Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Actually it will look worst it its a 7-8 hour ride because then people will say all they rode in a day was maybe 2 rides ...they don't want that either. Heck no ride is worth that long of a wait, and def not at price of the tickets.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/...-ride-exceed-7-hours-opening-day/15792607007/

That was for Gringotts.

Granted people will always complain but I think we need to keep separate Disney people and Universal people cuz they are not the same

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/...-ride-exceed-7-hours-opening-day/15792607007/

That was for Gringotts.

Granted people will always complain but I think we need to keep separate Disney people and Universal people cuz they are not the same

I think its a big differece for a park that was already etablished and had tons of annual pass holders.....But to pay that amount for Epic to ride 1-2 rides would look really bad on them since there are no real discounts or AP's that will just go another day to the rest.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think its a big differece for a park that was already etablished and had tons of annual pass holders.....But to pay that amount for Epic to ride 1-2 rides would look really bad on them since there are no real discounts or AP's that will just go another day to the rest.

These high waits happened with Forbidden Journey too (back when attendance was much much lower at Universal and Universal wasn't really considered a contender in Orlando prior to FJ opening by most accounts).

I'm just responding to your comment about wait times. The truth is there will be happy people who willingly wait for just 1 or 2 rides and happily spend the money to do so. They did it in the past and a new theme park? Oh yeah you bet they will. Many people already have their one or two rides they want to ride the most and are prepared to go straight for and it's already been set up with expectations about 1 day at Epic you know you can't get much done in that time.

When you say it will look bad for Universal that's ignoring how the rides have been handled in the past. I mean it's already a common thing for people to do to pay the money just to go to the Harry Potter portions of the park including paying for a park to park just to ride Hogwarts Express. Complaints will happen, they'll be overshadowed by people just happy to be able to ride that ride they really want to ride.

Realistically we all hope there's a balance being made but to just state it'll look bad for Universal isn't seeing how past attractions are. People waited and waited and waited for Hagrids too and still do as there's no EP. Hagrid's opening had more than a 10 hour wait at the highest. Being an established park doesn't matter when you are mentioning cost of a park ticket and willingness to wait.

IMO it's trying to fit the Disney perspective about people's tolerances into Universal's way. There will always be upset people who complain.

But note I'm not saying anyone wants high waits, just that people have shown they are willing to wait for that one maybe two rides they may get and still pay the admission price, the exact price doesn't really matter here.

 

[tony67]

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/annual-passes/epic-products

Looks like uo has cleared up ap benefits at epic.

No express for premier as expected

I did see that as a bit of a logistical issue since you did not use it to enter the park was not sure how they would validate it was the actual AP holder using it - unless they have the facial stuff at the express lines.

At this point I am seeing no reason the buy the premier pass - I don't park so that is of no value. The HHN ticket is of little value as odds are they won't offer on a day I need it - they really need to give you a credit for that IMO to use on multiday. Of course if they offer something down the road I can always upgrade.

I'm glad they cleared it up anyway - would not want to buy that for the Epic Express and then find out you don't get it.

 

[Minnie1222]

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/annual-passes/epic-products

Looks like uo has cleared up ap benefits at epic.

No express for premier as expected

That makes sense! The AP is for the other two parks, and the EP privilege should remain there.

 

[tony67]

That makes sense! The AP is for the other two parks, and the EP privilege should remain there.

Yeah. Still it would have helped sales of Premier passes and been a goodwill gesture towards the Premier Passholders since you cant buy an AP for Epic at any price.

It also does not help that they have put that out there on official channels as well as updated their website for a short period of time.

That said I feel like the after 4PM express for Epic is challenging - Epic will be a later night park IMO - looks like 9PM will be standard and some of the lands are better enjoyed at night - so the after 4PM express might be more of a challenge for Universal - although the bigger rides may not have express at all.

I'd see myself going in the AM and taking off for the afternoon and then coming back to use express.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

These high waits happened with Forbidden Journey too (back when attendance was much much lower at Universal and Universal wasn't really considered a contender in Orlando prior to FJ opening by most accounts).

