Epic Universe - What's Not Working, How Do We Feel, & What Are Potential Solutions?

[pumpkinbot343]

I’m considering making a separate thread for it but I don’t know if it’s a problem with the other parks. I’m hearing that there’s a big accessibility problem with this park, horrible for wheelchairs, and almost all of the queues have 1 or 2 stairs.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

I’m considering making a separate thread for it but I don’t know if it’s a problem with the other parks. I’m hearing that there’s a big accessibility problem with this park, horrible for wheelchairs, and almost all of the queues have 1 or 2 stairs.

Considering the Secret Life of Pets disaster of accommodating larger guests for a OMNIMOVER ride, this also, signals a major issue in the company given everything rn.

 

[Brian G.]

I’m considering making a separate thread for it but I don’t know if it’s a problem with the other parks. I’m hearing that there’s a big accessibility problem with this park, horrible for wheelchairs, and almost all of the queues have 1 or 2 stairs.

While stairs are prevalent, especially in SNW, I wouldn’t call it an accessibility problem… All rides, attractions, and areas are ADA compliant.

Considering the Secret Life of Pets disaster of accommodating larger guests for a OMNIMOVER ride, this also, signals a major issue in the company given everything rn.

They literally made all the rides in Epic large mammal friendly…

WTF are we doing here?

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

While stairs are prevalent, especially in SNW, I wouldn’t call it an accessibility problem… All rides, attractions, and areas are ADA compliant.


They literally made all the rides in Epic large mammal friendly…

WTF are we doing here?

Only responding to comment above, assuming it’s true.

The issues with SLOP were true, however. Sorry if I misspoke on Epic.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

While stairs are prevalent, especially in SNW, I wouldn’t call it an accessibility problem… All rides, attractions, and areas are ADA compliant.

I hear and read opinions here and there, can’t really find some of them (some of them were on Facebook and Twitter and Nitter is defunct), but there is some disapproval and a string of comments (which talks about the stairs thing) in the comment section of this recent video below is what comes to mind recently.

 

[Brian G.]

I hear and read opinions here and there, can’t really find some of them (some of them were on Twitter and Nitter is defunct), but there is some disapproval and a string of comments (which talks about the stairs thing) in the comment section of this recent video below is what comes to mind recently.

Again, there is a lot of stairs. That doesn’t mean there’s an accessibility problem.

 

[DOOMBOT]

Again, there is a lot of stairs. That doesn’t mean there’s an accessibility problem.

Really not trying to push back too hard on this, cause I basically agree!
I do think certain areas are very inconvenient for people who aren't able to walk for mid-length distances though.

It's SNW again haha. They really like to hide those elevators, and some of those bottom entrance / exits are incredibly cramped and over-utilized. There should probably be like double the amount of elevators available, land-wide. The interactive experiences are also very much not designed for anyone that isn't a 8 to 36 year-old able-bodied person, and there's a lack of transfer chairs available in general.

I've come around quite a bit on the HTTYD play area though. I think what it does to remain generally accessible, fun and sprawling, well-themed, and easy to maintain / clean is a pretty great achievement. Another gold sticker for Berk.

we should have a star emote haha

Calling anything in SNW an "accessibility problem" is probably too far though. (outside of the 8-Bit Bowser stamp that's totally inaccessible without the use of stairs. it's the only stamp that's like that. why did they design it that way. the only way to get it is for someone else to get it for you or to get a TM to emulate the NFC tap for you which i feel kinda breaks the 'game feel'. )

 

[Brian G.]

Really not trying to push back too hard on this, cause I basically agree!
I do think certain areas are very inconvenient for people who aren't able to walk for mid-length distances though.

It's SNW again haha. They really like to hide those elevators, and some of those bottom entrance / exits are incredibly cramped and over-utilized. There should probably be like double the amount of elevators available, land-wide. The interactive experiences are also very much not designed for anyone that isn't a 8 to 36 year-old able-bodied person, and there's a lack of transfer chairs available in general.

I've come around quite a bit on the HTTYD play area though. I think what it does to remain generally accessible, fun and sprawling, well-themed, and easy to maintain / clean is a pretty great achievement. Another gold sticker for Berk.

we should have a star emote haha

Calling anything in SNW an "accessibility problem" is probably too far though. (outside of the 8-Bit Bowser stamp that's totally inaccessible without the use of stairs. it's the only stamp that's like that. why did they design it that way. the only way to get it is for someone else to get it for you or to get a TM to emulate the NFC tap for you which i feel kinda breaks the 'game feel'. )

I went to Epic with 2 parents in ECVs. Trust me, it’s a giant PITA. But they had no problem getting around.

 

[OrlLover]

8 to 36 year-old able-bodied person

I’m a little confused by this.

So anybody older than this can’t move around fine?

It’s probably not what you mean’t but it’s worded weird.

I went to Epic with 2 parents in ECVs. Trust me, it’s a giant PITA. But they had no problem getting around.

