Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[PrincessV]

I see the universal subreddit has swayed back to the other side of the pendlum and epic sucks now.

I mean, they’re not entirely wrong - today, anyway!

It’s having a no good, very bad, awful day so far. 1pm and Stardust, Monsters, Mine Cart, Hiccup’s, AND BatM are all on extended delays. Not a weather delay, either. No clue what’s going on. I don’t think Monsters or BatM ever opened at all so far. I’m guessing there will be some crowds at Guest Services seeking remedy today.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m guessing there will be some crowds at Guest Services seeking remedy today.

I sure hope people don't get into the habit of this. Most articles I'm reading have been expressing it as a matter of goodwill gestures to garner better guests feelings but people have a habit of taking advantage of this. Plus also repeating via social media that people will probably be asking for compensation tends to fuel people's expectations of getting such treatment.

 

[Philsfan77]

Personally would rather see Zelda take place of lost continent in IoA

I like it!

 

[Philsfan77]

I see the universal subreddit has swayed back to the other side of the pendlum and epic sucks now.

there's no in-between with this park...it's either the greatest park in the world ever created or its an epic failure. The hype and hate on both sides is unreal.

 

[fatmanatee]

Personally would rather see Zelda take place of lost continent in IoA

I think this is still the rumor. Luigi's Mansion and Black Lagoon in that expansion spot, Zelda at LC, Pokemon replacing Simpsons.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

there's no in-between with this park...it's either the greatest park in the world ever created or its an epic failure. The hype and hate on both sides is unreal.

Which is totally sad like it's never going to be a perfect theme park because that doesn't exist, there's always going to be something that can be improved but also something that they have done a marvelous job on. At the very least it's bringing fresh air into the Orlando scene which you'd hope people could at least be more agreeing on.

I'm going to be pretty interested in how people take in my area the Mattel park if that ever gets going (supposedly opening next year) as it is also the first park in a very long time in my area, Schlitterbahn not counted as it was strictly a water park and is no longer existing. It won't be able to compete with the local amusement park in terms of offerings but could certainly add new life to the area which Epic (albeit on a much grander scale) is also doing.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

1pm and Stardust, Monsters, Mine Cart, Hiccup’s, AND BatM are all on extended delays.

4pm and looks like everything in the park is up and running again, some even with quite reasonable lines.

 

[PrincessV]

4pm and looks like everything in the park is up and running again, some even with quite reasonable lines.

Hooray!! I haven’t had an opportunity to look again, so this is happy news.

 

[GhostHost24]

Someone on reddit just posted the line for guest services. It looks to be as long as most attraction rides.

Saw a comment someone there said it's so long they're telling people to just call as it's taking so long for the line to move

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Someone on reddit just posted the line for guest services. It looks to be as long as most attraction rides.

This is why there really shouldn't be compensation for issues that last a few hours or less and become resolved. It sucks in the moment but the rest of the day was acceptable.

 

[GhostHost24]

This is why there really shouldn't be compensation for issues that last a few hours or less and become resolved. It sucks in the moment but the rest of the day was acceptable.

I agree. I hope they put a clamp on it soon unless it's something that's all day etc.

 

[Minnie1222]

there's no in-between with this park...it's either the greatest park in the world ever created or its an epic failure. The hype and hate on both sides is unreal.

No difference from the people who have been bad-mouthing Disney all these years. Most likely just armchair critics who are nowhere near the park.

Epic is not going to fail. It's a very beautiful park, both aesthetically and technologically. People need to see it before jumping on the dumbwagon. Despite my complaints, I already have another trip booked for the summer, and most likely I'll also return in December.

 

[PrincessV]

Between a peek at Reddit and word from some insider folks I know, it paints a picture similar to that Epically (heh heh) bad preview day:
Massive power outage
BatM sensor issue again
Fire alarm
Inadequate staffing across the park relative to number of guests
Poor communication leading to folks not knowing whether a ride was down temporarily or for an extended period, so they struggled with the choice of staying in line or leaving
Food problems again with hour+ waits for QS
Show issues again = multiple canceled shows
Stardust wasn’t running enough cars for the crowd level and had to go offline to add more cars

I love this park for a variety of reasons outside of the attractions, and could genuinely have a really fun day only getting a couple attractions in, but this would be pushing the limits of understanding for me, and if you had the misfortune of waiting in a line for hours for a ride that was down for maintenance but no one told you that, AND you waited more than an hour for your food and were told by TMs it was because they didn’t have enough people working, AND you tried 3 shows and all 3 were canceled… yeah, I get why you might want some form of relief, even it that’s just being able to politely share constructive criticism.

