Ever-expanding entertainment

Epic Universe is coming. Here’s a sneak peek

- BROOKS BARNES

Believe the hype: Epic Universe, the first major new theme park to open in central Florida in 26 years, lives up to its name and then some. Honestly, I’m as shocked as you are.

But epic-ness was indeed my takeaway after recently spending two days inside Epic Universe as part of “technical rehearsals’, a type of soft opening. When it officially debuts on May 22, the estimated US$7 billion-plus (235 billion baht) property should narrow the gap between the Universal Orlando Resort, long the challenger brand in Orlando's $92.5 billion tourism market, and Walt Disney World, which has dominated since arriving in 1971.

Epic Universe, eight years in the making and sprawling across more than 100 acres, represents a dramatic evolution for Universal, and in some ways, the American theme park industry. It's more interactive, a reflection of consumer obsession with instant gratification and personalisation. It’s also more immersive, with layer upon layer of storytelling from the front gates to the farthest corner. The theming extends far beyond rides to include things like music, smells, landscaping, food, cutlery, staff uniforms and even toilets (they're black in an area dedicated to movie monsters).

Epic Universe will use a facial recognition system at its entrance plaza: No more fumbling with tickets or digital fingerprinting. The aim is to speed entry. Facial recognition will also be used for lockers and at express lanes for rides.

Adult single-day tickets start at $139 and go up to $199 during peak holiday periods. Express access to rides costs an additional $130 to $330 per person.