Epic Universe Ticketing Info, Advice, & Speculation

[JohnHammondsCane]

Trying to decide if we bring our 11 month old or not.. I know shade is a problem, but a toothless photo might be the cutest thing ever.

we've been bringing both our boys since they were about 6-7 months old. Temper expectations for how much you'll get to do. Plan to go slow and really enjoy the parks, with less emphasis on you and your significant other hitting as many rides as possible. Pick a few that are MUST rides and do rider swap. Other than that, it's great! We were taking our boys pre-Dreamworks land!

 

[RFRees]

For anyone attending April 17-23, please please please let us know how it is.

I'm especially curious about:

1. Parking, including how early parking opens, cost, line to get in, or transportation to Epic (e.g. bus)
2. Attendance/crowd levels, especially the park entry line when you arrived, assuming you arrived before 11am, and what time the gate actually opens (often they open the gates before the listed time)
3. What attractions weren't open (including opened late or closed early), or hit delays
4. Any critical issues/"things I wish I knew" sort of moments.

Thank you!!

 

[Imperius]

we've been bringing both our boys since they were about 6-7 months old. Temper expectations for how much you'll get to do. Plan to go slow and really enjoy the parks, with less emphasis on you and your significant other hitting as many rides as possible. Pick a few that are MUST rides and do rider swap. Other than that, it's great! We were taking our boys pre-Dreamworks land!

Yeah we just took him to Magic Kingdom as family was in town. Missed some things so that’s why we’re debating on bringing to Epic. We had family to watch him in some cases, but will be solo for this.

Seems express will be available during previews though. So may just go that route to help.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I think they are capping AP Preview availability at 6K. That doesn't include resort guests. I believe the park will be over 10K per day.

Looks like May 3rd sold out

 

[Rikku]

Oh good the day I picked haha oh well let's see what happens. Will be staying on site at Aventura I feel I am seeing conflicting messaging on hotel guests getting in early or not.

Looks like May 3rd sold out
View attachment 25905

 

[Alicia]

I am seeing conflicting messaging on hotel guests getting in early or not.

This was today

 

[Rikku]

Thanks so much!!!! Now how early should I be getting in line for buses from Aventura to there? Lol!!! But seriously thank you @Alicia I appreciate it!!!

This was today

 

[Lorix]

I was able to snag one of the last preview days for Visa cardholders (April 24). I really wanted to buy 2 days in a row, but it was the only day when I finally got my link. As such, I'm assuming Universal is holding a certain number of Epic Tickets each day of the preview for hotel guests since you can't get the tickets until you are at the hotel. I'm hoping that when we check in on the 23rd, we can purchase another set of tickets for the 25th as hotel guests. That's my hope at least then we can take our time with like 2 portals a day rather than rush to get all of them done in one day.

 

[Tuckercountrygirl]

Question: I'll be arriving in Orlando on April 25 but my reservation at RPR dis for May 2 to May 7. I have unactivated annual passes. If I go Universal on April 25 to activate my pass to buy preview tix (if still available), can I buy two preview tix - one for me and one for my daughter who also has an unactivated pass? Or does she have to buy her own ticket after her pass is activated? Also, I don't want to go to Universal on the 25th if tix are already sold out. I've looked and looked and can't find a calendar online that shows which days are sold out. Is there one?

Thanks so much for any information.

 

[Imperius]

Pretty sure all passes have to be activated in order to purchase.

 

[Lorix]

I will also say, regarding hotel availability...the cost of Helios is honestly outrageous. It was over $600 for a night. That could possibly be why reservations there are down. I decided to cancel the Helios room for one night and do 2 nights at Stella Nova and it is still cheaper than one night at Helios.

 

[Brian G.]

I will also say, regarding hotel availability...the cost of Helios is honestly outrageous. It was over $600 for a night. That could possibly be why reservations there are down. I decided to cancel the Helios room for one night and do 2 nights at Stella Nova and it is still cheaper than one night at Helios.

I imagine there is a "premium" for being the new thing, but ultimately, the price point is because of the location and one-of-a-kind views.

 

[dxwwf3]

It's all about when you book with these hotels. I got a night for early May with a King Park View Room for $450, but I booked it within 30 minutes of them releasing those dates. When the hotel starts booking up, prices go up.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

I imagine there is a "premium" for being the new thing, but ultimately, the price point is because of the location and one-of-a-kind views.

Adding to that, we looked to December to get an idea of what the Helios rates were and they were $250 - $280 (passholder rate, FYI). I feel like that's a great deal!

Side note: is there any kind of VIP parking for Premiere passholders, similar to Citywalk?

It's all about when you book with these hotels. I got a night for early May with a King Park View Room for $450, but I booked it within 30 minutes of them releasing those dates. When the hotel starts booking up, prices go up.

This is the ballgame. We almost always go in the same timeframe (late September for HHN) and I'm obsessive about checking the hotel rates. They change all the time. Passholder rates, rack rates, etc. all fluctuate.

The advice I give everyone is have it on a tab in your phone, and plan to check it every now and then. In the bathroom, in the drive thru line, before bed.. It takes 2 minutes to pick your dates and look at the different hotel rates. Universal makes it super easy to adjust your rate as well.

 

[Tbad556]

Looks like May 3rd sold out
View attachment 25905

Random little note, but the 3rd is once again showing as available.

 

[Mad Dog]

Adding to that, we looked to December to get an idea of what the Helios rates were and they were $250 - $280 (passholder rate, FYI). I feel like that's a great deal!

Side note: is there any kind of VIP parking for Premiere passholders, similar to Citywalk?



This is the ballgame. We almost always go in the same timeframe (late September for HHN) and I'm obsessive about checking the hotel rates. They change all the time. Passholder rates, rack rates, etc. all fluctuate.

The advice I give everyone is have it on a tab in your phone, and plan to check it every now and then. In the bathroom, in the drive thru line, before bed.. It takes 2 minutes to pick your dates and look at the different hotel rates. Universal makes it super easy to adjust your rate as well.

Yes. I do the same, and the rates change constantly. I've booked, cancelled and rebooked many times over the years. And 2025 has more continual rate changes than ever before.

 

[dxwwf3]

Yes. I do the same, and the rates change constantly. I've booked, cancelled and rebooked many times over the years. And 2025 has more continual rate changes than ever before.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked and modified my reservation for Cabana Bay in mid June. When AP rates were first released to now, I’ve saved over $130 for a 4 night stay by just checking every day and modifying as the rates drop in my favor.

 

[Imperius]

Epic Universe AP Preview Availability

uo.wdwpassport.com

Someone built a site that list remaining tickets for each day.

 

[vgp]

Epic Universe AP Preview Availability

uo.wdwpassport.com

Someone built a site that list remaining tickets for each day.

I'm always amazed at how industrious theme park enthusiasts are. Very clever (and I'm sure somewhat distressing to insiders).

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Yes. I do the same, and the rates change constantly. I've booked, cancelled and rebooked many times over the years. And 2025 has more continual rate changes than ever before.

I do the same - but oddly enough, our week in September has only gone UP in price since booking