Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[GAcoaster]

I’ll push back on this. I’ve told a bunch about my opening weekend vacation plans and the literally not a single person has heard of EU beyond what I’ve told them.

I think Marketing needs to really pick up, but I also don’t think UOR’s marketing has ever been as strong as USH.

The people who are “Orlando Vacation every year” who are planning for 2025 know. The people who don’t aren’t planners— they just go. They’ll get bombarded from January-May (a lot like the Wicked blitz happening now)

I fully expect that ads start running with the Super Bowl and all the NBC networks and shows start mentioning Epic constantly starting about 3months from opening day.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

The people who are “Orlando Vacation every year” who are planning for 2025 know. The people who don’t aren’t planners— they just go. They’ll get bombarded from January-May (a lot like the Wicked blitz happening now)

I fully expect that ads start running with the Super Bowl and all the NBC networks and shows start mentioning Epic constantly starting about 3months from opening day.

And this is the smart way to do it. They will not have an issue with the park being busy opening months, then HHN crowds also checking it out, then normal holiday crowds as well. First 6 months I doubt they’re worried.

For the people who don’t go often but plan 6 months to a year in advance, marketing blitz 3 months before opening is very smart to maintain the momentum into 2026.

 

[GAcoaster]

This also minimizes the number of people who show up expecting it to be open before it’s actually open

 

[DarkMetroid567]

The people who are “Orlando Vacation every year” who are planning for 2025 know.

Tbh, I’d even push back on this. Though I have no evidence — just vibes.

I agree that there’s enough time and I have zero doubts EU will be popping come 2026, but I’m still expecting a kinda slow summer.

 

[Scott W.]

Monsters Unchained has stationary load option, same as Forbidden Journey. They’re not going to take wheeled assistance vehicles onto a moving platform.

Same as Donkey Kong. It has a separation stationary load area so you don’t have to use the continuous moving belt.

And all the indoor rides have a child swap area, (listed as family room in permits). Many even have a guest restroom with changing table attached or next to them too!

One of the neat things about the Potter ride is that after you walk up and over the track before boarding, you enter an 'elevator lobby'.



Two doors are for loading onto the ride vehicle but the 3rd door is a real elevator for guests who can't use the stairs to get them over the track.

If done right, this could be a nice extra experience.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I've always thought those super long attraction and food lines, and poor operations of 2022, not counting rising costs, negatively affected future visits to WDW and UO. And Orlando (WDW & UO) actually has had 6 straight flat/declining quarters. Only the first quarter of 2023 was decent. Disney & Universal Parks outside Orlando were better in the last three quarters of 2023, and helped the overall figures. ...But I'm not worried about a SWGE summer. That was mostly super poor marketing signals. As long as Universal doesn't overplay their ticketing scheme, like they did in Hollywood Potter opening, I think they'll be OK. But they really need to be flexible on the tickets if demand isn't as strong as expectations......and Orlando figures may be worst than the Universal parks overall since Japan and China seem to be doing OK at this time.

Marketing wise they're avoiding every single misstep Disney did with SWGE so far (hyping up long lines and backed up roads in the area, etc.). But, still questioning the entire ticket structure of the park. I agree that they need to be flexible, which is why I hope they are ready to consider an AP program a month or two after initial opening if demand softens.

I think the biggest sign that they're marketing EU well is non-theme park fans knowing about it.

And anecdotally, I work with several people who have mentioned that they saw ads for it and they want to go.

Universal has done a marvelous job at presenting the park through their website, preview center and social media. However, I'm questioning the impact of EU's pricing structure at the moment. It's become very expensive to visit Orlando, so it'll be interesting to see if people hold out on visiting until they can visit at a more reasonable price point.

 

[DrStarlander]

Consider me an anecdote but I'm from the west coast and have never been to Universal Orlando, and have only been to USH a few times in 50 years (and Disneyland 50-75 times). I'm a Disney shareholder and lifelong Disney fan. But now I am a newly created Universal fan solely based on learning about Epic. I will be bringing my family of four to Epic and we'll stay at Helios and I'm looking forward to it, and so are my teenage boys.

(I will admit I knew nothing about this park until this spring, if that says anything about how much awareness it has had.)

But...we won't visit until '26 or even '27, because we want everything to be functioning, I want to be able to go to Epic for at least two days (plus one day each at other parks), and I want the initial crowds to die down. Now, if everyone is taking the same approach, I guess 2025 attendance could be artificially slow (I say "artificially" meaning the slowness is masking an actual stronger interest out there).

They could potentially accelerate business from people like me (i.e., move that trip up to late '25 or early '26) by guaranteeing they are capping attendance at some reasonable level, but I don't think I've heard anything about that (correct me if I'm wrong).

