Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[Jake S]

Is that because perhaps the Pirates' AAs have been running for decades with known maintenance schedules and quirks known? Do you really think folks wouldn't make fun of the ride if it had 1960s levels AAs? What are you even complaining about!?!?

relax, man. i’m saying that an insistence on using the latest and greatest tech comes with a tradeoff: that tech will be less reliable. and that the “clamoring” for the latest and greatest tech is coming from inside these creative departments more than it is coming from guests.

 

[Tbad556]

relax, man. i’m saying that an insistence on using the latest and greatest tech comes with a tradeoff: that tech will be less reliable. and that the “clamoring” for the latest and greatest tech is coming from inside these creative departments more than it is coming from guests.

But couldn't it be argued that Monsters is essentially them listening to the large complaints from guests (valid or not) who are sick of "screenz" at Universal by giving them a maximalist attraction loaded with physical animatronics and sets? Doesn't seem fair to insinuate that guests (or really human beings in general) aren't typically clamoring for something new and better than before at all times.

 

[Jake S]

But couldn't it be argued that Monsters is essentially them listening to the large complaints from guests (valid or not) who are sick of "screenz" at Universal by giving them a maximalist attraction loaded with physical animatronics and sets? Doesn't seem fair to insinuate that guests (or really human beings in general) aren't typically clamoring for something new and better than before at all times.

Sure, but my point is that having an attraction with physical sets and animatronics does not inherently mean one with animatronics so advanced and complex that maintaining them is very difficult. It can mean that! But it doesn’t have to, and I don’t think complaints about screens equates to a demand for that level of complexity.

 

[Tbad556]

Sure, but my point is that having an attraction with physical sets and animatronics does not inherently mean one with animatronics so advanced and complex that maintaining them is very difficult. It can mean that! But it doesn’t have to, and I don’t think complaints about screens equates to a demand for that level of complexity.

But so far this all seems to be a hypothetical argument anyhow, as @Rhian mentioned. As of now, the preshow is really the only thing struggling on a regular basis. I hear the argument, but I love the big, crazy animatronics hah. If giant, advanced, and complex animatronics have no fans, that means I'm dead

 

[OLSinFLA]

This is probably old news but people at the park the other day were convinced APs for Epic would be offered after HHN.

Oddly the allotment for TM comp passes is still not loaded for October

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Obviously I'd prefer to have the AAs on the ride working vs the preshows - but it's still a major bummer if the preshows aren't running.

 

[OLSinFLA]

but no one is clamoring for the most high-fidelity animatronics we’ve ever seen in every single scene. pirates of the Caribbean still absolutely rips and it has extremely rudimentary figures.

Some of the figures (notably the auctioneer and the red head) have been upgraded over the years tho

 

[Rhian]

Oddly the allotment for TM comp passes is still not loaded for October

Might happen closer to comp ticket distribution? Not everyone had access either, workers at the hotels did not receive them. Universal may be working on phasing everyone in.

 

[Disneyhead]

Oddly the allotment for TM comp passes is still not loaded for October

Side note, I found it interesting that the TM comp passes only apply to Universal TM's. Not Loews or 3rd party.

 

[Mad Dog]

Today: Long lines at Epic. Real short lines at USF and IOA......except for Hagrid's , of course.

 

[NotPennysBoat]

What’s everyone’s guess at wait times on Monday and Tuesday at Epic Universe during HHN since HHN’s don’t run on those days? We are coming down to Universal for a week in mid October, and Monday and Tuesday will be our best days to go.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

What’s everyone’s guess at wait times on Monday and Tuesday at Epic Universe during HHN since HHN’s don’t run on those days? We are coming down to Universal for a week in mid October, and Monday and Tuesday will be our best days to go.

Unsure as these two past days had Labor Day in the mix. My assumption is that it'll be somewhat low as some guests might like to visit USF on Mon/Tue when HHN is not occurring.

 

[Frank Drackman]

What’s everyone’s guess at wait times on Monday and Tuesday at Epic Universe during HHN since HHN’s don’t run on those days? We are coming down to Universal for a week in mid October, and Monday and Tuesday will be our best days to go.

