Universal's Epic Universe Construction Thread

[Mad Dog]

I think an overall shift in park operations will change when a 3rd park is added, expecting guests to have longer stays on property. Also, isn’t there a noise ordinance issue at the current parks witn housing and schools directly next to the parks? Also, no current room for fireworks.

They have room at the new park for Fireworks, so being open until 10/11 is my guess for this park most of the year.

I recall the interview with the founder of UF Studios park, Jay Stein, in the book Jaybangs, He talked about that issue. Without going into long detail, the bottom line is that Universal was able to partially subvert the sound ordinances by some subtle tricks they played when they opened the park concerning sound levels at various times. Thus they were able to grandfather some extended sound levels that might not fly if they opened the present resort today. Though they can't do the extensive fireworks like Disney, they do have more leeway than one would think.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I recall the interview with the founder of UF Studios park, Jay Stein, in the book Jaybangs, He talked about that issue. Without going into long detail, the bottom line is that Universal was able to partially subvert the sound ordinances by some subtle tricks they played when they opened the park concerning sound levels at various times. Thus they were able to grandfather some extended sound levels that might not fly if they opened the present resort today. Though they can't do the extensive fireworks like Disney, they do have more leeway than one would think.

Yeah that’s interesting, they got lucky. Both in the current and now expansion plots.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah that’s interesting, they got lucky. Both in the current and now expansion plots.

Gennaweys "Jaybangs" book is a must read for any fan that wants to know what really went on behind the scenes, rather than some of the false narratives that are often voiced. Stein even refutes some false narratives that were made by former Executives and Creatives that made their roles look more important than they actually were.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I really hope NBC is working on a large scale documentary with this park.

 

[Loki]

I kind of wish they had placed public cams at various locations around the site to accessed in some Epic Construction Website. But that might have been providing too much information publicly (despite the amount of drones and helicopters flying over each day)

At the very least I hope we get a time lapse from dirt to finished site

 

[IzzyB]

Good to have you back posting. It's been a long time.

Thanks! We are getting the kids tickets for Christmas so came on here to see what is going to be new! I am super excited as we haven't had tickets in a really long time since our kids were not tall enough for Uni coasters, but love coasters. But now my youngest is 48" and the other two who love coasters are tall enough to get on everything. They will absolutely love all the rides now. My two older ones love Dollywood Eagle and Sea World coasters, so I feel Universal is their speed now. My 6 year old likes coasters but won't want to go on Hulk, so there will be no jealousy issues. He didn't want to do Ice Breaker yet, so I feel I am safe getting Uni tickets now. He will love transformers as that is his favorite toy.

Seeing all the Epic news I see us keeping the tickets well past Epic opening. Wonder how they will handle a 3rd park and annual pass holders, guess we will find out.

 

[ultimateforce]

I kind of wish they had placed public cams at various locations around the site to accessed in some Epic Construction Website. But that might have been providing too much information publicly (despite the amount of drones and helicopters flying over each day)

At the very least I hope we get a time lapse from dirt to finished site

[Client] took a time-lapse of us building [theme park attraction] a few years ago. I tried walking very slowly in front of the camera once so I would look normal speed when played back but we never got a chance to see the actual completed video.

 

[fryoj]

A making of Epic Universe is a no-brainer, cheap content for Peacock.

 

[Scott W.]

IOA actually has less hours open on some days than AK when it closes at 7pm instead of 8pm which happens a lot in off season. 2 Weeks in November have it at 9am to 7pm closing where AK is still the 8am to 7pm. I have never understood with the long waits in those lines why Universal still closes so early. I know visiting friends have always been frustrated with that because they don't get to ride as much as other parks.

IOA will often have corporate buyouts resulting in earlier park closing but If the open hub idea for Epic comes true, I can see Epic being open later with certain lands closing earlier for corporate events.

It's not ideal but better to have some of the park still open than nothing.

Good to see you back.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

They’re going all in on the dining aspect of this park, more than the current 2 they have. They will absolutely want this park open later than the other two.

 

[IzzyB]

IOA will often have corporate buyouts resulting in earlier park closing but If the open hub idea for Epic comes true, I can see Epic being open later with certain lands closing earlier for corporate events.

It's not ideal but better to have some of the park still open than nothing.

Good to see you back.

I agree with corporate buyouts, but all parks have them not just Universal. They are not every night and so they could have some later nights.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I agree with corporate buyouts, but all parks have them not just Universal. They are not every night and so they could have some later nights.

Sure all parks have them, but Universal consistently closes the parks in favor of them. Disney will at least keep the parks open to 9PM (for MK/DHS/DAK) before letting them take over so guests don't get penalized.

