Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[Captain Spaulding]

Yes. Having AP discount rates for most of the on site hotel dates for the rest of the year says a lot. They used to be pretty stingy, and short term advance, for the hotels

They must have been nervous at the end of last year but not anymore. The HR dates I booked in December are now about $150 more per night for my September HHN trip. They are also wildly erratic, as I've seen SF standard rooms cheaper than Aventura standard rooms for certain dates and the SF the same as RP.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

They must have been nervous at the end of last year but not anymore. The HR dates I booked in December are now about $150 more per night for my September HHN trip. They are also wildly erratic, as I've seen SF standard rooms cheaper than Aventura standard rooms for certain dates and the SF the same as RP.

Rates vary. SF is a wild card since conventions/meetings can be booked and increase popularity for the hotel.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I am curious to see how things look during HHN season. Because of the distance between the main campus and Epic, I'm going to guess a lot of people will not want to do Epic during the day and HHN at night. Those could end up being good days to go.

 

[Eckert]

I am curious to see how things look during HHN season. Because of the distance between the main campus and Epic, I'm going to guess a lot of people will not want to do Epic during the day and HHN at night. Those could end up being good days to go.

People will have to...visit Universal for multiple days! THE PLAN IS GONNA WORK!

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Disney World is essentially totally seperated, and it’s never been a problem for them. Clearly. I just don’t see the distance here being a major deal for any hotel guests. Maybe I’m speaking from my perspective, but if the bus system is decent, and/or they eventually add private car services from their hotels, I don’t see this being an issue.

 

[kristenabelle]

Disney World is essentially totally seperated, and it’s never been a problem for them. Clearly. I just don’t see the distance here being a major deal for any hotel guests. Maybe I’m speaking from my perspective, but if the bus system is decent, and/or they eventually add private car services from their hotels, I don’t see this being an issue.

I don't see it being an issue for most guests in the long run.

That said, when we go in December we're doing two days of Epic before heading to WDW. My fam had no interest in hopping over to the other parks (no hate, just wanted to stay at Epic). It could change in the future for sure, but my guess is if folks have limited time & money, they're going to want to spend it at the newest park - at least for now.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I don't see it being an issue for most guests in the long run.

That said, when we go in December we're doing two days of Epic before heading to WDW. My fam had no interest in hopping over to the other parks (no hate, just wanted to stay at Epic). It could change in the future for sure, but my guess is if folks have limited time & money, they're going to want to spend it at the newest park - at least for now.

This makes sense, it’s a whole new park. It won’t be immediately that vacation guests trend to Universal for a full week. In the long run, it’ll be easy to go back and forth to Epic Universe for these type of guests.

 

[Mad Dog]

and...the big attendance wildcard is the large percentage of Universal's attendance that are locals and central Florida residents. Where will they go? Will they continue to show up at IOA and Studios in the same numbers as now.....or will they spend most of their visits at the new park in town, and dial down their visits to the present two parks.....And those one day Universal visits from WDW hotel tourists. Bet they go to Epic in 2025 and skip IOA/Studios.....Come 2026 or 2027, and the Epic park newness wears off, I'm guessing the three parks will even out a bit.

 

[Scott W.]

I heard something similar just a few minutes ago from a friend of mine... hmm. Not the exact same, but he said that they're possibly going to have Celestial Park operate the same as CityWalk during the slow seasons so guests can shop and eat. Interesting to think about.

I had heard a rumbling that this might be back on the table a while ago which seemed puzzling at first but then again, if I'm in Orlando and I have a night free...

I'd absolutely head down to Epic for a meal and watch the fountains and fireworks if I only had a single day ticket that had been used up.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

My assumption is that Epic will become the most popular theme park for UOR, with minor decrease for IOA and some cannibalization at USF.

USF will become the locals park driven by special events... ala Epcot 2.0.

 

[HHN Maddux]

My assumption is that Epic will become the most popular theme park for UOR, with minor decrease for IOA and some cannibalization at USF.

USF will become the locals park driven by special events... ala Epcot 2.0.

I'd argue USF is already that.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'd argue USF is already that.

Yeah, wanted to be nice and not stir controversy. USF became that years ago with poor quality additions over the years. Can't imagine where that park will be without Diagon.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think the open hub idea may be a backup plan just in case management see's "oh, crap-- those expensive new restaurants are not filling tables". If the park is filling those restaurants, there's no reason to open it to everyone.

Now I could see it becoming a "if you have a ticket or pass to any Universal park, you can visit Celestial Park after 5 or 6" as a kind of semi-open hub so it's a further encouragement for resort guests to spend more money and time.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah, wanted to be nice and not stir controversy. USF became that years ago with poor quality additions over the years. Can't imagine where that park will be without Diagon.

Diagon and Hogwarts Express 'saves' Studios. It's the bright shining light that makes Studios a must do park.

 

[HandsomePete]

I think the open hub idea may be a backup plan just in case management see's "oh, crap-- those expensive new restaurants are not filling tables". If the park is filling those restaurants, there's no reason to open it to everyone.

Now I could see it becoming a "if you have a ticket or pass to any Universal park, you can visit Celestial Park after 5 or 6" as a kind of semi-open hub so it's a further encouragement for resort guests to spend more money and time.

For the first little bit when everyone is on what is for all intents and purposes a one-day ticket, almost everyone is going to show up in the morning. The ingress of people is going to slow to a trickle after noon and nobody is park-hopping in.

Without letting people in for free after a certain time to go to those restaurants, they’d be almost impossible to fill at dinner.

 

[Mad Dog]

For the first little bit when everyone is on what is for all intents and purposes a one-day ticket, almost everyone is going to show up in the morning. The ingress of people is going to slow to a trickle after noon and nobody is park-hopping in.

Without letting people in for free after a certain time to go to those restaurants, they’d be almost impossible to fill at dinner.

Generally, during our vacations to Universal on site, we only spend 5 to 7 hours a day in the parks. The first year days we go to Epic will be long full days, similar to how we tour WDW. Basically, two reasons. Newness of the park and not being in the close walking campus as the original two parks. We'll be there late, but I'd guess many that aren't staying on site will come early and leave after 5.

 

[rhino4evr]

The park is basically designed to have the portals cut off . I don’t see why they won’t do this. Maybe another perk for staying at the local hotels ? Vs near city walk

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I'm intrigued by the idea of the open hub, but I could see it becoming an issue if it ends up being flooded with non-park guests. Is there really THAT much dining in Celestial Park to be able to handle non-park guests coming in?

I mean, there is only 2 full service restaurants.

 

[Jake S]

I mean, there is only 2 full service restaurants.

Yeah, does anyone know what kind of capacity we're talking about with those two restaurants? Curious how many butts they need in seats to get filled up.

 

[Evan]

I’d be pretty annoyed as a paying guest if I had to swim through hoards of non paying guests to get between worlds… or couldn’t get a spot to see the fireworks, or fountains.