Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Nintendo’s “mall atrium” design really, REALLY traps heat.

I wonder how Japan is doing with that one as the climate can get very hot and very humid and sunny there.

I don't know how they would have been able to do much different unfortunately once they settled on the layout and theming. I imagine though having 2 levels at least helps distribute people.

One thing that could have been helped is a small enough roof design similar to PeopleMover at MK for Yoshi's that might have helped in certain hours of the day with the sun but theming and aesthetics may not have worked there. I did immediately think when I saw the pics of that particular attraction that it wasn't as well suited for blazing sun and heat but it's like that at Japan too.

I'm mostly comparing to Japan and Orlando since Hollywood while it can get warm and hot at times it's not as consistent as the other two locations with respects to land design.

 

[PrincessV]

Something else I’ll mention for those driving to Epic: road work. I was prepared for the park to be in rehearsal mode, but it didn’t feel like that at all - it felt like a fully open and running park! The roadwork leading in and out of Epic, though, is another story. I stayed at Endless Summer and it was a quick, easy drive to Epic, albeit with some lane closures that didn't really impact anything. Leaving, however, was more challenging. Part of Universal Blvd was closed, as was Carrier Dr., lanes were closed with virtually no warning - I almost ran right into a crew because there was no warning. The streetlights on the main road in and out of Epic weren’t working and it was VERY dark. I’m not super familiar with the area, but enough to be able to get my bearings and reroute when GPS was saying to take a road that wasn’t available. Others were clearly not and there was a LOT of dangerous driving. Just be aware and maybe spend some time looking at a map ahead of your visit if you’ll be driving to Epic! I hope they get this roadwork done before it officially opens.

I also found the parking lot a little challenging when leaving. If there are signs at the park exit indicating where the various lots are, I didn’t see them. I knew I needed to bear left, but things looked very different in the dark than they did in the morning, and there didn’t seem to be a main pedestrian walkway to the Viking lot. And row numbers were not easy to spot. I happened to be near a few other families who were also confused, so it wasn’t just me!

 

[glamdring269]

Looks like I'm heading to Orlando for a conference mid-May and I'm now thinking of buying an AP to Universal since we are also visiting in October. Apologies in advance if this is a repeat question but what I'm trying to figure out is how the potential add on of a preview ticket to Epic might work. Details below.

Arrive Orlando Sun morning May 18th. Planning to stay at Portofino for the night so I'll have EP Sun and Mon. The 18th will be the first day I actually use my AP and just wondering if it will be possible to purchase a 1-day ticket to Epic for Mon the 19th. How does that process work? If still unknown if they will offer a preview on that date do we know when we might know?

Thanks.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Arrive Orlando Sun morning May 18th. Planning to stay at Portofino for the night so I'll have EP Sun and Mon. The 18th will be the first day I actually use my AP and just wondering if it will be possible to purchase a 1-day ticket to Epic for Mon the 19th. How does that process work? If still unknown if they will offer a preview on that date do we know when we might know?

Previews go through May 19th. Ticket availability will be your only concern. The hotel preview tickets are a different bucket than the AP preview tickets. Theoretically they've got an allotment of tickets saved for hotel guests for each day. AP tickets can sell out for a individual dates any time.

 

[fatmanatee]

all parks have "flat rides" and they need them. you can't just have a park full of E tickets

It also fits the vibe of the land IMO, I think it's there for extra kinetic energy. It's fun, colorful, and lively.

 

[Smugpugmug]

all parks have "flat rides" and they need them. you can't just have a park full of E tickets

See Hollywood Studios as an example of what happens when your park is full of only E tickets. That park is miserable to be in during moderately busy days.

 

[glamdring269]

Previews go through May 19th. Ticket availability will be your only concern. The hotel preview tickets are a different bucket than the AP preview tickets. Theoretically they've got an allotment of tickets saved for hotel guests for each day. AP tickets can sell out for a individual dates any time.

Thanks. If I buy an AP online today would I be able to see availability for the 19th today? I’m not really familiar with how universal aps work systematically. Thanks again!

