It’s apparent in the tunnel-like “portal” entries into each land, stunning landscapes like the towering statues in Celestial Park or the new Helios hotel, the first one to be situated within a theme park itself. With its fountains and statues and hemispherical domes, the giant palace would look at home in Las Vegas.

Universal Orlando Resort recently invited a group of fans and theme park social media types for a live-action preview of its long-awaited Epic Universe expansion. While it seems many were whisked to Orlando junket-style and that may limit impartiality,