Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[fatmanatee]

Park is open, they started letting people ride the SNW rides. Mario Kart might be down, DK at over two hours already.

 

[tony67]

FYI - RixFlix is live streaming - Id assume others are as well. (Looks like he is streaming from Epic the next 4 days as well)

I assume today is extra crazy as all the folks want to be there day one etc...

Be interesting to see the wait times middle of next week after the initial rush.

 

[fatmanatee]

Seems to be settling a bit. Stardust still down, everything else is open, HP on virtual today. Wait times don’t seem that bad aside from DK.

 

[Minnie1222]

Wait times don’t seem that bad aside from DK.

...and of course Donkey Kong is the ride we desire even more than Ministry.

 

[FunluvinJ23]

Does anyone know if you can get a virtual queue multiple times in a day?

 

[GhostHost24]

...and of course Donkey Kong is the ride we desire even more than Ministry.

I have a feeling dk is gonna be like this for a long time. Seems like it doesn't have good capacity.. Probably a reason why it won't have express

 

[tony67]

Seems to be settling a bit. Stardust still down, everything else is open, HP on virtual today. Wait times don’t seem that bad aside from DK.

Sounds like stardust will be starting up very soon

 

[fatmanatee]

Does anyone know if you can get a virtual queue multiple times in a day?

Probably not.

 

[Minnie1222]

I have a feeling dk is gonna be like this for a long time. Seems like it doesn't have good capacity.. Probably a reason why it won't have express

We just switched hotel to Helios for the preview. Will be interesting to see how fast we can walk/run to Nintendo World from the private entrance.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I’m going to be at a preview on the 22nd. Does anyone have a good explanation about how to access the virtual queue? I”m’ assuming it’s in the Universal App? Can you access it by clicking on the ride from the map view or is it from somewhere else in the app?

 

[tony67]

I’m going to be at a preview on the 22nd. Does anyone have a good explanation about how to access the virtual queue? I”m’ assuming it’s in the Universal App? Can you access it by clicking on the ride from the map view or is it from somewhere else in the app?

Yeah its in the app - I have not used it for quite a while - but you probably want to be in the app a few minutes before they drop the VQ.
I'm sure once people have gotten in and used it we will get some screen shots - or tips.
I recall going back and fourth a minute before they drop trying to get one for the Mardi Gras Float Ride and it was very straightforward.

As I understand it now the app will tell you what times the VQ will be available for a particular day - so its not going to be random as we had been hearing - so that is good. I have also heard that people were able to get more than one yesterday - so also good.



Also they have stated that some rides will be open during the early entry for hotel guests with the previews - they stated it was a miscommunication I guess.



Lastly watching the livestream last nights and it was not very busy the last two hours - for example Donkey Kong was like 30 minutes - same with Stardust Racers.

 

[atricks]

Just a note about preview capacity, they are limiting it and ramping it up slowly toward open to get the team members and crew's pace up. Take advantage of the early preview days because it'll just get more crowded from here.

 

[tony67]

Ya I wasn't sure if you could sit at the bar or if everything was reservation.. I was a little unclear on the setup

So there are a few videos on Helios Bar already - but its very pricey.
Menus are up now - https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/bar-helios

The drinks are pretty much more in line with what I'd expect at Universal - around $20 for a cocktail - but the wings for example - are $24 for 6.
14.50 for a 20oz draft beer. there are a couple of drafts for 13.50 - like bud light

Everyone has said the food is excellent and the drinks are unique - but very expensive.

I guess they are trying to keep the riff raff from the parks (like me) out

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So there are a few videos on Helios Bar already - but its very pricey.
Menus are up now - https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/bar-helios

The drinks are pretty much more in line with what I'd expect at Universal - around $20 for a cocktail - but the wings for example - are $24 for 6.
14.50 for a 20oz draft beer.

Everyone has said the food is excellent and the drinks are unique - but very expensive.

I guess they are trying to keep the riff raff from the parks (like me) out

Yeesh I went to see their menu that's beyond "reasonable expensive". It seems all over the place like why is calamari and octopus at the same exact price point ($22 and $25 respectively) as chicken wings? And why is there a $225 seafood tower even available?

The beers are actually cheaper than I would have thought they would charge and actually I find their cocktail prices to be moderate but the wine pricing to be a bit high per glass

Nice or not I don't find their pricing or menu choices to be cohesive. Seems more like they had a price point they wanted to go with and just put things on the menu. It comes off to me as all over the place. But I'm sure I would enjoy the ambience which they are pretty blunt it's what it's about "The Views Alone are Worth the Visit" as their tagline on their webpage for the place.

 

[got4boys]

Any info on whether you can buy the Epic tickets for a hotel stay during the previews?

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Any info on whether you can buy the Epic tickets for a hotel stay during the previews?

Available in the lobby at the Vacation Planning Desk after you check in - assuming some are left, of course.

 

[sherlockmiles]

So there are a few videos on Helios Bar already - but its very pricey.
Menus are up now - https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/bar-helios
Everyone has said the food is excellent and the drinks are unique - but very expensive.
I guess they are trying to keep the riff raff from the parks (like me) out

Thanks for the link. Other than the chocolate dessert, I didnt see anything to entice me to go there (food or drink). So one and done likely. *sigh* That will make more room for the rest of you. Enjoy!

 

[Leigh L]

Any info on whether you can buy the Epic tickets for a hotel stay during the previews?

Yes!
You do it on site, based on availability.

I could have purchased them on Monday at Cabana Bay for any day during our stay (so for us,
Thursday), however, we had to fly home yesterday. While waiting for airport pickup, we saw designated buses for Epic coming in.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Yes!
You do it on site, based on availability.

I could have purchased them on Monday at Cabana Bay for any day during our stay (so for us,
Thursday), however, we had to fly home yesterday. While waiting for airport pickup, we saw designated buses for Epic coming in.

Just verifying: EPIC busses are coming directly to ( & from) Cabana Bay, correct? We are staying in a few weeks and have preview tix & weren't sure if we would have to go to the CityWalk bus terminal & change busses or not.

 

[tony67]

/

Just verifying: EPIC busses are coming directly to ( & from) Cabana Bay, correct? We are staying in a few weeks and have preview tix & weren't sure if we would have to go to the CityWalk bus terminal & change busses or not.

From what I have read all the hotels have buses to Epic.

Still my plan is to go to the legacy parks for early open (8AM) for an hour or so then head to Epic for their early open from the hub.

Much depends on the reports over the next week of course and how early open works in reality.