Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[GAcoaster]

So park hours are official: 9am - 9pm for May

I’m imagining that the 9:00 close is the four worlds, with a soft close of Celestial Park actually closing at 10-10:30. Essentially no one gets in after 9, but there’s no rush to push out people eating, drinking, and enjoying the lights and fountains.

 

[UNIrd]

The latest reservation you can make for Atlantic is at 8:45pm. Just made one and will report back on how late we get to push enjoying the park at night.

 

[dxwwf3]

The latest reservation you can make for Atlantic is at 8:45pm. Just made one and will report back on how late we get to push enjoying the park at night.

Are reservations on the website working now or are people still using the mysterious, I can't find the link Zomato bookings?

 

[UNIrd]

I got it directly from the website and it even sends you to login with your UO account or continue as guest. I see the reservation now under the app too under Dining Reservations. Progress!

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Isn't Epic closer to residential areas than the main campus is? I think there's an apartment complex probably 20 feet from Stella Nova lol

 

[Legacy]

Isn't Epic closer to residential areas than the main campus is? I think there's an apartment complex probably 20 feet from Stella Nova lol

There's apartments fifty feet from Diagon Alley.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

There's apartments fifty feet from Diagon Alley.

That's why I'm curious why it at least appears that Epic is able to get away with more than the main campus - at least as far as fireworks.

 

[Brian G.]

That's why I'm curious why it at least appears that Epic is able to get away with more than the main campus - at least as far as fireworks.

It may be as simple as zoning.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

Has there been a consensus on EPA strategy? We will be at Stella Nova, with a rental car and I'm a Premiere Passholder, so I'm guessing we valet and queue up for the park.

1. Do we load at the portals or in Celestial park?
2. Is knocking out Mario Kart and Minecart Madness a priority?
   1. I have a 4 and 2 year old that are just getting interested in Mario, so we will definitely want to get on these, but I want to make sure I'm maximizing our (limited) time in the park.
3. What are your MUST eats?
   1. Right now, we have the mac and cheese bread cones and the DK ice cream/barrel drink. I'm thinking Toadstool Cafe for lunch, but undecided on dinner.
4. Me and my wife will do Monsters Unchained, but are leaning towards utilizing single rider, rather than rider swap with the kids. I've seen some posts that the single rider is actually great/fast
5. Ministry of Magic VQ seems like a crapshoot. If we get it, we'll have to do riderswap. Will Team Members be able to give me an idea of wait time once I enter the queue, as long as the ride is running smoothly?
6. Has anyone checked out Astronomica or the Viking Training Camp? Our boys love splash pads and love Camp Jurassic/Shrek's Playground. Difficult to find any videos of the HTTYD playground.
7. Are the wand spots active in the WWoHP?

 

[Brian G.]

Has there been a consensus on EPA strategy? We will be at Stella Nova, with a rental car and I'm a Premiere Passholder, so I'm guessing we valet and queue up for the park.

1. Do we load at the portals or in Celestial park?
2. Is knocking out Mario Kart and Minecart Madness a priority?
   1. I have a 4 and 2 year old that are just getting interested in Mario, so we will definitely want to get on these, but I want to make sure I'm maximizing our (limited) time in the park.
3. What are your MUST eats?
   1. Right now, we have the mac and cheese bread cones and the DK ice cream/barrel drink. I'm thinking Toadstool Cafe for lunch, but undecided on dinner.
4. Me and my wife will do Monsters Unchained, but are leaning towards utilizing single rider, rather than rider swap with the kids. I've seen some posts that the single rider is actually great/fast
5. Ministry of Magic VQ seems like a crapshoot. If we get it, we'll have to do riderswap. Will Team Members be able to give me an idea of wait time once I enter the queue, as long as the ride is running smoothly?
6. Has anyone checked out Astronomica or the Viking Training Camp? Our boys love splash pads and love Camp Jurassic/Shrek's Playground. Difficult to find any videos of the HTTYD playground.
7. Are the wand spots active in the WWoHP?

