This is Magical, this is Horrific, and this is Epic! TR 8/27-9/7/25, I Did It, Complete 10/19*

[buzzrelly]

Initially our plan was to have dinner at Wailulu Bar and Grill at The Polynesian Resort.

Mike and I did this last week. we had spent the day at MK then left around 3 to get out of the mixing crowds and this was such a good call. We really enjoyed our food and relaxing time.

At this point, we could tell this was a very busy sold out party. Andi and I have a great perspective because we have been doing MNSSHP since 2013 and wow, Disney oversells the parties now.

Totally agree! The walkways were super crowded as well as the trick-or-treat lines, it was kind of aggravating and honestly not really worth the cost we pay. I don't know that we will do it again next year even though I do LOVE that parade.

I finally saw the Hitchhiking ghosts in Frontier Land yay

That's really cool! We didn't see them but we did meet Jack and Sally which was awesome!

The price had come down from a crazy $650 a night to $350

Amazing deal!

The rooms have an IPad that controls everything from lights, curtains, TV, shower (yes, you could turn on the shower from your bed), and talking with the front desk.

this sounds like a good idea until the thing doesn't work and then I can see it being so annoying.

This was fine but with any electronic device problems can arise. I would say not having a TV remote was at times inconvenient. The IPad was a little quirky with the TV.

See? Annoying! haha!

Andi did ride this 6x by herself.

Oh my gosh! Good for her!

It was not unlimited and unfortunately unlike a MB at Disney, Andi couldn’t use my EP on the rides I didn’t go on. The system recognizes your face in the EP line

That stinks. I use Mike's band all the time for his FPs.

This is how close we were to the HP portal from our hotel entrance!

Wow!

The park is amazing, immersive, and visually stunning! Did it give me Disney like feels-NO.

I haven't been yet but I get what you're saying. I feel that way about Universal in general...it just doesn't have my heart and I have zero connection to any of the IP there.

Loved your trip report as always! Thanks for sharing so many amazing trips with us! And don't get hung up on pressure to do another TR but if the spirit moves you we'll all be here with open arms!

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

Just wanted to say I adore your TRs and have always enjoyed reading

 

[disneyAndi14]

Hello There!

Today was our rest day, well what we call a rest day!

We didn’t set an alarm and took our time this morning.

I did make note, we still headed out around 9:15am. Our plan was to spend some time at US before going over to IOA on the Hogwarts Express.

Andi wanted to check out the Wicked exhibit so we headed there first. Here are the witches starting our day. Are we good or bad? you decide!

The hotel is gorgeous! I really like the shower. But I think I would prefer a normal remote for the TV.

It is a beautiful resort and the rooms are lovely, a little smaller than the other premier resorts. I missed an actual TV remote

I can see why they use facial recognition. People would take advantage of something that can be passed around to everyone in your party. I think it is the wave of the future, though.

I do get it but if the EP is paid for and it is one per person, it would be nice for the other person in party to go twice!

I am blown away by the amount of detail in everything. I can see why critics claim that it is a challenge to Disney. How long did it take them to build Epic Universe?

It is definitely on par with Disney and maybe outshines Disney with the advanced animatronics. I’m not sure how long but It didn’t take as long as it takes Disney to do one land or even one attraction

I'm a huge fan of the books, too. I don't care for any of the other related books.

Same the detail and themes are amazing but I see why the ride is so popular because this is what HP fans relate to!

I agree! This looks very close to the way I pictured the Ministry to look.

It really was and same with me! It was amazing!

Thank you for the detailed EPIC info. I plan to go sometime next year.

You are very welcome! I hope you get to Epic in 2026

Great report and pics. Thank you!

Thank you very much for reading along!

Thank you for this report and all of your others throughout the years. I have loved reading them and feel like I’ve watched Andi grow up as I did so.
Really appreciate the time you’ve taken to share so many tips with us along the way and hope you are having a blast on your current trip.
Take care

Thank you for always following along and commenting! I love seeing your comments! Our trip was a blast! Great weather, great food, great company and so many more great things! I loved it!

