Epic Universe Ticketing Info, Advice, & Speculation

[LPCaptainDeath]

So I don't have an AP, so I don't have a stake in this conversation, but I would think that AP holder would not necessarily make the situation any worse. It might make wait times at less popular rides slightly longer, but I would doubt an AP holder would get in a 3+ hour line for ministry or DK. The main reason people are willing to get into these insane lines is because they cannot really come back whenever they want.

I could imagine that if I had an AP, I might do a 20min Monster's line, or even 40min Hiccup, but no way I would spend 3 hours in line for a ride that I can potentially rope drop once or twice a month if I really want to.

I totally agree (and relate as someone who is also not a local or AP holder), BUT...
-i love a good Devil's Advocate-

By that logic, IF it wouldn't make the situation worse in any way, why hasn't Universal done it yet?
The fact that they haven't kinda points to the opposite narrative and i think the overall throughput of the rides in the parks is that very reason. We harp on capacity all the time in this forum, we have to imagine that something around even as little as 10% of those APers would actually end up impacting some lines negatively, if not more. It's wishful thinking to say they wouldn't but call it calculated human error or pure spontaneity at play, but the fact that Universal hasn't approved AP's for EPIC means that they do not currently think the juice is worth the squeeze for some systemic or economical reason and they're leaving that money on the table for that reason.

The general consensus of not just this thread but the entire theme park community is that they're not going to add APs to EPIC because they're worried the park would not be able to handle the capacity increase in more than one way or another. Just because something looks easy right now doesn't suddenly mean it would be totally manageable with an added 100-1,000 more people to consider. Restaurants that look relatively open and easy to walk into right now suddenly have waits, those people who would have went there now go somewhere else, and the overall flow of the park takes a hit.

Exactly what @HalfGlass said - MORE BODIES is not going to help overall guest satisfaction in any way.
IMO we will only see APs added when there is literally MORE in the park to do, which echoes the sentiments of many in this thread. It might be ONE ride, it might be TWO, but when they add more to the park, i think whatever balancing act they're playing might finally have some leeway to pull that trigger more effectively.

 

[Mad Dog]

I totally agree (and relate as someone who is also not a local or AP holder), BUT...
-i love a good Devil's Advocate-

By that logic, IF it wouldn't make the situation worse in any way, why hasn't Universal done it yet?
The fact that they haven't kinda points to the opposite narrative and i think the overall throughput of the rides in the parks is that very reason. We harp on capacity all the time in this forum, we have to imagine that something around even as little as 10% of those APers would actually end up impacting some lines negatively, if not more. It's wishful thinking to say they wouldn't but call it calculated human error or pure spontaneity at play, but the fact that Universal hasn't approved AP's for EPIC means that they do not currently think the juice is worth the squeeze for some systemic or economical reason and they're leaving that money on the table for that reason.

The general consensus of not just this thread but the entire theme park community is that they're not going to add APs to EPIC because they're worried the park would not be able to handle the capacity increase in more than one way or another. Just because something looks easy right now doesn't suddenly mean it would be totally manageable with an added 100-1,000 more people to consider. Restaurants that look relatively open and easy to walk into right now suddenly have waits, those people who would have went there now go somewhere else, and the overall flow of the park takes a hit.

Exactly what @HalfGlass said - MORE BODIES is not going to help overall guest satisfaction in any way.
IMO we will only see APs added when there is literally MORE in the park to do, which echoes the sentiments of many in this thread. It might be ONE ride, it might be TWO, but when they add more to the park, i think whatever balancing act they're playing might finally have some leeway to pull that trigger more effectively.

Plus more reliable operations. The main attractions continue to break down at an unacceptable level. Some have gotten worse than they were a few months ago.

 

[AB2020]

By that logic, IF it wouldn't make the situation worse in any way, why hasn't Universal done it yet?

