Epic Universe Ticketing Info, Advice, & Speculation

[UniversalRBLX]

To change topics- anyone know if the Mardi Gras food cards work at Epic this year? I asked because they did last year.

Yes, it's a standard food & beverage gift card. Only difference is that it has the Mardi Gras branding.

Pro-tip: If your local, purchase a few and just use that as a way to budget yourself for the year. Good for HHN and what not.

 

[Mad Dog]

[removed]

Interesting survey results that were removed....On a similar note they were only surveying AP holders at the gate after they entered USF when we were there. My surprise, when the girl said she had been doing the AP survey for a number of days and we were 'by far' the longest AP holders she had surveyed thus far. First year was 2011 for us. I would have thought there were a lot of longer term. When I mentioned the time line to her she said most were just a few years. I'm guessing Universal had a sign up explosion before Epic opened. Those might be largely disappointed if that's the case. Myself, Epic is a non factor in whether I have an AP, though it would be nice to have better access, though operational capacity is a problem for that.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Got an interesting survey today

Y'all gotta stop posting about the super confidental surveys!

 

[Clive]

Y'all gotta stop posting about the super confidental surveys!

Yeah, guys, very first window of that survey emphasizes it is "HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL." When it's marked confidential, we have to honor that. You can't discuss it here.

 

[RFRees]

Interesting survey....On a similar note they were only surveying AP holders at the gate after they entered USF when we were there. My surprise, when the girl said she had been doing the AP survey for a number of days and we were 'by far' the longest AP holders she had surveyed thus far. First year was 2011 for us. I would have thought there were a lot of longer term. When I mentioned the time line to her she said most were just a few years. I'm guessing Universal had a sign up explosion before Epic opened. Those might be largely disappointed if that's the case. Myself, Epic is a non factor in whether I have an AP, though it would be nice to have better access, though operational capacity is a problem for that.

I would guess COVID broke things up quite a bit (lot of people took a year off).

I'd also guess a lot of people flip from Disney to Universal, as holding both is quite expensive.

Edit
I want to clarify: I mean people swap between the two parks (possible even three parks if you include the handful of people who also might only hold a Sea World pass). I didn't mean this was only in the direction of Disney to Universal.

 

[Mad Dog]

I would guess COVID broke things up quite a bit.

I'd also guess a lot of people flip from Disney to Universal, as holding both is quite expensive.

I think it might go the other way if the Epic inclusion costs are unreasonably high, as I'm guessing they might be. . I'm also guessing that Universal is overvaluing Epic at this stage of it's existence.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I'd also guess a lot of people flip from Disney to Universal, as holding both is quite expensive.

BIngo. It's one of many factors the resort is having to factor.

 

[Skold]

Y'all gotta stop posting about the super confidental surveys!

I, for one, have taken at least *eight* "confidential" surveys, and I have only hinted at five of them here!

 

[Mad Dog]

I, for one, have taken at least *eight* "confidential" surveys, and I have only hinted at five of them here!

You should have leaked the F&F Supercharged one, then maybe they would have cancelled before it was built.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Not going into specifics, but it does seem like the resort is interested in overhauling the overall AP program, not just Epic. It's very clear that they know that once Epic is added to an AP program, it may drive attendance away from USF/IOA?

I'm all for an AP overhaul as long as it can provide more benefits and actual bonus gifts and discounts. A reward system that can generate attendance during quieter periods is a great idea to have attendance goes down for whatever reason.

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On Epic Universe AP-Inclusive Pricing, it'll be interesting to see how they price overall. Based on current pricing, we could see the following implemented (assuming no changes to the current AP program & pricing).

Epic Universe obviously demands a premium... but how much? Below are a few scenarios starting from the cheapest (add Epic to the current per park price) to doubling the price of the existing APs (doubt as this would eclipse WDW's current pricing by a significant margin).


I'd imagine the lowest tier price (Seasonal-Power) would be competitive to WDW's Pixie Pass currently priced at $469 while a Premier Pass with its premium benefits could compete with the Incredi-Pass priced at $1,549. Premier with Volcano Bay was priced at $1,095... so it's pretty close.

