Epic Universe hype practice is implausible, from the rides to the exhibits to the eating places. If I had to decide on just one park to go to in Florida the remainder of 2025, it wouldn’t be Magic Kingdom or wherever else at Walt Disney World–it’d be Common’s third gate. On the identical time, there main downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park throughout its opening 12 months. (Up to date July 16, 2025.)
Though I’m absolutely aboard the Epic Universe hype practice, I additionally acknowledge that not everyone seems to be me. The common vacationer won’t have the identical time or tolerances to expertise a brand new theme park and all that entails. Furthermore, I’m considerably involved that the hype practice goes a tad too quick, and wishes the brakes pumped earlier than it dangers derailment.
To that finish, I wish to make the argument in opposition to visiting Epic Universe. Why it is best to skip it for now, and wait till 2026 to go to Common Orlando’s new theme park. With everybody else fixated on hype, I assumed it’d be pragmatic to mood expectations. With that stated, that is one half of a point-counterpoint article collection. See Right here’s Why We Extremely Advocate Doing 2 Days at Epic Universe.
This text outlines the case in opposition to Epic Universe–that a lot ought to be apparent from foregoing (and even only a fast look on the title). In the event you’re enthusiastic about Common Orlando’s new theme park, have already purchased your trip bundle or park tickets, or are in any other case averse to negativity, this submit might be not for you. This particulars the potential pitfalls in visiting Epic Universe throughout its opening season, that means that it’s a little bit of a downer by design.
When you might wish to skip this submit about skipping Epic Universe when you’ve got zero intentions of skipping Epic Universe, there is perhaps worth even for these of you absolutely aboard the hype practice. First, it’ll assist in managing expectations. Second, in making ready for these downsides to mitigate their impression to the best extent attainable.
On with the record of the explanation why possibly it is best to wait to go to Epic Universe till 2026 or past…
Warmth, Solar & Shade (or Lack Thereof)
Apparently, Epic Universe was designed for the oldsters who thought Toy Story Land was only a bit too chilly and didn’t provide sufficient alternatives to crispen their pores and skin or get soaked throughout a storm. We’ve been crucial of latest lands at Walt Disney World with regards to the shortage of canopy and the way scorching they get, questioning if the designers accountable had ever left the consolation of their 70-degree air-conditioned workplaces in California.
The workforce behind Epic Universe heard that and stated “maintain my beer,” cranked their workplace A/C to 62, and designed the most well liked and least shaded theme park I’ve ever skilled. There was a variety of bluster from Common about Celestial Park placing the “park” again in theme park. Apparently that doesn’t embody timber or shade constructions of any kind, however does embody essentially the most reflective pavement on earth. You possibly can really feel the warmth from each above and beneath, making it troublesome to spend time within the land throughout the day.
Celestial Park is beautiful, to make sure, however the entire reward for it’s essentially coming at evening. I seldom noticed greater than a handful of company in right here throughout the day other than these going from level A to B. It was at all times a veritable ghost city, and for good cause–it’s actually uncomfortable. None of that is exaggeration.
The opposite portals are higher, however solely marginally so. Ministry of Magic seems like a sauna, with the identical reflective properties and warmth emanating from the pavement and facades, till the solar is decrease within the sky and the buildings block it from view. It’s an identical story in Tremendous Nintendo World, Isle of Berk, and Darkish Daylight Universe.
If you’re going to go to Epic Universe this summer time, I’d strongly advocate an umbrella with UV safety, cool-dude bucket hat, and ridiculously sturdy sunscreen. Additionally, remember to deliver your individual water bottle–to Common’s immense credit score, there are refilling stations in every single place, together with in queues. (See our Summer season Survival Information to Walt Disney World for extra suggestions.)
There are a number of components that contribute to Epic Universe having a worse “seems like” atmosphere than different Central Florida theme parks, however the greatest is an absence of everlasting shade constructions and no mature timber. Epic Universe will likely be a beautiful park-like setting a decade from now, however within the speedy future, I’d think about it turns into umbrella central this summer time. And needless to say that is the suggestions from days that by no means broke 90 levels. However no less than Epic Universe is beautiful within the evenings–oh wait.
Excessive Costs & No Reductions
There have been a variety of complaints amongst Walt Disney World followers about worth will increase, and that dialog is usually accompanied by comparisons to Common Orlando. Many have urged they’ll vote with their wallets and go to Epic Universe as an alternative as a consequence of Walt Disney World pricing them out.
This doesn’t fairly add up. Epic Universe is extraordinarily costly its opening summer time, and Walt Disney World has unprecedented reductions that primarily provide 2019 pricing. For Epic Universe tickets, I paid $180 per day after tax, and that’s on the decrease finish of the value spectrum this summer time.
In fact, multi-day tickets can be found…however that requires visiting Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida, with solely a single day at Epic Universe and no park hopping. This strikes me as a poor allocation of restricted trip time, particularly in the event you’re doing different theme parks in Central Florida throughout your journey.
To every their very own, but when spending a number of days at Common Orlando this summer time, I’d wish to spend no less than two-thirds of that point at Epic Universe–two days there and a day break up between the present gates. This essentially means shopping for single day tickets.
