Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[Minnie1222]

No go in changing to tomorrow, oh well!

It's okay, only another 38 hours and we will be there again.

 

[GhostHost24]

Ok so... Any recs to get dinner sat? That's not a sit down.

I wouldn't mind toadstool Cafe but it was a zoo in there during previews. Heard good things about the pizza moon place but know lines will be nuts there too

 

[Minnie1222]

Ok so... Any recs to get dinner sat? That's not a sit down.

I wouldn't mind toadstool Cafe but it was a zoo in there during previews. Heard good things about the pizza moon place but know lines will be nuts there too

We have a dedicated thread called "Epic Universe food pics" with lots of good pictures and reviews. No suggestions from me. I couldn't get inside Toadstool or Sirene on my preview day.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Meteor Astropub was really good. It's the same deal as Three Broomsticks & Thunder Falls Terrace - you mobile order from the table & they bring your food. Or you can order from a human; ideally have someone save your table & know the number. They were fairly quick and not busy at all. They have freestyle machines & restrooms right in the restaurant, we dawdled as a rest break in the A/C. Would totally get the chicken & waffle again, it was lovely.

 

[hertamaniac]

Meteor Astropub was really good. It's the same deal as Three Broomsticks & Thunder Falls Terrace - you mobile order from the table & they bring your food. Or you can order from a human; ideally have someone save your table & know the number. They were fairly quick and not busy at all. They have freestyle machines & restrooms right in the restaurant, we dawdled as a rest break in the A/C. Would totally get the chicken & waffle again, it was lovely.

I really do like the mobile order from table first deal. Das Stakehaus was easy peasy. The Burning Blade needs help. A real disconnect.

 

[hertamaniac]

We have a dedicated thread called "Epic Universe food pics" with lots of good pictures and reviews. No suggestions from me. I couldn't get inside Toadstool or Sirene on my preview day.

I added to the thread and probably should have shared more pics/thoughts. I'll be back come winter even though I live closeby.

 

[JLTraveling]

As I recall, Thrill Data had it between 7-8K at the low end of early AP previews and 10-13K at the high end when it went public

That sounds about right. We went the first and last days of AP previews. The first day was just shockingly empty. Long, long stretches of pathway with nary a soul in sight. Not sure about wait times because Dad has a GAP, but they seemed really short. Monday was noticeably more "crowded", but I'm using that term incredibly loosely. It was brutally hot that day, and we never had trouble finding space on one of the handful of benches in the shade, so the place was still incredibly empty by theme park standards. Just had to share walkways and express queues with a few people lol.

We caved and bought tickets for next Saturday. Heat wave is supposed to break, and supposedly attendance will still be capped, plus it's finally open till 10 so we'll be able to see it after dark. Plus, Dad's service dog couldn't get enough of it. She looked so sad when it was time to leave. So I'm glad we can take her again before the crowds get ridiculous.

 

[Minnie1222]

Dad's service dog couldn't get enough of it. She looked so sad when it was time to leave. So I'm glad we can take her again before the crowds get ridiculous.

 

[tony67]

So saw something about them removing the bar stools from the plastered owl in the BBQ place in Epic.
Supposedly its a new policy as it was causing disagreements when people bumped into others sitting at the bar trying to order drinks?

I recall they removed them from the backwater bar a long time ago which really annoyed me and the lack of bar stools in several of the outdoor bars in Epic is odd. When they removed them from backwater they said it was related to covid.

So I guess its only full service places that have stools at the bar now ?

Anyone hear anything about this?

So apparently the grand opening medallion is sold out before the park even opens?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1925508696970326141

There was some real anger over this I guess - some folks got up early to wait in line specifically to get this - one streamer was talking to a TM and I guess one of the influencers bought 70 of them. Not sure that is true but would not shock me. 80% of those streamers were not Universal folks - which caused a ton of anger among the secondary streamers who are Universal folks. Should have really been limited to one. I think that goes without saying. (BTW - some influencer is selling their Chronos with the 5 coins for 8k on eBay)

They did give out a paper commemorative ticket when people were leaving and I think that included a virtual version of the medallion.

All things considered was a pretty good opening day and it seems to be getting glowing reviews - but I really dislike the idea that they sold next to no tickets - people who wanted to go could not and many of us ended up with a less than stellar preview experience to say the least.

As we discussed already a lot of people will see this and plan trips - and may be very disappointed when they get there.
There was a very large lack of knowledge in the comments on various streams - and many of the streamers themselves have no clue or don't mention it as they need to stay on Universal good side to get invited back.

And yes - I am very unhappy with how Universal did us when it comes to previews and opening day - I fully admit to that. It was the cherry on top.

 

[tony67]

are they letting people walk through the queue?

Just to update on this - I saw last night when the ride was working they were letting people in to walk through the queue as well.
Its a bit of a mess, but you could go in the single rider line - walk around - and then exit.
Finding the exit can be difficult - its on your right when you first enter - so exit there after looking around.
May only be an option when the single rider line is open and wait time is ONLY two hours

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

If they want to increase capacity, please wait til next week

I'm hoping they'll wait until end of June, if the linked site is correct

 

[hertamaniac]

I

Supposedly its a new policy as it was causing disagreements when people bumped into others sitting at the bar trying to order drinks?

