Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Minnie1222]

Im really hoping the 5 days with 2 days at epic option is true.

Gosh, I hope not! Especially if we AP holders have to pay extra for the non-Epic parks.

 

[asgur5]

Posted in Wrong thread and cant figure out how to delete post.

 

[asgur5]

Gosh, I hope not! Especially if we AP holders have to pay extra for the non-Epic parks.

Yes it wouldnt be good for AP holders. Surely they will do soemthing different for AP holders though. But I can see why they wouldnt want AP holders just going to Epic.

 

[wendlle]

I'd already booked a trip in May, we're coming to Orlando for the entire month. I was hoping May would NOT be the opening month for Epic, but it was always going to be a possibility.

Even thought I'm from Australia I have an AP, I purchase them for AP discounts at the hotels, covid hit and they let me keep the AP for a future visit because i'm not from the USA, Hubby and kids don't have AP's.
Will be interesting to see if I can use the AP or keep hold of it for the future, If I need to purchase tickets to get into Epic for a day then I won't use the AP and keep it - they told me I can keep it on my account forever until I need it, which was very kind of them.

I'd already booked my hotels months ago, 3-7th at Royal Pacific then 7-16th at Surfside.
I was hoping for AP discounts, but if the park opens in May I doubt any AP discounts will be offered and I'll have to stick with the rates I have already locked in.

Will be interesting to see what drops on the 17th

 

[tony67]

Could you explain what you mean? I am confused. Do you mean Universal getting rid of Superhero Island so they can create something new with IP Universal owns?

My understanding of the Marvel deal is that Universal Orlando can keep the Marvel rides it has and can do updates for maintenance on them (newer/better screens), but it cannot create new rides based on Marvel IP.

There has been a rumor for a long time that they want to do something else there.

The rumor has become louder in the last few months that it was actually in a planning stage for something new down the road - probably not Marvel.

It makes no sense to me for them to just give it up - unless Disney is going to give them a big bag of money to get back the rights.

I was under the impression they can use any of the characters from when they made the deal and they need to maintain the land.
I assumed they could also create new things based on those which is what I would like to see.
I guess it is possible that they would need approval for anything new with the characters - but that won't happen - Disney will not approve anything new.

I think its just a rumor as it has always been.

IMO its worth keeping it going just to be a thorn in Disney's side - especially since Disney is such a PITA with the Simpsons - for example no HHN in the Simpsons area..

 

[tony67]

Im really hoping the 5 days with 2 days at epic option is true.

It works perfectly for us plus its what will hurt disney the most and disney really needs it so that they start investing big time in their parks again. Not a ride here and closing down another ride there. Big proper expansions of new lands. Particularly in animal kingdom which should be the best park on earth but needs to have double the ride roster it does today.

Very true - I really hope this competition will get Disney to go back to its roots and really create the amazing stuff we expect of them.

Unfortunately I am not sure the current Imagineering team has the talent - but that is just my opinion and we all now about opinions.

I gave up on Disney quite a while ago - I went from going three times a year to every few years - and I have no real desire to go back.
I go to Universal at least once a year. This year I went three times for about 40 days total. really looking forward to Epic.



Going back to the attendance discussion - this is a pretty good video on it. I am assuming his numbers are correct.

Universal has closed the gap between the two - obviously HP is a big part of that - or almost all of it.
Disney has not really don't much since 2009 - yes the pandemic did not help - but Universal had the same pandemic.
Disney is pretty much flat from 2009-2023 and Universal has almost doubled.

Much of that IMO is Disney's draconian handling of things and big price increases with little value in return.
The reservation system is still in place for APs and maybe even some tickets.
Charging for fast passes. Lightning Lane. Genie+ etc..
Basically Disney implemented all their dream things and blamed it on the pandemic.

Universal was down less than Disney in 2023 - and how much of that is people waiting for Epic?
Disney has got really expensive overall and I am not sure many of those folks will be back for quite a while.
There is no shortage of stories on how expensive Disney is - the danger of being number 1.

To be fair I think other than tickets and hotels I feel Universal has also gotten very expensive - $13+ for a beer.
Until I went to Universal the most I had ever paid for a pint of Guinness was 9 euros (about $10) in the most expensive part of Dublin.
9 Euros is ridiculous - I can walk down the street and pay 5 or 6 for the same Guinness (actually a better pint in a better atmosphere)
I think much of the food at Universal is more expensive than Disney - but you don't hear the same amount of complaining.
I did a few days at Disney and the food and drink was cheaper IMO. (talking counter service BTW)

Thing is if you are paying far less for your hotel and tickets you don't mind so much.
I paid $62 a night mid week for Dockside - the average over two weeks was $96 for a pool view room.
What would a room at all starts cost? $189 I think.
Dockside is much nicer than All Starts IMO - and I've not been to All Starts in about 15 years so it must be really run down by now - it was pretty bad then.

