Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[tony67]

Honestly... They should do VQ for at least the first week or so..

HOWEVER

If they did that, they got to change the process. Just make it like Disneys... Login at a certain time, pre select number of party click the button and it gives you a time. And you can only get one

Yeah they need to rework the app completely - why they did not is the big question - its not like this is the first time they used VL.

I cool with the VL if they fix the app and still give some sort of option for standby - if you want to wait 300 minutes you should be able to.

 

[Minnie1222]

It will be interesting to see how efficient the EP is. At almost $300/person before taxes, I sincerely hope the wait is less than an hour for each ride.

 

[tony67]

I wish they would add the 3 excluded rides to the EP, or sell them as individual EP (like Disney's ILL).

Don't think that would go down well at all, I get that some key rides are not on express in IOA\US - but its also free for many.
that said- honestly not having the key rides on a paid only express and only once per ride, I don't see the value personally.
Maybe when the park is at Capacity.

100% against ILL but I'm sure some would like it - and yeah I have paid for Cosmic Rewind a couple of time - because I knew it would be years before I go back to Disney and its just me as a solo rider - not as a family of 4.
If its there I'd be tempted to buy it - but I would have some buyers remorse.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

So now people are complaining about the 300 minute wait
...

Maybe they need 25% VL that goes into the express line and a standby line for people that dong get a VL.

Not a fan of a lottery system where a select few can skip the line. Some people wait 15min, and others wait 300min? Either everyone rides by VL, or no one.
I prefer no one - you've got a choice to either get in line or not, everyone has the same opportunity. And again, that gets a whole ton of people out of the other lines... making the rest of the park a better experience, since so many of those other lines aren't particularly interesting/aren't in A/C.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Lordy y'all trying to make Universal Disney, if that system works better for you Disney is your place. Many people go to Universal to get away from the madness that is Disney and how they do things.

 

[tony67]

Not a fan of a lottery system where a select few can skip the line. Some people wait 15min, and others wait 300min? Either everyone rides by VL, or no one.
I prefer no one - you've got a choice to either get in line or not, everyone has the same opportunity. And again, that gets a whole ton of people out of the other lines... making the rest of the park a better experience, since so many of those other lines aren't particularly interesting/aren't in A/C.

Yeah - its a tough one and I am sure they are trying to figure it out as well.
100% standby is probably the fairest option unless they have an actual working app.
Of course its not always about fair.
Currently the app itself is already a lottery when they implement it.

 

[Minnie1222]

Don't think that would go down well at all, I get that some key rides are not on express in IOA\US - but its also free for many.
that said- honestly not having the key rides on a paid only express and only once per ride, I don't see the value personally.

Maybe I read your post wrong, but you can buy individual passes and wait in standby for the selected rides at Disney.

 

[tony67]

Lordy y'all trying to make Universal Disney, if that system works better for you Disney is your place. Many people go to Universal to get away from the madness that is Disney and how they do things.

Yeah - that is why I am at Universal - unfortunately I feel like if its successful its going to end up more like Disney - it already felt like that in a lot of ways on my last trip.

 

[tony67]

Maybe I read your post wrong, but you can buy individual passes and wait in standby for the selected rides at Disney.

currently yes - not an option when I was there. It was VQ or pay so I was thinking that way

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yeah - that is why I am at Universal - unfortunately I feel like if its successful its going to end up more like Disney - it already felt like that in a lot of ways on my last trip.

Yeah, it's why I said many pages ago be careful what you (general you) wish for.

 

[Minnie1222]

Lordy y'all trying to make Universal Disney, if that system works better for you Disney is your place. Many people go to Universal to get away from the madness that is Disney and how they do things.

Nah! Universal and Disney are both our places. There are things that work better at certain parks.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Nah! Universal and Disney are both our places. There are things that work better at certain parks.

Honestly you're not making sense. Of course things work better at certain parks so why in the world are you suggesting Universal do things that Disney does because Disney does it. And your comment wasn't the only one I was speaking to, it's comments recently and over the course of the thread.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Details for Your Epic Universe Grand Opening Day Adventure​

We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Grand Opening Day of Universal Epic Universe!
If you've purchased a ticket to visit Epic Universe on opening day, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this unforgettable day at our newest park.

Join us at 8 AM EST on Thursday, May 22, for a brief celebratory moment as we open the portals to worlds beyond anything you’ve experienced.

