Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Minnie1222]

Looks amazing!

 

[CPanther95]

That's a very strange way to do, only because of all of the AP holders. If I have an AP, why would I buy a package with tickets for UO, IoA. That's just money down the drain on 2 days of tickets to something I have tickets for already. I do completely understand requiring a date-based ticket specifically for Epic, even if it's crazy, ridiculous expensive, and not at all sell any APs for that park for a long time, but a package ticket only is weird. Hopefully people staying at the Epic hotels will have more options, first choice at tickets, or if they do park reservations.
I'd probably consider letting my AP lapse then, and wait quite a while before going back, and my trip would be a lot shorter.
But if I didn't have an AP, this would make more sense, and I'd probably do it. I think it'll be hard to see and experience Epic in just one day.
It is going to be crazy crowded for a very long time.

My guess is that they will offer Epic tickets at a significantly discounted rate for AP holders, at least initially (assuming they offer no AP options for Epic). There's no motivation to screw over current loyal Universal customers.

The whole point of Epic is to make the Universal resort a week-long destination. Epic will accomplish that for a decent percentage of customers. The further planned expansion of all 3 parks will make it more likely with the vast majority of customers.

What will slow that transition to being the customers' home base in Orlando, instead of just a side trip during their Disney vacation, is if Epic just replaces dates that would have been spent at another Universal park (or both).

This ticketing plan will make it much more likely that Disney vacationers will carve out a few days and actually stay on site for 3 or 4 days - if not the entire week. It will also lessen the negative impact Epic will have on US and IOA attendance.

To me the biggest question is Epic for Helios guests. If Epic admission isn't included as part of the room cost, they have to offer a length of stay pass that's pretty significantly discounted the longer the stay because most will be spending some time of their vacation at the other parks. But Helios Grand without access to anything in the front (technically the back of the hotel), is not a premium resort like PBH, HRH & RPH. It's a nice hotel with access to a parking garage stuck in the middle of an industrial area. You can swim, or drive somewhere else to enjoy the Universal Resort. That won't justify the stratospheric prices they're almost certainly going to be asking.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Thank you all for showing me the location of the preview center. I don't know how I could've completely missed an entire building with such a huge sign.

View attachment 877773
Finally found the entrance, lol.

Understandable since it's so subtle and discreet.

 

[GhostHost24]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1817909859553034572

 

[Minnie1222]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1817909859553034572

What's happening on 07-31-2024? Announcement for the opening date of Epic Universe?

 

[fatmanatee]

What's happening on 07-31-2024? Announcement for the opening date of Epic Universe?

Final land reveal (Wizarding World Paris).

 

[GhostHost24]

What's happening on 07-31-2024? Announcement for the opening date of Epic Universe?

Wizarding world announcement

 

[wdwrule]

Wizarding world announcement

…and on Harry’s birthday

 

[fatmanatee]

Just saw a pic of the attraction from the final package that influencers are getting and I won’t post here bc it feels like a bit of a spoiler (it’s out there if you check social media) but I’m certainly curious how they’re going to pull this off…

Or, to be a bit more clear, what timeframes are we dealing with here?

 

[clarker99]

Disney Dish podcast reports on Epic:

As per Len Testa, Universal was hoping to open Epic in the 1st 3months of 2025. In the last 60 days that has slipped to Summer of 2025. Now he is hearing the following:

1) (Internally) There is no solid opening date yet.
2). At least one major land (not mentioned) will not be ready till Fall '25.
3.) Universal is considering a phased opening of Epic where only a portion of the Park will be available to paying guests.
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network/id452620851?i=1000663637966

 

[GhostHost24]

Disney Dish podcast reports on Epic:

As per Len Testa, Universal was hoping to open Epic in the 1st 3months of 2025. In the last 60 days that has slipped to Summer of 2025. Now he is hearing the following:

1) (Internally) There is no solid opening date yet.
2). At least one major land (not mentioned) will not be ready till Fall '25.
3.) Universal is considering a phased opening of Epic where only a portion of the Park will be available to paying guests.
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network/id452620851?i=1000663637966

That's interesting. Hadn't heard of these new rumors. It did sound like it was trending toward may opening for a while

 

[fatmanatee]

Disney Dish podcast reports on Epic:

As per Len Testa, Universal was hoping to open Epic in the 1st 3months of 2025. In the last 60 days that has slipped to Summer of 2025. Now he is hearing the following:

1) (Internally) There is no solid opening date yet.
2). At least one major land (not mentioned) will not be ready till Fall '25.
3.) Universal is considering a phased opening of Epic where only a portion of the Park will be available to paying guests.
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network/id452620851?i=1000663637966

Based on Bioreconstruct's recent photos it sort of feels like they still have a lot of work to do. The progress has been great but we're reaching a point where we're 6-7 months out from a potential Q1 opening and there's a lot that still needs to be done. I dunno, I remember watching Galaxy's Edge coming together and they hit a point where everything just seemed to come together very fast. Of course, that was just one land AND they also opened in pieces.

Definitely feel less confident about the potential to open for spring break guests.

 

[Minnie1222]

Phased opening is fine. Do it quick before I'm becoming too fragile for their rides. At this rate, the only attraction I may be able to do is the Aquarium restaurant.

 

[GhostHost24]

Based on Bioreconstruct's recent photos it sort of feels like they still have a lot of work to do. The progress has been great but we're reaching a point where we're 6-7 months out from a potential Q1 opening and there's a lot that still needs to be done. I dunno, I remember watching Galaxy's Edge coming together and they hit a point where everything just seemed to come together very fast. Of course, that was just one land AND they also opened in pieces.

Definitely feel less confident about the potential to open for spring break guests.

Ya I always thought April/may was too ambitious. I figured we would have gotten an opening date by then if that was going to be the case

 

[clarker99]

Phased opening is fine. Do it quick before I'm becoming too fragile for their rides. At this rate, the only attraction I may be able to do is the Aquarium restaurant.

Phased opening with full price 3-day 3-park tickets with 1-day at Epic prob will not feel fine.

But I get it bc Comcast stated that bookings are soft and are expected to remain soft until Epic opens.

 

[GhostHost24]

I wonder how many people will actually travel for epic if it's unfinished. Reminds me of Galaxy's Edge when it turned out people just waited til Rise of the Resistance opened.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I wonder how many people will actually travel for epic if it's unfinished. Reminds me of Galaxy's Edge when it turned out people just waited til Rise of the Resistance opened.

Only speaking for myself, but I wouldn't. I would rather wait until the entire park is complete and do another type of vacation in the mean time.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Only speaking for myself, but I wouldn't. I would rather wait until the entire park is complete and do another type of vacation in the mean time.

Totally agree. The world is big and there's lots to see! I will wait until it's finished and I can get a ticket for just EU.

 

[georgina]

Me too. I will probably make other plans for my fall 2025 trip and wait until 2026 for an Epic visit.

 

[Minnie1222]

I would absolutely visit an unfinished Epic. I'm running out of time, agility, energy, lol.