Universal Orlando Resort (USF, IOA, Epic) Discussion Thread

[CaptainUnknown]

Oh no, the hotel pool you're barely going to use because you're at the parks all day has no free extra amenities! But you know where they do exist? Volcano Bay--where it costs $100* to get in!

[PKI Jizzman]

On 1/20/2025 at 10:05 AM, Hilltopper39 said:

I think it looks pretty cool but I'll never understand building a brand new resort pool area without a slide/splash pad/playground of some kind. I mean there is a Holiday Inn Expresses like a mile down the road with a better looking pool than this. Just seems like such a simple thing to include that adds so much to the resort experience but instead it's just a big ole regular pool.

it doesn’t have a waterpark but it does have a splash pad. i believe limited space is an issue (see it in person) but you’re not staying here to stay at the resort, you’re here to go to the parks. 

[prozach626]

On 1/22/2025 at 1:02 PM, CaptainUnknown said:

Oh no, the hotel pool you're barely going to use because you're at the parks all day has no free extra amenities! But you know where they do exist? Volcano Bay--where it costs $100* to get in!

No kids, eh?

[Hilltopper39]

On 1/23/2025 at 10:13 PM, PKI Jizzman said:

it doesn’t have a waterpark but it does have a splash pad. i believe limited space is an issue (see it in person) but you’re not staying here to stay at the resort, you’re here to go to the parks. 

Yeah I saw the little splash pad in one of the opening day videos, so there is something there.

 

You know one other comment or maybe a slight critique of this resort is the views of the backstage areas of the park. I feel like the sight lines discussion inside of theme parks get a little blown out of context most of the time, like the discussion about the Guardians show building a few years ago, that kind of stuff who really cares? But I can't think of a an example anywhere at Disney where you have such a prominent view directly in to the backstage areas of the park like this resort has. I realize that the plots of land that had to work with here were kind of limited so there's only so much they could have done but it is a bit strange to have have a view directly into the back of the Donkey Kong coaster. I'm sure they'll eventually plant some trees at the park and the resort to clean the look up some but still.  Pretty petty critique here, I'll admit that.

[prozach626]

On 1/23/2025 at 9:13 PM, PKI Jizzman said:

it doesn’t have a waterpark but it does have a splash pad. i believe limited space is an issue (see it in person) but you’re not staying here to stay at the resort, you’re here to go to the parks. 

Depends, I guess. I think a lot of families take at least one low key day to relax and take advantage of what the resort has to offer. We're only doing four days in Orlando this summer, but we purposely chose a place with a great pool setup for a slower paced day. 

I still think this hotel has plenty of appeal to the DINK demographic looking to take full advantage of the parks. There's less need to pace yourself with that kind of lifestyle. If you do choose to have a chill day, a nice cheese free adult'ish pool with clean lines and less kids fits the bill. We would have placed a lot of consideration in a resort like this years ago, for the reasons I mentioned. In the modern, "don't have kids, they'll ruin your life" era, there's a market for this kind of compromise.

[tndank]

Team member previews of Epic have begun. 

Rumors say passholders might have access next month. 

[Hilltopper39]

I can't wait for some review to start to leak out, Starfall Racers is a top 10 coaster/it's too rattley and the restraints are uncomfortable. Or the Wolfman Coaster is so short/it didn't spin enough/it was better than 7 dwarfs mine train. The instant knee jerk reactions from people are one of my favorite things in this fandom, can't wait lol.

[prozach626]

"Underwhelming after riding XX coaster."

[Satans Hockey]

Gotta be pretty fun to be a team member and one of the first to experience a completely brand new park before everyone else. Pretty rare these days to get that opportunity. 

I'm looking forward to going but will probably wait till maybe Jan/Feb of 2026 if they have just single day tickets for Epic available then. Right now you have to buy multi day tickets that include the other parks. 

[tndank]

Epic single day tickets now on sale.

[PKI Jizzman]

I can’t wait for you all to experience the incredible dueling Stardust Racers

[prozach626]

Well... at least I might be able to see it from our hotel. Our trip is going to be more of a non relaxing busy Disney/Tea Cup kind of experience this summer. 

[Nrthwnd]

<sighs> Would really, really like to experience it all.

But, way too much $$$ for several days there, and at Disney.

So for now,  we're saving up for Tokyo Disney Resort for 1928-29.

[teacherkim]

Oh I am so excited to visit! We will be there the at the very beginning of Oct. Figured that was the best compromise between kids back in school, a little past hurricane peak, and a little before the worst of the Halloween crowds; plus we'll get to do the HHN stuff as well. I bought the 3 day package that includes one day at Epic and then went back in and bought a single day Epic ticket. So, figured we would have 6 days counting check in and check out day with tickets for 4 of them and be able to go to Epic twice. Then thought we will just buy HHN tickets for a day and go to the park late and that we would probably pop over to SW one day. Not sure why you can't add on single day Epic tickets as an extra when getting a vacation package, that seems like an oversight, but you do have to do a separate booking on that.

Then I realized I had made a mistake on line while booking (my fault) and had to call customer service right away to correct it. I had an excellent customer service experience and then icing on the cake she offered me entry into IOA and US for the entirety of the stay (so the two days I previously had not purchased tickets for) for a grand total of $48. Not per person but for the entire party. Icing on the cake for sure!

However, for the first time we are not staying at RP but at Aventura. The prices really have popped up on RP which is 100% not surprising, plus I needed two rooms, so since the included express doesn't include Epic which will be our main focus for the trip and we can spend our IOA and US time on our favorites and that we are hoping crowds aren't too bad that time of year.......I'm opting to spend the savings on extras like HHN and/or express at Epic only.

[teacherkim]

On 3/17/2025 at 11:37 AM, PKI Jizzman said:

I can’t wait for you all to experience the incredible dueling Stardust Racers

One of the more well known local vloggers was claiming it might surpass VC for him, which is a tall order in my opinion so I really really can't wait.

[thepoint4life23]

The  Aventura is very nice and the roof top bar/resturant is cool. 

Sounds like a great trip. I was hopping to get to Epic earlier then later but looks like I wont get to till maybe November. 

[teacherkim]

23 hours ago, thepoint4life23 said:

The  Aventura is very nice and the roof top bar/resturant is cool. 

Sounds like a great trip. I was hopping to get to Epic earlier then later but looks like I wont get to till maybe November. 

Yeah, the Aventura seemed like a good compromise if we ever decided not to spend the bucks for the Royal Pacific. We're spending a couple nights at a Disney hotel first (I got a really good deal on renting dvc points for savannah view rooms at AK, something I always wanted to do) hence my decision to be a bit more frugal on my Universal hotel choice. Plus, we can just walk next door to Sapphire Falls if we still want to utilize the boats to city walk or there is a walking path too. 

[tndank]

Epic express passes now on sale. 

[PennStater]

Something tells me it's going to be a little busy...