1. Both? Haha.
2. Yes, primarily due to potential downtime. If it's up and running, do it.
3. Pizza Moon, Oak & Star.
4. Your call, but child swap was a breeze for us, and we got to enjoy the queue, which I feel is an integral part of the experience.
5. It's about 30-35 min once you're in the Atrium, if it's all smooth. The TM's probably won't say anything, though, due to possible delays.
6. Astronomica seems to have just opened a couple of days ago, so there probably isn't too much experience. Viking Training Camp is great and rivals Camp Jurassic in terms of activities to do.
7. A good chunk, yes!

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Isn't Epic closer to residential areas than the main campus is? I think there's an apartment complex probably 20 feet from Stella Nova lol

Universal did a whole song and dance about SKYPLEX in like 2017 about the land and traffic, fireworks, and more. While it was assume to be concern trolling at first, it was actually a way to get Skyplex to do things so they could.

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal did a whole song and dance about SKYPLEX in like 2017 about the land and traffic, fireworks, and more. While it was assume to be concern trolling at first, it was actually a way to get Skyplex to do things so they could.

Yes. A great subterfuge. Genius.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

1. Both? Haha.
2. Yes, primarily due to potential downtime. If it's up and running, do it.
3. Pizza Moon, Oak & Star.
4. Your call, but child swap was a breeze for us, and we got to enjoy the queue, which I feel is an integral part of the experience.
5. It's about 30-35 min once you're in the Atrium, if it's all smooth. The TM's probably won't say anything, though, due to possible delays.
6. Astronomica seems to have just opened a couple of days ago, so there probably isn't too much experience. Viking Training Camp is great and rivals Camp Jurassic in terms of activities to do.
7. A good chunk, yes!

Appreciate your response, Brian! We're excited and thanks for the tip on MoM queue timing. I figure whatever we get to do is a plus, and be prepared to adjust when things (inevitably) break down or are delayed.

Any tips on things your kids really enjoyed that we should make a priority?

Our travel agent friend told us we may want to strongly consider booking a second day at Epic because there's just SO MUCH to take in

 

[Brian G.]

Appreciate your response, Brian! We're excited and thanks for the tip on MoM queue timing. I figure whatever we get to do is a plus, and be prepared to adjust when things (inevitably) break down or are delayed.

Any tips on things your kids really enjoyed that we should make a priority?

Our travel agent friend told us we may want to strongly consider booking a second day at Epic because there's just SO MUCH to take in

Our 2 year old loves Toothless, so we spent a good chunk in Berk. If your kids are into the franchise, or just wanna meet a dragon, it wouldn't be a bad idea to head there at 11, as the M&G line is very short.

And yes - I've been there four times and haven't done everything yet....

 

[Jake S]

While we're on the subject of child swaps... We're going for two days at the beginning of October/end of September with our daughter, who will be just turning seven months old. My wife and I are doing a day with just the two of us and then a second day with all of us (and grandparents - yay!)

My understanding is that to take advantage of child swap, all of us need to go through the queue together — including our infant. Obviously, it'd be a lot better for us if one of us could baby sit the stroller outside the queue for things like Monsters or Ministry of Magic rather than take her through all the queues. Is that possible? If not, we'll figure something out (that's why we're going two days!) but thought I'd check to see what The Deal Is.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

While we're on the subject of child swaps... We're going for two days at the beginning of October/end of September with our daughter, who will be just turning seven months old. My wife and I are doing a day with just the two of us and then a second day with all of us (and grandparents - yay!)

My understanding is that to take advantage of child swap, all of us need to go through the queue together — including our infant. Obviously, it'd be a lot better for us if one of us could baby sit the stroller outside the queue for things like Monsters or Ministry of Magic rather than take her through all the queues. Is that possible? If not, we'll figure something out (that's why we're going two days!) but thought I'd check to see what The Deal Is.

I know WDW allows you to get the swap ticket at the start of the queue.

I honestly can't remember what Universal's procedure is. I know that for Hagrid's, only one person goes into the queue and the other person can come through the exit and wait on the ramp/walkway with the child. Interested in @Brian G. 's experience with child swap at EU ride ops

 

[Brian G.]

I know WDW allows you to get the swap ticket at the start of the queue.

