One frequent query we’re listening to from readers planning journeys to Common Orlando is whether or not they need to purchase for Specific Move at Epic Universe? This publish weighs the professionals & cons, why line-skipping can be advantageous, various splurges to Specific Move, and our personal inside ‘debate’ about whether or not to buy the dear add-on.
Whereas we’ve been getting this for some time, it’s been additional prompted by our current article discussing Why You Ought to Skip Epic Universe, or moderately, why you may need to wait to go to Epic Universe till this vacation season, winter or someday in 2026. That lays out a number of the explanation why some folks ought to postpone a go to, nevertheless it definitely isn’t suggesting everybody waits out the problems (removed from it).
Two of the largest causes recognized mainly revolve round unpredictability. This comes into play with crowds, which principally have been manageable and are anticipated to stay that means all through many of the summer time season as a consequence of a combination of low attendance caps and smooth demand. It additionally pertains to experience reliability and breakdowns, as a number of sights have had prolonged downtime every day at Epic Universe. These are interconnected points that additionally relate to Specific Move–this publish will recreation out why that’s the case and the way it may influence you.
Earlier than we get to all that, let’s begin with the fundamentals. Specific Move permits company to skip the common standby line for precedence entry to pick sights (many of the highest wait time sights). You merely go as much as the attraction, scan your cross, and use your Specific Move entitlement. Specific Move is a completely “dumb” (non-derogatory) line-skipping system, and by that I imply there’s nothing to order or trouble with in an app.
Specific Move entails zero display time or expertise from a guest-facing perspective. It’s largely stress-free, extra like Lightning Lane Premier Move than it’s Lightning Lane Multi-Move at Walt Disney World. Apart from that, Specific Move is functionally much like the line-skipping techniques at Disney. Which is to say that it’s not a real “entrance of the road” cross, however moderately, a diminished wait or precedence entry cross.
Wait occasions can range extensively with Specific Move, which can be doubly true for Epic Universe. Generally, you’ll stroll proper onto a experience. Different occasions, you possibly can wait 30+ minutes. That’s a degree we’ll underscore later–we’re getting forward of ourselves. The underside line, although, is that if you happen to’re aware of Walt Disney World’s line-skipping, this is kind of the identical–however with the next worth and fewer friction than the mainstream choices.
To that time, common Specific Move costs high out at $329.99 for Epic Universe, with the beginning worth being $139.99. In perusing the calendar, the present common is round $250 per particular person for summer time. Costs could be decrease or increased than that, with extra distant dates–together with most of September via December 2025, minus vacation weeks and college breaks, costing underneath $200. A minimum of, for now.
One factor price noting is that Common makes use of dynamic pricing for Specific Move, that means that the costs can go up or down as dictated by demand. From what I recollect, costs have gone up significantly since we added Specific Move to our tickets. Our dates are now not out there, so I’m not 100% certain of that, nevertheless it seems as if costs are a lot increased–by $100 per day, in some circumstances. Not an enormous shock for the opening summer time season given FOMO and pleasure, however price mentioning that purchasing earlier is probably going higher than ready–not less than till the hype dies down.
These costs are all for the single-use model of Specific Move. That’s the one line-skipping product out there for Epic Universe; Limitless Specific Move shouldn’t be at the moment being bought, and doubtless gained’t be for some time. No model of Specific Move for Epic Universe is included in lodge stays (extra on all of this in direction of the top).
Epic Universe options 5 themed lands: Darkish Universe (Traditional Common Monsters), How one can Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Tremendous Nintendo World, and Celestial Park.
The final two of these lands are open for Early Park Admission, which provides on-site company and others a head begin on beating the crowds. We extremely advocate consulting our Early Park Admission at Epic Universe Technique Information: Beating Crowds in Tremendous Nintendo World along with this publish, as a result of it doesn’t matter what you resolve to do about Specific Move, you’re nonetheless going to wish a method for Tremendous Nintendo World.
Epic Universe options 11 rides and two main reveals, plus all kinds of atmospheric leisure, play areas, and extra. Of these, listed here are the sights eligible for Specific Move at Epic Universe:
- Constellation Carousel
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Fyre Drill
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Le Cirque Arcanus
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
- The Untrainable Dragon
- Yoshi’s Journey
There are three rides in Epic Universe that don’t provide Specific Move. The primary two of those are Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity in Tremendous Nintendo World (therefore the necessity for Early Park Admission technique) and Dragon Racer’s Rally in How one can Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. (The technique we advocate for Dragon Racer’s Rally is skipping it.) These two exclusions are virtually definitely as a consequence of capability, as each have exceedingly low hourly throughput. Including Specific Move would exacerbate standby waits to an unsustainable diploma.
