Universal's Epic Universe General News & Discussion

[Alicia]

And to add on, yes, there is a cap.

I don't understand the narratives going around.

Yea there’s a cap. The reason they can release more tickets the day of or days before is due to the way the multi day tickets have one epic day out of a 5 or 7 day window. Once used, that opens up more inventory to sell single day tickets. And as time goes on we’ll see more and more released as those dates are utilized.

 

[ladiesman217]

Grand opening had lowest number of tickets sold. Weekend had a few thousand more. Will keep ramping up every week till July 1st. This last week of May will be lowest crowds we see for a long time probably.

How might things look starting on June 1 and the rest of the first week of June? I'm going on June 2 and 3 and I got really excited hearing that things would be pretty dead like the last couple of days when I go but now that you say this, I'm starting to actually make a game-plan in my head if necessary.

 

[Alicia]

June 1 looks similar to opening day, but that could change as we get closer.

Most of us are using this page as reference for these numbers: Universal Epic Universe Daily Capacity | Thrill Data

It is worth keeping in mind that the total capacity cap may vary from what is listed, hence the "at least" verbage used for that column on the table. Also, with the way multi-tickets are counted, a 14k max cap day may see only 10k guests, depending on who shows up (which is my guess on partially what happened grand opening day to have even less crowds than a preview day). Universal is keeping their promise to allow enough capacity to let in EVERYONE with a multi-day ticket that covers that date, no matter what.

 

[ladiesman217]

June 1 looks similar to opening day, but that could change as we get closer.

Most of us are using this page as reference for these numbers: Universal Epic Universe Daily Capacity | Thrill Data

It is worth keeping in mind that the total capacity cap may vary from what is listed, hence the "at least" verbage used for that column on the table. Also, with the way multi-tickets are counted, a 14k max cap day may see only 10k guests, depending on who shows up (which is my guess on partially what happened grand opening day to have even less crowds than a preview day). Universal is keeping their promise to allow enough capacity to let in EVERYONE with a multi-day ticket that covers that date, no matter what.

Thank you so much Alicia, really helps ease off my worries. I am beyond excited for this trip and can't wait to see everything, from the rides, to the restaurants, to the simple pure theming. I have seen very minimal pictures (and no videos) from inside the park so I've kept myself pretty spoiler-free (apart from some pictures I accidentally saw from Ministry but oh well) so I am fully expecting to just cry when I do make it to some of the portal entrances. Especially the Dark Universe portal.

 

[Mad Dog]

June 1 looks similar to opening day, but that could change as we get closer.

Most of us are using this page as reference for these numbers: Universal Epic Universe Daily Capacity | Thrill Data

It is worth keeping in mind that the total capacity cap may vary from what is listed, hence the "at least" verbage used for that column on the table. Also, with the way multi-tickets are counted, a 14k max cap day may see only 10k guests, depending on who shows up (which is my guess on partially what happened grand opening day to have even less crowds than a preview day). Universal is keeping their promise to allow enough capacity to let in EVERYONE with a multi-day ticket that covers that date, no matter what.

Looking at that chart it doesn't look like they've sold many tickets after the initial 5 weeks opening. Marketing needs to get hopping.

 

[Alicia]

Looking at that chart it doesn't look like they've sold many tickets after the initial 5 weeks opening. Marketing needs to get hopping.

Things are definitely going to get interesting very soon.

 

[Mad Dog]

Things are definitely going to get interesting very soon.

That early confusing, tourist unfriendly , ticket policy seems to be biting them in the butt. Abandon those restrictive packages and sell some tickets. Make it easy and simple for out of state and international tourists. ....Also, they might end up needing to put together a three park AP (not counting the water park) pass alternative sooner than they planned......and there's a lot of red flags popping up like increasing late consumer debt payments. This is not the time to play restrictive ticket games that confuse customers.......................It's no wonder I've been able to get some great Portofino prices for late November 2025 and June 2026. My 'escape' to Portofino..............Starting to sound like the opening of Hogsmeade in Hollywood Studios. ......Lots of locals already sampled Epic in March/April/May before the opening.

 

[tyro]

.....Also, they might end up needing to put together a three park AP (not counting the water park) pass alternative sooner than they planned......and there's a lot of red flags popping up on falling consumer confidence and increasing late debt payments. This is not the time to play restrictive ticket games.

I think they would open up multiple day 3 park (Epic not VB) park to park tickets before they would open APs. And they would also allow you to upgrade your current park to park tickets to include Epic at hotel check in if you already purchased the old restrictive tickets.

 

[rhino4evr]

Slowing economy? Check
Lack of international tourists? check.
Opening softs to locals earlier than expected? Check.
Negativity online due to ride closures/virtual queue? check.
Making it overly complicated to purchase tickets , and waiting too long to release single
Day tickets ? Check.
Not allowing annual pass holders to upgrade their pass? Check.

