tayspru
TS Member
They’re both things that are unlikely to be changed, from the coverage I’ve seen they’re the final products of how the effect was designed. Sightlines however I’m much more forgiving on
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Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park
I am glad they have gone with Paris for the Wizarding World as it needs to be different to the existing two areas, otherwise it’s just repeating what’s been done before.
I am avoiding watching the vlogs as going in August, while many will have differing opinions, ie those that don’t like HP will clearly find fault. but I have read on social media posts (which are hard to avoid in my feed) that most are impressed with the Harry Potter area and many saying the ride is up there with Monsters as the best two dark rides created. With some saying the Harry Potter ride brings something completely new with the ride system etc.
Can’t wait to go in August and have 3 days there. Spread out during my 9 nights at Universal.
Also apparently the longest queue constantly since previews began has actually been been Hicups Wing Gliders (Intamin family Launched)- despite having a great capacity and not having as much downtown as some of the other rides. it’s meant be a great ride and much like Hagrids is a Great family thrill ride that’s suitable for everyone.
I am avoiding watching the vlogs as going in August, while many will have differing opinions, ie those that don’t like HP will clearly find fault. but I have read on social media posts (which are hard to avoid in my feed) that most are impressed with the Harry Potter area and many saying the ride is up there with Monsters as the best two dark rides created. With some saying the Harry Potter ride brings something completely new with the ride system etc.
Can’t wait to go in August and have 3 days there. Spread out during my 9 nights at Universal.
Also apparently the longest queue constantly since previews began has actually been been Hicups Wing Gliders (Intamin family Launched)- despite having a great capacity and not having as much downtown as some of the other rides. it’s meant be a great ride and much like Hagrids is a Great family thrill ride that’s suitable for everyone.
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venny
TS Member
There’s certainly some very impressive theming, and some of the rides look world class. Since there’s not much point me describing how spectacular some of the areas and rides look, to provide some counterpoints to the praise, I would say that Celestial park could be argued to be slightly bland/generic. It doesn’t seem to have the richness of texture - probably a result of its open design. Similarly, there’s an argument that they are perhaps a little light on attractions. Minor quibbles though relative to the achievement of the overall park.
What’s perhaps most intriguing is how, with a relative lack of response from Disney, this opening will define a seismic shift in the Orlando theme park market.
What’s perhaps most intriguing is how, with a relative lack of response from Disney, this opening will define a seismic shift in the Orlando theme park market.
Benjsh
TS Member
I have only watched the bits of people walking around the park. I have purposely avoided POV's and inside queue lines as I will be there in August to experience for myself.
I think as a day one park this is better than anything we've seen before. People rightly score IOA very highly as an overall park but I think we need to remember that on opening day it wasn't anywhere near as good as it is now. It didn't have any Potter rides or Velocicoaster of course.
Epic is only going to get better and within 4-5 years I'm sure the first expansion will be open and with number 2 in development as well. They won't rest on their laurels here with this place.
I think as a day one park this is better than anything we've seen before. People rightly score IOA very highly as an overall park but I think we need to remember that on opening day it wasn't anywhere near as good as it is now. It didn't have any Potter rides or Velocicoaster of course.
Epic is only going to get better and within 4-5 years I'm sure the first expansion will be open and with number 2 in development as well. They won't rest on their laurels here with this place.
Matt N
TS Member
The other thing I’d say about sight lines is that unless you make every attraction in the park really short and/or have limitless space and greenery, you’re never going to achieve absolute sight line perfection and full immersion in every area.
The fact is that if you have a tall attraction like Stardust Racers, for example, you will probably see it from other areas. If you don’t want it to be visible within other areas, it can’t be that tall.
Ditto with little bits of warehouses; there’s only so much greenery they can plant, and only so much space they can use, so when the park is at this stage in its life in particular, there’s bound to be a little bit of sight line bleed that will probably get better as the greenery matures.
The fact is that if you have a tall attraction like Stardust Racers, for example, you will probably see it from other areas. If you don’t want it to be visible within other areas, it can’t be that tall.
Ditto with little bits of warehouses; there’s only so much greenery they can plant, and only so much space they can use, so when the park is at this stage in its life in particular, there’s bound to be a little bit of sight line bleed that will probably get better as the greenery matures.
Skyscraper
TS Member
There is a lift somewhere I believe.
Benjsh
TS Member
- Very positive news then regarding the restraints and being big person friendly. I'm not overweight for my size at all but I am 6ft 5 so I obviously take up a lot of space by default. Glad to know I shouldn't have any issues here.