The ultimate exclusion is Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Our expectation is that it will have Specific Move sometime, however doesn’t at the moment as a result of the attraction has important reliability woes and prolonged downtime. When it does function, it does so at considerably diminished capability.
As such, it’s at the moment utilizing a digital queue and is difficult to entry. An important Epic Universe planning publish you’ll be able to learn is our VL information: How one can Be a part of the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry.
When you’re a Walt Disney World fan debating whether or not to buy Specific Move at Epic Universe, I’d advocate considering of the park like Disney’s Hollywood Studios–however with a pair extra rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This isn’t an ideal comparability, nevertheless it’s the closest approximation and one which places you in the best mindset to evaluating whether or not or to not purchase.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is probably the most disagreeable park at Walt Disney World throughout busy weeks because it has such a top-heavy experience roster and there’s an inadequate supporting lineup to assist take in crowds. (See Disney’s Hollywood Studios: WDW’s Finest Rides & Most Irritating Park from across the time Rise of the Resistance opened.) These points are exacerbated when a number of rides break down, ballooning wait occasions all over the place else.
It’s going to be the same story at Epic Universe, however amplified. Epic Universe has had some nice days and actually tough ones to this point. We’ve solely skilled the nice ones, fortunately, however have talked to mates who’ve been there for the unhealthy ones (and have noticed from afar by way of the Common Orlando app).
A number of headliners taking place has a cascading impact, inflicting congestion all over the place else, and spiking the wait occasions of the rides which can be open. And this has occurred throughout days when attendance is closely capped. When rides come again on-line, the backlog of Specific Move means sky-high standby wait occasions. There have been situations of most sights having <30 minute waits, however one which returned from prolonged downtime posted triple-digit waits for the rest of the day with the intention to prioritize the backlog of Specific Move company.
This identical factor occurs with Lightning Lanes at Walt Disney World, so that you’re in all probability aware of it. In any case, for this reason it’s inconceivable to say how lengthy the Specific Move waits can be at Epic Universe. When you’re doing a experience that has simply returned from 4 hours of downtime, it may very well be a forty five minute wait by way of Specific Move, even with a 99:1 pull ratio, just by advantage of that backlog. However the company in standby is likely to be ready 240 minutes!
Suffice to say, you’re not going to need 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. There can be horror tales of company solely getting a few rides achieved all day lengthy, and getting dumped from a number of queues as a consequence of breakdowns.
This brings us to the primary purpose to purchase Specific Move at Epic Universe: insurance coverage.
Specific Move is mainly a hedge in opposition to having a kind of days. It’s not a assure, nevertheless it’s as shut as you’re going to get to 1 for these 10 sights. The rationale it’s not a assure, on the danger of stating the apparent, is as a result of the experience nonetheless needs to be operational with the intention to redeem the Specific Move. And there have been some days when sights have damaged down in the previous couple of hours of the night and that was it–they had been achieved for the day. However that’s a problem that’s downstream of all this.
When you solely have someday to do Epic Universe, Specific Move is an effective insurance coverage coverage in opposition to a kind of operational meltdowns. With solely someday to spend within the park, Specific Move is a security web that buys you not simply shorter wait occasions–however peace of thoughts.
Like the perfect insurance policy, hopefully you gained’t want Specific Move.
That is to say that hopefully the day you go to can be one of many nice operational days. Trip breakdowns can be minimal and sights can be working effectively, to the purpose that the majority wait occasions–besides the rides that exclude Specific Move, mockingly–can be pretty low. You may even be inclined to have purchaser’s regret, considering you “wasted” cash on Specific Move. I point out this as a result of it’ll undoubtedly occur for some planners who splurge on the service.
Simply keep in mind that it was unknowable prematurely whether or not you’d have an operationally superior or terrible one. On steadiness, you’re significantly better off not having wanted that insurance coverage and feeling prefer it was a waste of cash.
There are a few options to Specific Move at Epic Universe.
The primary of those are pretty self-evident to diehard Walt Disney World planners. Reap the benefits of Early Park Admission (don’t be discouraged by heavier than anticipated crowds throughout this) adopted by rope drop and savvy technique. Keep late, wait out the group, and bounce into high-priority traces on the finish of the evening. You in all probability know the drill.
