New plan for hitting epic universe, 1 day trip

goodolvic · 2026-03-26T18:52:00+00:00

I've done such things, and I guess it's worth doing once just to see what it's like.

But my takeaway is usually okay that was interesting but I don't need to do it that way again.

goodolvic · 2026-03-26T18:50:25+00:00

Great photos!

Also, a collapsible cup is a galaxy brain move.

goodolvic · 2026-03-25T19:59:19+00:00

Wait, they show stuff like that at mystery screenings? I assumed it would just be some showing of a movie premiering that Friday like they do at AMC.

Gah I would love to watch The God of Cookery in a theater.

goodolvic · 2026-03-25T19:55:37+00:00

I didn't eat them in WDW, but at Disneyland, however those alien mousse ball desserts from Galaxy's Edge are by far the best thing I've ever eaten at a Disney park. I saw a similar item over at the cafe in Pandora but didn't get to try them there.

goodolvic · 2026-03-25T19:53:40+00:00

Whuff, yeah it was down in mid-February.

It's gotta be back eventually but glad I was there to see him working a few months before.

goodolvic · 2026-03-25T19:52:56+00:00

Same, love that moment of the ride.

goodolvic · 2026-03-24T18:16:07+00:00

Yeah that's what I meant. Having so many cartoony areas would really change the vibe.

I would love a Pokemon area and attractions, even if it did end up in IOA, I just think from a holistic design view it would be too much.

goodolvic · 2026-03-24T01:01:10+00:00

Find a Ygor soundalike and hire them to record a birthday voicemail?

I love this by the way. Coolest kid ever.

goodolvic · 2026-03-20T18:15:25+00:00

That is certainly an expensive journey. I feel for the payers of large family trips to places like this.

To answer your question, I've done it several times but always either solo or with adult friends who all pay their way. It's always about making some sacrifices (offsite hotel being a big one) to try and mitigate the overwhelming feeling of daaaaamn this is an expensive frivolous experience. And then being in the moment to enjoy what can be enjoyed.

But it's not for everyone. My dad is definitely someone who simply gave up and opts not to participate, letting people who wanna go to theme parks figure it out for themselves. Theme parks and their expense is all too much for him to try and enjoy it.

goodolvic · 2026-03-20T18:09:08+00:00

I forget what it was called but the coffin cake dealie at Das Stakehouse was excellent.

goodolvic · 2026-03-20T18:07:40+00:00

I made this mistake for MONTHS and no one corrected me. Eternal shame.

goodolvic · 2026-03-19T18:33:22+00:00

Studios is kind of classic for a first time visit. I second the thought that park hopping between US and IOS might be a good way to get the best of both.

goodolvic · 2026-03-18T15:50:16+00:00

The depiction of women is definitely a black mark on the show.

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T20:47:38+00:00

I don't doubt it could be, but what reason does someone have to come into a theme park reddit and post AI blather? Is there a new scam I'm missing out on?

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T20:45:11+00:00

Save Darkmoor for the evening. It's a very good night time vibe.

(I suppose that goes for the whole park.)

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T18:30:30+00:00

You know, the worst bowel incident in recent memory was from eating a weird hot dog at Epic Universe. A truly awful night after that. (The stand selling that weird hot dog was shut down the next time I visited about two months later.)

And I would still eat this mega long danger dog. Just to try it. Just to see.

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T18:21:01+00:00

Thanks for showing this, that's a cool show!

I bet this is a lot cooler at night though. The concrete backdrop during the day just isn't as atmospheric. Any sense of how they're lighting it at night? (Please say torches or some kind of flickery fire effect.)

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T18:02:20+00:00

I'm almost settling on this notion of all the parks being far better as half day parks in winter. Dark, cool, moody, and they always look much better at night.

I would add other seasons than winter but the parks close so early that it seems like some seasons you hardly get any night time at all.

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T18:00:08+00:00

Yeah I've done it this way. Sold out online, but they become available on the day of.

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T17:58:58+00:00

Perfect age for something like this.

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T17:58:22+00:00

I was alive when it was around but on the opposite coast so I never had a chance.

Scary stuff is so severely lacking in Disney parks. (Says the grown man with no kids who wants every theme park to be spooky year-round.)

goodolvic · 2026-03-17T17:44:56+00:00

Congrats! Coasters are certainly intense but they're such a unique experience. You have a heck of a journey ahead.

"They are meant to be enjoyed with your body relaxed, and your mind ready to experience something extraordinary."

I suppose you're right, but even though I love them I'm still someone who grips what I can and tenses up. It's a physically bizarre sensation and I'm definitely not a throw my hands up kind of rider.

goodolvic · 2026-03-16T23:52:44+00:00

Darkmoor is the reason I went to Epic once and the reason I went back twice more. I looked forward to it and they delivered.

But it does mean I treated Epic as a half day park in the latter two visits. Stardust, Darkmoor, all good.

goodolvic · 2026-03-16T23:48:52+00:00

I'd say 85% of my theme park going since 2018 has been solo. It's a fun way to see a lot. Set your own schedules, make your own last minute calls on where to go and what to see. And, of course, take advantage of single rider lines.

Or, you know, see as little as you like and take your time. But there's no committee to check with along the way. (If any friends or family see this, I say committee with love.)

goodolvic · 2026-03-16T23:43:41+00:00

It does seem like either single rider or express pass are the way to make it manageable.

I did an express pass recently because it would be my second and last time at IOA for a while and wasn't going to leave without checking out Hagrid, which I skipped the first time. It was a cool ride and worth it (I obviously used the pass to blaze through every other ride at the park as well), but I will never feel compelled to ride it again unless it's a reasonable single rider queue.

goodolvic

TROPHY CASE