Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[fryoj]

So are there two rotary platforms?

 

[saint.piss]

 

[david10225]

One thing I haven't heard discussed for the new park is Accessibility. Of course, this being a brand new build, it will certainly meet all regulatory requirements for pathways, bathrooms, restaurants, etc. But I'm curious to find out what Universal has in mind with respect to the various attractions. For example, in reading about the circular turntable above, I'm trying to picture how someone in a wheelchair will navigate the turntable while the vehicle is in constant motion. Ministry at least from the concept art seems to load more like Tower of Terror which means some additional time to get out of the wheelchair and get into the ride vehicle. All will be revealed at some point I guess, but I've got my wife hyped up for our November 2025 visit and I want to temper her expectations on what she can do or not. On a related note - do we know which rides will have some kind of child swap area?

 

[Clive]

One thing I haven't heard discussed for the new park is Accessibility. Of course, this being a brand new build, it will certainly meet all regulatory requirements for pathways, bathrooms, restaurants, etc. But I'm curious to find out what Universal has in mind with respect to the various attractions. For example, in reading about the circular turntable above, I'm trying to picture how someone in a wheelchair will navigate the turntable while the vehicle is in constant motion. Ministry at least from the concept art seems to load more like Tower of Terror which means some additional time to get out of the wheelchair and get into the ride vehicle. All will be revealed at some point I guess, but I've got my wife hyped up for our November 2025 visit and I want to temper her expectations on what she can do or not. On a related note - do we know which rides will have some kind of child swap area?

I assume any ride with a height requirement will have a child swap area. I also am guessing that Monsters Unchained will offer an alternative loading area for guests needing more time to transfer to the vehicle, as Forbidden Journey does.

 

[Alicia]

One thing I haven't heard discussed for the new park is Accessibility. Of course, this being a brand new build, it will certainly meet all regulatory requirements for pathways, bathrooms, restaurants, etc. But I'm curious to find out what Universal has in mind with respect to the various attractions. For example, in reading about the circular turntable above, I'm trying to picture how someone in a wheelchair will navigate the turntable while the vehicle is in constant motion. Ministry at least from the concept art seems to load more like Tower of Terror which means some additional time to get out of the wheelchair and get into the ride vehicle. All will be revealed at some point I guess, but I've got my wife hyped up for our November 2025 visit and I want to temper her expectations on what she can do or not. On a related note - do we know which rides will have some kind of child swap area?

Monsters Unchained has stationary load option, same as Forbidden Journey. They’re not going to take wheeled assistance vehicles onto a moving platform.

Same as Donkey Kong. It has a separation stationary load area so you don’t have to use the continuous moving belt.

And all the indoor rides have a child swap area, (listed as family room in permits). Many even have a guest restroom with changing table attached or next to them too!

 

[Jake S]

And all the indoor rides have a child swap area, (listed as family room in permits). Many even have a guest restroom with changing table attached or next to them too!

This is awesome.

 

[Alicia]

This is awesome.

Mario Kart and Monsters are the nicest as far as I can tell, each with small guest bathrooms connected.

It’s good too cause like Flight of Passage, if you’re waiting 3 hours in line and need to use the restroom, a TM can direct you to one of these restrooms in a hallway in the center of the queue, rather than sending you back outside.

 

[Jake S]

We'll be taking our first trip to Epic with an eight-month old, so it's welcome news. Would love to see this become the norm for new builds across Universal and Disney parks.

 

[Alicia]

We'll be taking our first trip to Epic with an eight-month old, so it's welcome news. Would love to see this become the norm for new builds across Universal and Disney parks.

I’m also happy to report that every major set of restrooms in the whole park has a family restroom option. They’ve started adding them recently while redoing restrooms at the current resort, but Epic Universe is opening with nearly all of them like that from the start.

 

[DrStarlander]

I’m also happy to report that every major set of restrooms in the whole park has a family restroom option. They’ve started adding them recently while redoing restrooms at the current resort, but Epic Universe is opening with nearly all of them like that from the start.

Overall, one thing that really impresses me with this park is how guest comfort was clearly taken into account. I'm a west coaster so the climate is different and I'm not as familiar with what's typical of all the Orlando parks as far as queue cover, but there seem to be a lot of awnings and covers for queues at Epic from watching the videos!

