Is Epic Universe the Future of Theme Parks? Here’s How to Save When You Go

Summary

Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Episode: Is Epic Universe the Future of Theme Parks? Here’s How to Save When You Go
Hosts: Sally French & Meghan Coyle
Release Date: June 4, 2025

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1. Epic Universe Opening Day Experience

The episode kicks off with host Sally French arriving at Universal's highly anticipated Epic Universe on its grand opening day. It's early morning, around 4:42 AM [00:01], and Sally notices a crowd of about 100 enthusiastic fans eager to be among the first to explore the new park. In her quest to understand what makes Epic Universe special and how visitors can optimize their experience without breaking the bank, Sally engages with several early attendees.

Notable Interaction:

• Sally French [00:01]: "It is currently 4:42 AM I am walking up to Universal Epic Universe on its opening day..."
• Matthew Prevor [00:21]: "We got here at 10:45 PM yesterday."

These interactions highlight the dedication of theme park enthusiasts who are willing to arrive hours in advance to secure the best spots and experiences.

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2. Travel News Update

Before diving deeper into the Epic Universe experience, Sally and Meghan pivot to discuss the latest in travel news, offering listeners valuable updates relevant to budgeting and planning their travels.

a. Airlines: United and JetBlue Partnership

United Airlines has announced a significant interline agreement with JetBlue, branded as Blue Sky, allowing members of both loyalty programs to earn and redeem miles across both airlines seamlessly.

Key Points:

• Sally French [02:07]: "United's MileagePlus members will soon be able to earn and redeem United miles on JetBlue flights..."
• Meghan Coyle [03:05]: "This Blue Sky program could launch as early as this fall."

This collaboration enhances travel flexibility, especially for those based in regions dominated by JetBlue, such as New York and Boston.

b. United's Policy Changes

United Airlines is implementing several changes affecting frequent flyers:

• Excursionist Perk Removal: Starting August 21st, the perk allowing one free one-way flight on multi-city award tickets is discontinued.
• Instant Upgrades for Premier Members: From August 21st, all Premier members must join a waitlist for upgrades, and by November 24th, upgrades will be dynamically priced, removing the previously published mileage charts.
• Earlier Check-In Cutoff: Effective June 3rd, domestic travelers not checking bags must check in at least 45 minutes before departure, up from 30 minutes.

Meghan Coyle [04:04]: "This change means the airline will no longer publish a chart that tells you how many miles you'll need for an upgrade."

c. Southwest Airlines Updates

Southwest introduces baggage fees for the first time, aligning their policies with other major airlines:

• Fee Structure: $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second.
• Additional Changes: Introduction of paid options for extra legroom and assigned seating in upcoming quarters.

Sally French [06:05]: "Southwest credit card holders still get one free checked bag. So that's one potential workaround."

d. Hotel News: Marriott's Updates

Marriott has expanded its loyalty benefits by partnering with Emirates Skyward, allowing members to convert airline miles to Marriott points at a 3:2 ratio. Additionally, Marriott is offering summer deals:

• Discounts: 20% off at participating hotels or 25% off when booked through the Marriott app from June 4 to June 8, valid for stays between June 9 and July 6.

Sally French [07:02]: "If you have elite status, because sometimes you can earn airline miles for your Marriott stays and all you have to do is link your accounts."

e. 4th of July Travel Tips

With Independence Day approaching, the hosts advise booking flights early to avoid peak pricing and crowds. They recommend:

• Best Days to Fly: Avoid flying on Thursday or Sunday to minimize costs and manage travel times effectively.

Meghan Coyle [07:49]: "Fourth of July is coming up too fast. If you have not booked flights already, get on it."

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3. In-depth Look at Universal's Epic Universe

Returning to the heart of the episode, Sally and Meghan delve into the intricacies of the newly opened Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort.

a. Overview of Epic Universe

Epic Universe marks Universal Orlando's fourth theme park, distinct from the clustered layout of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. It is a 15-minute drive from the main campus and positions itself as a premium offering with one-day park passes starting at $139.

Sally French [09:53]: "If you compare those parks, they're fine. But this new park, I really have to say it is my top contender for possibly best theme park ever. Absolutely worth it."

b. Themed Lands Exploration

Epic Universe comprises several meticulously curated themed lands, each dedicated to specific franchises and storytelling experiences.

i. Celestial Park and Portals

• Celestial Park: Acts as the utopian entrance to the park.
• Portals: Serve as gateways branching into various themed worlds.

Sally French [10:07]: "From there you have what are called these portals. And then those branch off into themed worlds. And those worlds are each highly curated to individual franchises."

ii. Harry Potter Land - Ministry of Magic

Set in a magical rendition of 1920s Paris, this land introduces the Battle at the Ministry ride, a major attraction that immerses visitors in the wizarding world's lore.

Key Features:

• Battle at the Ministry Ride: A highly anticipated attraction with a well-designed queue that transports guests through the Ministry of Magic using animatronic house elves and detailed recreations.
• Merchandise and Experiences: Guests can explore live performances, meet characters like wand experts, and enjoy themed food options like butterbeer crepes.

Sally French [16:48]: "It's like the dust. You get to suddenly appear in the Ministry of Magic instantly."