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Thanks. If I buy an AP online today would I be able to see availability for the 19th today? I’m not really familiar with how universal aps work systematically. Thanks again!

The link to buy preview will appear only after you activate your AP, meaning you have to enter one of the old park first. So, you will only be able to purchase after arrival if you buy a new AP

 

[GhostHost24]

Apparently UO has opened up ticket to the general public now. No need to stay at a resort or be a AP

 

[TexasErin]

Apparently UO has opened up ticket to the general public now. No need to stay at a resort or be a AP

I got some for May 12. Thank you for sharing!!!

 

[PrincessV]

With preview tickets open for everyone now, I may plan a day with my son. Hypothetically, do we think it would be possible for me to change a ticket I bought for June to a preview ticket in May?

 

[Jessem1133]

Apparently UO has opened up ticket to the general public now. No need to stay at a resort or be a AP

Ugh, lame. So much for those lower wait times we were looking forward to

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Ugh, lame. So much for those lower wait times we were looking forward to

Agree...very disappointed - we have preview tix for next Wednesday we bought the day they announced passholder previews. They've really watered it down to nothing for us now.

 

[GhostHost24]

Ugh, lame. So much for those lower wait times we were looking forward to

The only thing that's not clear is if these are unsold tickets with same capacity or if they are raising capacity.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

The only thing that's not clear is if these are unsold tickets with same capacity or if they are raising capacity.

That's a good point - I was assuming increased capacity, so maybe OK.

 

[Pyxie]

The only thing that's not clear is if these are unsold tickets with same capacity or if they are raising capacity.

I'd bet they are raising it since we are getting closer to opening and they want to do more stress testing. Since hotel tickets were only able to be purchased when you were onsite and you can now purchase tickets ahead of time for any day of previews, they couldn't really base it on "unsold" tickets.

 

[tjmw2727]

Apparently UO has opened up ticket to the general public now. No need to stay at a resort or be a AP

Great news for us- we have a HR hotel stay next Sat-Wed. We also have AP's but they aren't activated yet so I was hoping we could get the preview tickets upon hotel arrival.

Just bought them for Monday 5/5 so no more wondering if we will be able to go!

Looking forward to this and thanks for all the help and information provided by all.

 

[keishashadow]

Thank you! That's one I'll be sure to miss

I’ll join you missing that boat1

I’m a Floridian who does not tolerate sun well and a UV umbrella is basically an appendage to me - it helped a lot. Berk and Nintendo are by far the hottest… doing Yoshi’s mid-afternoon was a terrible idea

I’m getting mental pic of a sea of UV umbrellas in Nintendo area, ala mushrooms lol

Loved Cirque Arcanus

All (few) influencers I follow were unable to see the show, closed for whatever reason.

At the risk of spoilers, I assume it’s Cirque - light sort of thing? Is it hot in ‘the tent’?

Even 9:30 gives more time (though 10 would be perfect) for the months that the sun sets later.

Yes, 10 would be swell. Nice if they would consider a 9 - 10/10:30 pm EMH sort of thing for onsite guests only or even a later VQ just for these guests each day.

I totally would not in any way want to sacrifice morning hours for evening hours. Most especially when you're talking about the heat of summer.

Had hoped to rope drop, hit the nearby hotel pool (with a VQ in hand - ha, wishful thinking) and return after a few hours’ break. Not so sure that is workable plan at this point.

AP tickets can sell out for a individual dates any time.

Indeed

Apparently UO has opened up ticket to the general public now. No need to stay at a resort or be a AP

Yes, however, they’ve not had any tix I could see offered for the end of May, yesterday stretching into mid June.

 

[PrincessV]

At the risk of spoilers, I assume it’s Cirque - light sort of thing?

Oh, this is tough to answer without getting spoily …

Yes, it’s a bit Cirque-like…

Spoiler

Until it isn’t. Things take a surprising turn.

Is it hot in ‘the tent’?

Nope! Tent is air conditioned.

 

[keishashadow]

Yes, it’s a bit Cirque-like…

And the award for intriguing answer to a question goes to…PrincessV lol.