Universal's Epic Universe - News and Discussion

[CAPSLOCK]

No, that's what I did & no bar code.
They don't know who will renew their AP.

 

[tony67]

So some of the stuff I've seen\heard about epic over the last few days:

I think most of us have been thinking this - but for 2025 (and 2026?) they want to limit park capacity to provide a better experience and drive word of mouth. My first thought is what does this mean for APs in 2026?

The next land for Epic is already planned but people who have "sources" are pretty tight lipped about it but have been supposedly tipped off. Many other folks are saying it's Zelda based on the amount of Zelda stuff (not just merch) they are seeing in Epic already and we know how the creative team likes to put in easter eggs.

Lots of Disney adults are still talking this down - fine with me - but it is absurd to be complaining about some of the sight lines at Epic as the big gotcha. That said its also interesting to see so many Disney loyalist at the Epic Media Preview and no RixFlix.

I am wondering if its because his daughter or someone works at Universal and maybe he went to family member previews and could not talk about it. Not sure if he has commented on it yet I don't watch all that often, but one of the other folks I watch who is more about HHN had that issue - they were not invited to the media preview but went to the team member preview and could not discuss it until well after the media preview and even then they were very careful with what they said.

I used to go every year for may 4 but Disney's got lazier and lazier with it.

I'm not a big SW fan - but they really blew it with that entire project IMO - I know I've been saying this forever.
Even as a non-fan I was looking forward to this land and yeah its OK - but not what it could have been at all.
I've seen it once (well a couple of times) )and I don't need to see it again. I've been to the bar and it could have been so much more.
Not a fan of Avatar either but they did not a great job with that land and on the rare occasion I go to Disney I always go to Avatar.

So basically they took a mediocre movie and made an amazing land from it - then they took a legendary IP and ignored it and came up with two suns and a overpriced hotel based on stuff no one wanted. I've been to Star Wars days back when it was MGM and that just felt far more like Star Wars than anything they do currently.

 

[tony67]

I don't think I have seen this mentioned but it might be important to those thinking about going on their last day and have a flight home the same day.

Looks like the park hours for the preview are 11AM to 9PM and I assume no early entry for hotel guests \ AP since almost everyone will be a hotel guest or an AP holder. I'm sure there will be a handful of folks that only have tickets through the Universal CC, but not many.

I wonder if there will be an early entry for Helios guests.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

I don't think I have seen this mentioned but it might be important to those thinking about going on their last day and have a flight home the same day.

Looks like the park hours for the preview are 11AM to 9PM and I assume no early entry for hotel guests \ AP since almost everyone will be a hotel guest or an AP holder. I'm sure there will be a handful of folks that only have tickets through the Universal CC, but not many.

I wonder if there will be an early entry for Helios guests.

They stated for preview only early entry for all hotel guests.

 

[Minnie1222]

Some guests booked AP holders booked EPIC tickets even though their AP will have expired on the date of their EPIC visit. Maybe those are the guests getting bar codes

My AP would still be active for my upcoming three trips, none of the mobile AP tickets have codes. To be safe, I'll stop by the hotel's ticket counter for the hard copies.

My express passes and 3-day packages all have QR codes.

 

[Minnie1222]

They stated for preview only early entry for all hotel guests.

Do you know what time that is?

Thanks.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Do you know what time that is?

Thanks.

One hour before open so 10am.

 

[wdwrule]

I don't think I have seen this mentioned but it might be important to those thinking about going on their last day and have a flight home the same day.

Looks like the park hours for the preview are 11AM to 9PM and I assume no early entry for hotel guests \ AP since almost everyone will be a hotel guest or an AP holder. I'm sure there will be a handful of folks that only have tickets through the Universal CC, but not many.

I wonder if there will be an early entry for Helios guests.

I saw, too, that hours for preview days are 11-9:00 except for April 25 11-6:00 but maybe that will change. I also saw on Universal’s website (in the FAQ section) that there will be no early entry during preview days and that early entry will begin on May 23.

Also, there’s a buzz going around that Premiere pass holders will be able to use their after 4:00 express at Epic once the park officially opens (not during preview days). Nothing official yet but sounds promising. Fingers crossed.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

This has been being talked about in FB groups, and universal has commented the same thing more than once by different people.

 

[wdwrule]

This has been being talked about in FB groups, and universal has commented the same thing more than once by different people.

