Universal EPIC Universe Announces May 2025 Opening Date and Ticket Sales

Oct 17, 2024 in "Universal Orlando Resort"

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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.

WWOHP World Overview

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.

Dark Universe at Universal Epic Universe

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.

Discuss on the Forums

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DarkMetroid56715 minutes ago

There aren’t nearly as many, but spend enough time in Orlando and you’ll find they certainly exist.

Agent H16 minutes ago

Seems more like “Harry Potter adults” to me. I don’t hear people talking about how “universal is my favorite place on earth” or people talking about how “universal changed my life” or “ I proposed in front of the universel globe “

DarkMetroid56719 minutes ago

I think that’s true, but if Universal continues on the path it seems to desire it’ll be inevitable. I think the Disney park community is unique only because of its popularity — over the years it feels like the Universal park community has undergone a gradual metamorphosis to basically a second version of “Disney adults”.

maxairmike20 minutes ago

I will say that after having done USH and now USJ as well, our Forbidden Journey is the weakest of them for a few different reasons, but I think it is still rightfully considered a top-tier attraction. And while I have done this before, some recent experiences have taught me that you truly cannot judge most attractions by a POV on YouTube or wherever. I thought surely Tangled in TDS was a bit overhyped based on the POVs. While you can see the beauty of the sets, experiencing that lantern scene in person is just something completely different and I still think about that one scene constantly. I’m no longer interested in or give any weight to critical (both positive and negative) thoughts on attractions based solely on POVs. I’m very much looking forward to experiencing everything first hand soon and forming my own thoughts on the rides. Except for Mario Kart, which I still don’t get the harsher criticism of after riding both currently open versions. I also feel like I’m taking crazy pills since I can be super harsh about a lot of things, but I’m finding a lot of the Epic criticism to come across as excessively pedantic and overboard, especially from people that haven’t been yet. But I suppose that’s par for the course on forums.

Tom Morrow22 minutes ago

After experiencing Monsters again, my opinion of it has raised. I already liked it, but now, although it required a bit of familiarity, it is absolutely one of the best rides in Orlando, and likely the best ride at Epic. It's just so visceral in a way that no ride has been in a while and Ministry will probably not match. Tonally, it's still a little weird, but less jarring once you know what to expect. I also want to give a shoutout to the queue - what an absolute masterclass of set design, lighting design, and sound design. The combination of the high quality sets, the musical score, the sound effects of the building creaking, equipment sparking, machines whirring in every room, combined with the actually very intense dynamic lighting, evokes the unease of the classic "It's alive!" scene in the best possible way. It feels like the entire manor is alive with energy (even the exterior) and all of it is feeding into the experiment and you've stumbled in at the last moment. To see such a classic staple of horror cinema come alive using modern tech in a way that is not only impressive but intense is very inspiring. ... I pray that they don't end up having to tone these effects down due to complaints.

Giss Neric2 hours ago

One of the blessing Universal has is that they don't have fans who will nitpick and criticize every nooks and crannies (though I feel like they are growing). They can get away with rides/AA breaking down and it doesn't get reported so they can just do stuff discreetly without people knowing. A simple light bulb not working in Disney will get reported on and criticized on socmed.

celluloid5 hours ago

Sun falls in Orlando about 8pm. Even if later. A warning for noise won't be necessary or come sooner*shrug*

lazyboy97o5 hours ago

This is why. Your opinion is something which exists in the present but you keep referring to its acclaim in the past tense as though the general consensus has shifted. Both of these statements are about others, not yourself.

JT30005 hours ago

I didn't misunderstand anything. You stated your opinion as fact. Not only that, you stated the opinions of others were in fact wrong. To any unbiased observer, this hardly implies knowing subjectiveness. And again, the ride had an objective reception when considered as a whole. While not all were in agreement, it still had an overwhelmingly positive reception overall. This part isn't up for debate, therefore it can't be "inherently subjective."

UNCgolf5 hours ago

No it didn't. You may have misunderstood it, but nothing about my comment implies that I was speaking about anything other than my personal opinion. Again, I should not have to add "in my opinion" to the end of a sentence about an inherently subjective topic. That's a waste of words and time.

UNCgolf5 hours ago

The fact that Monsters (and I think Ministry too) doesn't have long sections as a motion simulator should help a lot, although I'm still concerned about a potential overuse of screens instead of physical sets and effects. This is what made Forbidden Journey so disappointing for me -- it has sections with physical effects etc. that are truly great, and then it's back to the awful, boring motion simulator (plus it's way too rough/jerky, but that's a separate issue).

JT30005 hours ago

It's not actually. Instead, your statement implies that the ride missed the mark with most guests, which objectively isn't what happened.

UNCgolf5 hours ago

We're generally discussing topics that are inherently subjective. People shouldn't have to write "in my opinion" all the time; that's implied (or at least it should be).

JT30005 hours ago

You stated matter-of-factly that people were wrong about Forbidden Journey, with no indication or recognition that this is just your outlying opinion. We can all share our subjective opinions about Forbidden Journey until the cows come home, but it was objectively considered a top ride by the general park-going populace when it opened. Monsters getting in your face and trying to scare you is "weird?"