Universal's Epic Universe Wish List & Speculation

[DodgsonHere]

It’s going to be almost surreal to have a new park. When a new ride opens, everybody flocks to that ride but to have a new park where everything is new with evenly distributed crowds is going to be nice and a refreshing change.

God I can just imagine that feeling on day one when the rope drops and everyone steps into a brand new “Universe,” for lack of a better word. If the central hub vista is as beautiful as we think it could be it’ll be something really special.

 

[OrlLover]

God I can just imagine that feeling on day one when the rope drops and everyone steps into a brand new “Universe,” for lack of a better word. If the central hub vista is as beautiful as we think it could be it’ll be something really special.

I wonder what the landscaping is going to be like for this new park ?

I’m pretty sure they have hired the best design companies to come up with some awesome ideas.

 

[Loki]

I wonder what the landscaping is going to be like for this new park ?

I’m pretty sure they have hired the best design companies to come up with some awesome ideas.

Unfortunately, Universals track record on "landscaping" is mediocre at best. I realize that some parks don't lend themselves to lush greenery (USF). Volcano Bay doing a little better due to its nature. I am hoping that Epic will be a lot better in this department. I want to see lots of trees. Canopies of Weeping Willows, Cherry Blossoms, Maples & Birch. I want color and want a buffer between lands and sight lines reduced, so that each corner I turn is a surprise.

But, as the recent hurricane has shown us, a tremendous amounts of landscaping (trees, bushes, etc.) can be a detriment to a park and its possible cleanup.

 

[OrlLover]

Unfortunately, Universals track record on "landscaping" is mediocre at best. I realize that some parks don't lend themselves to lush greenery (USF). Volcano Bay doing a little better due to its nature. I am hoping that Epic will be a lot better in this department. I want to see lots of trees. Canopies of Weeping Willows, Cherry Blossoms, Maples & Birch. I want color and want a buffer between lands and sight lines reduced, so that each corner I turn is a surprise.

But, as the recent hurricane has shown us, a tremendous amounts of landscaping (trees, bushes, etc.) can be a detriment to a park and its possible cleanup.

With this park they definitely have an opportunity for lush greenery with so many water features involved. As far as their track record on landscaping it think it’s pretty solid. I mean a whole thread solely dedicated to that very topic exists so that speaks volumes.

 

[Mad Dog]

With this park they definitely have an opportunity for lush greenery with so many water features involved. As far as their track record on landscaping it think it’s pretty solid. I mean a whole thread solely dedicated to that very topic exists so that speaks volumes.

Yes. The beautiful walking pathways from the on site Universal hotel resorts speak volumes. Compare those to the walkway from Epcot hotels to DHS. .

 

[LikeMike]

I know it’s all hypothetical and EU will be ready when it’s ready but when do you think is the ‘ideal’ time to open a park like this?

We keep hearing about a summer opening but being right in the heart of peak tourist season seems risky. Would a spring time opening to ease into things and get past teething issues be better?

 

[Mad Dog]

I know it’s all hypothetical and EU will be ready when it’s ready but when do you think is the ‘ideal’ time to open a park like this?

We keep hearing about a summer opening but being right in the heart of peak tourist season seems risky. Would a spring time opening to ease into things and get past teething issues be better?

Much of Spring (March/April) is as busy, if not busier than summer now.

 

[JoeCamel]

Much of Spring (March/April) is as busy, if not busier than summer now.

Yeah, I don't know where you get a slack time now, best jump in with both feet and pick up the pieces along the way as soon as you can.

 

[fryoj]

Honestly a busy time would probably be better from an overall resort capacity standpoint. With current trends, by 2025, USF/IOA are going to need help reducing crowds.

 

[Mad Dog]

Honestly a busy time would probably be better from an overall resort capacity standpoint. With current trends, by 2025, USF/IOA are going to need help reducing crowds.

Heck, it's already there. TEA, though not necessarily accurate and using some guesswork, has both IOA (9 million) & USF (9 million) in front of DHS, Epcot and AK for 2021, and that's with some covid slowdowns in the 2021 year.
USF & IOA have been slammed in 2022, if you look at Comcast 2022 quarterly theme park revenue to date and Touring Plans daily crowd levels, I'd venture to guess each park will end up in the vicinity of 11 million
for 2022, and neither park has the capacity to handle those numbers comfortably............and... Hotels are heavily booked constantly.

 

[OrlLover]

Heck, it's already there. TEA, though not necessarily accurate and using some guesswork, has both IOA (9 million) & USF (9 million) in front of DHS, Epcot and AK for 2021, and that's with some covid slowdowns in the 2021 year.
USF & IOA have been slammed in 2022, if you look at Comcast 2022 quarterly theme park revenue to date and Touring Plans daily crowd levels, I'd venture to guess each park will end up in the vicinity of 11 million
for 2022, and neither park has the capacity to handle those numbers comfortably............and... Hotels are heavily booked constantly.