Anitra Pritchard [18:06]: "Guests can, for the first time in 1920s Paris, live amongst the wizards there."

iii. Dark Universe - Monsters Unchained Tailored for fans of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, this land features the Monsters Unchained ride, blending elements of thrill rides with dark, immersive storytelling.

Production Insights:

• Tess Biglin [19:35]: "It's a perfect blend of the two. It is a dark ride in the sense that it's in a black box, but we have so much thrill with the way that we are delivering our monsters."

iv. Super Nintendo World Expanding upon its Los Angeles counterpart, the Orlando Super Nintendo World offers family-friendly attractions and interactive experiences enhanced by wearable Power Up Bands.

Highlights:

• Yoshi's Adventure: A gentle ride resembling a people mover.
• Donkey Kong Country: Features a coaster named Mine Cart Madness.
• Merchandise: Includes unique items like power-up bands and themed desserts like the DK Crush float.

Sally French [20:25]: "This one is bigger. It has a really kid-friendly ride called Yoshi's Adventure."

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4. Travel Budgeting Tips for Visiting Epic Universe

Sally and Meghan provide strategic advice on how to enjoy Epic Universe without overspending, based on their firsthand experiences and interactions with other visitors.

a. Merchandise Spending

While the excitement of opening day leads many to splurge on exclusive merchandise, Sally advises discretion:

• Power Up Bands and Wands: Though popular, these items can be expensive and may not offer sustained value for all visitors.

Sally French [26:30]: "I did not enjoy either of these things. I am a minimalist, and this is already antithetical to my lifestyle."

• Recommendation: "If you're buying a wand for a child who truly believes that they are a wizard, I love it. If you're a Die Hard Potter fan, go for it. But if you are someone who has to ask yourself, should I spend $65 on this wand? The second you ask that, the answer is no."

b. Food and Drink Choices

Epic Universe offers a variety of unique and shareable food options, allowing visitors to maximize their dining experience affordably.

Sally French [22:38]: "The Mac and cheese cones at Hooligan's. Grog and gruel inside Isle of Burke."

• Suggestions: Share large platters like the Thaw Fest platter, which offers roasted chicken, carrots, Nordic fries, and grilled sausages, providing good value for groups.

Robert Martinez Jr. [23:00]: "You can't go wrong with the golf dust platter. It literally has a little bit of everything from the menu."

c. Utilizing Wearable Technology

While Super Nintendo World's Power Up Bands offer interactive experiences, the hosts suggest evaluating their utility versus cost.

Sally French [26:30]: "These power bands are something you can purchase for about $45. [...] My take, I think this is something you can skip."

• Tip: Borrow from family members or consider second-hand options to reduce expenditure.

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5. Final Impressions and Guest Feedback

Concluding their exploration, Sally and Meghan share enthusiastic feedback from other attendees, reinforcing the park's status as a potential future leader in theme park innovation.

Guest Highlights:

• Francis Francesci [31:33]: "Monsters Unchained is just as amazing as everyone says it is."
• Josh Frank [31:38]: "Monsters Unchained is my favorite ride I've ever been on in my entire life."
• Anitra Pritchard [31:54]: "Nighttime is surreal. It's probably the best nighttime environment I've ever seen."
• Josh Frank [31:59]: "The feeling that you get when you walk through that portal is like you don't get in any other theme park. It's the next step in the future of theme parks."

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6. Conclusion

Sally and Meghan wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow Smart Travel for more insightful travel tips and updates. They emphasize the importance of strategic planning to enhance travel experiences while maintaining budget efficiency.

Sally French [32:50]: "We hope you're inspired to keep your passport full and your wallet even fuller."

Final Advice: Utilize the tips shared throughout the episode to make informed decisions when planning visits to high-demand attractions like Epic Universe, ensuring memorable experiences without unnecessary expenditures.

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Key Takeaways:

• Epic Universe offers an immersive and meticulously designed theme park experience, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the future of theme parks.
• Travel Budgeting: Strategic spending on merchandise, food, and interactive experiences can enhance or detract from the overall value of a trip.
• Stay Informed: Keeping up with the latest travel news and airline policies can lead to significant savings and more efficient travel planning.
• Maximize Value: Utilize group dining options, shareable meals, and selectively purchase enhancements like Power Up Bands and wands based on personal interest and budget.

For more detailed discussions and future travel tips, tune in to upcoming episodes of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways on your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

[Sally French]

It is currently 4:42am I am walking up to Universal Epic Universe on its opening day. Now, technically, the ride share, the parking, the shuttles don't even start operating until 7am but there is already a huge crowd of about 100 people waiting to be the first to get inside this park. I think they've walked up just like me. Let's go talk to them. What time did you get here today?

[Matthew Prevor]

We got here at 10:45pm yesterday.

[Sally French]

A little before 2:34am4am sharp.4am I'm feeling.

[Anitra Pritchard]

We got here a little late to be honest.

[Sally French]

I know there's already people in the front. Why are you here so early?

[Robert Martinez Jr.]

We want to be here opening day.

[Sally French]

I wanted to be one of the very first people as soon as they open the gates. I definitely want to be one of the first to like see everything.

[Megan Coyle]

Once in a lifetime opportunity for a lot of people to come here on an opening day of a theme park.

[Josh Frank]

To be here and be part of history is absolutely amazing.

