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

[Mad Dog]

People come early and leave early because THE PARK IS NOT OPEN LATE ENOUGH!!!

They were leaving early when the park was open until 10:00 PM. Though I agree they are closing too early when the hours change to 8:00 PM in September. Epic gets that early crowd like AK, and many people are worn out by 5:00 PM like at AK, plus there's not all that much do to if you're not a big coaster fan. Of course, that early crowd thing might change once the newness wears off....and/if AP's get a reasonably priced three park AP.

Presently, you can get lots of rides in on that early admission hour, especially if you avoid Ministry and DK Minecart (sometimes opens during EH) that often have early 'issues'. Once AP's arrive, and the park isn't mostly tourists, I can see Epic behaving more like most of theOrlando parks do, except for AK and their animal orientation.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

They were leaving early when the park was open until 10:00 PM. Though I agree they are closing too early when the hours change to 8:00 PM in September. Epic gets that early crowd like AK, and many people are worn out by 5:00 PM like at AK, plus there's not all that much do to if you're not a big coaster fan. Of course, that early crowd thing might change once the newness wears off....and/if AP's get a reasonably priced three park AP.

Presently, you can get lots of rides in on that early admission hour, especially if you avoid Ministry and DK Minecart (sometimes opens during EH) that often have early 'issues'. Once AP's arrive, and the park isn't mostly tourists, I can see Epic behaving more like most of theOrlando parks do, except for AK and their animal orientation.

Yeah, too much sun and not enough AC to keep people refreshed, get wiped out early. Probably trying to push thru the whole day but can't make it, instead of leaving at ~2 and coming back at ~5.

 

[Magic-Man]

I'll save my full thoughts for after my first visit in October, but it definitely feels like the park needs more indoor attractions. I think it'll be fine once the Potter and Darkmoor expansions open but for now it's three rides and two shows and that's kind of it.

The lack of indoor queues for the most of the outdoor rides doesn't help either. Look at IOA. Hagrids, Velocicoaster, Hulk, and Doctor Doom are all outdoors but they have indoor queue sections to cool down. Then look at Stardust Racers, Hiccups Wing Gliders, and Dragon Racers Rally. All of the line is outside and you cook. It's not great.

 

[Mad Dog]

Yeah, too much sun and not enough AC to keep people refreshed, get wiped out early. Probably trying to push thru the whole day but can't make it, instead of leaving at ~2 and coming back at ~5.

Definitely. Actually best touring plan is to go early in the morning if you're staying at any of the on site hotels. Go back to the hotel around noon because the lines get real long and the heat is unbearable from June till October, and come back around 4 or 5. But when they staart closing the park at 8:00 PM that will mess that plan up.

 

[Evan]

It is funny to me, because Epic is the only park in Orlando I can go to and ride the "best" rides over and over again without long waits. I agree some of the other rides are definitely weak and they could use a few more attractions, but it never bothers me because I can just ride Stardust, Unchained and even Hiccup 3 or 4 times each without issue. What other park could you ever say that at?

I just don’t think the average guest (or family) wants to ride the same 3 rides over and over again.

The beauty about a place like Disneyland (and yes I know it has 70 years on Epic), is that you can ride the headliners multiple times if you want, but there are about 35+ other attractions you can do as well. Or you can easily parkhop and have even more access for other things to do!

And plenty of the headliners are indoors and can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

 

[Frank Drackman]

I just don’t think the average guest (or family) wants to ride the same 3 rides over and over again.

The beauty about a place like Disneyland (and yes I know it has 70 years on Epic), is that you can ride the headliners multiple times if you want, but there are about 35+ other attractions you can do as well. Or you can easily parkhop and have even more access for other things to do!

And plenty of the headliners are indoors and can be enjoyed regardless of the weather.

but in a way, you are talking about the difference between a AP guest compared to the every day guest. As many have said, Epic is missing the APH crowd, locally, it keeps a lot of locals from just stopping by. They make a park crowded, but most likely wouldn't join a line that is said to be over 30 minutes.......these are the folks that add to the park's 'vibe' They eat at the restaurants and they buy merch.

Currently, Epic is being used to try and get 3 to 5 night stays out of folks, for folks to enjoy both campuses.

Now they have lowered the price for Pass Holder tickets to Epic to try and bring them out but I doubt that would work the same as a pass would.

 

[HandsomePete]

People come early and leave early because THE PARK IS NOT OPEN LATE ENOUGH!!!

No, people behave in a very predictable fashion. Even at a park like MK the average length of stay is well under 8 hours.

Re: predictable, Feb 2025...

For the first little bit when everyone is on what is for all intents and purposes a one-day ticket, almost everyone is going to show up in the morning. The ingress of people is going to slow to a trickle after noon and nobody is park-hopping in.

Without letting people in for free after a certain time to go to those restaurants, they’d be almost impossible to fill at dinner.

 

[OrlLover]

is that you can ride the headliners multiple times if you want, but there are about 35+ other attractions you can do as well. Or you can easily parkhop and have even more access for other things to do!

But is that really fair to Epic?

You’re comparing a park that’s been open for over 60 years to one that just opened a year ago.

It’s gonna take time to really build it out with other attractions.