The opposite various is doing 2 days at Epic Universe versus a single day with Specific Move. The price is nearly definitely going to be decrease for purchasing a second 1-day ticket versus buying Specific Move. Heck, you may even come out forward shopping for 2 additional tickets versus someday of Specific Move!
That is likewise an insurance coverage coverage. As soon as once more, it doesn’t assure day, nevertheless it will increase your odds of 1. The possibilities of two days of operational meltdowns are quite a bit decrease than someday. And perhaps you’ll luck into two nice days!
Since Specific Move is dearer than a second day in Epic Universe, that is an age previous time vs. cash dilemma. Which is extra pricey or precious to you: your time or cash? Clearly, that’s circumstantial, so I can’t provide you with a definitive reply.
I do plan on making the ‘argument’ for doing 2 days at Epic Universe very quickly, as I feel there’s a persuasive case to be made past insurance coverage; what I’ll say now’s that Epic Universe undoubtedly shouldn’t be a 2-day park within the conventional sense of the time period. I’d additionally add that doubling your makes an attempt at EPA and VL is savvy.
I can share what we now have achieved and are doing, as we’ve been confronted with this dilemma twice already, making two completely different selections.
For my solo visits now and sooner or later, I’ve opted in opposition to buying Specific Move and as a substitute doing extra days. Past these being “analysis journeys” that profit extra days and being ‘compelled’ to make use of standby traces, I’d personally desire extra time in Epic Universe from an expertise enjoyment perspective. I can’t get sufficient of the park and can at all times select extra days versus effectivity. If I can’t expertise one thing, oh nicely, I’ll be again.
To this point, my strategy has been vindicated. I’ve had nothing however nice days in Epic Universe, and achieved considerably extra throughout a number of days than I might’ve throughout someday with Specific Move. Not simply by a slim margin, however by orders of magnitude. With the good thing about hindsight, it was the best name. Nevertheless it was a raffle.
For our first household journey, including on days was not potential as a consequence of Common’s trip bundle and ticketing insurance policies. So we added Specific Move. Actually, even when the bundle would’ve allowed us to do a number of days in Epic Universe, we in all probability wouldn’t have chosen that possibility. The park has little or no to supply our toddler, so effectivity is the secret.
Furthermore, I’m undecided when Sarah could have an opportunity to revisit Epic Universe, making the insurance coverage extra precious. Realistically, there’s an opportunity she gained’t be again till our daughter is of a extra applicable age, or we now have a winter go to with additional days to burn. (Even then, if it’s a alternative between Epic Universe or “extra Disney,” I’m about 95% assured Sarah will select the latter.)
Though a combination of Single Rider and Little one Swap would’ve sufficed, however taking every part into consideration, a single day ticket with line-skipping was the simple reply for us. There are simply too many operational wildcards with Epic Universe, and that’s powerful for fogeys with younger kids. (And by dad and mom, plural, I actually imply tough for dad if mother occurs to be the one caught in an extended line.)
I might hazard a guess that most individuals studying this are extra aligned with our circumstances as a household versus mine as a solo blogger doing analysis. Regardless, it comes all the way down to your danger tolerance and the place you come down within the time vs. cash steadiness.
It’s additionally price emphasizing that there’s one other low-cost possibility: most rides at Epic Universe provide Single Rider traces. And never solely that, however with the park skewing in direction of vacationers throughout its opening season(s) as a consequence of a scarcity of native Annual Passholders, these Single Rider traces is likely to be the final word intersection of time and price effectivity.
That’s hopefully sufficient to weigh and decide whether or not to buy Specific Move at Epic Universe. Nonetheless, I additionally wished to briefly contact on the resorts, as that is at all times a scorching subject relating to Common Orlando and Specific Move…
In terms of each the paid and lodge variations of Specific Move, there are a few issues to notice. First, Common Helios Grand Lodge doesn’t provide Limitless Specific Move. This implies company staying at Helios Grand solely have entry to Early Park Admission, not line skipping at any of the three theme parks.
Second, Epic Universe doesn’t provide Limitless Specific Move, interval. You can not buy it and it’s not out there by way of stays at any of the Premier Motels. Whereas we ultimately count on Epic Universe to promote Limitless Specific Move, that day in all probability gained’t come till 2026 or later.
We by no means count on Epic Universe to supply “free” Limitless Specific Move with lodge stays. I’ve seen some feedback from followers suggesting they’ll wait to do Epic Universe till that’s out there. During which case, they’ll by no means go to.