[Megan Coyle]

Sally. I can't believe how many people were at Epic Universe. That's the newest Universal theme park that opened in Orlando, Florida. If all those people were there that early, they are committed super fans. Yeah, they are prepared to shell out a lot of money for this new park.

[Sally French]

I was there to figure out what is worth it and how to save money at the most anticipated new theme park in the US Epic Universe.

[Megan Coyle]

You're listening to Smart Travel, a deep dive into the tips, tools and tactics to maximize your travel dollars. I'm Megan Coyle, back from two weddings in Italy. One suitcase almost didn't make it, but that's a story I'll save for another episode.

[Sally French]

I am Sally French. No lost luggage. I'm back in the studio after a wild week at Epic Universe. Before we dive into my Epic Universe trip, let's share what else is going on in travel.

[Megan Coyle]

But can't forget our usual disclaimer. We'll talk about a few credit card companies that are Nerd wallet partners in this episode, but that doesn't influence how we discuss them. The benefits, terms and fees mentioned were accurate at the time of posting. But things can change and some offers may have expired by the time you're listening. For the latest details, follow the links in the episode description.

[Sally French]

Now, the first airline all over the news is United. They announced a reciprocal benefits partnership with JetBlue. It is called Blue Sky.

[Megan Coyle]

This is awesome. For members of both United and JetBlue's loyalty programs, United's Mileage plus members will soon be able to earn and redeem United miles on JetBlue flights. While JetBlue's True Blue members can earn and use their JetBlue plus points on.

[Sally French]

United flights and also elite status. Members of both programs will receive benefits like priority boarding, extra legroom seats, same day standby when they fly on either airline.

[Megan Coyle]

And each airline's flights will show up on the other's website and app. So you'll be able to book tickets that have these mixed itineraries where one leg could be on United and the other could be on JetBlue. And everything's very seamless. You don't have to recheck your bags, it's all on one ticket and hopefully.

[Sally French]

Not lose them like what happened to you.

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah.

[Sally French]

Now this is not a full on merger or a code share, but it is a significant collaboration. It's called an interline agreement. This could really reshape how loyalty members fly, especially if you're based in New York or Boston, because JetBlue just really dominates there. Now those travelers have access to United's.

[Megan Coyle]

Giant network and even though it's not a merger, it is still subject to regulatory review. So I'm still sad that JetBlue's earlier reciprocal alliance with American Airlines was blocked back in 2023. But there are a few key differences between that agreement and this new one. The first one is that United and JetBlue will not coordinate on pricing or scheduling. So assuming that everything gets approved, this Blue sky program could launch as early as this fall.

[Sally French]

That's not all with United news. Other things to note. Megan, I think you have a new piece of news.

[Megan Coyle]

Oh yeah, United announced that their excursionist perk is getting the axe. Ugh. That means starting August 21st, you'll no longer be able to score a free one way flight on a multi city award ticket. That's the type of ticket that lets you fly to multiple destinations, different legs, all on points, but it let you get three of those flights for the price of two award flights. So it was a really awesome sweet spot in the mileage plus program that's going away in August.

[Sally French]

Super sad for those United super fans. Also sad news going away on August 21st. That is instant upgrades for Premier members. So now all Premier members have to get on the wait list for upgrades. Ouch. And by November 24, United will switch to dynamically priced upgrade awards. So that means the airline will no longer publish a chart that tells you how many miles you'll need for an upgrade.

[Megan Coyle]

Yikes. I mean, anytime you hear the word dynamically Priced. That just means that something is going to cost more for the busy in demand flights.

[Sally French]

I know, it's such a bad word, I swear.

[Megan Coyle]

The only thing left to become dynamically priced on airlines is the snack boxes. They'll be like, there's four left. It's going to cost you $25 now instead of 15.

[Sally French]

And the United News has not stopped. Last one, I promise. This change went into effect yesterday. That's June 3rd. United Flyers have an earlier cutoff time to check in. If you are flying domestically and not checking a bag now, you must check in at least 45 minutes before departure. That is up from the previous 30 minutes before departure.

[Megan Coyle]

I will say those check in deadlines can really sneak up on you. I've never missed the check in time, but I have shown up too late to check a bag. And that was so sad. Like they made me gate check the bag, which means I had to go through the TSA security checkpoint and I had to throw out all of my liquids. So I had to toss all these Christmas gifts. I'd gotten like full size hair products like a bottle of wine. I was like, please someone just drink this for me. I'm so sad. I have to let this go.

[Sally French]

Well, I gotta say, at least Southwest has trained me well. I'm always the person who's checking in exactly 24 hours in advance. Anyway, speaking of Southwest, they have joined the baggage fee club. They do. I know they kind of tease this in March, but now it is confirmed the bag fees are here.

[Megan Coyle]

And it was sort of sneaky the way they announced it, or rather like didn't announce it at all. If you purchase basic want to get away or anytime fares now, you'll have to pay $35 for your first checked bag and $45 for the second checked bag. That's pretty on par with what the other airlines like American Airlines and Delta Airlines charge as well.

[Sally French]

But at least we're here with the tips. Southwest credit card holders still get one free checked bag. So that's one potential workaround. We will post those credit cards in the episode Description.

[Megan Coyle]

Southwest is rolling out all sorts of changes this year, all in different phases. So the open seating policy is still around, but starting next quarter you'll start to see the ability to buy extra legroom and assign seating on Southwest.

