Universal's Epic Universe Construction Thread

[Mad Dog]

I think a moving walkway is a bit unnecessary for a parking lot that (if everything goes well) will eventually get replaced by something else in the future.

However, I'm really hoping they add some benches and shade structures somewhere in between the palm trees. Those walks on asphalt at the Disney parks during the summer is brutal.

YES to benches and shade!!!

 

[Alicia]

I think a moving walkway is a bit unnecessary for a parking lot that (if everything goes well) will eventually get replaced by something else in the future.

However, I'm really hoping they add some benches and shade structures somewhere in between the palm trees. Those walks on asphalt at the Disney parks during the summer is brutal.

At least the original Universal Studios Florida parking lot had trams for the near decade it was used before switching to the garages.

This new lot does appear to be less sprawling at least, but the back of it will still be a bit of a hike, so at very least some benches would help.

When WDW took away trams I just happened to have had a minor back injury and I have never noticed when benches weren’t available more in my life. It wasn’t so bad at first when capacity was severely limited at the WDW parks, so only the closest lots were in use, but as time went on, lots for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom became unrealistic for me as I couldn’t walk that far without sitting breaks.

 

[Rhian]

I think a moving walkway is a bit unnecessary for a parking lot that (if everything goes well) will eventually get replaced by something else in the future.

However, I'm really hoping they add some benches and shade structures somewhere in between the palm trees. Those walks on asphalt at the Disney parks during the summer is brutal.

I don't disagree entirely about the necessity of one but I do feel like it needs something.

Out of curiosity I did quick comparison between the two parking sections and the first entrance to something, in this case CityWalk vs the entrance to Epic.



It's an imperfect comparison but they appear to be roughly the same length down the center line when including the additional walkway that runs along the side of the parking garages.



Keeping mind the rough comparison, it seems the length from the last lane of the Epic parking lot to the entry plaza of EU is about the same as coming from parking garage all the way to the entrance of IOA. That's without the convenience of the optional moving walkways and, except for the top floor of the garages, the cool shade you get from a majority of that journey when you're visiting IOA/USF.

Obviously there's still time for the center walkway at Epic to get work done towards some kind of shade break inbetween (seems unlikely right now) but as it stands it looks to be a long walk on a normal day and come summer months, a somewhat miserable one leaving in the afternoon.



It would've been nice if this area was kind of like a rest stop with shade with a misting system thrown in (and benches!) as you pass. So far it looks like it'll be more tall palm trees which don't really cut it as a means to have a cool spot to rest a moment or get a moment of respite in either direction. Fingers crossed we'll see something added between now and opening.

 

[OrlLover]

I don't disagree entirely about the necessity of one but I do feel like it needs something.

Out of curiosity I did quick comparison between the two parking sections and the first entrance to something, in this case CityWalk vs the entrance to Epic.

View attachment 24962

It's an imperfect comparison but they appear to be roughly the same length down the center line when including the additional walkway that runs along the side of the parking garages.

View attachment 24963

Keeping mind the rough comparison, it seems the length from the last lane of the Epic parking lot to the entry plaza of EU is about the same as coming from parking garage all the way to the entrance of IOA. That's without the convenience of the optional moving walkways and, except for the top floor of the garages, the cool shade you get from a majority of that journey when you're visiting IOA/USF.

Obviously there's still time for the center walkway at Epic to get work done towards some kind of shade break inbetween (seems unlikely right now) but as it stands it looks to be a long walk on a normal day and come summer months, a somewhat miserable one leaving in the afternoon.

View attachment 24964

It would've been nice if this area was kind of like a rest stop with shade with a misting system thrown in (and benches!) as you pass. So far it looks like it'll be more tall palm trees which don't really cut it as a means to have a cool spot to rest a moment or get a moment of respite in either direction. Fingers crossed we'll see something added between now and opening.

I agree with this post but they can only could do so much with the limited walking space in the middle

I’m hoping for heavier landscaping in in the coming months. .

 

[Jake S]

From messing around in Google Earth:

It's about 2,500 feet from the back of the parking garage (but flush with the path) to the front gates at Islands of Adventure. From the back of the Epic Universe surface lot (but flush with the path) to the front gates at Epic Universe, it's about 1,500 feet. As noted, you get the benefit of shade and moving walkways on your way to Islands of Adventure, but it is a further walk.

Either way, agree they should have at least enclosed that pathway and put misters in place. That said, the covered walkway from the garages is the exception, not the rule in Orlando (which is dumb!)

Spoiler: screenshots

 

[DrStarlander]

I don't disagree entirely about the necessity of one but I do feel like it needs something.

Out of curiosity I did quick comparison between the two parking sections and the first entrance to something, in this case CityWalk vs the entrance to Epic.

View attachment 24962

It's an imperfect comparison but they appear to be roughly the same length down the center line when including the additional walkway that runs along the side of the parking garages.