 

[IzzyB]

Sure all parks have them, but Universal consistently closes the parks in favor of them. Disney will at least keep the parks open to 9PM (for MK/DHS/DAK) before letting them take over so guests don't get penalized.

True. I know the universal studios corporate event I attended started at 6pm I think where the AK one started at 10pm. The Sea World I think was 8pm but it was only the arctic/ice breaker area and not the entire park. The other two were mostly the entire park. The AK one only had certain rides open and the Dino/Bugs life areas was completely closed off. I will say all 3 parks put on great events.

Hopefully they don't shut Epic down for corporate events unless a single portal. But I still say it is not every night and they could leave the park open later a couple nights a week.

 

[Viator]

 

[Loki]

Woohoo, no scaffolding (sort of)

 

[Scott W.]

They’re going all in on the dining aspect of this park, more than the current 2 they have. They will absolutely want this park open later than the other two.

Plenty of dining is great but the current quality and service at the resort is bad. I've been meaning to write a review from my previous trip but it would just be me slating Universal. Concerning enough to make me have doubts about Universal's ability to make Epic work.

 

[Mad Dog]

Plenty of dining is great but the current quality and service at the resort is bad. I've been meaning to write a review from my previous trip but it would just be me slating Universal. Concerning enough to make me have doubts about Universal's ability to make Epic work.

Yes. I didn't like what I experienced my last few trips. Operations, overall, and the Universal experience seem to be lacking in comparison to what they were before covid. It's going to be more difficult to run the resort, and not be overwhelmed, once it's sprawled over a much larger extended area comprising three theme parks, Volcano Bay waterpark, and more hotels, plus significant new transportation needs. They only have 15 to 17 months to get their operations act honed. I'm wishing them good luck, but I have reservations whether they have a strong enough management team. They're going to have a lot to juggle. Epic is moving along well, but the rest of the resort seems stuck in early post covid recovery. In contrast, WDW seemed back to normal operations when I vacationed there. ..........At least the Epic construction team seems to be progressing smoothly. The construction seems to be doing well. I like what I see, at this point in time. Dark Universe certainly is looking like it will be a surprise hit. As always, excellent photos from Bio.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Plenty of dining is great but the current quality and service at the resort is bad. I've been meaning to write a review from my previous trip but it would just be me slating Universal. Concerning enough to make me have doubts about Universal's ability to make Epic work.

Yes. I didn't like what I experienced my last few trips. Operations, overall, and the Universal experience seem to be lacking in comparison to what they were before covid. It's going to be more difficult to run the resort, and not be overwhelmed, once it's sprawled over a much larger extended area comprising three theme parks, Volcano Bay waterpark, and more hotels, plus significant new transportation needs. They only have 15 to 17 months to get their operations act honed. I'm wishing them good luck, but I have reservations whether they have a strong enough management team. They're going to have a lot to juggle. Epic is moving along well, but the rest of the resort seems stuck in early post covid recovery. In contrast, WDW seemed back to normal operations when I vacationed there. ..........At least the Epic construction team seems to be progressing smoothly. The construction seems to be doing well. I like what I see, at this point in time. Dark Universe certainly is looking like it will be a surprise hit. As always, excellent photos from Bio.

That is my issue, Universal has shown through the quality of their work that they can compete head to head with Disney in theme park offerings & attractions... but their operations are comparable to a regional park that has yet to find out they're supposed to be a world-class resort.

Universal is struggling to staff their resort properly and I can't imagine how it'll be like 2 years from now when they are spread thin with an additional 3 hotels and a huge theme park.

Disney is lucky they have the college program to boost staffing... Universal should probably consider it soon.

 

[IzzyB]

That is my issue, Universal has shown through the quality of their work that they can compete head to head with Disney in theme park offerings & attractions... but their operations are comparable to a regional park that has yet to find out they're supposed to be a world-class resort.

Universal is struggling to staff their resort properly and I can't imagine how it'll be like 2 years from now when they are spread thin with an additional 3 hotels and a huge theme park.

Disney is lucky they have the college program to boost staffing... Universal should probably consider it soon.

When I used to have passes to all 3 parks, there was always a huge difference operations wise between the 3.

Sea World can't load a ride to save their lives, but their customer service is good if you can actually deal with their long lines as they seem to have a lot of customer service issues. But overall they always seemed in the bottom, but their annual pass benefits by far are the best and the cater to their APs. Bang for buck when it comes to APs SW is by far the best and they do try to make things right when they can.