Epic Universe is the shiny new theme park, so it’s comprehensible that Comcast would wish to recoup as a lot of its huge funding as attainable whereas pleasure is excessive. However the dearth of reductions strikes me as unsustainable and unlikely going ahead.
At minimal, the extremely restrictive ticketing insurance policies will likely be dropped in 2026, however I’d count on much more offers and cheaper costs. That is like 2022 another time, with Common Orlando capitalizing on a distinct type of pent-up demand.
Excessive Wait Occasions Regardless of Low Attendance
As defined in our Epic Universe Crowd Calendar, the brand new theme park is seeing astronomical wait instances for plenty of causes regardless of comparatively low attendance. Few ticket varieties are promoting out for the rest of July 2025 and past, which could possibly be a great factor with regards to crowd ranges and wait instances. Regardless of low attendance, Epic Universe already has astronomical wait instances.
Simply to place issues into perspective, the typical wait time for each week because the begin of June has been 60 minutes or increased. So far in July, the weekly averages have been 66 and 65 minutes. There have been a number of days this month and final when the typical was at or above 70 minutes.
This will likely not appear that unhealthy. In spite of everything, many rides at Walt Disney World have wait instances which can be over an hour. However needless to say that is a median throughout all rides and all through the day, and it doesn’t keep in mind downtime. Not solely that, however 4 rides have had averages over 100 minutes.
To place this into perspective, Walt Disney World’s two busiest days since 2019 have been 71 and 70 minute waits–each got here throughout the weeks of New 12 months’s (early 2020 and late 2023). Epic Universe has had 11 dates within the final 2 months that have been that busy or busier. Suffice to say, Epic Universe wait instances have been actually excessive, making it troublesome to perform all the pieces in a single day.
On the identical dates this summer time, Walt Disney World’s common wait time has been lower than half of Epic Universe. The identical goes for Common Orlando’s different parks, that are seeing averages of round 25 minutes. There’s regardless of a really actual risk that every one of those parks (besides Animal Kingdom) are seeing increased each day attendance than Epic Universe based mostly on leaked ticketing knowledge.
The truth is, the large story this June and July has been Why Are Summer season Crowds So Low at Walt Disney World? In the event you simply glided by wait instances, you’d assume it’s as a result of Epic Universe is taking on all of the oxygen within the room and drawing report crowds away from Walt Disney World and Common’s different two parks. However once more, it isn’t. Leaked ticket gross sales knowledge exhibits that Epic Universe is at the moment the lowest-attended park–this isn’t a narrative about sky-high demand, however low provide (or relatively, trip capability).
That is partly the character of the beast with a brand new theme park. And it’s not going to develop into constant anytime quickly. That’s a giant a part of why this entry is on this record. Wait instances and crowd ranges on par with the worst week of the 12 months at Walt Disney World are an apparent cause to skip Epic Universe.
The factor is–what if it’s solely going to worsen from right here?! It’s troublesome to ascertain Epic Universe breaking the 80 minute or 90 minute common wait time barrier. Operations ought to discover its footing, effectivity ought to enhance, climate ought to get higher. However the park is missing in capability and it’s heavy in headliners. What if it’s a failure of creativeness to not see this all one way or the other worsening?!
Comcast may resolve its quarterly numbers aren’t wanting so scorching–that the theme park phase is falling wanting analyst expectations–and begin promoting Annual Passes, Florida resident ticket offers, or multi-day tickets with out restrictions. There’s an enormous variety of locals who’re tapped out on single day tickets, sitting on the sidelines ready for APs or particular gives. Common may reassess methods, and roll out monetized earlier entry (a la Tremendous Nintendo World at USH) or late nights.
It’s all uncharted floor, and unpredictable. Attendance may enhance, and crowds may worsen. As unlikely as which may sound, that’s really what usually occurs with main new theme park additions. The summer time is the calm earlier than the storm, with the vacation season and winter being worse! That’s why this entry was initially “Unpredictable Attendance & Crowds.”
Within the right here and now, it really is feasible to beat the crowds at Epic Universe, unhealthy as they’re. In the event you’re eligible to benefit from Early Park Admission, that’s big. Even when not, common rope drop is a superb time to knock out one portal. Staying late to outlast the crowds on the finish of the evening is likewise one other glorious strategic possibility for low waits.
That is regular recommendation, however there’s an added wrinkle to this: Epic Universe Rides “Secretly” Open Early & After Park Closing. That is big, particularly because it’s unpublished. The tip result’s that it makes the primary two hours of the morning and final two of the night as or extra useful than the complete center of the day. This technique might stop to be viable as soon as phrase will get out or Epic Universe adjusts official working hours.
Once more, we’re in uncharted territory, so what appears unhealthy now would possibly develop into even worse. It’s attainable that August and September 2025 would be the candy spot, and ready till 2026 would possibly find yourself backfiring. There’s so much to think about!
