With the primary media occasion over and worker previews having been underway for over a month, Common Orlando is now shifting ahead with previews of Epic Universe and the early debut of Helios Grand Lodge, over one month earlier than the official opening of the brand new theme park over Memorial Day weekend. This covers dates & particulars for scoring tickets together with our commentary about attending comfortable openings.
Let’s begin with the previews. Common has opened the web digital queue for Common Orlando Annual Passholders to buy tickets for Common Epic Universe previews earlier than the brand new theme park’s grand opening date of Could 22, 2025.
The digital queue for tickets is at this hyperlink. Go go go!!!
Listed below are April 2025 ticket costs for the UOAP previews of Common Epic Universe:
- April 17, 2025: $144
- April 18, 2025: $144
- April 19, 2025: $144
- April 20, 2025: $144
- April 21, 2025: $140
- April 22, 2025: $140
- April 23, 2025: $140
- April 24, 2025: $140
- April 25, 2025: $136
- April 26, 2025: $136
- April 27, 2025: $131
- April 28, 2025: $123
- April 29, 2025: $123
- April 30, 2025: $123
Could 2025 Epic Universe preview ticket costs:
- Could 1, 2025: $123
- Could 2, 2025: $127
- Could 3, 2025: $131
- Could 4, 2025: $127
- Could 5, 2025: $123
- Could 6, 2025: $123
- Could 7, 2025: $123
- Could 8, 2025: $123
Additionally based on Common Orlando: “Preview Dates Now Out there Preview Ticket dates can be found beginning April 17. Throughout this Preview interval, we’re placing the ultimate touches in place and rehearsing, so some sights and experiences is probably not obtainable.”
Along with Annual and Seasonal Common Orlando Passholders, energetic 2025 Army Freedom Move Ticket Holders, Common Rewards Signature VISA Card members, and visitors staying at any Common Orlando lodge also can buy tickets to entry Epic Universe throughout its preview interval.
Notice that a few of these visitors will be unable to buy Epic Universe tickets upfront–see the under FAQ for information about shopping for park tickets, modifying trip packages, Early Entry at Epic Universe, and just about every little thing else!
UOAP preview dates for Common Epic Universe are from April 17 to Could 8, 2025. It’s attainable extra preview dates might be added after that, however availability will possible be much less constant. Media previews are anticipated within the lead-up to the official opening date, and Common Orlando may want time to arrange for these, amongst different issues.
Moreover, Common Helios Grand Lodge is now open for reservations beginning April 16, 2025!
If you’d like the professionals to e book Helios Grand Lodge for you or to assist decide which Epic Universe packages will work finest for your loved ones, we extremely suggest requesting a quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, a no-fee Common Most popular Journey Company.
It’s our understanding, though unpublished in writing anyplace, that Helios Grand Lodge visitors can have the chance to buy Common Epic Universe tickets on a restricted, first-come, first-served foundation throughout these previews.
UPDATE: Common Orlando has formally confirmed this and different particulars about Epic Universe previews on this FAQ:
Q: Will the whole theme park be obtainable throughout the Preview/Mushy Open interval?
A: The Preview interval is designed to permit visitors to expertise Common Epic Universe whereas we put the ending touches on the park in preparation for its official opening on Could 22. Whereas we plan to have as many experiences obtainable as attainable, please notice that sure components and sights is probably not working throughout your go to. You’ll be able to verify for updates throughout your go to on the Common Orlando Resort app.
Q: Is there a selected ticket I would like to go to throughout the Preview interval / Do I have to buy a ticket?
A: Sure, Preview tickets are required to go to Epic Universe. For this preliminary Preview interval, tickets can be found for choose audiences together with Common Orlando Passholders, Common lodge visitors, activated 2025 Army Freedom ticketholders, and Common Rewards Visa Signature cardmembers.
Q: I’m a Passholder, can I modify the date of my Epic Universe add-on ticket?
A: Passholders can change the date of their tickets through cellphone by calling (866) PASS-4-FUN or in-person on the entrance gate, Visitor Providers or Common Trip Planning Middle desks so long as they’ve everybody’s Move info obtainable at time of buy.