View attachment 24963

Keeping mind the rough comparison, it seems the length from the last lane of the Epic parking lot to the entry plaza of EU is about the same as coming from parking garage all the way to the entrance of IOA. That's without the convenience of the optional moving walkways and, except for the top floor of the garages, the cool shade you get from a majority of that journey when you're visiting IOA/USF.

Obviously there's still time for the center walkway at Epic to get work done towards some kind of shade break inbetween (seems unlikely right now) but as it stands it looks to be a long walk on a normal day and come summer months, a somewhat miserable one leaving in the afternoon.

View attachment 24964

It would've been nice if this area was kind of like a rest stop with shade with a misting system thrown in (and benches!) as you pass. So far it looks like it'll be more tall palm trees which don't really cut it as a means to have a cool spot to rest a moment or get a moment of respite in either direction. Fingers crossed we'll see something added between now and opening.

I agree, instead of putting more palm trees in these circular spots, some shade structures like these with benches underneath would be much more appreciated.

 

[12th Man]

Heads up, there's some great new on the ground photos/videos over on Themeparx... for now.

 

[saint.piss]

Heads up, there's some great new on the ground photos/videos over on Themeparx... for now.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Heads up, there's some great new on the ground photos/videos over on Themeparx... for now.

Wowow

Also, some of the Helios shots look so similar to the Bellagio.

 

[jarmor]

I agree with this post but they can only could do so much with the limited walking space in the middle

This is not a retrofit. This is from the ground up. So they could have, in fact, designed it without limited walking space to include rest points and such.

As someone currently experiencing nerve/sciatic pain, I don't think I will be parking in this lot lol. I have to figure out alternative ways (resort bus/uber) to get here.

 

[GAcoaster]

If they cut moving sidewalk for budget, I don't care. Better that than something REALLY important being cut from the park itself.

I know when we go to parks with trams or moving sidewalks we usually just walk anyway because it's usually faster and less aggravating.

Ideally they would have built the parking garage from the start, but they chose to spend that money on the park as priority, not the parking.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

If they cut moving sidewalk for budget, I don't care. Better that than something REALLY important being cut from the park itself.

I know when we go to parks with trams or moving sidewalks we usually just walk anyway because it's usually faster and less aggravating.

Ideally they would have built the parking garage from the start, but they chose to spend that money on the park as priority, not the parking.

I'm like you, I can care less as I'm a fast walker thankfully.

However, not everyone can walk briskly in the hot Florida sun comfortably. While I don't mind the walk, it's not an ideal experience and IMO the parks (especially Disney) should be better at providing water & shade to guests in the parking lot.

 

[Loki]

Walking to the park isn't going to be the issue.

Walking FROM the park at the end of an exhausting foot numbing day, will be rough.

 

[DrStarlander]

Walking to the park isn't going to be the issue.

Generally, I do agree, due to lower temps and higher level of energy in the morning vs. after a day at the park.

But in any design involving users it's important to do "use cases" and "user stories" to account for the range of user needs. In this case, that includes people who have medical/mobility limitations that limit how far in a stretch they can walk. (Like others I've had back issues and when it erupts, if I can't get to a place to sit down I'm likely to collapse to the ground.)

Another fairly common "user story" is the family who is on the way to the park in the morning and someone realizes they forgot something in the car like sunglasses or sunscreen, and everyone has to wait for them to run back. It's great if they can "wait here in the shade while you run back" rather than under the relentless sun.

At the least, I wish they had planted more shade trees rather than palm trees along this walkway. Both are aesthetic, one is also very beneficial in providing shade.

 

[Loki]

The "Valet" option is looking better and better

 

[Mike S]

Maybe have a tram like Disney?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Not asking for too much, just a bench with an umbrella and a water station every x number of parking rows.

I like that they at least "greenified" the parking lot with palm trees... but those don't do much for shade lol

 

[Mad Dog]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these Universal Epic parking lots appear to be significantly smaller than the Epcot. DHS, or AK parking lots.

 

[OrlLover]

Ideally they would have built the parking garage from the start

I totally agree and wish they did instead of flat parking lot.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these Universal Epic parking lots appear to be significantly smaller than the Epcot. DHS, or AK parking lots.

The Disney lots are bigger and some of them (like DAK's) are shaped awkwardly. The Epic lot is thankfully simpler in design and a tad smaller, but should still consider the guest arrival/departure experience.

I know some may disagree with the following statement, but I firmly believe that the guest experience begins once you enter property. Everyone/everything within the "bubble" should be treated with the same attention to detail of the in-park experience. Of course, cost/profits are in the way.

I totally agree and wish they did instead of flat parking lot.

I disagree, it's an expense that can be tacked onto a later resort expansion budget. In the long term, saving the cost of a garage will allow the first phase of this south campus to be more "profitable" and get Comcast behind further expansion at a quicker pace.