Epic Universe is the latest theme park to open in Orlando — the Theme Park Capital of the World — and the third park to open at Common Orlando Resort (the opposite two being Common Studios Florida and Common Islands of Journey). Common can also be residence to Volcano Bay water park; the CityWalk eating, buying and leisure district; and 11 themed hotels.
Associated: Surprising things you can do at Universal Orlando without a park ticket
Like Common’s different parks, Epic Universe has lands and points of interest themed to standard leisure franchises. Other than that, Epic Universe takes every part you assume you realize a couple of theme park and turns it on its head.
1 of 6
Common Epic Universe. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Epic Universe has 5 immersive worlds, together with The way to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Tremendous Nintendo World, Darkish Universe and Celestial Park. You possibly can learn our full guide to the five worlds of Epic Universe for a better take a look at the lands and points of interest in every world, however after spending three days within the park, I’ve amassed a listing of suggestions and tips that can show you how to benefit from your go to.
Listed here are 11 tricks to maximize your journey to Epic Universe to avoid wasting time in line, have extra enjoyable and guarantee your Common trip is nothing wanting epic.
Arrive early and keep late
In case you are staying in any of Common Orlando’s on-site lodges, you should use early park admission advantages to enter Epic Universe as much as one hour previous to the posted opening time. Solely choose points of interest are open throughout this time, however you possibly can ask a group member or search for signage on the park entrance on the day of your go to to seek out out which lands and points of interest are open for early park admission throughout your go to.
Thus far, Mine-Cart Insanity, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem and Yoshi’s Journey in Tremendous Nintendo World, and Stardust Racers in Celestial Park have persistently been on the early opening checklist.
Of those, the watch for Mine-Cart Insanity is normally longer all through the day than the others. It is best to have the ability to head there first earlier than the wait climbs too excessive, after which knock out the opposite points of interest in Tremendous Nintendo World. Or, in the event you get one or two points of interest finished in Tremendous Nintendo World and it is getting near the official park opening time, you could possibly make your solution to one of many different portals to be first in line for the points of interest in that world.
Alternatively, you could possibly head straight for Stardust Racers and get on this exceptionally thrilling coaster with a really quick wait. Since it’s a dueling coaster, you could possibly doubtless journey each tracks earlier than the park opens to common daytime friends.
Every day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Every day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
Lastly, you could possibly forgo getting on any rides throughout that first hour and line up in entrance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic to be first in line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry when it opens. The identical might be stated for different points of interest, like if you wish to be first to fulfill Hiccup and Toothless in The way to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, however Battle on the Ministry normally has the longest wait on the park, with wait instances persistently longer than an hour.
If you do not have early park admission, you continue to wish to arrive slightly bit early (about half-hour earlier than gates open) to go away time for getting by way of safety and into the park. I might keep away from Mine-Cart Insanity and Battle on the Ministry till later within the day when wait instances get shorter. You might verify wait instances within the Common app to see what’s shortest when the park opens and head there first.
The explanations to remain till closing (or take a break and return later within the day) are twofold. From what I’ve observed to this point, the wait instances drop drastically within the final hour or two earlier than park closing. If there may be something you did not get to earlier within the day or something you wish to reride, you have to be in a position to take action with a brief wait near closing time.
Second, this park shines at night time. Each facet of the park modifications as soon as the solar goes down and the park lights come on. (Extra on that later.)
Epic Universe isn’t a 1-day park
Are you able to get on each journey at Epic Universe in someday? In all probability. And if all you’ve is someday, you possibly can nonetheless have a good time.
However, in case your schedule and price range enable, two days is the candy spot to get on all of the rides and expertise the opposite issues that make this park so particular, like assembly characters, enjoying the interactive parts in every land, seeing the dwell reveals and sitting down for a few good meals.
In two days, you possibly can discover two worlds on the primary day and two worlds on the second. You possibly can go to Celestial Park on each days as a result of it’s the central world that you will move by way of to get to the opposite 4 worlds.
