Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[Nico]

I just assumed city walk would come with the 4th gate in 20 years.

 

[fryoj]

It needs some sort of Citiwalk if they want to draw that crowd. The convention crowd looks for lunch places and food/entertainment late afternoon/early evening. Just having the hub open at the end of the night won't be early enough, and I don't see the convention crowd buying tickets just to eat dinner.

 

[Nico]

It needs some sort of Citiwalk if they want to draw that crowd. The convention crowd looks for lunch places and food/entertainment late afternoon/early evening. Just having the hub open at the end of the night won't be early enough, and I don't see the convention crowd buying tickets just to eat dinner.

I mean, we have the permits (thanks to Alicia) and there is no city walk. So maybe they have a different plan to draw that crowd - like corporate buyouts.

 

[Disneyhead]

Celestial Gardens...................$15
Celestial Gardens+ 1 Land.....$65
Celestial Gardens+ 2 Lands...$110
Celestial Gardens+ 3 Lands...$155
Celestial Gardens+ 4 Lands...$200

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Celestial Gardens...................$15
Celestial Gardens+ 1 Land.....$65
Celestial Gardens+ 2 Lands...$110
Celestial Gardens+ 3 Lands...$155
Celestial Gardens+ 4 Lands...$200

Good idea in theory…

But you can just charge $175 for everything and probably make more money. Or force people to choose their hotels for easy access.

 

[quinnmac000]

Good idea in theory…

But you can just charge $175 for everything and probably make more money. Or force people to choose their hotels for easy access.

For people who work nearby and want to go after work and don't want season passes....paying 15 dollars to even 65 dollars for 4 hours is way more palatable than 175 dollars. Not all guests want to visit a theme park all day long especially on weekdays.

Remember theme parks do get out of state guests but locals really help boost numbers way more than once in a lifetime travelers.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'd guess they might have to open up that area to those without a park ticket, for a few hours a day, at some point in time. There's too many sit down restaurants for the number of people that will be in the park most days,

 

[Legacy]

For people who work nearby and want to go after work and don't want season passes....paying 15 dollars to even 65 dollars for 4 hours is way more palatable than 175 dollars. Not all guests want to visit a theme park all day long especially on weekdays.

Remember theme parks do get out of state guests but locals really help boost numbers way more than one in a lifetime travelers.

If I was still in Orlando, $65 dollars for hub and one land would have me in the parks once a month, which was more frequent than when I worked there.

 

[Cygnus]

I wonder how, if the flexible/open hub was a real thing, would affect AP's. One land a day tier pass? Just the hub pass?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I wonder how, if the flexible/open hub was a real thing, would affect AP's. One land a day tier pass? Just the hub pass?

Which is among one of the many reasons this isn’t happening.

 

[OrlLover]

I know this has been discussed before what do you guys think constitute a “fully themed” coaster ?

It seems like every time we talk about this particular topic nobody fully answers the question. Personally I think Hagrid’s is a good example of an impeccably themed coaster. The bare minimum most parks do is make sure the ride vehicles themselves are themed appropriately.

Does including rock work or waterfalls and any type of miscellaneous details help add to the “theme” of a coaster ?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I know this has been discussed before what do you guys think constitute a “fully themed” coaster ?

It seems like every time we talk about this particular topic nobody fully answers the question. Personally I think Hagrid’s is a good example of an impeccably themed coaster. The bare minimum most parks do is make sure the ride vehicles themselves are themed appropriately.

Does including rock work or waterfalls and any type of miscellaneous details help add to the “theme” of a coaster ?

Do you mean decorated?

 

[JS610]

Personally, what I expect from a Universal/Disney coaster (and any other ride) is clear storytelling. The coaster is the ride system, not the whole experience.

As far as Epic Universe coasters, Donkey Kong already seems highly likely to have great storytelling, and I'm confident the others will as well. Incredible themeing, like rock work, a temple, or a space station certainly helps the storytelling, but you have to use it. The status quo has to change (that doesn't mean something always has to "go wrong" lol).

Again that's just me personallly, not any "official" definition lol. Love to hear what everyone else thinks

 

[Loki]

I would consider Revenge of the Mummy to be an incredibly themed "coaster". The coaster element may not be as extreme as something like Hulk. But if you are trying to tell a story you can't zoom past set pieces at 60 mph either.

 

[belloq87]

I know this has been discussed before what do you guys think constitute a “fully themed” coaster ?

It seems like every time we talk about this particular topic nobody fully answers the question. Personally I think Hagrid’s is a good example of an impeccably themed coaster. The bare minimum most parks do is make sure the ride vehicles themselves are themed appropriately.

Does including rock work or waterfalls and any type of miscellaneous details help add to the “theme” of a coaster ?

To me, it usually comes down to what the coaster itself is meant to be in the story of the ride, and how much suspension of disbelief is being asked from the guest. When I think of what I consider to be the best "themed" coasters (Big Thunder, Hagrid's, Everest, Mummy to a lesser extent), the coaster is meant to represent a stylized mode of transportation within the story (a train, a mine cart, a motorcycle, etc.).

Now, do I also prefer when the track is built-into the environment/landscaping (i.e. hidden) as much as possible? Yes, but that's secondary to what the attraction is asking me to believe I'm riding.

 

[OrlLover]

I’m enjoying all the answers so far and I pretty much agree with all of them. I totally forgot about Big Thunder Mountain but that’s another good example.

Do you mean decorated?

Not necessarily but just overall all the elements it would take to convince you that whatever they are trying to portray that you’re apart of the experience.

 

[baconwhiskers]

They could leave the hub open to hotel guests staying at the main one connected to the park. Phantasialand does something similar with their new land with Fly after day guests clear out.

I know this has been discussed before what do you guys think constitute a “fully themed” coaster ?

It seems like every time we talk about this particular topic nobody fully answers the question. Personally I think Hagrid’s is a good example of an impeccably themed coaster. The bare minimum most parks do is make sure the ride vehicles themselves are themed appropriately.

Does including rock work or waterfalls and any type of miscellaneous details help add to the “theme” of a coaster ?

To bring them up again lol

What Phantasialand does with their big 3 coasters. I haven't seen thrill coasters themed that well ever, it's total immersion and you can't see the outside world/lands at all.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'd guess it's more 'personal' opinion than anything else, since the parameters are so subjective. My own opinion on Universal Orlando's coasters would be:
Highly themed: Mummy, Hagrids, Gringotts
Middle of the road theming: Velocicoaster
Low level theming: Hulk, , Hippogriff, Pter. Fliers
Cedar Point/Six Flags bottom of the barrel type level theming: Rocket, Woodpecker

 

[Suchomimus]

Any reasons or speculation as to why Meteor Burgers was cut, @Alicia ?

 

[Alicia]

Any reasons or speculation as to why Meteor Burgers was cut, @Alicia ?

May be a simple as they already have enough quick service locations to serve the park, especially on that side. There are two in Wizarding World, two in Dragons, and the largest quick service location with over 400 seats is right outside Dragons.

Or, the conspiracy theorist in me wants to believe it is so they have more room to create a future portal entrance to a future expansion on that site.