[Sally French]

You know, Megan, I have to say I'm still shocked in 2025 how many people do not understand Southwest's open seating policy. So I was just on a Southwest flight two weeks ago and there was this lady who's like I am C14. This guy is in my seat. The flight attendant was like, no, ma' am, that is not your seat. This is open seating.

[Megan Coyle]

Well, not for long.

[Sally French]

Okay, done with airline news. Time for hotels. Marriott has a bunch of stuff going on recently. They now allow Emirates Skyward members to convert their airline miles to Marriott points at a 3 to 2 ratio.

[Megan Coyle]

I always forget Marriott has all these airline partners. It's definitely worth looking into, especially if you have elite status, because sometimes you can earn airline miles for your Marriott stays and all you have to do is link your accounts.

[Sally French]

So the transfer ratios don't always make it worth it. For example, if you're converting Marriott points to Emirates miles, then three Marriott points is equivalent to one skyward smile.

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah, so losing a bit of value there. Marriott also has some summer deals. If you book from June 4 to to June 8, the one that started today, it's 20% off at participating hotels or 25% off if you book through the app. This deal is good for stays between June 9th and July 6th. So that includes the busy 4th of July holiday weekend. And don't worry if you miss this sale, you can still catch one at the end of the month starting June 28th.

[Sally French]

Geez, that kind of reminds me. Fourth of July is coming up too fast. Yeah, if you have not booked flights already, get on it. I actually just updated our story on best days to fly around 4th of July. We will also link to that in the episode description. Teal they are Friday is 4th of July because it's a long weekend. I anticipate more people than ever will travel avoid flying on Thursday or Sunday to avoid those peak crowds.

[Megan Coyle]

I'm flying the Monday after 4th of July because it was a hundred dollars cheaper than flying on Sunday.

[Sally French]

Great minds think alike. I'm going to San Antonio for 4th of July and also flying home the next day.

[Megan Coyle]

All right, let's go back to Universal Orlando.

[Sally French]

Yes. I've got so much to share from my trip.

[Megan Coyle]

So for theme park enthusiasts, the park you need to know about this year is Epic Universe, which just opened May 22nd. Sally, you were there. This is a brand new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, which brings their total number of parks to three. Well, four if you count Volcano Bay, which is a water park.

[Sally French]

Now I will say new park openings are kind of rare. I remember in 2001 when I went to the Disney's California Adventure grand opening. It takes years to develop and build theme parks. Universal Studios Florida is the first of the universal parks in Orlando that opened in 1990. Then we got Islands of Adventure in 1999. Volcano Bay, that one came along in 2017. That's the water park. Now here in 2025, we have EPIC Universe. What's interesting about Epic Universe is that it's almost an entirely separate campus from the other three parks. Those are all clustered walking distance around CityWalk, which is their outdoor dining and shopping district. Epic. The new park is about a 15 minute drive from that main camp.

[Megan Coyle]

It's also more expensive than the other parks, Universal Studios and islands of Adventures. One day park tickets start at $119 per day. Though of course, like higher demand days can be even more expensive. And Epic Universe, if you just want that one day Park Pass is $139 per day at the start. So, Sally, is this park $20 better?

[Sally French]

Megan? It is so much more than $20 better. If you compare those parks, they're fine. But this new park, I really have to say it is my top contender for possibly best theme park ever. Absolutely worth it.

[Megan Coyle]

Whoa.

[Sally French]

I know.

[Megan Coyle]

That's a glowing review.

[Sally French]

So you and I have both been to Universal Studios Hollywood. I was going since I was a kid. I went to universal Orlando in 2023. They are good parks, but they do kind of feel like this mishmash of just rides here and there. Whatever trending movie we throw on a ride with Epic Universe, the whole main entrance is so thoughtful. They have this area called Celestial Park. It's kind of this utopian space wonderland. And then from there you have what are called these portals. And then those branch off into themed worlds. And those worlds are each highly curated to individual franchises.

[Megan Coyle]

That all makes sense. So bring us back to opening day. What was the vibe like in line?

[Sally French]

So many super fans in line. Why don't I just go ahead and introduce you to one of the most excited guys I met. His name is Matthew Prevor. He got there at 10:30 the night before. I met him. At about 4 the next morning, I hung out with him and a bunch of other fans before the gates officially opened. Matthew was the first person to get to walk through the gates. And where are you from?

[Matthew Prevor]

I'm from Boca Raton, Florida.

[Sally French]

Did you just sleep on the cement here?

[Matthew Prevor]

Well, yeah. Well, we were here originally, and then they actually made us go across the street. And then at 4am we were able to come back, so we created another line on the other side and then we came back.

[Sally French]

Any, like, top attractions and why monsters and chains?

[Matthew Prevor]

I love horror. Big Halloween Horror nights fan. And, you know, I just love that the Universal monsters finally have a permanent home. We're here to see the opening ceremony. Whatever they're going to do, they've kept it kind of wraps and I think we're about to get going.

[Sally French]

Okay, can everybody hear me? Yes.

[Megan Coyle]

Wow. Matthew is such a super fan and he's a huge fan of the Dark Universe, which is one of the new lands. There's a bunch of lands that you kind of talked about a little bit earlier from this main Celestial park area. There's a new Harry Potter Land and a Super Nintendo Land. Both of those already have versions at Universal's other theme parks in Florida and California. But Dark Universe and how to train your dragon, those are completely new lands people have not seen before.

