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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BrianLo1 day ago

I didn't know they were making a live action How to train your Dragon. Certainly fortuitous timing.

UNCgolf1 day ago

Yeah, that's why I added the "if maintained and functioning properly" disclaimer.

JoeCamel1 day ago

And Spidey just got another TEA award at IAAPA, amazing for an "old" ride

drkarcher221 day ago

River Adventure can get moved back up when they finally get around to fixing all the Dino’s and scenes that just don’t work anymore

SplashJacket1 day ago

Yeah, the FJ screen domes have aged really poorly. Also think part of the issue is screens often direct your focus towards some time of specific action or event whereas non-screen scenes have a less focused attention, leading to more diversity of experience and thus increased re-ride ability, because the moments perceived are different each time. Thankfully, I think Universal realizes this, and thus the premiere dark rides here are done right.

UNCgolf1 day ago

I personally think screen heavy attractions suffer from this in general. It's happened to Flight of Passage for me too -- I still like FoP, but I honestly find NRJ more enjoyable now. I'm sure it varies from person to person, but there's something about being in a physical environment that feels different/less replicable than watching something happen on a screen. Attractions like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Spaceship Earth haven't lost any of their appeal to me compared to ones like FoP and Spiderman. FJ and Spiderman are both obviously more than just screens (unlike FoP) but they're still a major part of the experience.

SplashJacket1 day ago

Spider-Man and FJ were both super high on my list when I first experienced them but now they’re no where near the top. It is interesting that both have fallen so much in comparison to other attractions like Indy or RSR. Perhaps because both focused more on technology? I don’t think the Epic premiere attractions will suffer the same fate, but we’ll see

UNCgolf1 day ago

Forbidden Journey wasn't even the best ride at Islands of Adventure when it opened -- both Spiderman (which I'm also nowhere near as high on as other people) and Jurassic Park River Adventure were (and are) better, at least when maintained and functioning properly. FJ has more impressive technology for sure, but it doesn't really use it very well.

sonoma151 day ago

It's still my third favorite dark ride of all time, right behind Spiderman and Tower of Terror!

TalkToEthan1 day ago

Could you elaborate on that below as I’m not understanding what you mean—— I must be missing an obvious point you’re making. Thanks thanks

SplashJacket2 days ago

Look at what opened 15 years after Indy opened and then look at what opened 15 years after FJ opened. Not exactly a similar slate

DarkMetroid5672 days ago

Oh yeah, it’s still very good, especially the physical set dark ride portions. But the “#1 best ride ever” talk didn’t last long.

ToTBellHop2 days ago

He does look at that dragon the same way Nala looks at Simba during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

drkarcher222 days ago

“and the Time Room – which is overflowing with a variety of Time-Turners and unique timekeeping devices.” This would imply that we would be going into the department of mysteries, the room where the time turners are kept is in the department. They get destroyed in the final battle in Order of the Phoenix. Presumably because the author was tired of people pointing out how pretty much every single plot in the series could be solved with them. Oh, Fudge doesn’t believe Voldemort is back, well just have him send an Auror back to Little Hangleton at the time Harry says Voldemort returned to check the validity of his claims. Even if they can’t interfere in what happened they’d still have clear proof that he returned and knowledge of his plans and the names of the Death Eaters in his inner circle, but that’s enough overthinking a book. The ride looks incredible, I love that we’re getting in queue animatronics in multiple rides with Ministry, DK and Monsters. (Along with potentially more depending on how they do the fortune teller for Curse of the Wolf, although I’d assume that will be done with a screen like Bill in the Gringotts line)