EPIC Universe Preview - March

Jeff:

It's totally different. I don't have to leave the park to go between Jurassic Park and Hogsmeade.

Well yeah, because that park isn't using the hub & spoke design. I was referring to the idea that Celestial Park (if ever freely open) would be no different than City Walk in regards to its purpose. If you want to argue that Epic, as it stands now, doesn't make sense with its hub & spoke design and non-connecting lands, then lets talk about that idea. But whether or not Celestial Park is included with the ticket, does not change the design of having to leave one land to enter another via only the HUB.

Looking at some of the photos/video this weekend I'm genuinely excited to have a chance to go check this out sooner than later. I was originally in the "I'll wait a year or so" camp and now I'm in the "if trip reports are mostly positive in the first few weeks I wouldn't mind doing this ASAP" camp.

At the risk of sounding bougie, I'm looking at VIP opportunities late summer or fall. Looks like around $1,700 for three people. That's still less than we paid for a WDW VIP group of 10 that worked out to $700 per person for about 10 hours (admission not included). I mean, as long as we don't get into a serious recession situation, I'm thinking about it. Unfortunately I just had to renew my WDW passes and next year's Broadway subscription, so I'm not wealthy enough to be quite that bougie.

I'm intrigued with what they've accomplished, but I am so crowd averse that I'm in no hurry otherwise.

CreditWh0re:

down roughly 37%

In a row?!

So are the rides free in Celestial park? That can’t be??

Jeff:

I'm looking at VIP opportunities late summer or fall.

We did the Universal and IOA 2-park VIP group tour. Included breakfast and lunch, and our whole group was there for the rides so we pretty much speed ran 10 rides, skipping the queues, and the behind the scenes parts were more just a convenience to take short cuts from one part of the park to another. Totally wiped out by the end of the day but very much worth it. The VIP badge served as a discount card for the stores but by the time we were done there wasn't much time left in the day to shop!

Jeff:

I'm looking at VIP opportunities late summer or fall. Looks like around $1,700 for three people.

Honestly, that isn't bad for what comes with VIP, especially if everything is operating. Considering how busy this first summer/fall will be for the park, I think that will be money well spent. The VIP area at the front of the park is nice too, much more well done than over at IOA and Universal in my opinion.

FWIW, I've bought myself Express for the day that I'm there. I just can't deal with lengthy queues any more.

Welp the FOMO got my wife and I. It's our anniversary next weekend and we had a hotel booked for Hershey but the weather is looking questionable so here we are... How often do you get to visit a brand new theme park?

Previews are open for April/May dates for all Hotel Guests, Universal Visa members, AP's, and mil passholders.