Extra time within the park additionally means you possibly can go at a slower tempo and absorb all the main points. You might come throughout a Viking and a child dragon in The way to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, meet college students visiting Paris from completely different wizarding colleges in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic or race round Tremendous Nintendo World to see what number of cash you possibly can rack up punching blocks and enjoying mini video games.
For now, you will have to purchase two particular person one-day tickets as a result of there aren’t any multiday Epic Universe tickets, however that ought to change as soon as the park has been open for a bit. Or, if you wish to make a five- to seven-day journey out of it and go to Common’s different parks, you could possibly buy a multiday bundle that features entry to Epic Universe and add an extra one-day Epic Universe ticket for 2 days at Epic.
The way to maximize 1 day at Epic Universe
In case you solely have someday to spend at Epic Universe, there are some things you will wish to do to maximise your time (along with staying in certainly one of Common’s official lodges so you should use the early park admission profit).
A number of of the points of interest at Epic Universe use a single-rider line, which may prevent time in line (so long as you do not thoughts your occasion being break up up and using with strangers).
However the best solution to save time in line and get on extra rides is to buy a Universal Express move, Common’s model of a skip-the-line move. Common Categorical helps you to bypass the standard standby line on most points of interest and use a a lot shorter Categorical entrance.
A selected Categorical move for Epic Universe is obtainable on the Common Orlando web site beginning at $139.99 per particular person, per day, however you too can buy it at Common lodges or contained in the park (based mostly on availability). The Epic Universe Categorical move means that you can skip the road on choose points of interest as soon as per day.
At the moment, this is applicable to all Epic Universe points of interest apart from the next:
- Dragon Racer’s Rally
- Mine-Cart Insanity
- Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry
The one draw back to Common Categorical is that you just bypass the standby queue, and a few of the queues at Epic Universe — like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry, the entire Tremendous Nintendo World rides and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders — are virtually as spectacular because the rides themselves. If time permits, I might do these rides a second time with out utilizing Categorical simply to see the queue and be taught extra concerning the story behind the attraction.
In case you solely have someday, I additionally advocate that you become familiar with the park’s points of interest earlier than your go to. Use this data to decide on your must-do rides and reveals in every land. Concentrate on these, and any time you’ve left over is bonus time to do something you might have missed.
Keep at an Epic Universe resort
Common opened three new lodges this yr within the neighborhood of Epic Universe. Universal Stella Nova Resort and Common Terra Luna Resort are inside strolling distance of Epic Universe, but additionally supply bus service to the park. Universal Helios Grand Hotel is situated alongside the again of Celestial Park, permitting you to stroll straight by way of the resort’s personal entrance and instantly into the park.
Stella Nova and Terra Luna are in Common’s surprisingly budget-friendly Prime Worth lodging class. Costs begin at round $200 per night time for shorter stays and near $175 per night time for stays of 4 nights or longer.
Helios Grand is in Common’s extra upscale Signature assortment, the resort’s highest resort tier. Because of this along with elegant theming, luxurious facilities and an elevated degree of service, you will discover a greater price ticket: near $400 per night time for brief stays and $300 per night time for stays of 4 nights or longer.
Associated: These are the best Universal Orlando hotels
While you keep at certainly one of these three properties, you’re nearer to Epic Universe than in the event you stayed at one other Common Orlando resort. Being nearer to the entrance gate (or again gate in the event you keep at Helios Grand) means you will get contained in the park quicker and simply pop out and in of the park for a noon nap or swim.
You may miss loads in the event you run from journey to journey
Greater than any theme park I’ve visited, Epic Universe feels alive. Every world has a kinetic vitality that makes you’re feeling such as you’ve truly been transported far, distant from Central Florida (minus the recent and humid temperatures).
The rides are technological and storytelling marvels, however there may be a lot extra to this park than rides.