[Sally French]

And I will kind of correct you. The Super Nintendo land is so much bigger than the other lands and there's a whole back area called Donkey Kong Country. And then with this Harry Potter Land, this is unlike anything you have been to before. This one is set in 1920s France, which is much different than the worlds that you would see in, say, Universal Hollywood.

[Megan Coyle]

So what were some of the first attendees excited for among all these new lands?

[Sally French]

Yeah, you mentioned Dark Universe and I was so surprised how many people are super fans of Dark Universe. Let's go ahead and just play some interviews of other people I met who were there at 4am where are you headed first today? Super Nintendo World. So my inner child is just going to be healed.

[Francis Francesci]

Good shop merchandise store. So we get some opening day merch.

[Megan Coyle]

Our first stop today is merchandise. Second stop today, seeing if we can get into Ministry of Magic.

[Tess Biglin]

We will be sprinting to Harry Potter.

[Megan Coyle]

First, I believe, and then we will transitioning over to Dark Universe.

[Josh Frank]

Besides the gift shop after that. Probably Dark Universe.

[Sally French]

Oh, definitely. Super Mario wants to get power up band.

[Megan Coyle]

More on those power up bands later. But I'm still honestly surprised how popular the gift store is because as a theme park lover myself, that's an end of the day activity for me. And even then it's something I try to avoid. If I'm trying to save money at.

[Sally French]

The park, money was definitely not top of mind for people who were there opening day. Are you doing anything to save money today or is this a once in a lifetime thing? You're not worried about it?

[Josh Frank]

This is the only time in my life I think that a theme park like this world will be opening. So money is no subject for today because the money will come back in the future.

[Francis Francesci]

This is splurge day. I've been saving up for about a.

[Megan Coyle]

Month, working overtime we haven't been eating.

[Sally French]

Out for the past like three weeks.

[Megan Coyle]

We'll try and do a budget, but usually like everyone else here, you never follow it.

[Josh Frank]

Still expensive. That's why we work hard for our money.

[Sally French]

So I do want to make sure our listeners are spending money and time at Epic Universe wisely.

[Megan Coyle]

So what is your favorite land? Which is the one that you think people can probably spend the most time in?

[Sally French]

Megan, I have to say I would not consider myself a How to Train youn Dragon fan. In fact, I only just watched the movie a few weeks ago in preparation for this assignment. But Isle of Burke, which is where that movie is set, is easily the best world in this whole park. It's also the biggest of worlds. It has an amazing water feature in the center.

[Megan Coyle]

So.

[Sally French]

So it really feels complete. It transports you to this Viking island. There are dragons everywhere, including, if you get lucky, there are some drones disguised as dragons.

[Megan Coyle]

Whoa. That's super cool. And then there's also some rides here that make you feel like you're riding a dragon. Is that right?

[Sally French]

Yes. This world also felt like the most complete array of rides. There is a coaster. It's a family coaster. I would not call this a kids coaster. It's called Hiccups. Wing Gliders. Really impressive animatronics. Cool backwards segment. So it's got some thrill action in there. And then Megan, my favorite ride ride was actually called Dragon Racers Rally. I don't know if I could recommend it to you if you have a fear of heights, but it's super smooth. It takes you up around in the air. You can rotate around, feel like you're riding a dragon. Also a water ride called Fire Drill. That's F Y R E. Not something too exciting, but probably nice on a 95 degree Orlando day. Basically, you just blast a bunch of water at each other.

[Megan Coyle]

And then there's also an amazing show which I love the costumes for. Tell us about that.

[Sally French]

Yes, besides the costumes, the puppetry is amazing. That is the show called Untrainable Dragon. It is so much more than an air conditioning and seat break. It's genuinely well done. Even if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend it. It's really sweet.

[Megan Coyle]

From everything I've seen, this Isle of Birkland seems like it'll be my favorite because as a theme park lover, I love the storytelling in the lands. And this one feels like it got all the details right.

[Sally French]

Okay, I will definitely take you back because I'm already waiting to go back.

[Megan Coyle]

I want to know more about this supposedly different Wizarding World of Harry Potter Land. So stay with us because that's up next. Back to Harry Potter. So each of the main theme parks at Universal Orlando now has a tiny piece of the Harry Potter universe. At Universal's Islands of Adventure park, you can visit Hogsmeade and Hogwarts Castle. At Universal Studios Florida, there's a recreation of Diagon Alley.

[Sally French]

And today, now at Epic Universe, we have the Ministry of Magic. This puts you in 1920s Paris, but make it magical. Home to one of the best attractions in the world. Battle at the Ministry.

[Megan Coyle]

That's the one that reportedly has five hour lines. Right?

[Sally French]

I saw that on the Internet. Luckily I did not have to wait five hours to try it myself. Even still, I can't say I would wait five hours. But the queue was really well done. If you do find yourself waiting that long, they basically have you walking through a full recreation of the Ministry all the way down to the part where you take the flu network to get there.

[Megan Coyle]

And what is the Floo Network exactly?

[Sally French]

Harry Potter fans know this, but it's like the dust. You get to suddenly appear in the Ministry of Magic instantly. But they do this cool effect where you step in this like green poof of smoke and then you step into this big room and then you go through all of the Ministry. They have little animatronic house elves in line. It's unbelievable.

