Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[GhostHost24]

Apparently Universal have sent an internal email to all employees following reviews from vloggers appearing online. The family previews were for employees and their families but some invited vloggers. UO are very unhappy that reviews for an unfinished park are appearing before the press previews.

Personally I understand their point, but this is going to happen unfortunately.

I saw a comment on reddit that roughly 100 TMs have been fired for violating the no pics/videos rule in the park

 

[TinkAgainU]

We've done the Universal VIP tour in California - and frankly, the VIP tour hit most everything so we could do that park in one day (and just walk around for a bit afterwards. It looks like the four hour group VIP tour for EPIC will be around $400 per person (plus you pay for park admission too), but if we just go one day, that might knock off one day of a park ticket and one night of hotel stay. I will mention, we are older, so would probably skip any extreme rides anyway (we skip Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Tours, for example, but love Big Thunder and Star Wars Resistance) so are going mostly to walk around and enjoy the ambiance, hit a few rides. Would wait until February. Not sure our experience in California translates to EPIC lol. Any wild guesses or thoughts on the VIP or skipping it?

 

[Minnie1222]

We've done the Universal VIP tour in California - and frankly, the VIP tour hit most everything so we could do that park in one day (and just walk around for a bit afterwards. It looks like the VIP tour for EPIC will be around $400 per person, but if we just go one day, that might knock off one day of a park ticket and one night of hotel stay. I will mention, we are older, so would probably skip any extreme rides anyway (we skip Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Tours, for example, but love Big Thunder and Star Wars Resistance) so are going mostly to walk around and enjoy the ambiance, hit a few rides. Would wait until February. Not sure our experience in California translates to EPIC lol. Any wild guesses or thoughts on the VIP or skipping it?

The $400-$600/person is a group tour at Epic. This is a hard pass for me since I refuse to tour with strangers. My family is fine about it, but I am not. I'd rather spend multiple days at Epic using express passes.

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

We've done the Universal VIP tour in California - and frankly, the VIP tour hit most everything so we could do that park in one day (and just walk around for a bit afterwards. It looks like the VIP tour for EPIC will be around $400 per person, but if we just go one day, that might knock off one day of a park ticket and one night of hotel stay. I will mention, we are older, so would probably skip any extreme rides anyway (we skip Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Tours, for example, but love Big Thunder and Star Wars Resistance) so are going mostly to walk around and enjoy the ambiance, hit a few rides. Would wait until February. Not sure our experience in California translates to EPIC lol. Any wild guesses or thoughts on the VIP or skipping it?

I too have enjoyed the CA VIP tour. The biggest difference is in FL I believe the park ticket is NOT included in the cost of the VIP tour like it is in CA.

I think the VIP tours in CA are a much better value. Having to pay for a park ticket on top of the tour in FL is an entirely different value.

 

[KayKayJS]

I gave up after one hour.

I got through and was quoted $9700 for a private VIP group of 8 including admission (June weekday). I was looking for closer to 6k + admission so decided against it.

I ended up booking the group VIP 4hr tour for $1380 (not including admission, for 2). I'm hopeful to do the 3 rides that aren't included in express with that, utilize the valet, and the included express pass for the rest of the day.

I would've liked to have done the private VIP tour but I don't think I could've convinced 6-8 of our friends to spend that much per person.

ETA: We're local so yes this is an expensive day for us but we don't need hotel or anything else so I'm splurging to try and do as much as I can in one day.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Wow, I've never looked into Universal VIP tours, but it is tempting. I like the idea of riding everything (or almost everything) on the VIP tour, and then having the express pass after the tour.

 

[GhostHost24]

I had a reservation for the hhn vip tour last year but had to cancel as couldn't get enough together. Was looking forward to it.

 

[Minnie1222]

I got through and was quoted $9700 for a private VIP group of 8 including admission (June weekday). I was looking for closer to 6k + admission so decided against it.

I ended up booking the group VIP 4hr tour for $1380 (not including admission, for 2). I'm hopeful to do the 3 rides that aren't included in express with that, utilize the valet, and the included express pass for the rest of the day.

I would've liked to have done the private VIP tour but I don't think I could've convinced 6-8 of our friends to spend that much per person.

ETA: We're local so yes this is an expensive day for us but we don't need hotel or anything else so I'm splurging to try and do as much as I can in one day.

Thank you for sharing. Do you know how long the tour is? And if we get unlimited rerides?

$10000 is a lot for just Epic. I thought it would be $4500-$5500.

 

[KayKayJS]

Thank you for sharing. Do you know how long the tour is? And if we get unlimited rerides?

$10000 is a lot for just Epic. I thought it would be $4500-$5500.

The private Epic tour is 8 hours. For the express pass after the tour I believe it is one express per ride but honestly with 8 hours I imagine you would you could do everything and plenty of re-rides and wouldn't even need it.

