Universal EPIC Universe Announces May 2025 Opening Date and Ticket Sales

Oct 17, 2024 in "Universal Orlando Resort"

Universal Epic Universe concept art
Posted: Thursday October 17, 2024 9:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Orlando Resort has announced that its highly anticipated fourth theme park, Universal EPIC Universe, will officially open its gates on May 22, 2025.

The park will offer an immersive experience across several distinct "worlds," including familiar favorites like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, as well as original concepts like Dark Universe and Celestial Park.

Ticket Options and Availability

Tickets for Universal EPIC Universe will go on sale starting October 22, 2024, and will initially be available only as part of multi-day packages. These packages will include access to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, and a single-day admission to the new EPIC Universe.

Here's a breakdown of the current ticket offerings:

  • Multi-Day Tickets (3-Days or Longer): Available starting October 22, these tickets allow guests to visit Universal's three existing theme parks for multiple days, with one designated day at EPIC Universe. During this initial phase, there won't be single-day or two-day tickets specifically for EPIC Universe. However, Universal has confirmed that these options will become available closer to the park's grand opening.
  • No Date-Specific Admission to EPIC Universe: While you'll need to choose a start date for your multi-day ticket, there's flexibility for when you visit EPIC Universe during the validity of your ticket. There's no need to lock in a specific day for your visit to the new park, but it's important to note that ticket availability and capacity will be managed to ensure a quality guest experience.

Future Ticket Offerings and Add-Ons

Universal plans to introduce more ticketing options as the opening date approaches, including:

  • Single-Day and Two-Day Tickets for EPIC Universe: These will be available before the grand opening.
  • Express Pass and VIP Tours: While not available initially, Express Passes and VIP Tours will be introduced before the park opens. These options will allow guests to enhance their experience with shorter wait times or guided tours through the new attractions.
  • My Universal Photo Products: Photography packages specific to EPIC Universe will also be launched at a later date.

Special Offers for Florida Residents

Though the initial release of tickets won't include Florida Resident discounts, Universal has confirmed that these discounts will be available in future ticket phases. Florida residents will have exclusive ticket options for EPIC Universe, but details about those offerings are expected closer to the park's opening.

Early Park Admission and Transportation

Guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort hotels will enjoy the benefit of Early Park Admission to EPIC Universe, as has been the case with Universal's other parks. Early access will begin on the park's opening day, May 22, 2025, and includes select attractions.

Additionally, complimentary shuttle buses will run between EPIC Universe and Universal's existing parks (Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay), as well as CityWalk, providing convenient transportation for those looking to explore all that Universal Orlando has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Universal EPIC Universe

Q: Is there a one- or two-day option for guests wanting to visit Universal EPIC Universe?

A: During this initial phase, Universal is only offering multi-day tickets (3 days or longer) that include one-day admission to Universal EPIC Universe. Additional ticket options, including single-day and two-day tickets, will be available closer to the park's opening date.

Q: Will there be discounted tickets for Florida residents?

A: Florida Resident discounts will not be part of the initial ticket launch, but Universal has confirmed that exclusive ticket options for Florida residents will be introduced at a later date.

Q: Do I need to specify the date I plan to visit Universal EPIC Universe?

A: No. With the current multi-day ticket options, you do not need to choose a specific date for visiting EPIC Universe. You only need to select the first date your ticket will be valid, and you'll have the flexibility to visit the new park on any day during your ticket's validity window.

Q: Can guests change the date of their tickets after purchase?

A: Yes. Guests can modify the date of their ticket using the self-service tool on the Universal Orlando website. If the new date is priced higher than the original selection, you'll be required to pay the difference. For further assistance, you can contact Universal's guest services.

Q: Are guests guaranteed to visit Universal EPIC Universe on their selected day?

A: Universal will manage attendance at EPIC Universe to ensure a high-quality experience for all guests. While ticket inventory will be controlled, those who purchase a multi-day ticket that includes EPIC Universe will be guaranteed access to the park for one day during the validity of their ticket.

Q: Can I purchase a ticket that allows for more than one day at Universal EPIC Universe?

A: For now, multi-day tickets only allow one-day admission to EPIC Universe. However, additional ticket options that offer more days at EPIC Universe will be available closer to the park's opening.