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Glad to hear that they really seem to be thinking of smaller details like this!

Adding a restroom into a queue of a ride really has no effect on the budget, but it can make a world of difference for the guests.

 

[Alicia]

Glad to hear that they really seem to be thinking of smaller details like this!

Adding a restroom into a queue of a ride really has no effect on the budget, but it can make a world of difference for the guests.

I don’t think it’s advertised or anything, but if you’re a parent with a small child waiting in the family room, it could be a lifesaver.

 

[quinnmac000]

Epic Universe Demand High Ahead Of May Opening, Comcast Says, As Domestic Theme Park Attendance To Rally By Next Summer

Theme parks have seen a succession of soft quarters following a post-Covid surge but NBCU parent Comcast sees that turning around by next summer.

deadline.com

 

[Alicia]

Epic Universe Demand High Ahead Of May Opening, Comcast Says, As Domestic Theme Park Attendance To Rally By Next Summer

Theme parks have seen a succession of soft quarters following a post-Covid surge but NBCU parent Comcast sees that turning around by next summer.

deadline.com

I think they had to say that this morning during the earnings call, because costs are up due to Epic this quarter, but revenue has been down at the parks. Gotta make it sound good!

 

[Mad Dog]

I think they had to say that this morning during the earnings call, because costs are up due to Epic this quarter, but revenue has been down at the parks. Gotta make it sound good!

Flat/declining Universal attendance in lockstep with WDW. Kind of been predicted by some of us, so no surprise. Post hurricane seems to be dragging over at WDW big time. They never hit those October highs they've had since 2016/17. Epic timing should help give a kick to Orlando/s fortunes this coning summer. If there was no Epic on the horizon, 2025 probably would have a continued decline. Hopefully Epic is Orlando's savior.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I think they had to say that this morning during the earnings call, because costs are up due to Epic this quarter, but revenue has been down at the parks. Gotta make it sound good!

Yup - revenue down 5% (8% adjusted for inflation) year to date compared to last year. EBITDA down significantly.

Hopefully Epic is Orlando's savior.

Epic could also do the opposite and drive people away from Orlando. I'm sure people were bothered by how busy the parks were in prior years (and increased pricing) and might be afraid to visit during the first few months. We could potentially have an SWGE-like summer.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yup - revenue down 5% (8% adjusted for inflation) year to date compared to last year. EBITDA down significantly.


Epic could also do the opposite and drive people away from Orlando. I'm sure people were bothered by how busy the parks were in prior years (and increased pricing) and might be afraid to visit during the first few months. We could potentially have an SWGE-like summer.

I've always thought those super long attraction and food lines, and poor operations of 2022, not counting rising costs, negatively affected future visits to WDW and UO. And Orlando (WDW & UO) actually has had 6 straight flat/declining quarters. Only the first quarter of 2023 was decent. Disney & Universal Parks outside Orlando were better in the last three quarters of 2023, and helped the overall figures. ...But I'm not worried about a SWGE summer. That was mostly super poor marketing signals. As long as Universal doesn't overplay their ticketing scheme, like they did in Hollywood Potter opening, I think they'll be OK. But they really need to be flexible on the tickets if demand isn't as strong as expectations......and Orlando figures may be worst than the Universal parks overall since Japan and China seem to be doing OK at this time.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I think the biggest sign that they're marketing EU well is non-theme park fans knowing about it.

And anecdotally, I work with several people who have mentioned that they saw ads for it and they want to go.

 

[Mad Dog]

I think the biggest sign that they're marketing EU well is non-theme park fans knowing about it.

And anecdotally, I work with several people who have mentioned that they saw ads for it and they want to go.

Speaking of ads. I saw a Universal TV ad yesterday that had as it's most prominent moment, the Kong attraction. Now why would they do that with the ride being in its present negative condition. Marketing needs to take a walk over to the attraction.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I think the biggest sign that they're marketing EU well is non-theme park fans knowing about it.

And anecdotally, I work with several people who have mentioned that they saw ads for it and they want to go.

I’ll push back on this. I’ve told a bunch about my opening weekend vacation plans and the literally not a single person has heard of EU beyond what I’ve told them.

I think Marketing needs to really pick up, but I also don’t think UOR’s marketing has ever been as strong as USH.