UniversalParksBlog News for July 21st, 2024
Those of you wondering how Universal Epic Universe will handle multi-day tickets are in for an unpleasant surprise.
On the bright side, I have all the holiday dates for Universal Orlando Resort for you in this week’s UniversalParksBlog News!
The Ticket Surprise
Photo:themeparkhipster.com
Virtually everyone involved with tourism expects Universal Epic Universe to be a massive hit.
Central Florida tourism has become the epicenter for theme park entertainment.
Photo: parkscope.net
Now, for the first time in more than 25 years, one of the big two theme parks will open a new gate.
Fans are giddy with anticipation about Epic Universe, and Comcast executives plan to use that fact against us.
AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (John Raoux/AP
Yes, the corporate owner of NBCUniversal has tinkered with the packages for the early months of Epic Universe.
As excited as I am about the new park, I cannot sugarcoat this news. It’s obnoxious.
Photo: Universal
Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) will force guests to purchase a three-day multi-park ticket to visit Epic Universe.
Yes, unless you purchase the multi-day ticket, you cannot visit Epic Universe when it opens. And that’s not even the worst part.
Photo: Universal
You will only get to enter Epic Universe on one of those dates!
Management worries that once the new park opens, tourists will ignore the existing two parks.
Photo: Universal
So, this strategy doubles as a way to keep attendance high (enough) at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
Unfortunately, those of us excited about Epic Universe feel like we just got the rug pulled out from under us.
About This Policy
Photo: Universal
First, let me clarify that this isn’t a rumor. Universal Studios has sent this information to third-party vendors.
At first, some reporters announced it based on the word of a single source, but that’s no longer the case. This is real and validated.
Photo: Universal
Second, I should add that even if you purchase the park hopping option, you cannot use it at Epic Universe.
In other words, your three-day ticket will only buy you one day at Epic Universe, no matter what.
Photo: Universal
While this policy could change over time, Universal officials have long memories about the early days of Harry Potter.
The lines to enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter were comically long and remained that way throughout the first year.
Photo: Universal
I don’t expect Epic Universe to prove quite as popular in the long term (honestly, nothing could), but it’ll do very well in the early days.
So, Universal Studios will make guests pay the equivalent of three times as much for a single visit to Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
You get “three days,” but it’s really just one at Epic Universe and then two more at the other two parks. That’s not what anybody wants.
While I understand the business logic here, this decision is gonna alienate a LOT of fans and lead to an uproar as the opening date approaches.
Photo: Universal
Right now, not many people know about this policy. Once they find out, it’ll be a social media bloodbath.
The Holidays at Universal Studios
Photo: Universal
Next, I’ve got great news, fellow Grinch lovers! It’s almost that time again.
Okay, sure, the calendar suggests that it’s July…but it’s only ten days until August! That’s just four months from December!
Other side
Yes, I’m one of those people. You don’t even want to know how many Hallmark movies I’ve watched.
Anyway, Universal Studios does the Christmas season right, with Seuss Landing turning into the de facto Grinch Land.
This year will be no different. In fact, it looks to be better than ever!
Lately, as the other parks suffer a bit from the shadow cast by Epic Universe, management has added more temporary entertainment.
I expect something similar this holiday season, which officially starts on November 22nd and lasts through December 31st.
Yes, just to be clear, this year’s event stops on the last day of the year.
Calendar configurations often play a part in these decisions, sometimes causing them to run into January…but not this time!
Photo: Universal Orlando
As usual, the Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s will return.
The Wizarding World will also turn into a festive holiday display, which is a perennial favorite.
Photo: Universal
Finally and most importantly, Grinchmas will returning, including the wildly popular Grinch character greeting and the Whoville shows!
You can read more details here. As the song goes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
Universal Miscellany
Universal
We’ve learned a bit more about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights at UOR.
Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus will be this year’s stage show, and I just love that concept.
I’m less excited about the latest IP-themed House announcement. It’s Insidious: The Further.
Friends and I joke that Insidious is quite possibly the laziest horror franchise of the 21st century.
Image: Cedar Fair
Still, I trust Universal to find the entertainment in this gorno nonsense.
In better news, we also learned about a couple of Scare Zones. They are Torture Faire and Swamp of the Undead.
Vamp ’69
Both sound like video games, which is kinda what Scare Zones are, really. You’re stuck in a strange place and try to escape.
Some of the staging effects are already visible at the park. So, it really won’t be long now!
Image: Cedar Fair
More Universal Miscellany
Finally, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has released the quarterly theme park injury report.
Here’s a list of the issues guests had at UOR over the past three months:
Photo: Universal
- 5/5/24 — Hogwarts Express, 64 yof, dizziness
- 5/22/24 — Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, 78 yom,
- dizziness/loss of consciousness
- 6/3/24 — TeAwa The Fearless River, 70 yom, chest pressure
- 6/3/24 — Honu ika Moana, 23 yof, loss of consciousness
- 6/18/24 — Runamukka Reef, 8 yom, leg pain
The first three sound like they’re age-related. The last two listings are a bit more troubling.
Photo: Volcano Bay
As usual, we don’t get additional insight into the specific issues. Still, tens of thousands of guests visit the parks each day.
So, this report averages out to less than two incidents per month. That’s remarkable.
Thanks for visiting UniversalParksBlog.com! Want to go to Universal? For a FREE quote on your next Universal vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from Let’s Adventure Travel will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Universal