Every world absolutely integrates you as the primary character in your favourite tales. Wish to follow your dragon racing expertise and meet Toothless from “The way to Prepare Your Dragon”? At all times dreamt of being a wizard and touring to the Ministry of Magic by way of the Floo Community? You are able to do all of that and a lot extra on this enchanting new park.
Throughout my visits, I had an opportunity assembly with the Invisible Man within the Darkish Universe, accomplished the three key challenges essential to face off towards Bowser Jr. and win the Golden Mushroom in Tremendous Nintendo World, and danced alongside to a band enjoying on stage in Celestial Park.
My experiences solely scratch the floor of the adventures you possibly can have that do not contain getting on a journey. My level is, there may be a lot to see and do on this park, and you’ll miss out on a number of it in the event you solely give attention to rides.
Epic Universe is much more stunning at night time
Epic Universe is such an aesthetically pleasing park that I might be there all day with out getting on a single journey and nonetheless depart content material. And that sentiment is even stronger at night time.
Epic Universe glows with majestic, ethereal gentle after sundown. At night time, every part from the portals into the worlds to the rides and even the eating places takes on a brand new feel and appear. For instance, the big fountain in Celestial Park modifications from a peaceable physique of water in the course of the day to a colourful, glowing storytelling mechanism in the course of the nighttime fountain present, with colourful fountains and music from the park’s worlds at night time.
Even in the event you’ve been within the park all day, it is value popping into every world at night time to see the transformation.
I used to be blown away by how a lot spookier Frankenstein Manor in Darkish Universe felt and the way the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter shone a bit brighter at night time. The points of interest additionally supply a special expertise at nighttime. The dueling coaster trains on Stardust Racers streak by way of the night time sky like comets, and the Constellation Carousel animals twinkle as you journey.
Don’t skip the carousel
With so many flagship rides to select from, it may be straightforward to skip what seems to be a traditional carousel. In reality, on my first go to, I did skip the Constellation Carousel. I like a carousel, however I needed to check out the forms of rides I’ve by no means been on earlier than.
After I lastly did journey Constellation Carousel, it was such a fantastic second that I virtually teared up. Fairly than a standard carousel, the animals dance round in light, rhythmic circles because the carousel spins to the music, making for a special vitality every time you journey.
And the best way the animals sparkle at night time makes you’re feeling as in the event you’ve left Earth and spun proper up into the cosmos.
There are Easter eggs galore
There are far too many Easter eggs and secrets and techniques to checklist right here, and the best solution to be taught all of them is to talk to the characters and group members in every world. You possibly can decide up bits of data by talking with the monster hunters and different residents of Darkish Universe or the Vikings in Isle of Berk.
However listed below are just a few of my favorites which you can search for in your go to:
You could find the smallest animatronic in Epic Universe inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. Search for Newt Scamander’s Bowtruckle, Pickett, within the window of the locksmith store.
Additionally in Wizarding Paris, you will get a peek on the sorcerer’s stone. You may must buy an interactive wand for this one, however there’s a spell-casting spot exterior Nicolas Flamel’s residence subsequent to Le Goblet Noir. While you carry out the spell efficiently, the sorcerer’s stone (or thinker’s stone, in the event you’ve learn the unique British model of the books) will probably be revealed.
The Burning Blade Tavern within the again nook of Darkish Universe is a duplicate of the fiery windmill scene in 1931’s “Frankenstein.” Fortunately, this windmill is not truly on fireplace (and you may go inside to fulfill monster hunters and drink scrumptious cocktails), however you possibly can see it catch flame about each quarter-hour. Hear for the bell tower on the entrance of the land to ring. That’s your sign that the windmill will quickly burst into flame.
In case you are aware of the lovable (and teeny, tiny) Pikmin, you’re in for a deal with. Not solely can you notice them in little nooks and crannies, but additionally you will get a close-up view by way of the binoculars stationed round Tremendous Nintendo World. Search for the binoculars on the second degree throughout from Yoshi’s Journey as you exit Peach’s Fortress. Zoom in on the bush to disclose Pikmin laborious at work.
