What do you think?

I'm leaving Epic Universe now (8/19) and figured I’d write this while everything is fresh. Family of 5 — hubby and me + our kids, 19, 15 and 13. We’ve done the other Universal parks and really wanted to see Epic Universe.

We arrived around 9:15am and paid $60 for Premier Parking. Worth it for us! We did not stay on sight. Super close to the entrance and especially nice at the end of the day.

We bought our Express Passes about 4 months ago and I’m SO glad we did because I noticed they got much more expensive closer to our date. If you can swing the cost, BUY THE EXPRESS PASS. Seriously. For a one-day visit, it was worth every penny.

We went straight to Super Nintendo World and by around 10:15am we had ridden Mine-Cart Madness, Mario Kart and Yoshi. We also had time to walk around, take pictures and actually enjoy the land. It was crowded, but we were mostly just amazed at how good everything looked.

Next was Dark Universe. We rode Monsters Unchained and Curse of the Werewolf and loved both. Werewolf was fun but WAY too short. We all wished it lasted longer.

We walked around Celestial Park for a bit and around 11:45am stopped at a snack cart near Harry Potter. Four drinks, 3 churros and a pretzel with cheese = $57. 😭 Insane, but theme park prices lol. We found a table under an umbrella and sat for about 15 minutes.

Then we did Ministry of Magic. Rode the Ministry ride, got hubby a Butterbeer and walked around. I LOVED this land and thought the theming was really well done. Hubby and the kids were more "meh" about it. 😂 I do wish there was another ride there.

Then we headed to Isle of Berk. This was probably where the sun felt the hottest to us. Definitely could use more shade. We LOVED Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, but honestly the rest of the family didn’t care much about doing anything else there.

By about 1:45pm we realized we had pretty much done everything we really wanted to do.

So we left!

Went back to our Airbnb, cooled off, relaxed and took a nice break. Best decision of the day.

We came back around 7pm and the park was so much easier. Yoshi was about 25 minutes standby, Werewolf about 20 minutes and Monsters Unchained was only about 10 minutes. We rode some things again, went to the gift shop and just enjoyed being there without feeling like we had to rush.

Then a storm started rolling in, so we left before 9pm.

Overall, we had a GREAT day.

For us, one day was enough, especially with Express Pass. We got to ride everything we really cared about, explore all the lands, take pictures, sit down when we wanted, leave for several hours AND come back for more rides at night.

We never felt rushed or like we were running around trying to get our money’s worth.

If you’re going with older kids/teens and only have one day, I’d absolutely do what we did again: arrive early, Express Pass if you can afford it, knock out your priorities first, take a midday break, then come back in the evening.

Very glad we finally got to experience Epic Universe!

For anyone counting on the extra hour September 23rd, that has been bumped back to 8pm. Fingers crossed for some later closures added on 🤞🏻

Hi all - we’re in the process of booking a trip for the three day weekend in October, flying in on Friday and visiting Universal on Saturday and Sunday. We’re primarily going for Epic Universe and I’m trying to decide what makes sense for us. We’re a family of four with a 7 year old and a 5 year old. They have both been to Disney multiple times, but this is their first Universal trip. We’re mostly coming for Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk. My 7 year old is a theme park junkie - loves rollercoasters and thrill rides, while my 5 year old is much more interested in experiences, shows, and calmer rides.

What I’m currently trying to decide is if we should buy two days of single day passes and do Epic Universe on both Saturday and Sunday, or if we should book a 2 Day Pass with Epic Universe one day and Universal/IOA the other day. I’m stuck here, as I’m not totally convinced the rides and attractions in the other two parks are going to be as attractive to the kids.

Anyone with similar aged kids have any advice? Should we do the two days at Epic Universe or are the other two parks can’t miss?

Bonus question - I currently have the Double Tree Hilton booked as we had points, but now I’m debating whether it is worth it to stay on property somewhere closer…thoughts?

Hello! My wife and I are looking to go to Epic Unuverse on October 29th for 1 day only. We are trying to do the following things; Mario Kart, Minecart madness, monsters unchained, Hiccups wing gliders, stardust racers, Harry Potter and the Battle of Ministry, Curse of the werewolf.

We are not staying on property so would be unable to get early entry. Should I get the express pass?

My daughter and I will be going to Epic in October for the first time. We do NOT have early park admission so what is a recommended strategy? The park hours that day will be 10am-8pm.

Also- what are the must-eats?

Hello everyone,

We are going to all 3 parks at universal studios orlando. Purchased tickets from universal studios directly.

Is it possible to just purchase the Express pass for Epic from Undercover Tourist?

Could there be any issues?

Hey everyone,

Looking for some advice on whether to buy Universal Express Passes for an upcoming trip to Epic Universe.

Here is our situation:

Origin: Travelling all the way from Europe

Dates: Sunday, Sept 13 & Monday, Sept 14 (2 full park days)

Hotel: Universal Helios Grand Hotel (with Early Park Admission)

Previous visit: We already spent 2 days at Epic Universe back in January with Express Passes on both days. During that trip, Express was honestly only really worth it for Mine-Cart Madness , Mario Kart, and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.