 

[RFRees]

This isn't a theatrical movie, where the opening weekend needs to be huge for the production company to break even.

 

[quinnmac000]

What is the big picture saying? We know the wait times at Epic Universe but what about the entire campus....that will show the big picture. Is Epic pulling from IOA and USF causing significant decreases in their own audience and just relocating them or is Epic still bringing in new guests and the cap is helping reduce the waits?

Its extremely early as stated by others to utilize the current wait time solely as the world is falling but at the same time, I don't think dismissing is necessarily the best thing to do as there are ramifications for Epic if guest numbers don't hit projections or softness is showcased within the resort campus. If softness is shown, it could easily lead to lack of expansions, lack of investment in attractions, and reductions in services rendered. It can also lead to things like the open hub which Universal may feel they have to put in to increase food and beverage numbers as representation of guest spending.

 

[GAcoaster]

I think they were smart and played it safe, and the opening weeks here with lower number mean almost entirely good word of mouth from "regular" guests. I know people want to see doom and gloom and "Universal Escape 2.0", but all in all I think they did the roll out exactly the right way so far. The guests going now are getting a boutique experience with low crowds to make up for any downtime.

Unless I'm mistaken, despite the caps on crowds I would make a bet anyone could drive up and buy a ticket at the gate.

 

[Patrokls]

For me I never even considered the opening weeks. Too busy I figured. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

 

[Lucky Planet]

Epic’s biggest flaw will be rainy days. Everything stops except the carousel, Mario Kart, Ministry, and Monsters. And three of those four have experienced downtime over the first few days. I can’t imagine a day where it rains and two or three of those rides go down. They will probably have frustrated guests those days.

that's a pretty terrifying situation. would very very worrisome. imagine you can only go one day, and imagine it rains plus the other rides have downtime. what do you do then,

 

[Bobharlem]

Any idea what Epic will do for the Christmas season yet? That celestial park lighting system alone has a lot of potential.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

What is the big picture saying? We know the wait times at Epic Universe but what about the entire campus....that will show the big picture. Is Epic pulling from IOA and USF causing significant decreases in their own audience and just relocating them or is Epic still bringing in new guests and the cap is helping reduce the waits?

Its extremely early as stated by others to utilize the current wait time solely as the world is falling but at the same time, I don't think dismissing is necessarily the best thing to do as there are ramifications for Epic if guest numbers don't hit projections or softness is showcased within the resort campus. If softness is shown, it could easily lead to lack of expansions, lack of investment in attractions, and reductions in services rendered. It can also lead to things like the open hub which Universal may feel they have to put in to increase food and beverage numbers as representation of guest spending.

I think two things can be true here…yes, Epic could be under projections but I still highly doubt Universal is breaking a sweat. They may have overestimated the demand for the non-AP multi-day tickets, but they also purposefully held out on single day tickets and APs, which years of data would point to being the resort’s bread and butter.

Universal being worried about the performance of Epic so far (four days into operation lol) would be like someone crying “broke” because they held off on selling stock to avoid paying taxes.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Slowing economy? Check
Lack of international tourists? check.
Opening softs to locals earlier than expected? Check.
Negativity online due to ride closures/virtual queue? check.
Making it overly complicated to purchase tickets , and waiting too long to release single
Day tickets ? Check.
Not allowing annual pass holders to upgrade their pass? Check.

This doens't match reality where the amount of tickets sold is in the single digit percentages. The park is selling well. As Alicia said Universal is limiting guests so they can honor the multiday tickets. Now, was that original decision a mistake? I don't think we can tell *looks at watch* on the fifth day of park operations.

Data: Universal Epic Universe Daily Capacity | Thrill Data

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't think Universal is disappointed about Epics opening days. Most everything went smoothly. Attractions, even Ministry, were pretty consistent. Wait times were low, so that's good for the general public perception. And, importantly, IOA and USF had pretty big crowds, contrary to the disappointingly low crowds at WDW the past seven days, including this Memorial day weekend. Those are all big plusses for Universal....BUT, the big looming negative is the paucity of 'tickets sold after the first week of July until the end of the year'. Those numbers are certainly not good. That definitely needs adjustments and better ticket plans. Universal spent a ton on marketing/advertisement Epic. Those post fourth of July ticket sales sure don't reflect that investment. Tourists plan vacations in advance and they need an easy/affordable ticket plan to encourage them to book parks and hotels. Whoever, or what group of executives, came up with the original confusing ticket plan seems to have made a serious miscalculation.

 

[Patrokls]

Any idea what Epic will do for the Christmas season yet? That celestial park lighting system alone has a lot of potential.

If I were Universal I’d do nothing this year so I could advertise “Now with Christmas!” next year when they might need a little boost.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Any idea what Epic will do for the Christmas season yet? That celestial park lighting system alone has a lot of potential.

OMG I love this idea.