In case you look as much as the tippy prime of Mead Corridor in The way to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, you will see the hut the place Gothi, the village elder, resides. It is troublesome to see from such a far distance, however in the event you zoom in together with your digicam or climb to the highest of the Viking Coaching Camp play space (which you’ll be able to solely enter with kids) and use the telescope, you need to get a greater view.
In case you look in the back of the Stardust Racers trains earlier than getting on the journey, you will see a small field with lights on the again of the final automobile. This can be a Flux Capacitor that allowed Marty and Doc Brown to time journey within the “Again to the Future” movies. Although the journey has nothing to do with the movies, Again to the Future: The Journey was an early attraction at Common Studios Florida (it has since closed), and you may nonetheless meet Doc Brown in that park.
The dwell reveals are pretty much as good because the rides
Epic Universe affords two reveals: “The Untrainable Dragon” in The way to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and “Le Cirque Arcanus” within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Did each reveals carry me to tears? Sure. However my proclivity to being overly emotional is not the one purpose I might advocate these reveals. Each do have their jaw-dropping (or, for some, tear-inducing) particular results, however they’re additionally stuffed with small, however magical, moments that can carry a smile to your face.
Every present has a couple of 20-minute run time, however I might price range nearer to 45 minutes. You may must arrive early to attend in line and be seated earlier than the present begins.
I can’t stress this sufficient: Don’t skip the dwell reveals.
The place to go if you could cool off
There was a number of commentary on the dearth of shade in Epic Universe, and to that, I might say, “Welcome to Central Florida.” I do not imagine this to be an issue particular to Epic Universe, however at a theme park the place the warmth index can climb into the triple digits, it’s useful to know the place to seek out shade.
Every world has a minimum of one or two sit-down eating places the place you possibly can order a meal or snack and sit inside for a bit. There are additionally indoor outlets in every land the place you possibly can browse for souvenirs (or just admire the decor in case you are on a price range).
I spent a number of time in Burning Blade Tavern and Das Stakehaus in Darkish Universe, and Mead Corridor in Isle of Berk. They have been darkish and funky and helped restore my vitality earlier than venturing again out.
A number of rides, together with these in Tremendous Nintendo World, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Battle on the Ministry, all have prolonged indoor queues that can preserve you out of the solar. Stopping to absorb the dwell reveals may get you a break from the warmth.
I additionally strongly advocate you carry a portable fan and a reusable water bottle. There are bottle refilling stations all around the park — I even noticed some within the journey queues. You too can get free water from the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines, however do not attempt filling your water bottle with soda. There are sensors within the machines that do not mean you can get round paying on your caffeine repair.
Older children may need extra enjoyable than little ones
There are solely two rides at Epic Universe with no top requirement (Constellation Carousel and Fyre Drill). The vast majority of what I might contemplate “kid-friendly” rides at Epic Universe have a minimal top requirement of 40 inches, so children will most likely have a greater time as soon as they hit that top.
It isn’t simply their top which will provide you with pause on reserving that journey. There’s one world that’s meant to be a bit scary.
The setting for Darkish Universe is Darkmoor Village, residence to monsters and people who hunt them. To present you an thought of how creepy Darkish Universe is, even I set free a scream on the world’s premier attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
It isn’t simply the journey that’s scary, both. While you enterprise into the darkish and spooky Das Stakehaus for lunch or dinner, you will see lifeless vampires (and the stakes that made them that means) on show lining the partitions.
Backside line
Epic Universe is the kind of theme park that means that you can select your personal journey. For simply someday, you generally is a wizard, a dragon tamer, a monster hunter, a online game character or the entire above.
However you could do some planning earlier than you possibly can absolutely immerse your self in these fantasy worlds. The following tips will show you how to put together on your go to and benefit from your time at Epic Universe.
Associated studying:
Trending Merchandise