I'm just responding to your comment about wait times. The truth is there will be happy people who willingly wait for just 1 or 2 rides and happily spend the money to do so. They did it in the past and a new theme park? Oh yeah you bet they will. Many people already have their one or two rides they want to ride the most and are prepared to go straight for and it's already been set up with expectations about 1 day at Epic you know you can't get much done in that time.

When you say it will look bad for Universal that's ignoring how the rides have been handled in the past. I mean it's already a common thing for people to do to pay the money just to go to the Harry Potter portions of the park including paying for a park to park just to ride Hogwarts Express. Complaints will happen, they'll be overshadowed by people just happy to be able to ride that ride they really want to ride.

Realistically we all hope there's a balance being made but to just state it'll look bad for Universal isn't seeing how past attractions are. People waited and waited and waited for Hagrids too and still do as there's no EP. Hagrid's opening had more than a 10 hour wait at the highest. Being an established park doesn't matter when you are mentioning cost of a park ticket and willingness to wait.

IMO it's trying to fit the Disney perspective about people's tolerances into Universal's way. There will always be upset people who complain.

But note I'm not saying anyone wants high waits, just that people have shown they are willing to wait for that one maybe two rides they may get and still pay the admission price, the exact price doesn't really matter here.

I guess its more no one was paying upwards of $180 a ticket to ride one ride. Park tickets were much lower for 1 day 1 park ticket back , and not just due to inflation lower because demand wasn't the same. Even with current parks yes people wait but there are so many ticket deals out there. Buy 2 days get 2 days free and so on that you can get muliple days for not much more than 1 day at Epic.

 

[Lewisc]

I guess its more no one was paying upwards of $180 a ticket to ride one ride.

It looks like, based on foreign ticket offerings, tickets in 2026 will be different. Multiple days at EPIC.

$180 for one ride is for people who won't wait 6 months and don't plan

Some will rush to the ride in front of the masses. Some will do other stuff in the morning and early afternoon. Get online mid afternoon; later if you're sure the line won't be closed early.

 

[georgina]

I will be watching reports throughout the year to see if the Ministry ride will be open for early entry in December, and if the entrance from Helios will be to my advantage!

 

[tony67]

It looks like, based on foreign ticket offerings, tickets in 2026 will be different. Multiple days at EPIC.

$180 for one ride is for people who won't wait 6 months and don't plan

Some will rush to the ride in front of the masses. Some will do other stuff in the morning and early afternoon. Get online mid afternoon; later if you're sure the line won't be closed early.

Yeah - I am really hoping that there will be an AP with Epic in 2026 - but alternately I may have to by a EU ticket - I think its 14 days and allows for all three parks.

I guess its more no one was paying upwards of $180 a ticket to ride one ride. Park tickets were much lower for 1 day 1 park ticket back , and not just due to inflation lower because demand wasn't the same. Even with current parks yes people wait but there are so many ticket deals out there. Buy 2 days get 2 days free and so on that you can get muliple days for not much more than 1 day at Epic.

There is a big FOMO with all of this and people wanting to post on socials that they are there and rode the ride etc.
Being there day one is a "big deal" - being there 6 months later - its old at that point.
No doubt I would have liked to be there for opening day just for the experience - even if nothing worked - but honestly I'm happier to be there for few preview days.

I agree the prices are a bit much - but as many have seen posted a lot lately - over 60% of Coachella tickets are financed and not just by putting it on a CC. To be fair I put my Universal tickets on a Universal credit card so technically I am financing it.

 

[Lewisc]

Yeah - I am really hoping that there will be an AP with Epic in 2026 - but alternately I may have to by a EU ticket - I think its 14 days and allows for all three parks.


There is a big FOMO with all of this and people wanting to post on socials that they are there and rode the ride etc.
Being there day one is a "big deal" - being there 6 months later - its old at that point.
No doubt I would have liked to be there for opening day just for the experience - even if nothing worked - but honestly I'm happier to be there for few preview days.