Q: I’m a 2025 Army Freedom Ticketholder, can I modify the date of my Epic Universe add-on ticket?
A: Activated 2025 Army Freedom Ticketholders can change the date of their tickets through cellphone by calling (866) 727-7438.
Q: What are the park hours throughout the Preview/Mushy Open interval?
A: Park hours fluctuate throughout the Preview interval and might be discovered at: https://www.universalorlando.com/net/en/us/plan-your-visit/hours-information/park-hours/epic-universe
Q: Is the park going to be open from Could 9 – Could 21?
A: Further particulars on the Preview interval from Could 9 – Could 21 might be obtainable quickly.
Q: Can I make a eating reservation at Atlantic or The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant?
A: Extra info on eating reservations at Epic Universe might be launched quickly.
Q: Will Passholder previews begin quickly? / When are Passholder previews?
A: Whereas there is not going to be an unique Passholder preview at Epic Universe, Passholders should purchase specifically priced 1-Day Common Epic Universe Preview Tickets to expertise the brand new park earlier than it formally opens Could 22, 2025. A particular allocation of Preview tickets might be held solely for Passholders every day.
Q: Will Passholders get any particular perks at Epic Universe?
A: Passholders have the chance to expertise Epic Universe earlier than the park formally opens with the acquisition of a specifically priced 1-Day Common Epic Universe Preview Ticket. Keep tuned for extra particulars about Passholder perks at Epic Universe.
Q: Will Common Categorical merchandise be obtainable for buy throughout the Preview/Mushy Open interval?
A: Categorical Passes for Common Epic Universe throughout the Preview interval might be obtainable for buy on the Concierge/Visitor Providers kiosks contained in the park. Common Categorical Move doesn’t assure admission and separate theme park admission is required.
Q: Can I modify my trip bundle to incorporate a Common Epic Universe-inclusive ticket and a keep at Common Helios Grand Lodge?
A: Sure, you’ll be able to improve your beforehand bought trip bundle to incorporate a Common Epic Universe-inclusive ticket and lodging at Common Helios Grand Lodge for arrivals starting April 16, 2025. Please name (877) 801-9720 for help.
Q: Can I modify the dates of my lodge reservation?
A: Sure, in case you booked via Common Orlando Resort, you’ll be able to replace your lodge reservation by calling 888-273-1311. For those who booked via a journey advisor or a third-party web site, please get in contact together with your reserving supply for modifications.
Q: I’m staying at Common Helios Grand Lodge, can I buy a Preview ticket?
A: Sure, visitors staying in any respect Common Orlando inns will be capable to buy a Preview ticket to Common Epic Universe on the Common Trip Planning Middle within the lodge foyer, topic to availability.
Q: I’m staying at a Common Orlando Lodge, can I buy a Preview ticket?
A: Sure, visitors staying in any respect Common Orlando inns will be capable to buy a Preview ticket to Common Epic Universe on the Common Trip Planning Middle within the lodge foyer, topic to availability.
Q: Will Common Categorical merchandise be obtainable for buy throughout the Preview/Mushy Open interval?
A: Categorical Passes for Common Epic Universe throughout the Preview interval might be obtainable for buy on the Concierge/Visitor Providers kiosks contained in the park and on the Trip Planning Middle at Common inns. Common Categorical Move doesn’t assure admission and separate theme park admission is required. Common Categorical Limitless Passes should not obtainable for buy or use at Epic Universe.
Q: I’m staying at Common Helios Grand Lodge on opening day (April 16), what time does the lodge open?
A: Common Helios Grand Lodge will start welcoming visitors to verify in on April 16 at 12PM.
Q: Can I entry Epic Universe as a Helios Visitor on the opening day (April 16) of the lodge?
A: Epic Universe might be in a technical rehearsal via April 16. Company staying at Common Helios Grand Lodge will be capable to enter Common Epic Universe through the devoted lodge entrance starting at 10AM on April 17 with legitimate theme park admission.