Epic Universe Park Hours are 9 AM – 10 PM

Epic Universe parking lot, including ride share drop off, opens at 6 AM

Shuttle Buses from all Universal Orlando Resort Hotels to Epic Universe begin at 6 AM

Turnstiles at both the Chronos front entrance and Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, dedicated entrance will open at 7 AM

https://www.universalorlando.com/we...RL&campaign=Epic Universe&post_id=17065697396

I'm wondering if the parking lot opening at 6am is too late but it's nice that ride share is included in that.



__________________-
There's also a livestream tonight (apologies if that was already mentioned) "Blue carpet coverage will start at 6 p.m. EST with the official celebration kicking off at 7 p.m. EST. Fans can sign up for an email reminder to join the virtual livestream and receive other updates and offers." I'm not sure if I'll watch the live stream but if someone does it'd be fun to hear what it was like.

 

[tony67]

...........

I'm wondering if the parking lot opening at 6am is too late but it's nice that ride share is included in that.

Yeah does seem like its a pretty tight schedule - I am wondering if part of that is that they are only allowing around 14000 or so people as I understand it. They are really efficient at getting people through security and into the park but it still seems tight to me.

 

[PrincessV]

Thinking back to Galaxy’s Edge opening day…

Official opening time was 6am. I got up at 2am. In my car at 3am. In traffic on the DHS entry road by 3:15am and parked by 4am. Crowd waited until maybe 4:30-4:45am before being let through the DHS tapstiles. Entered GE before 6am - I want to say it wasn't long after 5:30am. At that, there were people on the road by midnight, circling around until the parking lot opened to be among the first.

I can only imagine how this is going to go at Epic with a 6am parking lot for an 8am park opening!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The park opens at 9am, the turnstiles open at 7am. Does that mean that you can enter Celestial Park starting at 7am and explore until the lands / rides / food opens at 9am? If so, that's why the parking lot doesn't need to open earlier. There isn't a real incentive to be first in line if everyone is going to be able to be into the park before official 9am opening. Except, I guess, for the glory of being able to say you were first.

Oh wait, open the portals at 8am. But they're also saying the park doesn't open until 9am. What odd phrasing.

 

[tony67]

Thinking back to Galaxy’s Edge opening day…

Official opening time was 6am. I got up at 2am. In my car at 3am. In traffic on the DHS entry road by 3:15am and parked by 4am. Crowd waited until maybe 4:30-4:45am before being let through the DHS tapstiles. Entered GE before 6am - I want to say it wasn't long after 5:30am. At that, there were people on the road by midnight, circling around until the parking lot opened to be among the first.

I can only imagine how this is going to go at Epic with a 6am parking lot for an 8am park opening!

Yeah was going to reference that - just could not recall all the details. IF there are cars waiting I can see them opening the parking sooner - open turnstiles sooner also an option.

 

[tony67]

The park opens at 9am, the turnstiles open at 7am. Does that mean that you can enter Celestial Park starting at 7am and explore until the lands / rides / food opens at 9am? If so, that's why the parking lot doesn't need to open earlier. There isn't a real incentive to be first in line if everyone is going to be able to be into the park before official 9am opening. Except, I guess, for the glory of being able to say you were first.

From what I read you can just get into the area around the main entrance.
I saw one thing that said in front of the Chronos - not sure there is really enough space just in front of the Chronos.

 

[tony67]

The park opens at 9am, the turnstiles open at 7am. Does that mean that you can enter Celestial Park starting at 7am and explore until the lands / rides / food opens at 9am? If so, that's why the parking lot doesn't need to open earlier. There isn't a real incentive to be first in line if everyone is going to be able to be into the park before official 9am opening. Except, I guess, for the glory of being able to say you were first.

Oh wait, open the portals at 8am. But they're also saying the park doesn't open until 9am. What odd phrasing.

I think its all about the "brief celebratory moment" and maybe they will also do something at each portal like they are doing for media

I've heard talk of a possible opening day coin as well - like they did for the hotel.

 

[Tymeece]

for sure...hopefully that eats half the crowds on its own. I plan to camp out for it first thing one morning, and then try to get in line for it towards the end of my second day, just to be in the park as long as possible into the night, when I am there mid june.

If park opens to more people than the previews they are going to be in trouble from a line/waiting problem everywhere.