They could have a million stairs and Epic would still have to be ADA compliant.

So yes Uni has to accommodate everyone one way or the other.

 

[DOOMBOT]

I’m a little confused by this.

So anybody older than this can move around fine?

It’s probably not what you mean’t but is worded weird.

I probably did word it weird haha. I meant that anyone within that age range (8-36, very roughly) will probably be able to jump, run, climb, push like all of these Power-Up Band games require you to without much worry; but the games are likely to be significantly more difficult for anyone who falls under or over that age range. There are always exceptions to that, but that's been my personal experience and observation.

 

[ChrisFL]

I hear and read opinions here and there, can’t really find some of them (some of them were on Facebook and Twitter and Nitter is defunct), but there is some disapproval and a string of comments (which talks about the stairs thing) in the comment section of this recent video below is what comes to mind recently.

I watched this video and I do wonder if they put too much emphasis on whether Universal was trying to attract convention-goers as their primary motivation for having the lands all separate. Sure that could be a small part of it, but I definitely don't believe that was their main factor. As I thought when the plans came out, it seemed more like they could do entry for certain lands at certain times to spread out the crowds more evenly if needed.

 

[Frogki]

Not trying to get too far into the weeds on this, but I just wanted to add that there is a broader, industry wide push to be more thoughtful about accessibility from the very beginning of the design phase.

And what that means in practice is working to ensure things are designed so that, wherever possible, guests with disabilities can just jump into the attraction as any other guest would without needing to ask for an accomodation.
Whether that's a realistic consideration for all attractions and/or infrastructure is another question.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Some back of the napkin math here, Epic has one more ride than USF with stairs in the queue. No one really complains about it there, so is it simply a SNW design decision problem?

 

[DOOMBOT]

Some back of the napkin math here, Epic has one more ride than USF with stairs in the queue. No one really complains about it there, so is it simply a SNW design decision problem?

The "stair heavy" perception might also be a result of Epic's layout. Walking from DK to Battle feels a lot more Odyssey-like than walking from HRRR to MiB.

USF has that circular loop layout and a good bit more natural shade or hard-to-miss bar spots to break it all up too.

 

[Mad Dog]

The "stair heavy" perception might also be a result of Epic's layout. Walking from DK to Battle feels a lot more Odyssey-like than walking from HRRR to MiB.

USF has that circular loop layout and a good bit more natural shade or hard-to-miss bar spots to break it all up too.

Bravo especially to all those hard to miss bar spots at USF.

 

[alomar]

I probably did word it weird haha. I meant that anyone within that age range (8-36, very roughly) will probably be able to jump, run, climb, push like all of these Power-Up Band games require you to without much worry; but the games are likely to be significantly more difficult for anyone who falls under or over that age range. There are always exceptions to that, but that's been my personal experience and observation.

TIL at 37 your body instantly ages to geriatric state leading to immobility.


Im kidding! Just thought the age range part was kinda funny, but in general I get what you are saying. Just pushing 42 the numbers made me sad haha.

 

[DOOMBOT]

TIL at 37 your body instantly ages to geriatric state leading to immobility.


Im kidding! Just thought the age range part was kinda funny, but in general I get what you are saying. Just pushing 42 the numbers made me sad haha.

I know a number of people above that age range that do consistent marathon runs and intense dance / athletic routines, and a number of others who'd actively protest at any involving their back haha!

I don't mean anything too essentialist with it obviously. I just think it's a bit more variable after that point!

 

[alomar]

I know a number of people above that age range that do consistent marathon runs and intense dance / athletic routines, and a number of others who'd actively protest at any involving their back haha!

I don't mean anything too essentialist with it obviously. I just think it's a bit more variable after that point!

Oh no don't get me wrong, I wasn't taking to overly seriously or critical at all. Heck I am both people you mentioned depending on the day! haha. Just wanted to have some fun is all.

 

[MrRoamer]

I went to Epic with 2 parents in ECVs. Trust me, it’s a giant PITA. But they had no problem getting around.

my daughter fractured her ankle our first visit (like week before) and we had to get an ECV and do wheelchair transfers. definitely agree it was a huge PITA especially with the transfers. We also ended up backstage twice (Nintendo and Ministry) because the elevators weren't clear what level you were going to back then, hopefully its better now.

but no the accessibility was actually pretty good especially with the loaders for DK and Monsters

 

[Jake S]

Finally got around to watching this ()



and I, unsurprisingly, agree with a lot of the criticisms. Where I disagree is on the quality of the attractions themselves. Yes, Epic Universe is fundamentally flawed because too many attractions are either prone to breakdowns or simply don't have the requisite capacity available ... but my biggest criticism is that I just don't think most of the rides are very good.

I do think that points to where a lot of disagreement lands on this board. There are plenty of people who think the stuff at Epic is great, but agree that accessing it all can be frustrating if you have bad luck. And then there's me and, I dunno, three other people, who think many (if not most!) of the attractions are pretty so-so.