Benjsh
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
So tempting to watch it but I'm avoiding all spoilers of the dark rides (and the indoor section of the DK coaster)
Suspense is killing me though. Hurry up August.
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Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park
So tempting to watch it but I'm avoiding all spoilers of the dark rides (and the indoor section of the DK coaster)
Suspense is killing me though. Hurry up August.
Llama
TS Member
Not sure which tree I'm really barking up here, but wow does that post read like it came directly from Universal's marketing team. I don't mean to pick on that poster in particular, and I'm not really sure what I'm expecting from the current environment of Theme Park Journalism, but come on. I have no doubt this is a world-class and potentially revolutionary ride but you cannot convince me that anyone would ever write the line "digital media in the attraction enhances the scenes and the story, seamlessly blending with the physical sets and their environments" without getting paid for it in dollars or access.
The_bup
TS Member
I guess we shall have to wait and see. It might be like a Minnie and mickeys runaway railway situation were it’s very hard to tell what’s what. Well, unless you don’t look up that is…
Llama
TS Member
Someone who went to a preview day is doing an AMA on reddit, which seems a little more like a realistic review and not just a copy/paste job of Universal's press releases.
The Harry Potter ride wasn't open, the Monsters ride is the "best modern dark ride I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing" and better than Rise of the Resistance, and Stardust Racers is "one of the best coasters in Florida and it could possibly beat Velocicoaster. Not sure yet." Also a great review for the spinning werewolf coaster. Sounds like they really knocked this park... out of the park?
Nerdsticks
TS Member
They are now selling 1 Day Epic Universe tickets for May + June for non passholders. Seems like May has already sold out! You'll need to use a VPN to access it. People are claiming you can buy for future dates but it's only saying May + June on my screen.
Edit: May hasn't sold out, they just weren't offering any in May to begin with.
Edit: May hasn't sold out, they just weren't offering any in May to begin with.
I purchased an additional ticket for August. The app wasn’t working even with VPN for me and showing past June but purchased fine through undercover tourist. I have used them before, there is a slightly higher price than direct but was £3 extra so not worried by that. Ticket already emailed and added to the universal app wallet. So will now get to have two days at Epic this August. All dates June though to end of 2025 are available.
Benjsh
TS Member
Not sure what we are doing yet. We have the 14 days passes plus we're staying at Universal for a few nights to get the early entry perk.
To add on another day to Epic though it's going to cost us another £400 for the 3 of us. Is it worth it? Would be awful if we missed out on any of the big attractions but then again £400 is a lot of money too.
Yes for August was £142 for a day ticket. It adds up all the extras especially if start doing things like mickeys not so scary Halloween party and after hrs evens (not doing those). Plus normally also have Seaworld/busch gardens tickets but having done them a good few times now and last few visits haven’t been great/ poor operations, rubbish food etc giving them a miss so saved on those tickets.
I have read universal are capping capacity at around 20k initially as they want people to have a decent experience and don’t want to be getting any negativity across social media. While 20k would be a nightmare at our parks that’s not high for an Orlando park. High capacity attractions plus all those eating/drinking, watching entertainment, meet and greets etc ride queues shouldn’t be too extreme.
I have read universal are capping capacity at around 20k initially as they want people to have a decent experience and don’t want to be getting any negativity across social media. While 20k would be a nightmare at our parks that’s not high for an Orlando park. High capacity attractions plus all those eating/drinking, watching entertainment, meet and greets etc ride queues shouldn’t be too extreme.
Benjsh
TS Member
The capping was something I expected and precisely why we decided to book an additional hotel at Universal for 4 nights as part of our package. Our other hotel room will just have to remain empty for those nights.
I wanted to make sure we're in the park during early access to guarantee we don't miss out.
Early entry at volcano bay is also a great benefit. In August it’s normally an hr before (last year was 8-9am) early but you can get so much done with little to no wait during that hour and even the first hour or so of normal entry as guests spending that time getting ready and sitting seats etc.
Benjsh
TS Member
Images from Universal of inside the park:
The Isle of Berk is absolutely massive and without doubt is going to be the showpiece land of this park I feel.
The park's main show will be held here as well as the flying dragons which will be such a cool effect.
Bowser
TS Member
Images from Universal of inside the park:
Phenomenal.
Can only dream that we get theming of that quality if it comes to the UK.
Although things change Zelda is currently planned as an expansion to one of the existing parks (heavily rumoured to be IOA to replace what remains of the lost continent area). There was talk that it would feature an indoor boat ride using the new Mack rocking boat ride system.
A boat ride based on the creature of the black lagoon has long been talked about for Dark Universe and was moved to a phase two project and would be on the land behind the burning blade tavern and the Monsters unchained show building. Doesn’t mean it will happen as lots of phase two projects for previous parks like IOA (Jurassic sourin style ride and jeap ride) and disneys animal kingdom (beastly kingdom and excavator dinoland coaster) never actually got built.
Zeock
TS Member
This in particular looks absurdly beautiful. It shows that Universal really can go toe-to-toe with Disney in terms of physical theming.Images from Universal of inside the park:
I am planning a trip myself here for 2026.
Just going to be flying in on a Thursday night, leaving on the Monday, the hope is to have 2 days at epic, 1 day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and then have a day at one of the above parks on the Monday before my flight.
Not ideal timing wise as usually I'd want a week as a minimum but having spent a lot of time in Orlando over the last few years and doing all the Disney parks etc I think it would be fine - it's Epic I'm there for as I went to all the others in 2022 and again 2024. The reason it's as short as it is is due to annual leave plus it will be a solo trip to see Epic rather than a holiday with my wife (who has been recently with me and won't be up for another trip!).
In terms of tickets have they released normal tickets for Epic for 2026 yet? I suppose what I would want is a 4 day ticket allowing unlimited access into all the Universal parks, have these been released yet to include Epic Universe?
Flight/accomodation wise I've always stayed at the Rosen Inn International and I can currently do that at £850.00 which seems reasonablish, I did look at the Helios but that's another £500+ so it'll be the Rosen again!
Just going to be flying in on a Thursday night, leaving on the Monday, the hope is to have 2 days at epic, 1 day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and then have a day at one of the above parks on the Monday before my flight.
Not ideal timing wise as usually I'd want a week as a minimum but having spent a lot of time in Orlando over the last few years and doing all the Disney parks etc I think it would be fine - it's Epic I'm there for as I went to all the others in 2022 and again 2024. The reason it's as short as it is is due to annual leave plus it will be a solo trip to see Epic rather than a holiday with my wife (who has been recently with me and won't be up for another trip!).
In terms of tickets have they released normal tickets for Epic for 2026 yet? I suppose what I would want is a 4 day ticket allowing unlimited access into all the Universal parks, have these been released yet to include Epic Universe?
Flight/accomodation wise I've always stayed at the Rosen Inn International and I can currently do that at £850.00 which seems reasonablish, I did look at the Helios but that's another £500+ so it'll be the Rosen again!
Benjsh
TS Member
Worst fears confirmed. Universal have now starting selling express passes for Epic Universe which even includes opening day.
Have to say I'm hugely disappointed by this news. Express passes in opening year of a major new park where they have limited a lot of people to just one visit is a really crappy thing to do.
Have to say I'm hugely disappointed by this news. Express passes in opening year of a major new park where they have limited a lot of people to just one visit is a really crappy thing to do.
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