Getting in Form
Epic Universe continues the development of Common’s stringent visitor containment insurance policies, that means aggressive restraints even on the slower transferring points of interest. This had the recipe for being one other Secret Lifetime of Pets: Off the Leash, a slow-moving darkish trip that many bigger company can’t expertise as a consequence of its restraints. Fortunately, that’s not the case.
All the pieces we’ve heard means that Common Orlando took visitor suggestions to coronary heart with Epic Universe, and the restraints are largely pleasant to Pooh-sized company. There are limits on this, however the identical is true with Walt Disney World–TRON Lightcycle Run and Avatar Flight of Passage would love a phrase.
I’m concerning the worst particular person to talk to this, so it’s all second-hand from buddies who reported being pleasantly shocked. There are many sources tailor-made to any such visitor, however the salient level is you most likely don’t have to worry embarrassment or accessibility points in the event you’re a bigger visitor. Common appears to have carried out a very good job threading the needle with regards to Epic Universe’s seats and restraints.
The larger difficulty, and the one I completely did discover, is the entire stairs. On my days in Epic Universe, I one way or the other managed to log an upwards of 20 flights per day. It looks like each single attraction has stairs each within the queue and at unload. In fact, points of interest are additionally accessible, so there are elevators, however ready round for these won’t be a perfect use of your time.
Personally, I don’t assume Epic Universe entails an extreme quantity of strolling on account of the portals. My common steps per day was decrease, and significantly so, than prior days at Walt Disney World. However the distinction is that I used to be actively making an attempt to keep away from spending time outdoor because of the warmth and lack of shade and I did far more rides per day than my norm. So I’m probably not positive that step rely was consultant of a median visitor’s day.
Level being, you would possibly wish to work on endurance and get in form a bit earlier than Epic Universe. The one-two punch of the warmth and the steps makes this a park that may be unduly tiring. It was for me regardless of fewer steps, and I’m decently in form.
Breakdowns & Downtime
As you’ve most likely witnessed in the event you’ve spent any period of time being a Walt Disney World fan, new points of interest have rising pains and are sometimes suffering from issues their first few months. This isn’t a uniquely Disney drawback. It’s the character of the beast as points of interest develop into extra complicated.
Epic Universe is a complete park of recent rides, a lot of that are modern and envelope-pushing. Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is much from the one problematic attraction. It’s really develop into one of many higher performers as of June and July, owing no less than partially to the truth that it’s indoors so it doesn’t endure from weather-related delays.
Just about each single one of many park’s marquee points of interest has ranges of downtime increased than what company would take into account affordable. These are unscheduled breakdowns, in order that they’re clearly unpredictable, however there’s not even consistency to which points of interest are impacted. It looks like simply as one problematic trip hits its stride and begins working easily, a brand new one begins having points.
For the primary few months that Epic Universe has been greeting company, there have been some actually tough days. We now have not skilled these, fortunately, however have talked to buddies who’ve (and have noticed from afar through the Common Orlando app).
A number of headliners taking place has a cascading impact, inflicting congestion in eating places with lengthy delays for cell orders, and spiking the wait instances of the rides which can be open. Understand that that is throughout days when attendance is closely capped. When rides come again on-line, the backlog of Specific Cross means sky-high standby wait instances.
Suffice to say, you’re not going to wish to be in Epic Universe the primary time there’s an operational meltdown with the park working at or nearer full capability. It’s going to be a nightmare. And it’ll be one exacerbated by the above issues concerning the lack of shade, in addition to ample crowd-absorbing counterprogramming.
Within the medium or long term, we don’t count on any of this to be a lot of a problem. Virtually each new attraction or land has preliminary rising pains, particularly the superior ones. Once more, Epic Universe is a complete park of these! We’re not making an attempt to be crucial or nitpick–that is extra of a sober “it’s what it’s” sort of commentary.
A 12 months from now, our expectation is that Epic Universe is working easily and with a excessive diploma of effectivity. Lots of the issues on this record, together with trip reliability, will resolve themselves over time. There’s one thing to be stated for experiencing a brand-new theme park, however there’s additionally a non-monetary value to doing so. Think about each earlier than taking the plunge.
Talking for ourselves, we’re inclined to attend to go to Epic Universe till Winter 2026. Our household had a visit deliberate for this summer time that we’ve postponed till late January for the explanations above and extra (additionally solely attending to spend at some point at Epic Universe plus our daughter’s age plus a household Competition of the Arts journey). Whereas I will likely be returning to Epic Universe many instances within the months to come back, that’s primarily “for analysis.” I’ll undoubtedly have loads of enjoyable, however our household trip will seemingly be delayed till subsequent 12 months for extra optimum circumstances.
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation on your go to to Central Florida? Make certain to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for all the pieces about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for all the pieces about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be attending Epic Universe this summer time for its opening season, or will you skip it till the brand new park settles right into a groove? Involved about unreliable rides, how scorching the park will get, or anything mentioned right here? Excited for Tremendous Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Darkish Universe/Basic Monsters, or the Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon lands and/or points of interest? Suppose Epic Universe will likely be a 3rd gate that’s a worthy addition to Common Orlando Resort…and probably on par with Disney’s greatest lands? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you’ve gotten within the feedback beneath!