I honestly can't remember what Universal's procedure is. I know that for Hagrid's, only one person goes into the queue and the other person can come through the exit and wait on the ramp/walkway with the child. Interested in @Brian G. 's experience with child swap at EU ride ops

Our son was interested in all the stuff, so he queued up with us haha. Outside of MoM, all the family rooms were conveniently close to the loading area.

I do know other parents who went that have younger kids. I can ask them.

 

[Mad Dog]

I recall that Universal pulled a trick play to get around much of the noise ordinances when they opened USF, and now they're grandfathered in at the main resort area . (from Jay Stein's interview in JayBangs) . They probably can get away with more noise and times than they attempt, but may just be trying to keep good community relations, and keep down the costs of staying open late.

Here's the direct quote from Sam Gennewey's book Jay Bangs concerning his interview with Jay Stein, the Universal Executive who put USF and IOA on the map. This, bottom line, is the subterfuge Universal did to get around strict interpretation of the sound ordinance for the main resort."The USF planners were worried that noise from fireworks would create an issue with neighbors. Swann got a call from Tony Sauber, who had been in the class behind Swann at Duke Law School. Swann considered him a very smart guy , and they worked together in revising the city's noise ordinance. While most of the ordinance provisions were relatively standard, they accomplished having the noise level measured at the point of receipt, not emanation, which had been the customary standard. USF planners were triumphant with the new ordinance. It was especially useful when IOA opened because, unlike USF, it had big, noise-making rides close to a school" . (Phillips school across the street).....That kind of sums up why Universal can get away with fireworks and noisy rides in a residential and school area at the main resort.......

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Has there been a consensus on EPA strategy? We will be at Stella Nova, with a rental car and I'm a Premiere Passholder, so I'm guessing we valet and queue up for the park.

1. Do we load at the portals or in Celestial park?
2. Is knocking out Mario Kart and Minecart Madness a priority?
   1. I have a 4 and 2 year old that are just getting interested in Mario, so we will definitely want to get on these, but I want to make sure I'm maximizing our (limited) time in the park.
3. What are your MUST eats?
   1. Right now, we have the mac and cheese bread cones and the DK ice cream/barrel drink. I'm thinking Toadstool Cafe for lunch, but undecided on dinner.
4. Me and my wife will do Monsters Unchained, but are leaning towards utilizing single rider, rather than rider swap with the kids. I've seen some posts that the single rider is actually great/fast
5. Ministry of Magic VQ seems like a crapshoot. If we get it, we'll have to do riderswap. Will Team Members be able to give me an idea of wait time once I enter the queue, as long as the ride is running smoothly?
6. Has anyone checked out Astronomica or the Viking Training Camp? Our boys love splash pads and love Camp Jurassic/Shrek's Playground. Difficult to find any videos of the HTTYD playground.
7. Are the wand spots active in the WWoHP?

I've been told by a TM at EPA that they will soon be revamping their EPA to be more, dare I say, equitable to all guest. To not allow experts to exploit it. That's all that was said. Nothing about specific parks, just in general. I'm guessing 1 ride per person per attraction. Which would suck for my 3 or 4 runs thru the Paddock in the morning. I asked if it would stop the Hagrid runs and not necessarily was the response.

Also, for now, Valet or Walking from Stella will give similar outcomes if arrival is by 8 am.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've been told by a TM at EPA that they will soon be revamping their EPA to be more, dare I say, equitable to all guest. To not allow experts to exploit it. That's all that was said. Nothing about specific parks, just in general. I'm guessing 1 ride per person per attraction. Which would suck for my 3 or 4 runs thru the Paddock in the morning. I asked if it would stop the Hagrid runs and not necessarily was the response.

Also, for now, Valet or Walking from Stella will give similar outcomes if arrival is by 8 am.

Disney made significant changes last year that eliminated a lot of the fraud that resulted from internet bloggers showing people how to exploit the disability system. That's really helped to decrease the stand by line times not being backed up by so many getting repeat disability premier line admissions. The VQ and other systems are also examples of where the visiting tourists get screwed by the professional get overs.