 

[hertamaniac]

One of the primary issues I currently see is the lack of indoor theater shows. With only 2 currently in operation, that is a lot of time spent in queues, without sitting in chairs, for a good portion of the day. But where Universal got it right with Epic is if you want to escape the sun and heat, they will gladly welcome you into a QS eatery. F&B profits should be off the charts just factoring in using the free outdoor environment to drive guests' expenditures. Maybe this is part of the park design methodology.

Compared to MK, Epic has 2 shows under A/C, while a much smaller footprint, MK, has 5. That's lots of time to re-energize the body throughout the day. I won't forget that hideous walk to the main parking lot at Epic after a full day.

 

[Minnie1222]

They need to limit Toadstool Cafe for diners only. We had to wait 30 minutes for a table in a long line. When we got there, we found the two tables next to ours were occupied by people napping or playing on their phone. I didn't think they were resting after a meal since their tables appeared clean and their belongings were all over the surface. No one ordered anything the entire time we were eating. They were still there after we left.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just jumping in with a quick question - we are trying to plan a full day at Epic this fall, but my one concern is accessibility for my giant husband. He has long legs, thick thighs, and carries weight in his stomach. He was not able to ride Avatar due to his legs not fitting, most Disney rides he is pretty squished at his legs, etc. I know that Universal is known for not being as friendly to plus size as Disney. He is about 6'6, 350.

How likely is it that it will be worth the visit to Epic with his size constraints? Most anything with a chest bar that comes down, his shoulders are too broad for.

I would just hate to go and find out there is little to nothing he can ride.

 

[rwdavis2]

We planned to go, next year, if and when you can buy multiple EU park days at a time. Sounds like park opening problems that happen everywhere.

 

[hertamaniac]

They need to limit Toadstool Cafe for diners only. We had to wait 30 minutes for a table in a long line. When we got there, we found the two tables next to ours were occupied by people napping or playing on their phone. I didn't think they were resting after a meal since their tables appeared clean and their belongings were all over the surface. No one ordered anything the entire time we were eating. They were still there after we left.

This feeds, no pun intended, into my comment about the QS locations serving as a refuge and not necessarily being the "Q" in a QS eatery. I don't think it's only a Toadstool Cafe issue; I saw it too at Das Stakehaus.

 

[Philsfan77]

Just jumping in with a quick question - we are trying to plan a full day at Epic this fall, but my one concern is accessibility for my giant husband. He has long legs, thick thighs, and carries weight in his stomach. He was not able to ride Avatar due to his legs not fitting, most Disney rides he is pretty squished at his legs, etc. I know that Universal is known for not being as friendly to plus size as Disney. He is about 6'6, 350.

How likely is it that it will be worth the visit to Epic with his size constraints? Most anything with a chest bar that comes down, his shoulders are too broad for.

I would just hate to go and find out there is little to nothing he can ride.

Height/legs is going to be the issue I feel like. I've seen a few videos of some fluffier people, because I am one, but most are like 6'0 or under and similar weight or less. I can tell you I was 6'1 350 at Islands and Universal and struggled. Could not do escape from gringotts, hagrid, mummy or forbidden journey. I am just under 300 now, and had no issues last time on hagrids, mummy or gringotts. Forbidden Journey was still a no go for me, largely due to my shoulders being broad as well (former football/rugby player). I will. be at epic in a few weeks and can give you my feelings on it (going June 18-21st). I wont be the ideal test candidate for you, but may be able to give you a gauge at least.

 

[GhostHost24]

I know epic is friendlier then the other UO parks. But it's not that much better. I have a feeling the legs will be the issue more than the stomach.