Q: Will all Universal Orlando tickets include access to Universal EPIC Universe?

A: Only 3-, 4-, and 5-day tickets purchased for visits after the grand opening of EPIC Universe will include one-day access to the park. Single-day and two-day tickets for Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay will not include EPIC Universe access, but these options will still be available for those not visiting the new park.

Q: Will Express Passes be available for Universal EPIC Universe?

A: Express Pass options for EPIC Universe will be introduced at a later date. Guests can expect more information about these passes to be released closer to the park's grand opening.

Q: Are VIP Tours available for Universal EPIC Universe?

A: VIP Tours that include Universal EPIC Universe will be available before the park's opening. Details about these exclusive tour experiences will be announced soon.

Q: Will there be photo packages for Universal EPIC Universe?

A: Yes, Universal will launch My Universal Photo products specific to EPIC Universe closer to the park's opening. More details about these packages will be provided in the coming months.

Q: Will Early Park Admission include Universal EPIC Universe?

A: Yes, Universal hotel guests will enjoy Early Park Admission to EPIC Universe starting on the park's grand opening day. Early access will include select attractions, and valid park admission is required.

Q: Will there be transportation between Universal EPIC Universe and Universal's other parks?

A: Yes, Universal will provide complimentary shuttle bus transportation between EPIC Universe and Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk, ensuring guests can easily move between the parks during their visit.

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MisterPenguin11 hours ago

Try this spell: auto fidem...

ToTBellHop17 hours ago

The same WWoHP where we are Muggles unless we want to buy a $70 wand. In that case, we are wizards and witches performing the most remarkable magic they've ever seen! I bought one and STRONGLY suspect they are using fake phoenix feathers. Couldn’t even turn my cat into a stopwatch. Zero stars.

earlthesquirrellover232 days ago

They call it a flying bench in the attraction.

lazyboy97o2 days ago

It is and pretty much everyone has ignored that little bit of story and it has t been part of anything since. I’m honestly surprised they’ve never gone in and just removed that bit of dialogue. It only really needs to be removed from the queue, as it would still work as an insult from Draco.

MisterPenguin3 days ago

Breaking the wizarding prime directive, and in FJ, to have the whole school smile and wave at one's muggleness seems a bit... out of character. ;)

lazyboy97o3 days ago

Hogsmead and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey were designed with the idea that guests are muggles. So it’s not just capacity, but also trying to explain how you, a muggle, is doing something very similar to riding a broom.

UNCgolf3 days ago

Now that you say it, I do remember that. I still think it was clearly a decision made for capacity reasons, though, and then kind of handwaved away as part of the story -- the whole ride more or less feels like you're supposed to be on a broom. Even if the screen wasn't blurry, it's just not very interesting. You're just going around the outside of Hogwarts and it's dreary and gloomy. The other parts of the ride are good, but the whole thing comes to a screeching, boring halt for the simulator portions.

TalkToEthan3 days ago

Bench or broom,…..sticking us in front of that screen— a nauseatingly unclear screen—is hands down my single worst theme park ride moment. It’s a blurry first rate internal organ rattler.

lazyboy97o3 days ago

The benches are an explantation for why you, a muggle, are flying and with three other people. The domes in particular are very clearly trying to provide a sensation like flying on a broom.

Jon81uk3 days ago

The current rumour is the previous VR ride is not being built. This is a different concept more like a rollercoaster.

Jon81uk3 days ago

During the pre-show and at the beginning of Forbidden Journey Hermione literally states that she has enchanted benches for us to ride on, they are benches physically and in the story presented.

Andrew C3 days ago

Disney doesn't even know how to build a proper Marvel ride anyways...

Disgruntled Walt3 days ago

And there isn't any real incentive for Disney to do so. Building a bunch of Marvel rides in WDW isn't going to move the needle that much on attendance, so what is the ROI?

UNCgolf3 days ago

But they're also preventing Disney, their direct competitor in Orlando, from using Marvel properties in their parks. Having it as a potential draw/preventing Disney from using it as a draw is more beneficial to them than Disney potentially making some additional money on movies. It's hard for me to imagine a business scenario where it would make sense for Universal to give up their Marvel rights to Disney (absent Disney paying them an exorbitant amount of money).

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