[Megan Coyle]

Wow. Okay, so there's only one ride in that world. What else can you do if you're unwilling to wait in that line?

[Sally French]

That is the downfall. Only one ride. There is a the show. It's something I would recommend you see. But the really top tier attraction really is the ride. Other things to do is just generally take some photos. Appreciate 1920s Paris. Appreciate the Butterbeer crepes. So I actually talked to Anitra Pritchard. She is senior manager of entertainment operations and show direction at Universal Orlando. All about it.

[Tess Biglin]

Guests can, for the first time in 1920s Paris, live amongst the wizards there. They get to see the musicians. They get to go and meet Cosme Aquajor who is our wand expert over there. And they can talk to living portraits.

[Megan Coyle]

So it seems like the world that everyone is really looking forward to is Dark Universe. That's for fans of Halloween Horror Nights. This is like special event at Universal during Halloween where they create all these little mazes with people who jump out at you. They're all themed. It's very scary and I feel like I always get targeted to get the jump scare when I go through these.

[Sally French]

Megan Little Mazes. I would not undersell it. These are like, like huge productions.

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah, they're not that big though. But this land is a big land. This is all for Halloween Horror Nights fans. So tell us a bit more about what you can find there.

[Sally French]

There is a class of people who love Halloween Horror Nights. They go every year, the tickets sell out. Halloween is always a popular season for theme parks. This is basically a year round land just for them. The ride that everyone is talking about is Monsters Unchained. Wow.

[Megan Coyle]

Okay, so I don't want to get too many spoilers about it, but what can you tell me about the ride?

[Sally French]

Okay, how about I don't tell you? How about I just introduce you to one of the women who made this ride?

[Tess Biglin]

I'm Francis Francesci. I'm the production designer for Monsters Unchained. This is a ride dedicated to our Universal monsters and also our new character, Dr. Victoria. Henry France. Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, who is essentially the great, great, great granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein.

[Sally French]

And it's kind of a thrill ride, but almost kind of dark ride. How would you describe that?

[Tess Biglin]

It's a perfect blend of the two. Right? It is a dark ride in the sense that it's in a black box, you know, but we have so much thrill with the way that we are delivering our monsters. The ride vehicle itself and just the environment. It's very thrilling going through Dr. Victoria's catacombs in the Frankenstein manner and seeing all of her experience, her experiments as she's. You're working your way through the catacombs.

[Sally French]

All right.

[Megan Coyle]

The fourth world you can definitely take your kids to. This is Super Nintendo World. I actually did a version of this one at Universal Studios Hollywood. This land has a version of Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge, which is like this dark ride and you put on goggles that are attached to cute little Mario hats. It's actually not that racing. Like, it doesn't go that fast.

[Sally French]

No. I was like, kind of disappointed because I wanted to do a Mario Kart ride and I wanted to like race a car and you don't really do that in here.

[Megan Coyle]

So that was a bit of a letdown. And then there's also Toadstool Cafe, which is a mushroom themed food slash dining experience that I actually really liked. Not the food, but like the experience.

[Sally French]

Oh my gosh, the theming is so cute.

[Megan Coyle]

Okay, what else is there in this Super Nintendo Land? Because the one in California is not that big.

[Sally French]

This one is bigger. It has a really kid friendly ride called Yoshi's Adventure. It gave Me people mover vibes, which I love. I love a good people mover in this. So you're just kind of like slowly moseying around the world and then there's a whole back area which you don't have in Hollywood. This is called Donkey Kong Country. It has a coaster called Mine Cart Madness. And my favorite theme park dessert of them all. That is the DK Crush float at the Bubbly Barrel.

[Megan Coyle]

I saw your photo on Instagram of this. It looks like too much. I'm gonna be honest.

[Sally French]

I mean, it was too much. It was too much, like, not in a bad way for Disney dole whip fans, it's kind of like that. But this is combination banana, pineapple soft serve. It is set in a cone placed on top of Fantasoda. Then they top it with toffee and caramel popcorn.

[Megan Coyle]

The popcorn really puts it over for me. No, no, no. I agree.

[Sally French]

And then you can pay like $4 more for the souvenir mug. 10 out of 10. You gotta do that.

[Megan Coyle]

Oh, gosh. Okay, so we're already on the food. What' dessert food you ate.

[Sally French]

So I would say non dessert food easily. The Mac and cheese cones at Hooligan's. Grog and gruel inside Isle of Burke. I told Tess about these last week. The cheapest cone, it's plain, it's $12. It's Mac and cheese topped with goldfish served inside a cone shaped hunk of bread. I did not go for that one. I did go back twice. Once on each day. The first day, I had what's called the Dragonfire Chicken spire. That one is the Mac and cheese stuffed in the bread, but they add some spicy chicken with like, hot honey peppers, chimichur, curry, crispy onions. Oh, my God. So good.

[Megan Coyle]

Okay. All of this I can get behind. I like the spicy, I like the Mac and cheese, I like the cone. Everything sounds good.

[Sally French]

And then the second day, I had the PB and J. That stands for pork, maple, and jam. Each of Those are about $15, expensive, but definitely shareable.

[Megan Coyle]

So over in the wizarding world, I'm sure they have butterbeer, and then they also have the butterbeer crepes you mentioned earlier. That sounds really good.