The rationale for each this and Helios Grand not providing Limitless Specific Move is contractual. The present Limitless Specific Move lodge perk is a part of a deal Common Orlando inked with Loews to entice them to be the hotelier on the resort advanced. That deal doesn’t prolong to future parks or resorts (e.g. Epic Universe and Helios Grand), and Loews now not has the leverage to extract such a dedication out of Common Orlando.
Outdoors of Helios Grand, Limitless Specific Move is out there on the Common Orlando’s top-tier Premier Motels.
Visitors who keep at Royal Pacific, Arduous Rock Lodge, and Portofino Bay all obtain Limitless Specific Move included with their keep at no extra cost (together with check-in and checkout days).
We hesitate to name Limitless Specific Move that comes with lodge stays “free” because it’s arguably priced into the nightly fee. Nonetheless, we’ve had some stays that actually value lower than Specific Move would’ve when paying out of pocket, so maybe free is apt!
As a normal matter, all three of those resorts are good and on par with Walt Disney World’s Deluxe Resorts. In case your price range permits for it, we’d advocate contemplating considered one of Common’s Premier Motels if you would like the Limitless Specific Move perk or location close to the legacy parks or a cool luxury-caliber themed resort. When you’d be staying at a pleasant lodge anyway, this trio is worthy of your consideration.
See our opinions for pictures, video, and complete ideas:
Nonetheless, if the query is whether or not it’s best to splurge on considered one of these resorts or paid Specific Move at Epic Universe, I’m selecting the latter, surely. There are a number of causes for this…
First, charges for these resorts have spiked significantly for the rest of this 12 months, to the purpose that they’re tough for me to justify.
Second, I believe that Islands of Journey and Common Studios are going to see decrease crowds as Epic Universe absorbs all of the oxygen within the room. These parks are extra of recognized portions, so all the above factors about insurance coverage are irrelevant. If crowds are decrease on the older gates this summer time, Specific Move merely gained’t be as precious at them.
Lastly, I’d moderately be nearer to Epic Universe, which implies staying on the brand new campus. That final level means staying at Common Helios Grand Lodge, or Stella Nova or Terra Luna Resort if you happen to’re on a tighter price range. I’ll have full opinions of all of those resorts (together with Park View at Helios and its Membership Degree) quickly–hopefully throughout the subsequent few weeks. For now, contemplate testing We’re Reside from Common Helios Grand Lodge, Epic Universe’s In-Park Resort (Images & Video).
When you’ve got a wholesome price range or need to splurge, I’d advocate a Park View Room at Helios Grand and staying Membership Degree (prioritize view if it’s one or the opposite). Word that the lounge has a metropolis view, so each Membership Degree and the Park View Room are preferrred. It’s dear, to make sure, however I discovered that charges in the course of the previews are inexpensive than later this 12 months. However Common Orlando makes use of dynamic lodge pricing, so YMMV.
If staying at Helios Grand Lodge, interval, can be a splurge, I don’t advocate doing it. As an alternative of doing the most affordable normal room, save that cash and simply keep at Stella Nova or Terra Luna Resort. Allocate your splurge funds to both additional days at Epic Universe or Specific Move. We will certainly be doing precisely that on some future stays.
In order for you skilled professionals to e-book considered one of these resorts for you or to assist decide which Common Orlando/Epic Universe trip packages will work finest for your loved ones, we advocate requesting a free quote from Be Our Visitor Holidays, a no-fee Common Most popular Journey Company.
Hopefully this has given you a lot to ponder with the intention to make not less than a semi-informed resolution about whether or not to purchase Specific Move at Epic Universe. For no matter it’s price, I’d count on many of the identical underlying reasoning right here to VIP Excursions. These can be found as a VIP public group or a VIP non-public tour and run for 4 hours for one park. Costs begin at $299 per particular person plus tax, which makes the VIP Excursions a non-starter for us. However if you would like excessive insurance coverage and mitigating danger additional relating to Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry and Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity, that’s your finest (and solely) guess.
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Ensure to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every part about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for every part about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be shopping for Specific Move at Epic Universe or sticking to standby? If confronted with the time vs. cash dilemma, would you select 2-3 days at Epic Universe by way of common traces or 1-day with Specific Move? Some other splurge you’d desire? Agree or disagree with my evaluation on the worth of Specific Move at Epic Universe as insurance coverage? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you will have within the feedback under!