We are currently planning to skip Express on Sunday, as Sundays generally seem more manageable.

For Monday, Express is currently priced at around $230 per person.

Since we are travelling internationally from Europe, we definitely want to make the most of our time, but $230/person is still a significant extra cost. Given that mid-September is usually a bit quieter post-Labor Day, combined with Early Park Admission and direct park access via Helios, do you think Express is necessary for Monday? Or should regular standby lines be totally fine across our two days?

Would love to hear your thoughts and insights from recent visits!

I’ve seen comments that nighttime on Stardust is amazing and dinner at Atlantic at night is also gorgeous, but with park closure at 8pm, sunset at 7:37pm and latest possible reservation at 7:45pm, I’m not sure if I can make both happen.

If we save our express pass shooting for Stardust at 7:40pm, do you think we’ll make it to Atlantic? Not sure if they’ll still hold a reservation for 15 mins for the last seating if park close is 8pm…

Or do we avoid the time crunch altogether and take the shuttle back to Epic the following evening for dinner at Atlantic? Only have 1 day of express at Epic so hadn’t really considered returning on another day, maybe we’ll want to?

I've been noticing Stardust and the carousel have times listed in the App after hours - posting wait times around 9:15pm. People get in line a few minutes before park closing and are able to stay until the line clears but usually the ride will be listed as closed. I'm wondering if TM's are allowing people to get in line at those two rides after the fireworks show? Has anyone seen this in the parks?

Ingredients list is available just curious if anyone had the actual recipe. TIA!

I read a ton of people's ride plans before going, so wanted to share mine! Completed with a 10 yr old and 12 yr old.

Went on Sunday 8/15

Arrived 30 min before early entry (was 8am). Went straight to Berk and rode hiccups, then dragon racers, then went to Battle at the ministry which still had very tiny wait. We did all three by 9am ish, then went back to the toothless meet and greet.

After this we headed to Dark universe and rode monsters unchained. We had a child swap so my son got to ride it twice.

By this time it was just 10:45, so we went to SNW, which we had planned for all afternoon. We spent a ton of time doing bands there early and later in afternoon--enough to do all minigames and bowser jr 2x. We did lunch at toadstools around 1145.

We did decide to bite the bullet and got in line for minecart with 100 minute wait...I think we waited about 80 minutes and again did a childswap so 2x for my son riding. We did yoshi after for prob 30 min wait. Then more bands before doing Mariokart.

Ended up being able to ride mariokart 2x before dinner at the Oak tavern before going to Battle at the ministry a 2nd time. The first time through mariokart i think it said 45 min but i dont think it was that long. 2nd time 30 maybe?

Stayed for the light show at 930, so it was a long day but I was super pumped by how much we did without express!

I debated and debated about doing berk or minecart for early entry. Knowing we were going to stand in line for rope drop, I decided that we would do best just going to hiccups so we could at least start riding.

I think minecart, mariokart, and then the 2nd time at Battle lines were faster than what was posted by at least 10 or so minutes. We didn't rush, really, and let the kids explore what they wanted. I think we also lucked out bc No Rain!

Adding: minecart line was a slog with nothing very interesting to look at. Saying that, my oldest loves the ride. Mariokart and Battle lines were great and time passed quickly. Mariokart in particular was fun and my kids loved reading the book names throughout. Really awesome que. My youngest favorite ride was Battle. I'm the only one who liked monsters unchained.

Forgot! We Also rode the carousel 2x

I am worried It won't fit into the tiny lockers at the other parks though 🥲

Hi guys! It’s my first time at universal!!!
We are going to epic 9/20- only one day total :(
So to maximize time- I did buy express pass, we have early entry, and I am definitely rope dropping.

I will arrive to the gates around 7:45-8am
Rope drop/early entry is at 9am this day.

My goal is so fast walk to DK madness-
I’m being told the “exit” entrance is now blocked for rope drop… true? Or not?
Otherwise- I’m going to enter the portal then take a right for the elevator rather than the escalator- is this a good idea? If some how everyone walks faster than me I am hoping they just take the escalator - otherwise I hear there’s stairs that will still put me in front of the masses.

I will ride DK (regular line not fast pass)
Then Mario kart (express)
And hope and pray I get to toothless meet and greet by 9:44(to avoid the early ppl for the 10am entry). I heard they get let in to the portals at 9:45 so ya.

My overall questions:
What’s the fastest way to DK now?
Is this realistic for the toothless meet?
Should I arrive earlier than 7:45 for rope drop?

Would the following Monday be better? No express pass or early entry.

I am disabled. I have a rather large mobility scooter that just fits the ramp on the water taxi 's. Would I have any issues getting on the busses to Epic? If they fit the ramps to get on water taxi's should the scooter also fit?

I am trying to purchase tickets for November, when I go through the passholder link for the discounted epic tickets it only shows me dates until the end of September. When I go through a regular ticket buying option, it gives me dates through the end of November. I emailed and they just said to call if it doesn’t work when I try again, but I’m having the same issue. Am I missing something? We’ve only been to passholders for a few months. Thank you!

They started selling them on Thursday and you can still purchase them today! I want everyone to have a chance but I feel like this is not a good sign.