My original reply was mostly a direct response to the point that they want to avoid the major rides from overcrowding. So when I say it would not make the situation worse, I was primarily talking about line lengths of Ministry, Donkey Kong, etc.. Overall of course it would make the park more busy overall.

But I think the other point is that they are currently still making a lot of money with the AP Epic tickets. Even if an AP holder only gets 4 Epic tickets per year, it is likely more profit than what they would make in additional merch & food sales from AP holders.

 

[Freak]

I'm finally doing it! Finally able to make it out to Epic after delaying the trip for about a year trying to get people to go with, finances, and life happening. I will be going April Tuesday 14th.

Just did a quick Google search and noticed the park will be open from 10:00AM to 10:00PM. A full 12 hours. That's perfect.

I don't have a very strict gameplan for now except I plan to rope drop Donkey Kong first. I expect that to have the worst lines due to capacity. Anyone think I should plan otherwise? Also note that I will likely skip Mario Kart as I am a USH passholder and I can enjoy that ride anytime I want to. I may or may not skip Fyre Drill if the line is long and I don't feel like getting drenched lol

Finally, what are two food spots I absolutely need to try and now the most important question: What beer do I get from the Burning Blade? I'm more of a dark beer person.

Any advice would be welcomed!

 

[Jake S]

What beer do I get from the Burning Blade? I'm more of a dark beer person.

My man! I’m a big fan of the Reaper’s Reserve, which is a very drinkable brown ale.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm finally doing it! Finally able to make it out to Epic after delaying the trip for about a year trying to get people to go with, finances, and life happening. I will be going April Tuesday 14th.

Just did a quick Google search and noticed the park will be open from 10:00AM to 10:00PM. A full 12 hours. That's perfect.

I don't have a very strict gameplan for now except I plan to rope drop Donkey Kong first. I expect that to have the worst lines due to capacity. Anyone think I should plan otherwise? Also note that I will likely skip Mario Kart as I am a USH passholder and I can enjoy that ride anytime I want to. I may or may not skip Fyre Drill if the line is long and I don't feel like getting drenched lol

Finally, what are two food spots I absolutely need to try and now the most important question: What beer do I get from the Burning Blade? I'm more of a dark beer person.

Any advice would be welcomed!

Best advice. Do whatever you need to do so you don't get tired out. It's essential to be in the park until closing since
the 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM time slot has, by far, the shortest stand by lines.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I'm finally doing it! Finally able to make it out to Epic after delaying the trip for about a year trying to get people to go with, finances, and life happening. I will be going April Tuesday 14th.

Just did a quick Google search and noticed the park will be open from 10:00AM to 10:00PM. A full 12 hours. That's perfect.

I don't have a very strict gameplan for now except I plan to rope drop Donkey Kong first. I expect that to have the worst lines due to capacity. Anyone think I should plan otherwise? Also note that I will likely skip Mario Kart as I am a USH passholder and I can enjoy that ride anytime I want to. I may or may not skip Fyre Drill if the line is long and I don't feel like getting drenched lol

Finally, what are two food spots I absolutely need to try and now the most important question: What beer do I get from the Burning Blade? I'm more of a dark beer person.

Any advice would be welcomed!

Most definitely what @Mad Dog said. Not only are ops and wait times significantly more manageable, the park is also simply gorgeous at night. Nighttime Stardust is one of the best experiences in Central Florida IMO.

DK might not open right as the rest of the park does. It can! but I've seen it delay for a significant amount of time longer than everything else. Getting on that ride and Ministry are almost entirely luck.

Both queues are really rough on the body. There are no Rise of the Resistance cave benches here, just uncomfy handrails and walls to lean on for multiple hours. Before committing to one or the other, make sure you're properly prepped beforehand for a decent grind. Make sure you've eaten, that you've got water on hand, your shoes fit right and aren't soaked with Fyre Drill water, etc. This pairs with the "Don't get yourself tired" advice. Epic is a marathon run, not a sprint.

Congrats and hope you have a really great time out there!