So Disney attendance is pretty flat - but I guess they make up for it in $ per guest - I'm not sure they are making up for the loss of 10 million +/- guests since 2009.

Anyway - its all just interesting discussion to me - its will will be quite interesting to see how this goes over the next 10 years.
I would be thrilled is Disney returned to its former glory - I really miss the early 2000s Disney when Disney really focused on food and drink quality trying to attract empty nesters.
Now I understand they are trying to go for the Disney adults? Millennials without kids etc.. - well they really need to improve the food quality to what it once was - and bring back the real food and wine festival.

The only reason I go back every few years is nostalgia - but there is not all that much of it left.

Also just to be fair - Universal has done some things I am not thrilled with over the last few years to save money.
That has been attributed to Epic - so hopefully the budget cuts will not be as drastic once that park is open and bringing in money - because if Disney can fall (IMO) so can Universal.

 

[tony67]

Yes it wouldnt be good for AP holders. Surely they will do soemthing different for AP holders though. But I can see why they wouldnt want AP holders just going to Epic.

Yeah - that is what I am most waiting for.

Their may be preview days for pass holders - and maybe one day tickets - but who knows.

They will have to do something and one thing I can say is Universal has always been great to the passholders - I cant see that changing.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Opens May 22nd!

 

[tony67]

Opens May 22nd!

https://corporate.universaldestinat...pic-universe-officially-opens-on-may-22-2025/

Plus, Universal Orlando Resort to Launch Select Multi-Day Tickets and Vacation Packages Inclusive of One Day at Universal Epic Universe on Tuesday, October 22, as well as Reservations for Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Universal Orlando Annual Passholders Receive Priority Opportunity to Purchase Single-Day Tickets to
Universal Epic Universe Beginning Thursday, October 24

Additional Ticket Options for Universal Epic Universe – Including Single-Day Tickets for the General Public
and More – Will Go on Sale in the Months Ahead

 

[asgur5]

Ap holders can get 1 day tickets.

No rumoured 2 epic days for 5 day trips. Seems like they are encouraging 3 day trips only and not longer weeks. Disney will be happy today.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

Ap holders can get 1 day tickets.

No rumoured 2 epic days for 5 day trips. Seems like they are encouraging 3 day trips only and not longer weeks. Disney will be happy today.

I'm sure UO is doing what their research shows will work for them based on expected demand

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I'm pretty happy that single day tickets will be available!

 

[asgur5]

Sigh. Epic universe is going to be crazy crowded due to 1 day tickets. Really hoped they didnt go down this path.

 

[tony67]

I'm pretty happy that single day tickets will be available!

Me too, now the question is how will it work for the 22nd and how many 1 day tickets can an AP get?
I am assuming a 1 day dated ticket with an ap - but can I go a few days.

Sort of surprised that regardless of 3 4 or 5 days its a 1 day epic ticket - I guess they can buy additional 1 day tickets

 

[Minnie1222]

It looks like we will have to buy the package on 10/22, despite being AP holders. I want us to be there Memorial weekend and I feel like the tickets for those dates will be sold out by the time 10/24 rolls around.

 

[sherlockmiles]

I'm interested to see how their website holds up versus what usually happens on Disney's site. The battle of the IT groups....

 

[tony67]

It looks like we will have to buy the package on 10/22, despite being AP holders. I want us to be there Memorial weekend and I feel like the tickets for those dates will be sold out by the time 10/24 rolls around.

Was thinking the exact same thing - I am thinking Ill buy a multiday ticket on the 22nd and then another day or two on the AP ticket date.

 

[fatmanatee]

Might have soft opening for APs too…

 

[tx911]

It seems like they are forcing people to go to the original 2 parks in order to unlock Epic.

I wonder how long that will last? I thought from the outset that Epic might severely cannibalize sales from its other parks. I guess this is how they are dealing with that.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

It seems like they are forcing people to go to the original 2 parks in order to unlock Epic.

I wonder how long that will last? I thought from the outset that Epic might severely cannibalize sales from its other parks. I guess this is how they are dealing with that.

What do you mean? They will have single day tickets for EU.