Epic Universe Ticketing Info, Advice, & Speculation

[DOOMBOT]

Now that we're in the new year, I wonder how close those Annual Passes are?

If it's a capacity issue holding them back, I wonder if that '27 Broom coaster will give them enough slack to allow AP's or TM's through the gates? I certainly don't expect to wait until 2027 for AP's but I suppose we'll see.

 

[Mad Dog]

Now that we're in the new year, I wonder how close those Annual Passes are?

If it's a capacity issue holding them back, I wonder if that '27 Broom coaster will give them enough slack to allow AP's or TM's through the gates? I certainly don't expect to wait until 2027 for AP's but I suppose we'll see.

I don't see AP's at Epic until they get the operational issues straightened out. Ministry still goes down for a quarter of the day often. And
the Nintendo attractions are all downtime machines. It's been 10 months since softs, so it's still not encouraging results at this point in time.
I doubt such poor results were expected by Universal on so many key attractions, especially since three of them already operated in Japan.
Either they need more maintenance crews and/or better tech problem solvers, whatever the issue behind the scenes might be.
Only Universal knows.

 

[HalfGlass]

My friend works at Comcast and they get 1 complimentary park hopper day at UOR, USH or USJ every year. She said everyone was really banking on having access to Epic this year given it’s a one day pass, but no luck.

I have this gut feeling we’re a while away from APs…

 

[Magic-Man]

I'm guessing AP's will open up shortly before or after the first expansion (Wizarding World) in a couple of years. The park could handle the capacity after that.

 

[rhino4evr]

Heading back to epic the Saturday or MLK weekend. I’m guessing it will be crowded , but maybe not as crowded as Monday would be?

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

I'm guessing AP's will open up shortly before or after the first expansion (Wizarding World) in a couple of years. The park could handle the capacity after that.

I think you're exactly right. The park just couldn't handle an influx of APs as is.

MoM and DKMM have way too many problems under the current capacity levels. Add another ride in HP (add a SNW expansion soon after), and I think the park's issues really start to alleviate.

Not to get off topic in the ticketing thread, but IMHO, the two big misses are DKMM and Curse of the Werewolf. Just horrid capacity constraints (and frequent delays, in the case of DKMM). Werewolf seems like half of a coaster.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The park can't handle capacity at all with an influx of APs... but the park does die down later in the evening. At the very minimum I'm ok with an after 4/5PM ticket for the park. I just want access to Atlantic and Pizza Moon.

I also think adding express to Ministry and DK was an awful choice.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

I mean, whatever happened to the "tickets at the portals" conversation?

What if that is what they did for APs?
Access to EPIC but only by way of CELESTIAL PARK and NOT the portals?
This opens up all the restaurants and Stardust/Constellation to the APs but keeps the portals and MAJOR rides from being overcrowded.

Is that as far as a win-win that could be considered for APs? Maybe?

Is that something Universal would be able to execute and staff without criticism for how it's rolled out or implemented on site? I personally doubt it.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I mean, whatever happened to the "tickets at the portals" conversation?

What if that is what they did for APs?
Access to EPIC but only by way of CELESTIAL PARK and NOT the portals?
This opens up all the restaurants and Stardust/Constellation to the APs but keeps the portals and MAJOR rides from being overcrowded.

Is that as far as a win-win that could be considered for APs? Maybe?

Is that something Universal would be able to execute and staff without criticism for how it's rolled out or implemented on site? I personally doubt it.

I'd add that HTTYD and DU can open up to the masses as they're built with enough capacity (sans Werewolf). Monsters Unchained is sending empty vehicles, HTTYD is quiet later in the evening and most Untrainable shows are running at low attendance levels.

Das Stakehaus and Mead Hall are large restaurants that are often quiet later in the evening, could use a boost from the dinner crowd.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

I'd add that HTTYD and DU can open up to the masses as they're built with enough capacity (sans Werewolf). Monsters Unchained is sending empty vehicles, HTTYD is quiet later in the evening and most Untrainable shows are running at low attendance levels.

Das Stakehaus and Mead Hall are large restaurants that are often quiet later in the evening, could use a boost from the dinner crowd.

Sure, maybe they introduce a schedule of what portals for select dates or something. Don't APs have an app or access to a blacklist as far as a calendar goes or something? I don't know cause i'm not an AP, but i'm under the impression Universal could introduce a weekly/monthly perimeter for which days allow AP access and for what lands/portals if they really wanted to.

 

[Mad Dog]

The problem with those portal concepts is that they might work for some local AP Holders,
but they're not attractive options for out of state AP holders. Tourists are the big spend.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

The problem with those portal concepts is that they might work for some local AP Holders,
but they're not attractive options for out of state AP holders. Tourists are the big spend.

Universal hates this one secret trick: Buying a regular ticket

 

[AB2020]

This opens up all the restaurants and Stardust/Constellation to the APs but keeps the portals and MAJOR rides from being overcrowded.

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.

 

[HalfGlass]

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 would agree - at least after a few visits and the sheen wears off. The bigger issue is everything else being less enjoyable too. More bodies in the park, longer lines for shows, drinks, food etc.

 

[Alicia]

I agree with all this. The first week APs have the option to upgrade may be busy (so Universal could choose a slow period,) but things would likely balance out rather quickly.

Especially if you require all passes have blackouts dates, like VB.

The line for Pizza Moon may get longer though.

 

[Skold]

Was really hoping we'd have some clarity by now. What are all y'all APers doing when you go to Epic? Single day tickets and commando it?

 

[HalfGlass]

Was really hoping we'd have some clarity by now. What are all y'all APers doing when you go to Epic? Single day tickets and commando it?

Been twice last year, and plan to go in May this year. Single day tickets each time which gets pricey as hell. Right now it’s new enough to be worth it. But it’s going to be hard to keep justifying after this year…

 

[Mad Dog]

Was really hoping we'd have some clarity by now. What are all y'all APers doing when you go to Epic? Single day tickets and commando it?

Did two single day tickets. Didn't really need the second since there's so few actual attractions. M&G and flat rides don't count.
If I had to do it over again I would just do one day. Essential to be in the park from 6 PM to 10 PM though. That's the key. We didn't
need to commando it and we didn't spend a fortune and buy express passes. It's a beautiful park, what's there is good, but it's
very much an incomplete underbuilt park, especially in relation to the newest large parks Shanghai and Beijing.

 

[ssirin88]

The problem with those portal concepts is that they might work for some local AP Holders,
but they're not attractive options for out of state AP holders. Tourists are the big spend.

The other problem with that concept is having staff at each portal check your tickets/passes. I imagine this would create unsightly queue lines just to enter each area