Q: I’m a Common Helios Grand Lodge Visitor, how can I enter Epic Universe via the entrance gate of the theme park?
A: Company staying at Common Helios Grand Lodge will be capable to enter Common Epic Universe through the devoted lodge entrance that may be accessed via the lodge’s foyer. Common Helios Grand Lodge visitors who want to enter Epic Universe via the entrance of the park can accomplish that by touring through automobile to the park’s most important entrance. Please notice that parking charges could apply.
Q: Will direct transportation to Common Epic Universe be obtainable from all Common Orlando inns?
A: Sure, visitors staying at any Common Orlando lodge can take pleasure in complimentary shuttle transportation to Common Epic Universe starting April 17 so long as they’ve legitimate theme park admission. Company staying at Common Helios Grand Lodge can entry Common Epic Universe through a devoted entrance positioned adjoining to the foyer (legitimate theme park admission required).
Q: If I’m a visitor in a Common Helios Grand Lodge on April 16, what can I try this day?
A: Company can expertise all that Common Orlando has to supply at Common CityWalk, Common Islands of Journey, Common Studios Florida, in addition to the wonderful facilities and eating shops at Common Helios Grand Lodge. A number of thrilling celebratory actions might be held all through the day, together with the chance to satisfy Common characters.
Q: I’m a visitor at a Common Orlando Lodge – what unique theme park advantages do I obtain at Epic Universe?
A: Company staying at any Common Orlando lodge can benefit from a wide range of unique advantages together with complimentary shuttle bus transportation to the theme parks and Common CityWalk, resort-wide charging privileges, complimentary merchandise supply and extra. Moreover, Common Lodge visitors will be capable to enter Epic Universe as much as one-hour previous to common visitors from April 17 via Could 8 with legitimate theme park admission.
Q: Is Early Park Admission at Epic Universe obtainable throughout the Preview interval?
A: Whereas Early Park Admission at Common Epic Universe doesn’t start till Could 23, 2025, Common Lodge visitors can enter the park as much as one-hour previous to common visitors from April 17 via Could 8 with legitimate theme park admission.
Q: I’m staying at a non-Common lodge. Will direct transportation to Epic Universe from my lodge be supplied?
A: In the course of the Preview interval, buses from non-Common inns will drop visitors off at Common CityWalk. Company will then need to board a separate bus for transportation to Epic Universe from CityWalk. verse from CityWalk.
Right here’s a have a look at preview availability and pricing for Helios Grand Lodge:
Turning to commentary, this method to previews is sensible. It permits Common Orlando to stress-test every of the lands and Epic Universe as a complete earlier than the grand opening, whereas persevering with check & alter throughout the in a single day hours. Park operations can decide what tweaks should be made, and get issues working easily–or a minimum of as easily as attainable for a brand-new theme park with complicated sights–earlier than greeting hardcore vacationers and theme park followers who’ve booked beginning on Could 22, 2025.
As famous above, Common Orlando has been doing trial operations with Workforce Members for over a month at this level, and people previews have been prolonged on a number of events. The official celebration line for the extensions was to provide staff extra possibilities to expertise the brand new park. The unofficial purpose, I assume, was that Epic Universe wasn’t able to greet visitors in a paying capability, even with the conventional caveats about comfortable openings and previews.
The entire level of previews is to start out small so it’s not a trial by fireplace scenario for workers and provides them an opportunity to seek out their footing and be taught on the job. As we’ve identified beforehand, Common Orlando would wish to scale up sooner or later to simulate a extra regular visitor load, as Workforce Members plus their family and friends wouldn’t be sufficient to maintain these previews indefinitely. Initially, we anticipated this to happen round early April. As a substitute, it’s taking place mid-month.
One phrase of warning is that choose sights or whole lands may very well be unavailable throughout Epic Universe previews. The complete lands a part of that’s extremely unlikely, because it hasn’t been the case throughout worker previews to this point. However we however need to increase the likelihood, nevertheless distant, to underscore the character of those previews.
