UniversalParksBlog News for May 11th, 2025
The honeymoon phase has ended at a theme park that hasn’t even opened yet.
I’ll explain what’s happening in UniversalParksBlog News.
People Are Ridiculous
Image: Universal
Okay, I’ve tried to warn you about the opening of Universal Epic Universe for a while now.
Specifically, I’ve wanted you to know not to get your hopes up an excessive amount.
Image: Universal
The reason why is that I know from writing about movies and theme parks for 30 years about the dangers of unrealistic expectations.
To a certain segment of Universal Studios fans, Epic Universe will be perfect in every way.
Image: Universal
These folks have stars in their eyes, and I adore their optimism. Generally, I’m like that, too.
However, in the specific case of Universal Orlando Resort, management doesn’t have a perfect track record with its rides.
As proof, consider the past decade of new attractions, which include Fast & Furious: Supercharged, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, and the Trolls’ Trollercoaster.
If we go back to 2009, we can throw in Rip Ride Rockit, which has proven to be a dangerous ride.
Image: Universal
Like you, I’ve ridden this roller coaster a lot, and I’m not happy to admit that, but I’ve also been on Top Thrill Dragster several times.
Basically, I’m lucky to be alive. But I’m not mentioning Top Thrill Dragster randomly.
Image: Universal
When that ride opened, nobody realized it was dangerous. So, Cedar Point closed it and “fixed” it.
The replacement, Top Thrill 2, has since opened and closed as well. It, too, was dangerous.
Image: Universal
Thankfully, nothing we’re about to discuss about Epic Universe falls into this bucket. So, there’s that.
The point is more that all the theme park planning in the world cannot overcome a simple obstacle.
Image: Universal
Nobody knows how well something will work until it’s working. And some stuff at Epic Universe isn’t working. So, people are complaining.
What’s the Problem?
Okay, let’s be clear. Nothing at Epic Universe qualifies as a problem yet because the freakin’ park hasn’t opened yet!
What we’re about to discuss would qualify as opening night jitters if we’d had opening night. We haven’t.
Universal
Anyway, the complaints have started due to a series of mishaps involving various attractions.
Let’s just say Epic Universe has been in the cascade during some of its sneak previews.
Universal
The most egregious example occurred when several simultaneous mishaps led to the closure of most attractions.
At one point, only ONE ride was working in the entire park. Folks, you don’t need to know much about theme park operations to realize this is VERY bad.
Universal
You can imagine the line for that ride since it was the only available option for everyone in the park at the time.
In other instances, guests have noticed malfunctioning ride elements, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone.
Again, these are sneak previews. The fact that anything is open at all is a blessing, yet some folks are looking their gift horse in the mouth.
Still, the snafus do raise an issue about arguably the premier attraction at the park, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
Universal
Universal has employed a virtual queue for this attraction, something I presume will carry over to opening day.
Complaints have arisen about the fairness of the virtual queue, which seems to be operated by a random number generator.
Photo: Universal
Seriously, people hate it, but that’s not even the problem, at least not yet.
The bigger concern is that uptime has become an issue for the next-generation Harry Potter ride.
Image: Universal
Fans lament that several parts of it simply don’t work regularly, which causes a disappointing ride experience for first-time guests.
On the Bright Side
Photo: Universal
Obviously, there’s a lot happening at Epic Universe right now, which has increased the stress levels of Team Members and management.
Basically, all their customers realized overnight that nothing is ever absolutely perfect, even a state-of-the-art theme park.
Photo: Universal
Even the harshest critics of Epic Universe readily acknowledge that the park delivers a revolutionary experience.
Some of them just don’t think…it’s enough of a revolutionary experience? I dunno. Some people are just hard to please.
Photo: Universal
Still, this splash of cold water in the form of reality should work to your benefit as you plan your first trip.
All these hiccups should lower your expectations a bit, squarely placing them at achievable rather than wildly unreasonable levels.
Photo: Universal
And the other news coming from the Epic Universe campus is glowingly positive.
The new resort, the Universal Grand Helios Hotel, is by all accounts a masterpiece. Here’s Super Enthused’s first visit:
You can tell by the round of applause that she was one of the first guests.
Photo: Universal
Anyway, most of the feedback regarding the entirety of Epic Universe falls under the heading of, “THANK GOD THIS EXISTS!!!”
I’m reporting on the rest as a cautionary tale so that you’ll remember everything at this park is brand spankin’ new.
Photo: Universal
Some of it won’t work for the same reason your new television always takes 45 minutes to get connected to the internet and streaming Netflix.
New stuff always takes a while to get going. That’s why some folks are already suggesting that you should wait to visit until later in the year.
Photo: Universal
By doing so, you’ll avoid any of the snafus sure to happen during the park’s first three months.
In fact, I’ve heard some whispers that the Harry Potter ride might need that long to work properly. That’s a rumor, not reporting, but still…
What Does It All Mean?
Photo: Universal
Honestly, nothing. Everything we’re discussing today comes from sneak preview park visits.
By the time we speak next time, Epic Universe will be up and running. At that point, we still won’t even know much.
Photo: Universal
The first couple of days will include pomp and circumstance and some giddy tourists who can always say they were the first official guests.
Other than that, unless opening day is a Disneyland-level debacle (read my book, Disney Demystified, for details!), it’s a non-story.
Photo: Universal
We’ll probably need several months to learn what works and doesn’t work at Epic Universe.
For now, let’s just be happy that by the time the next UniversalParksBlog News publishes, the park will be open.
Photo: Universal
The loooong five-year wait for Epic Universe has ended. We made it!!! To the park, everyone!
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Feature Photo: Universal