I'd be shocked if Universal doesn't offer a pass which includes EPIC in 2026. Will it only be available as a 4 park ticket. Will we be willing to pay it. My first Universal AP was for 2 parks. $99, the promotion was second year free.

Universal is saying people who want to be first pay.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I guess its more no one was paying upwards of $180 a ticket to ride one ride. Park tickets were much lower for 1 day 1 park ticket back , and not just due to inflation lower because demand wasn't the same. Even with current parks yes people wait but there are so many ticket deals out there. Buy 2 days get 2 days free and so on that you can get muliple days for not much more than 1 day at Epic.

You won't pay that much but others definitely will. The point isn't the actual price which I've tried to say a few times, it's what being in the park signifies and most especially if you were able to get on that ride you've been dying to get on. You look to the past and say "but but but" in relation to the price of the park ticket or deals, the existence of a park, etc as all reasons why it's different than now BUT it really isn't different than back then.

What would look bad for Universal is if their rides malfunction on a consistent basis which creates a longer than necessary wait for people, but it's not going to look bad for people to wait for that one (or two) that they've been clamoring for and get on it. They are still in Epic, still in awe of it, just like they have done when past attractions have opened. I wouldn't underestimate that feeling.

 

[tony67]

I'd be shocked if Universal doesn't offer a pass which includes EPIC in 2026. Will it only be available as a 4 park ticket. Will we be willing to pay it. My first Universal AP was for 2 parks. $99, the promotion was second year free.

Universal is saying people who want to be first pay.

Yeah - I think they have to offer it in 2026.

Been buying the AP on and off since it was one park and had your photo on it - I think it was like $20 more than the day ticket and you could upgrade on the way out. I think there was just one pass and it was called the Power Pass.
I never had a second year free deal though - I am just hoping to see a 15 month deal at this point.

I'll be very interested in how they handle pricing the AP - will it be a 4 park or a 3 park - I have zero interest in the water park.

 

[Lewisc]

I will be watching reports throughout the year to see if the Ministry ride will be open for early entry in December, and if the entrance from Helios will be to my advantage!

Only Nintendo is scheduled to open for early entry. Can you line up for Potter inside the park. Waiting in line for the hour between early entry and regular entry could be.a win

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'll be very interested in how they handle pricing the AP - will it be a 4 park or a 3 park - I have zero interest in the water park.

That's us too. I've heard good things about Volcano Bay but we just don't go to water parks when we're in Orlando (so that goes for the other theme parks) because we're too busy with the other parks to do so. So it'd be nice to be able to have an option that just includes the Studios, IOA and Epic though we don't currently have an AP I'd still hope for that option.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Same here - no interest in Volcano Bay but would love to add on EPIC !

 

[Kwami]

Only Nintendo is scheduled to open for early entry. Can you line up for Potter inside the park. Waiting in line for the hour between early entry and regular entry could be.a win

So the new HP ride isn't covered by the Express Pass and isn't available for early entry?

Ew.

 

[tx911]

So the new HP ride isn't covered by the Express Pass and isn't available for early entry?

Ew.

I guess one could still get in the queue at early entry and just be one of the first in line once the ride comes online, if you don't mind burning your early entry privilege.

 

[georgina]

I guess one could still get in the queue at early entry and just be one of the first in line once the ride comes online, if you don't mind burning your early entry privilege.

Could work if it saves me from a much longer line later. I have tickets for 2 days and EP for both; there are only a few rides with no EP, I could see lining up there for the early hour. I do remember issues with Hagrid's being down in the morning, so if the ride isn't reliable that's another issue.

 

[Kwami]

I guess one could still get in the queue at early entry and just be one of the first in line once the ride comes online, if you don't mind burning your early entry privilege.

That only works if you have two days at Epic, though. Otherwise, you'll miss the DK ride that's also not covered by the pass. Bleh.