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Universal Epic Universe is full-on in a soft-opening period.
Greetings In the Loop subscribers, it’s Haley.
Shortly after Universal Orlando extended previews to annual passholders and other select guests, they opened up preview tickets to the general public.
So what does this mean?
If you plan to visit the park before May 19, expect it to be even more crowded than you might have previously predicted, as Universal prepares to be at full capacity.
The general preview ticket announcement was timely for a newly-posted web story about attraction and entertainment options that aren’t going to generate a long queue or at least a lengthy wait compared to popular picks like Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry or Monsters Unchained.
The park is home to a lot of interactive elements that go beyond waving wands and winning keys at Super Nintendo World.
It will also be worthwhile to take your time exploring the food options.
That was one thing I missed out on during my media day last month: getting a snack or two since I had an itinerary.
My colleague Tom Vielkind did a write-up ranking the sought-after snacks. I was very eager to read what he had to say about the Butterbeer Crêpe, as that’s been one of, if not THE most, talked about snack at Epic Universe.
The Epic ripple effect 🛣️
Orlando was already home to hundreds of hotels and resorts before Epic, and it’s now expanded because of Epic.
One notable new resort is Villatel Orlando, which opened this spring.
It’s got your main amenities, plus a 6-acre waterpark.
More importantly, close proximity to Epic Universe.
While a brand new theme park is a positive for the economy, it does have its drawbacks.
For Orlando’s Tangelo Park neighborhood, Epic Universe is in their backyard.
Neighbors told News 6 anchor Matt Austin that traffic has been the main concern but as the county told us, relief should be coming.
As you can imagine, neighbors are also being bombarded with offers to sell their homes.
From businesses to lodging, to transportation, click here for a rundown of what has popped up near Epic Universe or what is in the works.
SeaWorld Orlando
“See the Northern Lights in Orlando” 🐻❄️
Having a front row seat with a theater screen can be a good thing, especially if that seat is flying.
I got to experience Expedition Odyssey, SeaWorld Orlando‘s newest indoor flying theater attraction that takes riders not only over the Arctic landscape but under the surface.
Yes, the ride is essentially the same as Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT, but what stands out about Expedition Odyssey is the visuals. I mean, it starts and ends with the Northern Lights.
A SeaWorld team spent weeks off the coast of Norway to capture footage for the ride.
I had a great conversation with the VP of operations at SeaWorld Orlando during my flight. Click here to see my POV of Expedition Odyssey.
As part of the Wild Arctic attraction transformation, which houses Expedition Odyssey, I also got to see the walrus calf make her public debut.
Understandably, Uki was more interested in getting fed by the SeaWorld handlers versus getting her photo taken, so most of the shots I took had her back to the camera.
Seeing Uki is an absolute bonus at Wild Arctic.
Walt Disney World
Opening soon: GEO-82 🌐
EPCOT’s new adults-only lounge opens next month, and reservations open even sooner.
Disney also dropped a GEO-82 food and drink menu. The lounge overlooks the World Celebration Gardens, so you’ll have a prime view of fireworks. Sure enough, Disney is offering a special GEO-82 fireworks experience.
ICYMI: More swim options this summer 🥽
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is now open for the season, and it’s not the only Disney World waterpark option this summer.
You can beat the heat at Blizzard Beach starting later this month. That’s also the time Typhoon Lagoon’s nighttime after-hours event returns.
Can you tell that we are transitioning into the summer season in Central Florida?
That was a wealth of theme park news.
Epic Universe has dominated the newsletters lately, and our coverage has taken a deeper look at the local theme park scene.
Anchor Bridgett Ellison took a look back at Florida’s most famous lost attractions.
If you head out to any attraction, be sure to share your photos on our PinIt! page.
See you next week!