Universal didn't have the magic with their employees and this always bothered me and I would have hoped by now they would have figured this out. They all just seemed to be there for their job and didn't go above and beyond. So many times employees argued with me about my stroller when it was clearly marked in a TON of places that it was considered a wheelchair not to mention I had their little card that said it was a wheelchair. I mean my son was on a vent at one point, this was no hidden disability. They just see and don't look further. And when I say argue, I literally sat there for several minutes with one employee who just absolutely refused to let us into the play area with our stroller until I asked for a manager. Another held up the line not letting us into a ride line until I clearly stated can you please READ what I am showing you and not just keep saying that is an express pass. No it is NOT it is a stroller is wheelchair pass. I have to say the clientele followed the lead of employees and I have never had such rude people in my life when dealing with people there. Now there was some amazing employees, but unfortunately just not enough of them to outweigh all the ones clearly just there for a paycheck and could care less about customer service. I love Universal, but sometimes the magic is gone or broken because of the employees.

Disney employees were just different. They remind me of Publix employees vs Walmart employees. They are clearly Publix and Universal is clearly Walmart. They always go that extra step. At parades seeing a girl next to us (we were in the handicapped section) and just absolutely making that girls day. Most employees shy away from handicapped and that just wasn't the case here. My daughter ran into an employee and my daughter fell down. It was absolutely my daughters fault and I said sorry, the employee felt awful and I said no she ran into you, they gave her a coupon for a free ice cream. My kids have gotten so much free stuff at Disney for various things and never once have gotten anything free at the other two parks. The employees just seem to have more freedom to make your day magical if they want to. We did have some employees try to stop us with our stroller I pointed to stickers and they waved us on, never once argued with us.

When I look back at what sticks in my mind between all the parks, for Disney is always those employees going the extra mile and with Universal it is honestly all the bad ones making my life harder. So while the park itself is top notch and I truly believe the foundation is there to compete with Disney, they really need to figure out how to manage a park and their employees. I was hoping that part was fixed, but it seems not. I am still very much looking forward to starting up my passes in December! But I just know to go in knowing it will be a little less magical.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

When I used to have passes to all 3 parks, there was always a huge difference operations wise between the 3.

Sea World can't load a ride to save their lives, but their customer service is good if you can actually deal with their long lines as they seem to have a lot of customer service issues. But overall they always seemed in the bottom, but their annual pass benefits by far are the best and the cater to their APs. Bang for buck when it comes to APs SW is by far the best and they do try to make things right when they can.

Universal didn't have the magic with their employees and this always bothered me and I would have hoped by now they would have figured this out. They all just seemed to be there for their job and didn't go above and beyond. So many times employees argued with me about my stroller when it was clearly marked in a TON of places that it was considered a wheelchair not to mention I had their little card that said it was a wheelchair. I mean my son was on a vent at one point, this was no hidden disability. They just see and don't look further. And when I say argue, I literally sat there for several minutes with one employee who just absolutely refused to let us into the play area with our stroller until I asked for a manager. Another held up the line not letting us into a ride line until I clearly stated can you please READ what I am showing you and not just keep saying that is an express pass. No it is NOT it is a stroller is wheelchair pass. I have to say the clientele followed the lead of employees and I have never had such rude people in my life when dealing with people there. Now there was some amazing employees, but unfortunately just not enough of them to outweigh all the ones clearly just there for a paycheck and could care less about customer service. I love Universal, but sometimes the magic is gone or broken because of the employees.

Disney employees were just different. They remind me of Publix employees vs Walmart employees. They are clearly Publix and Universal is clearly Walmart. They always go that extra step. At parades seeing a girl next to us (we were in the handicapped section) and just absolutely making that girls day. Most employees shy away from handicapped and that just wasn't the case here. My daughter ran into an employee and my daughter fell down. It was absolutely my daughters fault and I said sorry, the employee felt awful and I said no she ran into you, they gave her a coupon for a free ice cream. My kids have gotten so much free stuff at Disney for various things and never once have gotten anything free at the other two parks. The employees just seem to have more freedom to make your day magical if they want to. We did have some employees try to stop us with our stroller I pointed to stickers and they waved us on, never once argued with us.

When I look back at what sticks in my mind between all the parks, for Disney is always those employees going the extra mile and with Universal it is honestly all the bad ones making my life harder. So while the park itself is top notch and I truly believe the foundation is there to compete with Disney, they really need to figure out how to manage a park and their employees. I was hoping that part was fixed, but it seems not. I am still very much looking forward to starting up my passes in December! But I just know to go in knowing it will be a little less magical.

Love the Publix v Walmart analogy. It all comes down to training and upper management. There are great TMs at Universal, but overall they are far behind in all forms of operations outside attractions behind Disney.