Extra possible is that sure rides will go down. The truth is, we’d anticipate in depth downtime to be the norm as a few of these sights are extremely complicated and envelope-pushing. For those who’re solely going to pay to attend one preview and need to expertise as a lot as attainable, your finest wager goes later in Could.
Epic Universe as a complete is clearly not a race in opposition to the clock, however a couple of of its complicated sights have already been proving troublesome. That’s par for the course with new rides at each Walt Disney World and Common.
One particular purple flag up to now throughout previews of Epic Universe has been Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. It’s our understanding that this has but to open throughout worker previews, and solely excursions of the queue have been obtainable. Some media did have an opportunity to expertise the attraction, however there have been reportedly additionally points then.
From what we’ve heard via the grapevine, Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is operational…however not at full capability. Fairly than making an attempt to function it throughout worker previews, Common has opted to proceed making changes to get the experience nearer to working at full tilt.
Truthfully, what was described to me makes Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry sound very very similar to the opening months of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance when it comes to its downtime and reliability. I equally wouldn’t be in the least shocked if this isn’t resolved till a lot later within the yr.
I additionally wouldn’t be shocked if Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry just isn’t open throughout public previews. Or whether it is open, however makes use of a digital queue to handle capability and pulse visitors via the queue, reasonably than having paying visitors endure prolonged downtime. I additionally wouldn’t be shocked if this method extends to the official opening and past.
Though not practically as problematic, we’ve additionally heard of points with Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Both that it breaks down or has non-working results, which then ends in downtime. Mates who’ve attended Workforce Member previews have additionally reported a wide range of different sights breaking down on a much less constant and predictable foundation.
To be abundantly clear, none of that is criticism of Common. Heck, we’re way more important of Walt Disney World opening Tiana’s Bayou Journey–a reimagined experience–in non-working situation. This can be a brand-new theme park with envelope pushing sights. Reliability woes and downtime are merely the character of the beast.
We’re bringing this to your consideration so you’ll be able to plan accordingly. It’s in all probability a sensible concept to price range a number of days to Epic Universe if you wish to expertise every little thing (minus possibly Battle on the Ministry) throughout previews. For those who don’t need to endure breakdowns, maybe previews should not for you. Stepping into August or September is perhaps the higher choice!
Then again, it’s at all times attainable that problematic or pesky results which might be triggering downtime merely get disabled by then. So if you wish to expertise high-tech rides of their “purest” type…going as quickly as attainable is perhaps the higher method. (Once more, have a look at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and even Indiana Jones Journey, for that matter.)
In the end, there aren’t any ensures with regards to previews and comfortable openings. We simply need you to pay attention to that, so that you don’t bounce to e book one thing that you just may remorse later. Whereas we’ve centered at size on the potential downsides, there are additionally upsides! One is that you just’re first experiencing Epic Universe with different highly-motivated visitors and hardcore followers, that means the vitality is more likely to be higher than some random day in August or September.
Belief me, as somebody who has performed a number of previews and opening days of rides, lands, and theme parks–that is one thing price doing as soon as! And also you’ll in all probability by no means get one other alternative to preview one other main new theme park in america. So even in case you’re a hardcore Disney fan, you may need to contemplate visiting Epic Universe throughout the preview.
One other upside is that previews are nonetheless more likely to be seen as trial operations, that means that Common Orlando will proceed capping attendance nicely under precise park capability via the rest of April and into Could 2025. Our expectation is that the cap will progressively enhance as park operations finds its footing, so anticipate crowds to steadily enhance over the course of previews. Nevertheless, that ought to go hand-in-hand with effectivity and reliability. The underside line is that this must be an ideal alternative to expertise Epic Universe earlier than most of the people!
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation on your go to to Central Florida? Be sure that to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every little thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for every little thing about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be attending Epic Universe previews? Excited for Tremendous Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Darkish Universe/Basic Monsters, or the The best way to Prepare Your Dragon lands and/or sights? Suppose Epic Universe might be a 3rd gate that’s a worthy addition to Common Orlando Resort…and probably on par with Disney’s finest lands? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share some other ideas or questions you have got within the feedback under!