What do you think is the solution to the capacity issues at USF and IOA ?

I’ve seen you mention this several times and even say EU is not going to help much.

 

[Cygnus]

What do you think is the solution to the capacity issues at USF and IOA ?

I’ve seen you mention this several times and even say EU is not going to help much.

replace good rides with mediocre to bad ones. it worked in the past

 

[Scott W.]

I know it’s all hypothetical and EU will be ready when it’s ready but when do you think is the ‘ideal’ time to open a park like this?

We keep hearing about a summer opening but being right in the heart of peak tourist season seems risky. Would a spring time opening to ease into things and get past teething issues be better?

I'm thinking TM then AP previews as the lands complete, possibly in March 2025.

Some kind of soft open in the middle of May and then the full open in June.

 

[Mad Dog]

What do you think is the solution to the capacity issues at USF and IOA ?

I’ve seen you mention this several times and even say EU is not going to help much.

Fairly short term things that would help a bit would be to open up those three closed theaters with well written entertaining shows and replace the former parade with a new better parade. That would get get people out of the long
ride lines.....And while parks complain about finding employees, actors should be the easiest roles to fill. Statistics continually show that actors rarely are able to get full time work, and they jump at the
chance for regular full time work. Most acting gigs are short term or part time. 95% of the members in the actor's union only make a few thousand dollars a year. And the talented non union people who want to act
are legion. .....Parks are just being cheap. With record revenues they don't need to be cheap with live entertainment.

 

[Nico]

Just to move the discussion to the correct thread.

It’s going to be almost surreal to have a new park. When a new ride opens, everybody flocks to that ride but to have a new park where everything is new with evenly distributed crowds is going to be nice and a refreshing change.

Yes....the parks have been too overcrowded, for their capacity, with the post covid splash. It will be nice to get back to the comfortable, leisurely, Universal we used to be able to experience staying on site. I'll stay at the old resort when Epic opens,
to enjoy the Universal I liked before the Disney type crowds flooded the resort. Universal Studios & IOA just don't have the capacity to handle 11 million plus crowds for each park, especially with three closed large live entertainment theaters and no parade.

Disneys recent price hike made me think back to the conversation we had back at Genie’s launch. I sincerely believe they are currently responding to Epic through price increases/ensuring only the highest paying guests come through the gates. I really don’t think they have a problem with sending people to Universal.

My conspiratorial view of business:
1. Disney is slammed so they introduce “crowd control” initiatives that also increase spending.
2. The perceived benefit of Universal right now is the lack of overplanning as compared to Disney.
3. Comcast is aware of the issues of opening a new park and the importance of minimizing bad press. They will do everything in their power to avoid a Studios/IOA situation through a marketing strategy and softs.
4. I don’t know if they will want the images of huge lines like Potter or Hagrid’s for a full park.
5. Disney’s practices have sent large numbers of casual fans to the Universal Parks.
6. By doing this, Universal may inevitably (down the line) be forced to implement similar measures to help with increased crowds. Further normalizing what Disney is doing with LL and Genie + and removing the one perceived benefit/difference between the two resorts.

Feels like a lose the battle, win the war situation. Although I dunno how much of a “lose” it is - since they are still making money hand over fist despite increased negative public perception.

I’m hoping that since Universal/Comcast are being so aggressive they continue to add new attractions/lands to combat this instead of taking the bait.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

delete

 

[fryoj]

What do you think is the solution to the capacity issues at USF and IOA ?

I’ve seen you mention this several times and even say EU is not going to help much.

Unfortunately.... price hikes. AP's are grossly underpriced for what you get.

Increasing capacity would help, but park layout limits what they can do. Even if you open shows and somehow add rides, the paths themselves are already crowded. Hogsmede is a cluster.

Increasing operating hours would help a little.

But to incentivize people to come at slower times instead of busier is probably going to take a strong financial penalty to going tho busy days.

 

[shiekra38]

What do you think is the solution to the capacity issues at USF and IOA ?

I’ve seen you mention this several times and even say EU is not going to help much.

EU is going to help tremendously though

I also think a Kidzone redo allowing more of the park to be used in Studios will help

 

[Mad Dog]

EU is going to help tremendously though

I also think a Kidzone redo allowing more of the park to be used in Studios will help

Definitely. The issue though is the nearly 'three years until Epic opens'. When Epic opens I'd guess some cannibalizing of USF & IOA attendance will occur., that will help their capacity issues.

 

[OrlLover]

Unfortunately.... price hikes. AP's are grossly underpriced for what you get.

Increasing capacity would help, but park layout limits what they can do. Even if you open shows and somehow add rides, the paths themselves are already crowded. Hogsmede is a cluster.

Increasing operating hours would help a little.

But to incentivize people to come at slower times instead of busier is probably going to take a strong financial penalty to going tho busy days.

Once Epic opens I definitely think they are going to be increasing prices across the board.