They key is where the Preferred and Power Pass lies between the two price points as they likely make the bulk of the pass sales.

 

[Mad Dog]

Not going into specifics, but it does seem like the resort is interested in overhauling the overall AP program, not just Epic. It's very clear that they know that once Epic is added to an AP program, it may drive attendance away from USF/IOA?

I'm all for an AP overhaul as long as it can provide more benefits and actual bonus gifts and discounts. A reward system that can generate attendance during quieter periods is a great idea to have attendance goes down for whatever reason.

-----
On Epic Universe AP-Inclusive Pricing, it'll be interesting to see how they price overall. Based on current pricing, we could see the following implemented (assuming no changes to the current AP program & pricing).

Epic Universe obviously demands a premium... but how much? Below are a few scenarios starting from the cheapest (add Epic to the current per park price) to doubling the price of the existing APs (doubt as this would eclipse WDW's current pricing by a significant margin).
View attachment 29386

I'd imagine the lowest tier price (Seasonal-Power) would be competitive to WDW's Pixie Pass currently priced at $469 while a Premier Pass with its premium benefits could compete with the Incredi-Pass priced at $1,549. Premier with Volcano Bay was priced at $1,095... so it's pretty close.

They key is where the Preferred and Power Pass lies between the two price points as they likely make the bulk of the pass sales.

You may be a wee bit optimistic. I would doubt any plan including Epic will be all inclusive days like USF & IOA since the operational capacity issues are so awesome. They can't handle a ton of guests at Epic. As I said before, I'm thinking that Universal is overvaluing Epic. It's a nice, very beautiful park, but not real 'repeatable' at this point of its existence. It could be a great park but it's, at the least, two or three high capacity E tickets away. I'm a huge theme park fan but the two days I did in November were really sufficient for a while....My curiosity was sated.....Right now, if I had $200 to spend on a one day Orlando ticket, I would use it on a MK,DHS, IOA, or Epcot ticket before spending it on Epic.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

You may be a wee bit optimistic. I would doubt any plan including Epic will be all inclusive days like USF & IOA since the operational capacity issues are so awesome. As I said before, I'm thinking that Universal is overvaluing Epic. It's a nice, very beautiful park, but not real repeatable at this point of its existence. I'm a huge theme park fan but the two days I did in November were really sufficient for a while....My curiosity was sated.....Right now, if I had $200 to spend on a one day Orlando ticket, I would use it on a MK,DHS, IOA, or Epcot ticket before spending it on Epic.

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm onboard with the idea of Universal overvaluing Epic at this moment. Long-term, Epic won't generate that sort of premium demand. The pricing logic above is only referencing their current pricing logic.

I'm leaning more towards something in the $150-200 increase range so there isn't sticker shock.


Separate side note -

What about an Epic Universe AP Dining Package in the short-term? Would be useful to get bodies in the park when nighttime show debuts? A "discounted" dining package at Epic Universe that includes reserved dining at Atlantic or Blue Dragon with access to the rest of the park after your reservation? The restaurants will get busy, and you can at least satisfy APs a bit.

 

[Mad Dog]

Oh don't get me wrong, I'm onboard with the idea of Universal overvaluing Epic at this moment. Long-term, Epic won't generate that sort of premium demand. The pricing logic above is only referencing their current pricing logic.

I'm leaning more towards something in the $150-200 increase range so there isn't sticker shock.
View attachment 29387

Separate side note -

What about an Epic Universe AP Dining Package in the short-term? Would be useful to get bodies in the park when nighttime show debuts? A "discounted" dining package at Epic Universe that includes reserved dining at Atlantic or Blue Dragon with access to the rest of the park after your reservation? The restaurants will get busy, and you can at least satisfy APs a bit.

I'm guessing they want a very premium price increase. That won't fly except for a small percentage of AP's. And that might be intentional so they look like they're looking out for AP's, so they don't lose them, but they don't really want many to sign up for the park due to the capacity problem. I just don't see an all inclusive Epic access except at a very very premium price, if at all.

There's no near term capacity solution, especially during the summer rainy season.