[Sally French]

So, Megan, I actually got to talk to one of the chefs who created the food for this park. Here he is. I am with Robert Martinez Jr. He is the director of culinary here at Epic Universe. We're here at Mead hall, where there are tons of protein options. And I'm especially intrigued by the Thaw Fest platter because this seems like something I could get for my family and share it and save money that way. What's the best value here?

[Robert Martinez Jr.]

You hit it on the head. That is the price value here. You can't go wrong with the golf dust platter. It literally has a little bit of everything from the menu.

[Sally French]

So what are we looking at here?

[Robert Martinez Jr.]

We're looking at some roasted chicken when it has a wild berry barbecue sauce that's been glazed on top of it. Some roasted carrots, some delicious Nordic fries, some grilled sausages. So this is really a price valued meal here. I think a party of four could eat this easily.

[Megan Coyle]

I like that. Sharing energy that you can share with all the people you came to Universal with.

[Sally French]

Yeah. And then it's just like motivation that you get to buy way more things because you just try everything.

[Megan Coyle]

So one of my favorite things to consume at Universal is actually not the food, but the drinks. The best thing I had at my last trip to Universal was the Boba in Super Nintendo Land.

[Sally French]

I had so many drinks there, both boozy and non boozy. So in the wizarding world, there's this place I also went to twice called Bar Moonshine. It's a small hideaway tucked in the back. I think people don't even know it's there. I tried the Lobe Blast. They said this is their most popular drink. And this is wild. It had absinthe in it. It was 18. Very Instagrammable. I don't think there's that much absinthe in it because, like it's a theme park. Come on. But layer of colorful drinks. Like so they have lemon juice and then a soda layer. So I mentioned speakeasy vibes in Harry Potter. Over at Dark Universe, they have this really interesting bar. If you've followed Epic at all on Instagram, you've seen it. It's called the Burning Blade Tavern. It's like this windmill that actually lights up like, you know, come on, Burning Blade. So I met up with Universal's beverage program manager there to about it. I'm here with Josh Frank. You are the beverage program manager for people who can't see it because we're listening. What does it look like?

[Anitra Pritchard]

So the Burning Blade Tavern is built underneath a periodically still burning windmill. This is kind of the lodge and the hangout for the monster hunters when they're done with a long day of hunting monsters. So they can expect when they order a drink here to try something that is part of this world, that belongs in this world. And we do that a couple of different ways. We have certain drinks where we do very direct references to various movies and other properties. For instance, monocaine is a reference to the secret ingredient in the invisible man's potion that makes him invisible and also quite insane. I think our darkthorn mead is a really important one. So this is a Florida made session. Mead flavored with boysenberry blackcurrant and pink peppercorns, which kind of of take that fruity, bright flavor profile, bring it back, make it a little spicy, a little smoky. There's even like a roasted meat element to the pink peppercorn.

[Megan Coyle]

Okay. That drink sounds so good. The other thing that cracked me up about your visit is all those people you interviewed who said their first stop was the merchandise.

[Sally French]

I know. I was like, I didn't buy anything. And I was like, did I make a mistake by not buying stuff?

[Megan Coyle]

Wow, you didn't buy a single thing.

[Sally French]

I mean, come on. I'm saved by Sally. I'm not like I'm trying to be cheap. But I do have a suspicion that they were all trying to buy the opening day merchandise. There were these coins that everyone was trying to get their hands on, and I've since seen them on ebay for like $5,000.

[Megan Coyle]

Oh, my gosh, you missed out.

[Sally French]

I was like, ah, man, I should have bought this. So the other two pieces of merchandise that everyone is talking about, those are the power up bands at Super Nintendo World and the wands at Wizarding World. Now, I will say Universal very kindly gifted both of these items to all of its media guests. Tests myself included. So I did not pay for it, but I did have it. I still have it in my closet because they wanted us to try it out. So it is now early Hot takeoffs time. Are you ready?

[Megan Coyle]

Hit me. No need to wait for the end of the episode to do hot takes.

[Sally French]

Okay, so I have to say, I did not enjoy either of these things. I am a minimalist, and this is already antithetical to my lifestyle. But I was exhausted just trying to carry this thing around. At least with the power up bands. It's kind of like a watch or step tracker where it's just on your wrist, but with the wand. I'm like, where do I put this? It doesn't fit in my pocket. It's sticking out of my bag. I'm worried it's gonna fall out. Also, it was expensive, so I really don't wanna lose it.

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah. How much was the wand?

[Sally French]

I got the model that was $65, but there is an $85 model that one lights up and has haptic feedback.

[Megan Coyle]

Okay, that one must have real magic, which is how does it work? Exactly.

[Sally French]

So there is high tech in there. I love that. There are no batteries, nothing to charge on this $65 version. Basically, there's this reflective tip on the end of the wand, and then when it in certain ways in front of various areas of the wizarding world, it kind of like forces those things to engage. So you can, let's say, point it at some pots that boil water, and then ultimately they shoot out water and it's like a fun, cool effect.

[Megan Coyle]

So who would you say these wands are for? Who should buy them and spend $65?