Consider me an anecdote but I'm from the west coast and have never been to Universal Orlando, and have only been to USH a few times in 50 years (and Disneyland 50-75 times). I'm a Disney shareholder and lifelong Disney fan. But now I am a newly created Universal fan solely based on learning about Epic. I will be bringing my family of four to Epic and we'll stay at Helios and I'm looking forward to it, and so are my teenage boys.

(I will admit I knew nothing about this park until this spring, if that says anything about how much awareness it has had.)

But...we won't visit until '26 or even '27, because we want everything to be functioning, I want to be able to go to Epic for at least two days (plus one day each at other parks), and I want the initial crowds to die down. Now, if everyone is taking the same approach, I guess 2025 attendance could be artificially slow (I say "artificially" meaning the slowness is masking an actual stronger interest out there).

They could potentially accelerate business from people like me (i.e., move that trip up to late '25 or early '26) by guaranteeing they are capping attendance at some reasonable level, but I don't think I've heard anything about that (correct me if I'm wrong).

...and I should add, a 4-day ticket with two days at Epic would also be necessary for me to make the trip.

 

[Disneyhead]

Ok, what I am hearing is that there will be at least 3 weeks of TM Previews.

1st week: TMs only.
2nd week: TMs and 3rd Party.
3rd week: TMs/3rd Party + Family.

Maybe a 4th week with all of the above plus guests.

I have heard nothing about AP Previews.

 

[Floridaguy34]

Technically there will be 4. Cause one week will be just for epic team members

 

[Alicia]

I have heard nothing about AP Previews.

Because there aren’t AP Previews.

It’ll be AP soft opens.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Because there aren’t AP Previews.

It’ll be AP soft opens.

That feels smart, also gives them leeway if things aren’t working. If they planned previews for Ministry or Monsters or DK and they aren’t working, I’m sure there would be a lot of negative feedback.

 

[Alicia]

That feels smart, also gives them leeway if things aren’t working. If they planned previews for Ministry or Monsters or DK and they aren’t working, I’m sure there would be a lot of negative feedback.

Having to pay for AP previews may garner negative feedback, but I’m hoping that also means we can go more than once if that’s how they do it.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Having to pay for AP previews may garner negative feedback, but I’m hoping that also means we can go more than once if that’s how they do it.

I’d imagine they will have many soft opening dates if that’s the case. If they are not making you book days months in advance for that, I assume you’ll be able to go a few times. Again, depends on how many soft opening days they have ultimately. The whole process will be fascinating to follow!

 

[Mike S]

Having to pay for AP previews may garner negative feedback, but I’m hoping that also means we can go more than once if that’s how they do it.

If they were going to sell previews I wish they did that before actual day tickets lol

 

[Alicia]

If they were going to sell previews I wish they did that before actual day tickets lol

But then they would sell less day tickets.


Also, I think something that seems obvious to me is worth discussing. The reason Passholders were given the early opportunity to purchase single-day tickets is probably so we don’t complain about having to buy multi-day tickets that include tickets to parks we already have access to. That is probably all there was to it.

It does not necessarily mean annual passes with Epic Universe won’t come until 2026. It doesn’t mean opening day single day tickets for non-Passholders won’t go on sale and that this AP early sale was the only way to buy them. It’s just so we don’t complain about multi-day tickets being our only option.

 

[Mike S]

But then they would sell less day tickets.


Also, I think something that seems obvious to me is worth discussing. The reason Passholders were given the early opportunity to purchase single-day tickets is probably so we don’t complain about having to buy multi-day tickets that include tickets to parks we already have access to. That is probably all there was to it.

It does not necessarily mean annual passes with Epic Universe won’t come until 2026. It doesn’t mean opening day single day tickets for non-Passholders won’t go on sale and that this AP early sale was the only way to buy them. It’s just so we don’t complain about multi-day tickets being our only option.

Oh yeah I get the business of it I just wish we were given that option

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

HHN being over (after tonight at least) makes EU feel that much closer!

 

[OLSinFLA]

Having to pay for AP previews may garner negative feedback, but I’m hoping that also means we can go more than once if that’s how they do it.

If it wad me, if I was going to not have APs available for a few months after opening, I'd have a month (or so) of previews for AP holders - but only if they renew for a year. That way you avoid a sea of cancellations after May 22.

 

[Cuda]

On topic, but I didn't expect this. Today Facebook let me know there was a new avatar available. I clicked on clothing and there were three Epic Universe shirts you could dress your avatar in!

 

[saint.piss]

!!!!!!