View attachment 956516

This is what I saw too… the screenshot. I don’t have Facebook so I missed the discussion there.

 

[tjmw2727]

I really wish they'd let guests with a hotel reservation purchase tickets in advance. If they sell out, they sell out, but at least you'd know ahead of time. Maybe they are worried people will book just to buy the ticket and then cancel, but there are ways around that. They could make people show their room key upon entry like they do with early entry. And if they found they had room to open up more capacity, then they could sell additional tickets day of.

As it is, I don't want to book a night at a hotel and extend a trip without being reasonably sure I'd be able to get a ticket. I may watch the initial reports when this starts on the 16th.

But I'm not too worried about it anyway because I'm already planning to be there on opening weekend.

Agree 100%! DD has a conference in Orlando the first weekend of May, so my other DD and I decided to piggyback on her free airfare and hotel and used our ff points for practically free flights.

We had already decided on adding 3 nights at HRH after the conference dates and starting new APs for this year. I booked HRH, and we all bought new AP's. The next day the AP and Hotel previews were announced but sadly we can't use non activated APs to purchase preview tickets, so we have to wait and hope for the opportunity to purchase the resort preview at check in. Crossing our fingers we can get something during our stay with just a 3-night stay!

 

[Minnie1222]

This has been being talked about in FB groups, and universal has commented the same thing more than once by different people.

View attachment 956516

Do you know if this type of EP allows unlimited re-rides?

 

[chad_1138]

Do you know if this type of EP allows unlimited re-rides?

No, it is once per ride after 4 pm.

 

[Minnie1222]

No, it is once per ride after 4 pm.

Do you know if we can go on the same rides after 4pm if we already bought EP for the day? If we go on Monsters in the morning using the regular EP, can we ride Monsters again after 4 with the premier pass?

 

[chad_1138]

Do you know if we can go on the same rides after 4pm if we already bought EP for the day? If we go on Monsters in the morning using the regular EP, can we ride Monsters again after 4 with the premier pass?

I would imagine you would be able to since you would be scanning 2 different "tickets" for the EP.

 

[Minnie1222]

I would imagine you would be able to since you would be scanning 2 different "tickets" for the EP.

This sounds great! We currently have the preferred passes and it doesn't cost much for the upgrade.

 

[bcla]

Kind of random (I don’t think I’ve ever participated in this forum before), but found something that might be relevant. Came across this article that was about one big rule about Epic Universe that’s a bit unusual. Apparently there’s a full experience where someone can receive a full monster makeup treatment to look like a movie character (Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, etc.). But once that’s on, no alcohol can be purchased or even consumed within any Universal theme park or CityWalk. They don’t say it outright, but it’s probably due to the difficulty of matching a face to a photo ID. It might also affect the face scans that allow guests into the park.

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/epic-universe-new-rule-theme-park-20269374.php​

Epic Universe uses facial recognition screens to scan guests into the park, so they added that guests might need to retake that image after their makeup is done. Full face makeup costs $45 on top of park admission, and it’s $169 if you want the package with “matching accessories.”​

​

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/shopping/darkmoor-monster-makeup-experience​

Q: Will the makeup interfere with photo validation at park entry points, attractions or lockers?​

A: After your experience, you may need to re-validate your photo in the Universal Orlando photo validation system. The Team Members at the venue will provide you with information on the easiest way to do this based on what you want to do next in the park.​

​

Q: Can I purchase alcoholic beverages while in the makeup?​

A: No. Guests will not be able to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages at any of the Universal theme parks or Universal CityWalk while in the makeup.​

​

 

[CAPSLOCK]

If we go on Monsters in the morning using the regular EP, can we ride Monsters again after 4 with the premier pass?

I would think so, the purchased EP isn't connected to your AP/ticket in any way. It's a totally different entitlement they'd be scanning.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

This has been being talked about in FB groups, and universal has commented the same thing more than once by different people.

View attachment 956516

Wow! Cool.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Universal Epic Universe Frequently Asked Questions and What You NEED to Know!

Epic Universe at the Universal Orlando Resort opens in just a few short weeks on May 22, 2025 and Universal Orlando Annual Passholder previews begin on April 16th. Which means it’s time to plan your Epic Universe vacation and get your questions answered!

Check out this great and informative article about Epic Universe, which contains everything we know so far, including frequently asked questions you need to know!

https://uofan.com/universal-epic-un...ly-asked-questions-and-what-you-need-to-know/