I'm always grateful that you started writing on the Dis and that we met up at our first Dismeet back in 2017. You're a great friend and travel buddy! Looking forward to our next trip together.

Same! It has been awesome meeting and traveling with you! I sure hope we can do it again in the future to our Happy Place!! We have many more trips in front of us!

Loved reading this! Thank you for sharing. Epic Universe looks....epic!

Thank you! Epic is really a totally different type of theme park and I am really glad we had the chance to check it out!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Looks pretty good.

The pizza was very good!

I’d call that resting… at a theme park.

Yes sleeping in until 8am wow!

Bad. Definitely bad. I’m not fooled by those lovely smiles one little bit.

Haha We are Elphaba all the way!

But I do wish they could skip the last drug-induced part.

True Steven Spielberg’s fever dream!

Is this new? I don’t remember seeing that.

It is a new area it used to be the woody wood pecker ride and play area.

Meh. I love pretzels and Mickey pretzels aren’t all that great. IMHO.
But now I know to try US’s version.

This pretzel is so much better!

Love duelling pianos.

This was wonderful entertainment

From your photos… I’d have to agree!

Helios is gorgeous and the convenience of the park access just can’t be beat!

I think this might be my favourite too.

The Universal Monster area is amazing! Such an awesome idea to create a portal dedicated for this!

He looks very well put together.

Frankie was checking me out, haha

Seen the first one. Guess I should watch the second one too.

I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed the How to Train your Dragons franchise I really liked the movies and this portal is amazing

Nope! Ain’t a character that I’d stand in line for two hours to see.

Same, I can’t imagine waiting more than 20 minutes for any character!

Huh. Interesting comment.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Epic, it just doesn’t have the same feels as Disney does.

Thanks so much for posting. Loved all the epic photos. Thanks for all those.

Thank you for reading and commenting it makes it so much more fun to write with the interactions!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Mike and I did this last week. we had spent the day at MK then left around 3 to get out of the mixing crowds and this was such a good call. We really enjoyed our food and relaxing time.

Good to hear, this restaurant is on our must do list for January

Totally agree! The walkways were super crowded as well as the trick-or-treat lines, it was kind of aggravating and honestly not really worth the cost we pay. I don't know that we will do it again next year even though I do LOVE that parade.

I love the parade but I agree the parties are so crowded now, it just isn’t as special! We will likely skip next year

That's really cool! We didn't see them but we did meet Jack and Sally which was awesome!

I love your picture with Jack and Sally, how long did you wait? I saw them at the Christmas party a few years ago.

Amazing deal!

It really was I swear the closer to the dates you want the price goes down!

this sounds like a good idea until the thing doesn't work and then I can see it being so annoying.

Very true and it was a bit annoying

Oh my gosh! Good for her!

She loves the coasters and was able to ride this one many times

That stinks. I use Mike's band all the time for his FPs.

I agree! Especially since you paid and are right three okaying the other person to use your EP for the one ride you don’t ride!

I haven't been yet but I get what you're saying. I feel that way about Universal in general...it just doesn't have my heart and I have zero connection to any of the IP there.

Loved your trip report as always! Thanks for sharing so many amazing trips with us! And don't get hung up on pressure to do another TR but if the spirit moves you we'll all be here with open arms!

Epic is amazing and fun but I agree, my heart belongs to Disney!
Thank you for joining in!

Just wanted to say I adore your TRs and have always enjoyed reading

Thank you very much!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Hello There!

I’m back from my most recent trip, It was amazing. The weather was perfect with just a little bit of rain here and there.
We had so many delicious meals with our DDP, I am going to write a dining report on the Dining thread. Come on over there, if you want food porn pictures and delicious details on the food we had during the trip!

See you all real soon!

 

[summerlvr]

Hello There!

I’m back from my most recent trip, It was amazing. The weather was perfect with just a little bit of rain here and there.
We had so many delicious meals with our DDP, I am going to write a dining report on the Dining thread. Come on over there, if you want food porn pictures and delicious details on the food we had during the trip!

See you all real soon!

Looking forward to reading all about it!