But that's what I would call an immersive experience.

It does seem odd as it's a circular bar. A couple of stanchions and a sign would do the trick, I think. The space looks really nice in there with the stained glass, etc.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So saw something about them removing the bar stools from the plastered owl in the BBQ place in Epic.
Supposedly its a new policy as it was causing disagreements when people bumped into others sitting at the bar trying to order drinks?

I recall they removed them from the backwater bar a long time ago which really annoyed me and the lack of bar stools in several of the outdoor bars in Epic is odd. When they removed them from backwater they said it was related to covid.

So I guess its only full service places that have stools at the bar now ?

Was the only way to order drinks at the bar?

If there was no one coming around and you had to go up to the bar it's really not the best design to have seats all around (your local dive bar obviously different). However, I don't think the answer would be just to remove all seats. They could still do an-in theme small sign above it to denote where you order and then leave at least several seats around the bar.

 

[tony67]

Was the only way to order drinks at the bar?

If there was no one coming around and you had to go up to the bar it's really not the best design to have seats all around (your local dive bar obviously different). However, I don't think the answer would be just to remove all seats. They could still do an-in theme small sign above it to denote where you order and then leave at least several seats around the bar.

No they have a window to order drinks.
At Backwater they had an area to order drinks as well before they took out the seats.
That used to be a really nice hangout bar with really good bartenders that I got to know well enough to be remembered when I come back. (yeah that can be god or bad - but usually good)

At the various "bars" around epic they are pretty good size and could have an area for ordering drinks - but its basically standing only - so not really an enjoyable sit and have a drink and people watch situation.

They guy I saw talking about this owns a few bars in NY and it made no sense to him at all. He like to go sit at the bar well the family does things he is not interested in - like wait in a very long line. He had been their for previews and no issue s- now no seats.
It's not optimal for the bartenders either - I'm sure take away maybe they get $1 a drink if they get a tip at all - especially with all the tip fatigue.
If someone is there interacting etc.. you are going to get 20-30% most likely as this customer was saying he typically does.
The bartender yesterday showed up for work - made one round of drinks - and was sent home. He was not particularly happy - but of course it was a very low volume day so probably would not of made anything at all.

BTW - I have had my seat taken from me at Finnigan's more than one - later in the day during HHN (around 2PM) they start to remove seats and eventually they will ask you to stand and take your seat from you. I understand but still annoying. I pretty much stopped going there at this point and go to Citi walk before returning for HHN.

Its a small thing - but good to be aware of.

 

[GhostHost24]

Who ready to see what day 2 looks like!

 

[tony67]

Who ready to see what day 2 looks like!

Yeah - more things to annoy me

Im glad for the folks that are there - they are having an experience I doubt they will ever see again until there is an OI event some day.

 

[hertamaniac]

No they have a window to order drinks.
At Backwater they had an area to order drinks as well before they took out the seats.
That used to be a really nice hangout bar with really good bartenders that I got to know well enough to be remembered when I come back. (yeah that can be god or bad - but usually good)

At the various "bars" around epic they are pretty good size and could have an area for ordering drinks - but its basically standing only - so not really an enjoyable sit and have a drink and people watch situation.

They guy I saw talking about this owns a few bars in NY and it made no sense to him at all. He like to go sit at the bar well the family does things he is not interested in - like wait in a very long line. He had been their for previews and no issue s- now no seats.
It's not optimal for the bartenders either - I'm sure take away maybe they get $1 a drink if they get a tip at all - especially with all the tip fatigue.
If someone is there interacting etc.. you are going to get 20-30% most likely as this customer was saying he typically does.
The bartender yesterday showed up for work - made one round of drinks - and was sent home. He was not particularly happy - but of course it was a very low volume day so probably would not of made anything at all.

BTW - I have had my seat taken from me at Finnigan's more than one - later in the day during HHN (around 2PM) they start to remove seats and eventually they will ask you to stand and take your seat from you. I understand but still annoying. I pretty much stopped going there at this point and go to Citi walk before returning for HHN.

Its a small thing - but good to be aware of.

I did manage to get a rare seat at CelesTiki. But the entire bar is smaller than I originally thought it would be.

 

[tony67]

I did manage to get a rare seat at CelesTiki. But the entire bar is smaller than I originally thought it would be.

View attachment 967569View attachment 967570View attachment 967571

As a tiki bar that place was a big disappointment to me in general.

I pictured something really cool with drinks on the level of strong water tavern.

I know its probably a Nintendo issue - but how do they not have a Tiki Tong drink at the Tiki bar?

 

[GhostHost24]

Nintendo def seems busier to start the day than yesterday. Wonder if more people went there for early entry first this time rather than Harry Potter or the merch shops

 

[hertamaniac]

As a tiki bar that place was a big disappointment to me in general.

I pictured something really cool with drinks on the level of strong water tavern.

I know its probably a Nintendo issue - but how do they not have a Tiki Tong drink at the Tiki bar?

When I saw "sloshy row" (you can see them in my pic), I felt a little disappointed too. I grabbed a seat facing outwards from the bar which I did like. But then the prices (probably in line with other parks)....