I did not ask pricing on other dates though I assume later on August/September will be a lot cheaper. I just didn't want to wait that long.

 

[georgina]

I had purchased the 1 day express for Epic this morning around 7:40am....did not see the 2 day express as an option....and just called at 4:30pm...got through in 5 minutes....though the wait said it would be 21 min. and was able to up grade to the 2 day express by paying the difference. Very pleased that I was able to do this.

Well that sucks. I bought 2 - 1 day express tickets also. Overpaid by $85. Sigh.

 

[Minnie1222]

Any update on when we can start making dining reservations?

 

[NeutralNovice]

Well that sucks. I bought 2 - 1 day express tickets also. Overpaid by $85. Sigh.

Make sure to call them. I am going to the parks 5/22-25 and will hit up Epic on the 23rd.

I initially purchased a 1-day Express just for Epic as I did not see the multi-day option. I called and I was able to get my passes changed to the 3-Day Express Pass.

If you have multiple days at Epic, I don't think there's a limitation in terms of express pass. You should be able to use all three days at Epic. Make sure to double check with TM.

 

[NeutralNovice]

Gotta be honest.. I much prefer UOs security (old school tsa like) over Disney's.

It's annoying how many times I have to go to bag line just because my phone is big

One time the security guard was like why the heck were you sent over here. I just shrugged.

Do you normally keep your phone in your pocket or bag?

I had a Pixel Fold when I last went and after being pulled a couple of times for the same thing, I just walked with it in my hand and that seemed to resolve the issue.

 

[kstardis]

Make sure to call them. I am going to the parks 5/22-25 and will hit up Epic on the 23rd.

I initially purchased a 1-day Express just for Epic as I did not see the multi-day option. I called and I was able to get my passes changed to the 3-Day Express Pass.

If you have multiple days at Epic, I don't think there's a limitation in terms of express pass. You should be able to use all three days at Epic. Make sure to double check with TM.

I don’t know this for sure, but the terms of the multi day still only say one per ride, not one per ride per day. Maybe it’s just badly worded or maybe it really is you only get to use it at each ride once regardless of the number of days it’s spread over.

 

[Minnie1222]

I'm confused! Is there a multi-day express pass for Epic only?

I currently have three 1-day express passes for Epic. Let's say they are $250 each, with the total cost of $750. Is there an offer for a 3-day EP (for Epic only) at a rate lower than $750? Like buy more save more?

Thanks.

 

[Minnie1222]

I don’t know this for sure, but the terms of the multi day still only say one per ride, not one per ride per day. Maybe it’s just badly worded or maybe it really is you only get to use it at each ride once regardless of the number of days it’s spread over.

This is what I see as well. One entry per ride/attraction.


Same explanation here:

 

[DodgerGirl]

I saw the first ever commercial for Epic Universe while playing Candy Crush and to me when Epic Universe opens in August 2025 it will steal some business away from Walt Disney World and when it does open I can predict that Epic Universe will gain a big attendance record on it's opening day and rooms at the new hotel will be sold out. My mother agrees that Epic Universe will gain more visitors than Walt Disney World and possibly this will mean that Walt Disney World will lower it's prices for it's tickets and attendance for Walt Disney World will go down because of Epic Universe. If they are smart Universal might decide to build Epic Universe at Universal Studios Hollywood too

 

[NeutralNovice]

I saw the first ever commercial for Epic Universe while playing Candy Crush and to me when Epic Universe opens in August 2025 it will steal some business away from Walt Disney World and when it does open I can predict that Epic Universe will gain a big attendance record on it's opening day and rooms at the new hotel will be sold out. My mother agrees that Epic Universe will gain more visitors than Walt Disney World and possibly this will mean that Walt Disney World will lower it's prices for it's tickets and attendance for Walt Disney World will go down because of Epic Universe. If they are smart Universal might decide to build Epic Universe at Universal Studios Hollywood too

What is happening here...

 

[Lewisc]

I saw the first ever commercial for Epic Universe while playing Candy Crush and to me when Epic Universe opens in August 2025 it will steal some business away from Walt Disney World and when it does open I can predict that Epic Universe will gain a big attendance record on it's opening day and rooms at the new hotel will be sold out. My mother agrees that Epic Universe will gain more visitors than Walt Disney World and possibly this will mean that Walt Disney World will lower it's prices for it's tickets and attendance for Walt Disney World will go down because of Epic Universe. If they are smart Universal might decide to build Epic Universe at Universal Studios Hollywood too

You have the opening month wrong. Hotels still have availability. Does Universal own enough land in CA to build an EPIC?

Your post is valueless rubbish.

JMO YMMV

 

[schumigirl]

What is happening here...

Glad it wasn’t just me!