- Also hearing very good stuff regarding the single rider lines. People were skipping 60-80 mins queue for the major rides and waiting between 5 and 15 mins. That's going to be huge for us as a family as our plan is to get in as many rides as possible as we will only have a single day at Epic on our trip this year. As this is a brand new park people are going to want to experience the attractions for the very first time with friends and family. If you're not bothered about this you're going to get in plenty of rides it seems.
- Also hearing very good stuff regarding the single rider lines. People were skipping 60-80 mins queue for the major rides and waiting between 5 and 15 mins. That's going to be huge for us as a family as our plan is to get in as many rides as possible as we will only have a single day at Epic on our trip this year. As this is a brand new park people are going to want to experience the attractions for the very first time with friends and family. If you're not bothered about this you're going to get in plenty of rides it seems.
havaska
TS Member
But then we also have Hex and Curse which are perfectly hidden.
Swings and roundabouts I guess
Benzin
TS Member
That's my point. It's going to be a nightmare when the hordes of prams, wheelchairs and mobility scooters descend to the park.
It's a strange choice.
Benjsh
TS Member
Apparently there are quite a number of lifts to the right hand side just as you approach the escalators. It kind of of branches off.
So it will definitely not be as quick as the escalator but it shouldn't be too bad hopefully.
Llama
TS Member
Very funny. Reminds me of this Europa Park picture from @Martin (originally posted here though it won't let me quote across threads).
I guess Disney and Universal have established somewhat higher standards for these things so it does seem a bit off when you see a prominent sky-coloured warehouse in their new cutting edge theme park, but then our beloved Macks make no effort to hide the dozen thematically incongruent things going on in their own park and it's not a problem whatsoever
Danny
TS Contributor
Skyscraper
TS Member
Perhaps no surprise, but Battle at the Ministry will use a virtual queue system.
From: https://x.com/ThatDisneyBoi/status/1911434036293009662
Edit: the virtual queue may only be for the preview event... Apparently the physical queue line is long enough to hold a 10 hour queue!
From: https://x.com/ThatDisneyBoi/status/1911434036293009662
Edit: the virtual queue may only be for the preview event... Apparently the physical queue line is long enough to hold a 10 hour queue!
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The reviews coming out from people that rode it yesterday are that it’s a game changer and even better than Monsters Unchained, which considering the praise that ride is getting is saying something.
One review said it’s like a cross between rise of the resistance, spiderman and tower of terror.
There is already a POV online something I am avoiding so get to experience it first time in person.
Hopefully they have sorted the capacity issues that was stopping it opening before now as it can run 18-20 cars at a time but they initially could only get it running with about 4 at a time.
One review said it’s like a cross between rise of the resistance, spiderman and tower of terror.
There is already a POV online something I am avoiding so get to experience it first time in person.
Hopefully they have sorted the capacity issues that was stopping it opening before now as it can run 18-20 cars at a time but they initially could only get it running with about 4 at a time.
Tim
TS Member
Difference is though I don't think EP have ever claimed to be offering a completely immersive experience. Europa Park is Europa Park, each theme just adds a new flavour to that experience.Very funny. Reminds me of this Europa Park picture from @Martin (originally posted here though it won't let me quote across threads).
I guess Disney and Universal have established somewhat higher standards for these things so it does seem a bit off when you see a prominent sky-coloured warehouse in their new cutting edge theme park, but then our beloved Macks make no effort to hide the dozen thematically incongruent things going on in their own park and it's not a problem whatsoever
For example their French section evokes the feeling of Paris, but doesn't pretend to genuinely be Paris. Otherwise Euro Sat's dome would not be the focal point of the area. But over at Piraten they do hide the show building because that's just a warehouse which doesn't add any character to the park. But Dutch and Scandinavian houses do.
Benjsh
TS Member
Not a massive fan of virtual queues but it did seem inevitable when we first heard whispers that they aren't able to run it at full capacity yet. Obviously with it being Potter too it was always going to be the busiest attraction at the park.
18-20 cars of 8people per time will be quite the queue eater though which is good. Hopefully they get it running at greater capacity very soon.
I suspect the 12pm slot means they are maybe working on the attraction in the mornings then whilst it's closed?
18-20 cars of 8people per time will be quite the queue eater though which is good. Hopefully they get it running at greater capacity very soon.
I suspect the 12pm slot means they are maybe working on the attraction in the mornings then whilst it's closed?
Each ride car seats 14 so definitely should be getting good capacity.
Also the current VQ times are for the previews. The park doesn’t open until 11am currently anyway. Which I assume gives them time to complete any work in the park that’s still required.