 

[Evan]

But it’s that really fair to Epic?

You’re comparing a park that’s been open for over 60 years to one that just opened a year ago.

It’s gonna take time to really build it out with other attractions.

I did note that in my post. No one expected Epic to have a roster like Disneyland has in 2026.

But it doesn’t negate the fact they chose to build an almost entirely outdoor attraction (rides) park, and many of us warned in the lead up to opening that that was a … choice.

And that seems to be one of the biggest factors causing all the negative reviews from the GP.

 

[maxairmike]

But it’s that really fair to Epic?

You’re comparing a park that’s been open for over 60 years to one that just opened a year ago.

It’s gonna take time to really build it out with other attractions.

The unfortunate reality is that any US theme park built since the 80s will never get close to that kind of attraction density, mostly by design and how large most major attractions are these days. MK comes the closest (52 vs approx. 40 once Villains and Cars are done), as it was an upscaled version of DL but still falls a bit short in that metric. It’s an unfortunate business and design philosophy, and very unlikely to change for the foreseeable future. I would personally expect Epic’s attraction count to top out around 25 at full buildout (currently at 17 by my count, character greetings of any type aren’t included for any number in this post).

 

[OrlLover]

I did note that in my post. No one expected Epic to have a roster like Disneyland has in 2026.

But it doesn’t negate the fact they chose to build an almost entirely outdoor attraction (rides) park, and many of us warned in the lead up to opening that that was a … choice.

And that seems to be one of the biggest factors causing all the negative reviews from the GP.

Yes I definitely agree more indoor experiences are needed and it didn’t help people’s perception of Epic.

It’s an unfortunate business and design philosophy

Is it really?

Having over 40 attractions open with a park is a little obsessive and overwhelming for the average guest.

 

[maxairmike]

Yes I definitely agree more indoor experiences are needed and it didn’t help people’s perception of Epic.

Is it really?

Having over 40 attractions open with a park is a little obsessive and overwhelming for the average guest.

Absolutely, at least in my view. A high variety attraction count helps a park in many ways; it can drive additional days, increase capacity, disperse and keep guests flowing through the park, provides cushion for operational issues, and helps ensure there are experiences for every type of visitor to fill out their day(s). Additionally, I find the concept of the minimum experiences count to satisfy a guest being the optimal goal to be a long term negative for everyone.

Looking at the park overall, from its public areas to the queue lines this park looks like it was physically designed for a capacity of somewhere in the 50-60k range (maybe a target average of 40k), but experience-wise it seems to struggle consistently meeting the minimum needs of even half of that. 4-6 more attractions is not going to get them there with any kind of comfort, at least the way I see it.

 

[quinnmac000]

Having over 40 attractions open with a park is a little obsessive and overwhelming for the average guest.

To certain guests but its like the cheesecake factory when you have enough items for every taste people are gonna come. If 5 rides are high thrills, you have 35 other rides people can do. Someone can't do rides, well now you have 5-6 shows plus 2 walk through attractions. Theme parks are not just rides but a diversity of experiences and i think there was so much they could've done.

 

[rabbitsmoon]

Yes, I would agree that Epic Universe compares unfavorably to Disneyland, the literal best park in the world. It's not quite as bad as when we debated Universal Kids Resort vs. Efteling in that thread, but close.

I think it's fairer to compare Epic to the 2nd best park in the world, Tokyo Disney Sea. Thematically, Epic lags slightly behind, but their opening day attraction line-ups were comparable, and you could argue that Epic's was better. TDS got Raging Spirits and Tower within five years, but Epic's slated to get exciting additions in that timeframe too.

I'm not a local, and I got very lucky with operations / weather when I was there, so I have a rosier view of Epic than some. But we know Universal is actively working on fixing the biggest issue (indoor capacity).

Plus I really like how many places there are to fill up a water bottle. Epic Universe forever.

 

[Cwoolboy]

Not sure where this talk about there not being enough to do at Epic is coming from. If you look at just the rides, yeah, that makes sense, but Epic is definitely built more on vibes, atmosphere, and experiences than ride hopping. Theme park visitors have been trained by all the previous parks to try to get as many rides in as possible during a day, even if that means running frantically from one ride to the next without much of a chance to breathe in-between. Epic wants you to stop, take your time, smell the flowers. Between food, shows, character meet-and-greets, soaking up the atmosphere/theming, and mini-experiences (like the violinist at DU and the band in Celestial park), there is so much more to do at Epic than just rides. I spent a day and a half there and still didn't get to do everything I wanted to. The only real complaints I had with Epic after my visit in September last year were as follows:

- Heat

- Humidity

- Lack of shade

- The capacity at Mine-Kart Madness and Werewolf

- The curtains and un-themed areas within Monsters Unchained

- The poor story for Cirque Arcanus

- I agree that the majority of rides are outdoors, which can be an issue during inclement weather, but this never really bothered me much during my visit, though I'm aware it's a common complaint (Besides, I've never seen theme park guests so happy for torrential rain as when I was at Epic).

For me, I'd say Epic currently sits at the #3 spot for best theme park in Orlando, right behind MK (#2) and IOA (#1). It's without a doubt the best theme park when it comes to theming, character interactions, and dining, though.