Universal's new theme park is absolutely incredible — but it's also got some big flaws
As a theme-park fanatic, I love Universal's new Epic Universe in Orlando and have visited 3 times.
It's my new favorite theme park, but it didn't feel designed with Florida's climate in mind.
It doesn't have many indoor or shaded areas, and most of its rides are vulnerable to rain.
I've lived in Orlando, the "Theme Park Capital of the World," for over 25 years.
In that time, I've already gone on thousands of visits to the area's attractions, from Disney World to Universal Orlando. So, I was pumped when Universal debuted Epic Universe, Florida's first new theme park in years.
Even though it opened on May 22, I've already been three times, since I was able to get several early-preview tickets as a Universal annual pass holder.
I've visited dozens of theme parks around the world, and Epic Universe has the most innovative, high-quality attractions I've ever seen. From immersive experiences and design to delicious food, Epic has pretty much everything I look for in a park.
However, there's it severely lacks indoor attractions and shaded areas. And in Florida, that can be a huge problem.
The park's current setup means one storm could ruin an entire visit
Orlando experiences a lot of rain, especially during summer months and hurricane season. This also tends to be the most popular time of year for people to visit its theme parks.
Unfortunately, all but four of Epic Universe's 11 attractions are in outdoor, uncovered locations. With so few indoor options, inclement weather could really wreak havoc on the park.
People are already waiting over three hours to get on one of the park's few indoor rides, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, during fair weather. If it's also one of the few rides that can stay open on a rainy day, the wait time may only get worse.
Epic Universe also has amazing interactive experiences throughout its parks, and unlike rides, they require little to no wait.
My family loved casting spells at magical windows within its Wizarding World of Harry Potter and using special bands to compete in larger-than-life video-game components found throughout Super Nintendo World.
However, these elements are nearly all located outdoors and would also be unpleasant to complete during a downpour.
Epic Universe's lack of indoor rides means it can't quite compete with neighbors like Universal Studios and Disney's Magic Kingdom, which offer about a dozen options to enjoy in any weather.
When it rains during our visits to those parks, we visit one of their many indoor attractions that range from family-friendly Minions-themed simulators to thrill rides like Space Mountain.
At Epic, we were left scrambling to find cover or waiting in line for hours for one of our very limited options.
A lack of shade combined with Orlando's tropical climate can make for a steamy visit
Many of Epic Universe's shows and dining venues are indoors, which provides some relief on rainy and sweltering days, but I'm not sure that's enough.
Even on a cloudless afternoon, Florida's heat can make competing for coins Mario-style or waiting in some outdoor queues feel practically unbearable.
Although the park is overflowing with scenic gardens, it lacks mature trees to shield those walking through from the sun. Without covered awnings, fans, misters, and air-conditioned places to rest, the park feels like a scorcher on a sunny day.
Unfortunately, it's also not possible to beat the heat by visiting Epic Universe after sunset. The posted park hours through the end of July show it closing at 9 p.m., not long after the sun sets.
I'm hopeful the new park will keep getting better
All that said, Epic Universe has only been officially open for a few weeks. Despite these flaws, I'm still impressed and believe it has the potential to be the best theme park in Orlando.
However, I think there's room for improvement and wish it were better set up to thrive in Florida's extreme weather, from afternoons with blazing sun to mornings with rainstorms.
In order for the park to truly be Epic, it needs more options that can be enjoyed come rain or shine — and maybe even hours and activities that can take us into the night.
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