Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[kbelle8995]

To Universal's credit they do learn from their mistakes. I was there on the second weekend after they opened Hogsmeade in Florida. It was a hot mess that was when the only way you could get in was a special vacation package. Luckily by the time we had arrived Universal changed it's mind and let anyone in who was staying at their hotels.

When Diagon Alley opened they did not do this but simply regulated crowds I think with timed entry. It is still early days so we will find out more as the opening gets closer

 

[tx911]

It will be interesting to see how much Epic pulls from the other USO parks.
I can see myself eventually going to Epic plus the 4 Disney parks, and blowing off the 2 existing Universal parks.

 

[bwr827]

It will be interesting to see how much Epic pulls from the other USO parks.
I can see myself eventually going to Epic plus the 4 Disney parks, and blowing off the 2 existing Universal parks.

I could never blow off Hagrid’s, the best ride in either resort.

And if I’m doing Hagrid’s, I’ve got to ride the Hogwarts Express and grab breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron before riding Gringotts.

And I’m already at Studios, I should hit up The Mummy in case it closes down before my next trip.

Now I’m worried the same about Spider-Man, so it’s back on the Hogwarts Express …

But I do want 3 straight days at Epic.

 

[sherlockmiles]

I could never blow off Hagrid’s, the best ride in either resort.

And if I’m doing Hagrid’s, I’ve got to ride the Hogwarts Express and grab breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron before riding Gringotts.

And I’m already at Studios, I should hit up The Mummy in case it closes down before my next trip.

Now I’m worried the same about Spider-Man, so it’s back on the Hogwarts Express …

But I do want 3 straight days at Epic.

I only have to add a few rounds on the VelociCoaster after Hagrid's.....then Leaky Cauldron.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Presumably, Ministry of Magic will have Butterbeer. Or else we're adding Hogs Head to the above...

 

[bwr827]

I only have to add a few rounds on the VelociCoaster after Hagrid's.....then Leaky Cauldron.

I’ve yet to brave Velocicoaster. Planning to take the plunge in December…gulp.

I wonder how intense Stardust Racers will be.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

It will be interesting to see how much Epic pulls from the other USO parks.
I can see myself eventually going to Epic plus the 4 Disney parks, and blowing off the 2 existing Universal parks.

This is what I think we'll end up doing. Tacking on EU at the beginning or end of a WDW trip sometimes.

 

[Jrb1979]

It will be interesting to see how much Epic pulls from the other USO parks.
I can see myself eventually going to Epic plus the 4 Disney parks, and blowing off the 2 existing Universal parks.

For the hardcore Disney guest will do that. I think what's more likely to happen is Epcot and Animal Kingdom being dropped from a lot of people.

 

[kbelle8995]

I’ve yet to brave Velocicoaster. Planning to take the plunge in December…gulp.

I wonder how intense Stardust Racers will be.

You are better than me. I watch those things from the ground. I am trying to get up my courage to ride the Mummy. My sister watches PcDev and he's heard that they might have a separate AP for Epic. If it's true I will be avoiding Epic for the first year until the newness is over and opening problems are resolved and crowds are more manageable. I refuse to buy a separate AP for a park that is brand new due to crowds and usually they need a few months to iron issues out.

Again at this point it is rumors and speculation and I take everything with a grain of salt

 

[sherlockmiles]

This is what I think we'll end up doing. Tacking on EU at the beginning or end of a WDW trip sometimes.

We feel a Disney trip and a Universal trip have very different vibes, pacing, mindsets. I dont think we'll ever combine the 2 places in a single trip.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

We feel a Disney trip and a Universal trip have very different vibes, pacing, mindsets. I dont think we'll ever combine the 2 places in a single trip.

Yeah, that could be. We did UO twice last year and come to think of it, both times we went just for a weekend and not as part of a WDW trip. We'll see.

 

[georgina]

I sometimes combine trips to both. Doing 2 days at Disney (Epcot for Food & Wine, MNSSHP) in Sept and 4 days at Universal. One Dec after spending 3 days at Universal for the OI meetup I did something similar, 1 day at Epcot for holiday stuff, then MVMCP. Planning to let my Universal AP expire in Nov unless they offer something including Epic before then.

I’ve yet to brave Velocicoaster. Planning to take the plunge in December…gulp.

I wonder how intense Stardust Racers will be.

Velocicoaster is so much fun! So much air time and cool upside down experiences!

 

[GhostHost24]

Before I became a local I remember when I was a kid we did a combined wdw and uo trip... But this was before IoA was even built, so maybe things would have been different if IoA was there.

 

[Smugpugmug]

For the hardcore Disney guest will do that. I think what's more likely to happen is Epcot and Animal Kingdom being dropped from a lot of people.

I feel like AK and USF will be the biggest losers in attendance when Epic opens but I'm the weird one who would immediately drop HS to spend more time at Epic.

 

[tx911]

For the hardcore Disney guest will do that. I think what's more likely to happen is Epcot and Animal Kingdom being dropped from a lot of people.

Oh man, not for me. Cosmic Rewind is my favorite ride in Orlando. I love AK too.

I’m just thinking that opening a giant shiny new park that could easily consume 2 days on its own may have some folks really looking at the value of the others.

But yes, I’m coming from the point of view that the existing UO parks don’t offer much beyond 2 of the HP rides, the Mummy, and Velocicoaster.

It’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. You may see a lot of UO incentivizing going to the other parks, which is not a bad thing if you love them.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Oh man, not for me. Cosmic Rewind is my favorite ride in Orlando. I love AK too.

I’m just thinking that opening a giant shiny new park that could easily consume 2 days on its own may have some folks really looking at the value of the others.

But yes, I’m coming from the point of view that the existing UO parks don’t offer much beyond 2 of the HP rides, the Mummy, and Velocicoaster.

It’ll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. You may see a lot of UO incentivizing going to the other parks, which is not a bad thing if you love them.

Agreed on all counts!

I also hope that with time, UO will add more good stuff to the original parks outside of HP

 

[Lewisc]

My sister watches PcDev and he's heard that they might have a separate AP for Epic

You need to upgrade to a 3 park pass if you want your pass to include Volcano Bay.

i have no doubt including EPIC, if even available, will require paying an.up charge. The most expemsive AP includes one HHN ticket. Might Universal do the same with EPIC?

I'll speculate guests staying at Helios, and maybe the other 2 resorts, will be able to purchase a length of stay pass

 

[bwr827]

Presumably, Ministry of Magic will have Butterbeer. Or else we're adding Hogs Head to the above...

I’m grabbing a hot butter beer every chance I can get.

 

[sherlockmiles]

I’m grabbing a hot butter beer every chance I can get.

Still havent tried the hot butterbeer!

The butter beer pot d'cream (or whatever it's called) is my favorite butterbeer product! Followed by t e ice cream.....

 

[bwr827]

Traveling from Canada, I’ll never not combine both WDW and Universal into one trip. If I’m shelling out for flights to MCO, I’m hitting both resorts.

Our likely combo in late spring 2026 will be:
- 4 days WDW, one park per day, staying on site
- transfer to Universal resort, lazy break day
- 1-2 days at Studios/Islands
- 3 days at Epic (grand finale of the trip)
- 3 days by the pool, recovering

This assumes Universal won’t be limiting guest access to Epic.