansion areas like WDW Magic Kingdom did by putting attractions in the way. At least there is areas open for expansion but it won't be visible from Celestial Park

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Are you referring to me? Because I almost never leave the Universal section of the forum, so me being Disney biased would be a funny plot twist.

No.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Do you think there is wasted space at Tokyo Disney Sea?

I am asking that because Tokyo Disney Sea has a hotel inside the theme park just like Epic Universe does.

Or euro…which is a great park entrance

Not a big surprise in bias.

No I assure you…it’s very “clever”..,we’ve never seen rejection of a competitor’s stuff before it opens due to memories of riding Mr toad 30 years ago..I swear

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No. Look at an overhead shot of IOA. Not counting the already built-out areas currently awaiting replacement, it only has one small space left to actually expand. Disneyland is filled to the brim as well, although it feels like they always find new ways to fill it even more. USH is pretty built-out considering the terrible spot it was built in. Leaving parks woefully underbuilt is mainly a WDW thing.

I think Comcast has the ability to revamp the other parks significantly…if they decide to keep going with investment? Big IF

“Experience” is a term cultivated by Disney to separate the actual value from the product in an attempt to separate your money from your wallet.
It’s worked brilliantly…too.

Somewhat, but to a much lesser degree, because of where it's situated. It's essentially replacing the park's entrance plaza, which is not prime real estate like the back of a park is. The backside of Epic Universe is a massive area... that's entirely taken up by a hotel with a large lake behind it.

I don’t think the current plan is to really expand the footprint? But that doesn’t mean they can’t flesh it out. It’s the size of Epcot I believe?

Are you referring to me? Because I almost never leave the Universal section of the forum, so me being Disney biased would be a funny plot twist.

I’ll retract my “pre-judgment” then…but you seem rather salty about EU?

I don’t know…it’s the biggest development in Orlando since the dak area…not the park…the whole area.

Pretty impressive/ambitious. Gotta give street cred for that.

 

[JT3000]

I don’t think the current plan is to really expand the footprint? But that doesn’t mean they can’t flesh it out. It’s the size of Epcot I believe?

It's not nearly that big. According to the image posted by Penguin, it's roughly the same size as Magic Kingdom, and that's only if you count all of EU's expansion pads (but not the hotel.)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It's not nearly that big. According to the image posted by Penguin, it's roughly the same size as Magic Kingdom, and that's only if you count all of EU's expansion pads (but not the hotel.)

Still…magic kingdom ain’t “small”…

Let’s see how it plays?

 

[JustInTime]

I saw some rumored HTTRD concept art and it looks like a downgraded Toy Story land???

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I saw some rumored HTTRD concept art and it looks like a downgraded Toy Story land???

I imagine they’d not build it if they had it to do over again?