[Sally French]

I do not want to poo poo the wands entirely because I know a lot of people are really excited about them. If you love the idea of casting a spell, you are a Die Hard Potter fan. Your dream in life is to be able to cast your own spells. Totally do it. No neg on that. Also, in some of the other Universal parks, there is an Ollivander's wand shop. So Ollivander, he's like the shop owner. He picks out a guest from the crowd to go through the experience of selecting a wand. I've done that twice now. It's super sweet. The first time, Ollivander picked this little kid and they went through some little spells, and the kid honestly believed that he cast a perfect spell. It was so heartwarming. The second time I did it, Ollivander picked me.

[Megan Coyle]

You were the kid, dude.

[Sally French]

Ollivander thought I was a child. I'm four Ted, so I can't blame him. I played along, but I was like, this is definitely better if you're an actual child.

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah. And then they presented you the bill and you were like, sorry, I'm safe with Sally.

[Sally French]

Bye. So basically I would say, if you're buying a wand for a child who truly believes that they are a wizard, I love it. If you're a Die Hard Potter fan, go for it. But if you are someone who has to ask yourself, should I spend $65 on this wand? The second you ask that, the answer is no.

[Megan Coyle]

I like that. For a philosophy around whether or not you should buy them.

[Sally French]

And honestly, life philosophy for anything.

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah. So are you also out on the Nintendo Power up bands too?

[Sally French]

I hate to say it, but I am. And rather than me tell you about it, I'm just gonna take you with me to Super Nintendo World so you can hear for yourself how these bands work. Now, that sound, you're Hearing is the sound of bands. Colle coins. Now, these power bands are something that you can purchase for about $45. They're a wearable device and you can go around Super Mario World collecting coins. You can also play some physical games to collect coins as well. Then you track your status in the app and see how you've done. The question, should you spend $45 on these bands? And it's not just $45. Everyone in your family might want these bands. Bands. So that way you could all out beat each other on who collects the most points. My take, I think this is something you can skip.

[Megan Coyle]

Okay, so I did buy two of these bands the last time I went. Yeah, I took two of my sisters and my boyfriend. And like you said, it all adds up very quickly.

[Sally French]

Oh, so two across four people?

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah, we bought two for four people. But at least in la, the Nintendo Land is so small that there's actually not that much to do. If you don't have the band, I think you would just spend maybe an hour waiting in line for the ride and then you eat a Toadstool Cafe and then that's it.

[Sally French]

Right.

[Megan Coyle]

So I actually think if you want to have this very full experience and spend a lot of time there, you actually do want the power bands.

[Sally French]

So it sounds like in LA you need the band. Yeah, but I. I think there's a lot to do in the Epic Universe version in Orlando, you do not need the bands.

[Megan Coyle]

That's good to know. And you can actually use them across both. If you have been to the LA one and you bring your band with you to the Florida one, you can absolutely use it there.

[Sally French]

Yeah. So when we hang out in la, I'll bring my band. So we'll use it.

[Megan Coyle]

Perfect. I'll get the one for my sister.

[Sally French]

I think that brings me to my next tip. If you really are on a budget, see if you can get a band from someone else, like your sister. I will let you borrow my band, people. You know, what you could really do is you could buy one assuming it's in working condition on a site like ebay or Poshmark. No guarantees that they sent you a real one, but if it works, then you could use it yourself.

[Megan Coyle]

Totally. And my last tip is that there's like this final showdown mini game that you unlock with the bands. And I actually thought that was my favorite thing to do in indie.

[Sally French]

Was it the one where you have to like wave your hands around?

[Megan Coyle]

Yeah, I won't give too much away about what you actually have to do. But I thought the technology behind that was super cool. Like way cooler than the Mario Kart ride.

[Sally French]

I was into it. I did it as well.

[Megan Coyle]

And to finish this show out, what else did you learn from the guests at Epic Universe on opening day?

[Sally French]

Megan, how about we just hear from them?

[Francis Francesci]

Definitely. Monsters on Chain. It is just as amazing as everyone says it is.

[Josh Frank]

Monsters on Chain is my favorite ride I've ever been on in my entire life. I love ministry.

[Megan Coyle]

Just the queue alone is amazing. I love the how to Trainer dragon area. It is stunning.

[Francis Francesci]

Hiccup's Wing Glider. I think it's the best coaster here. I like it more than Stardust.

[Anitra Pritchard]

Nighttime is surreal. It's probably the best nighttime invite environment and feel I've ever seen in my life.

[Josh Frank]

The feeling that you get when you walk through that chronos in each portal. It's a feeling like you don't get in any other theme park. It's the next step in the future of theme parks.

[Sally French]

I have to agree. The future of theme parks is here and I really believe this one is worth it.

[Megan Coyle]

Sally, thanks for all these dispatches from Epic Universe. Make sure to follow Smart Travel on your favorite podcast app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio to automatically download new episodes.

[Sally French]

And if you're listening through Apple Podcasts, please rate and review. We love 5 star reviews, but we also love all your feedback period. And if you're listening on Spotify, you can drop us a comment right in the app on this very episode.

[Megan Coyle]

This episode was produced by Tess Biglin and edited by Nick Karismi. Claire Sosi and Hilary. Georgi helped with fact checking.

[Sally French]

Here's our brief disclaimer. We are not financial or investment advisors. This info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes and may not apply to you your specific circumstances.

[Megan Coyle]

We hope you're inspired to keep your passport full and your wallet even fuller. Thanks everyone. See you next time.