Unsure as these two past days had Labor Day in the mix. My assumption is that it'll be somewhat low as some guests might like to visit USF on Mon/Tue when HHN is occurring.

We really do not have any history to look upon. Most weeks Monday's seem to be a busy day at Epic (but then Labor Day Monday was probably to slowest day since opening -- there have been some recent weeks when it seemed the crowds showed up on WED -- the way they sold tickets with folks getting multi-days at the North campus with just one day at Epic does seem to cause some odd crowding one day of the week over others.

The thing that should/could push up Monday and Tuesday during HHN is that there is a crowd base that visits every year during HHN season, that is when they come and they do stay for multiple days -- I would guess many of these folks will make their first Epic visit this year.

Another unknown is how bad the tourism downturn is (by me anyway, I assume UNI has data around bookings and such). One can see it in destination cities like Las Vegas. Stories I have seen in the Orlando area believe that Epic helped compensate for the downturn by still drawing good international numbers compensating for the loss in folks not visiting the US this year, but how long will that last?!?

Personally, I think it is anyone's guess and I think it will be more determined by how many non HHN fans go to Epic, but it would make sense for them to go to Epic on an HHN night -- I wonder if Monsters would see an uptick in wait times ;-)

 

[Mad Dog]

We really do not have any history to look upon. Most weeks Monday's seem to be a busy day at Epic (but then Labor Day Monday was probably to slowest day since opening -- there have been some recent weeks when it seemed the crowds showed up on WED -- the way they sold tickets with folks getting multi-days at the North campus with just one day at Epic does seem to cause some odd crowding one day of the week over others.

The thing that should/could push up Monday and Tuesday during HHN is that there is a crowd base that visits every year during HHN season, that is when they come and they do stay for multiple days -- I would guess many of these folks will make their first Epic visit this year.

Another unknown is how bad the tourism downturn is (by me anyway, I assume UNI has data around bookings and such). One can see it in destination cities like Las Vegas. Stories I have seen in the Orlando area believe that Epic helped compensate for the downturn by still drawing good international numbers compensating for the loss in folks not visiting the US this year, but how long will that last?!?

Personally, I think it is anyone's guess and I think it will be more determined by how many non HHN fans go to Epic, but it would make sense for them to go to Epic on an HHN night -- I wonder if Monsters would see an uptick in wait times ;-)

Yes, that's basically the way the crowds have been, looking at the posted times each day. Labor Day weekend was an aberration, probably because
the arrival/departure plans change with the Monday holiday. HHN can be a wildcard for sure. It might change the precedents we've seen up to this point in time. So far, Mondays been a crowded day, with the exception of Labor Day. We'll have a better handle on it by the end of September, me thinks. As we've said before, Sunday have been the shortest lines each week, except for this holiday weekend. Most every other day is long lines, especially if thunderstorms swoop in or there's a bad tech day.

 

[tommyhawkins]

Wonder what month those responsible for delivering the rides and maintaining AAs would have liked to have really opened the park

 

[Mad Dog]

Wonder what month those responsible for delivering the rides and maintaining AAs would have liked to have really opened the park

I'd bet it was a few months later than when they opened.

 

[OLSinFLA]

Might happen closer to comp ticket distribution? Not everyone had access either, workers at the hotels did not receive them. Universal may be working on phasing everyone in.

They loaded September on day one though

 

[Rhian]

I'd bet it was a few months later than when they opened.

4-6 months longer might’ve been the sweet spot, particularly in Ministry’s case.

They loaded September on day one though

My theory is that these first two months were a test to see the initial demand from TMs and work it into their metrics for estimated capacity. Since the quarterly distribution happens next month they’ll either add the next two months to TMs only or expand the pool of eligible workers.

Or they did this as a one-off and access won’t be granted again until a later date but I hope it isn’t that.

 

[rhino4evr]

I go for my first time in a little over a month and I will be SO disappointed if either the Monsters pre-show is down or Stardust racers isn’t dueling.

Question.., when this happens; is it pretty much for the whole day ? Or does it seem to happen randomly throughout the day ?