Epic Universe just isn’t a 2-day park for the typical vacationer. Regardless of claims on the contrary by diehard Common Orlando followers, that is completely unfaithful for the overwhelming majority of friends. I wish to be abundantly clear about this, as a result of the title may sound like pure reward, with us saying that is the primary multi-day park in Central Florida since Magic Kingdom. It’s not.
That is extra about there being legitimate the reason why theme park followers and repeat guests to Walt Disney World and Common Orlando may wish to allocate extra time to Epic Universe throughout its opening yr. A few of that’s self-evident: it’s new! In fact locals and Annual Passholders would wish to spend disproportionate time on the new park, versus those they’ve completed dozens to a whole bunch of instances.
A part of that’s extra strategic, although. That sure experiences and choices may require a number of days at Epic Universe, that it behooves you to construct in a buffer so that you don’t stroll away saying, “I want I had extra time to do X or Y,” or “I can’t imagine that, even after a number of days within the park, there’s nonetheless a lot I missed!” These are my sentiments precisely proper now, so it’s not precisely hypothetical!
Talking of which, I’m torn on the subject of Epic Universe. I like Common Orlando’s new park, and can’t wait to return this summer time and past. However there main downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park throughout its opening season(s), as specified by Why You Ought to Skip Epic Universe (Subtitle: “or How you can Be taught to Cease FOMO and Wait to Go to Till Winter 2026 & Past”).
To be completely trustworthy/blunt with you, that ‘skip’ article is growing old rather well only one week later. Though it was met with backlash by a vocal minority of Common stans, I really feel forward of my time and totally vindicated in publishing it. I nonetheless do see upside in visiting early and am desirous to return myself, however with every passing day, I imagine that ready till later is the “right” recommendation for many vacationers.
Nonetheless, I’m publishing this within the curiosity of steadiness…and since I stated I might. Additionally, as a result of by advantage of studying a distinct segment website about theme parks, you have already got put your self within the minority on the subject of issues like this. So it’s totally attainable that the recommendation right here nonetheless applies to a majority of Disney Vacationer Weblog readers, even when nearly all of all vacationers needs to be avoiding Epic Universe till 2026!
I don’t have any first-hand experiences at Epic Universe in Might 2025, simply to be clear. It’s purely from watching on the sidelines as stories on social media pour in. I get pleasure from lurking the Common Orlando reddit, which is a incredible group, to maintain me within the loop. It has been fascinating (and disheartening) watching the real-time shift there within the final two weeks. It has steadily gone from unadulterated hype and pleasure to combined/measured enthusiasm to defensiveness vs. cheap expectations to nearly pure pessimism. A wild journey rivaling the wonderful Stardust Racers.
Level being, as excited as I’m to revisit Epic Universe ASAP (and I’m very excited), I additionally acknowledge that not everyone seems to be me. I already did each journey a number of instances in a low-stress, low-stakes setting. If I’m going again and do nothing however Monsters Unchained, a few coasters, and a ton of consuming & exploring, I’ll take into account my subsequent days to be successes. The common vacationer won’t have the identical time or tolerances to expertise Epic Universe, operational warts and all, within the coming months.
To that time, I’m married to a mean vacationer (nothing about Sarah is common–however you get the thought), so none of that is theoretical! Our household had an Epic Universe journey deliberate for this summer time that we’re suspending for the explanations coated in that ‘Skipping Epic Universe’ article. Whereas I’ll return to Epic Universe many instances within the months to return, that’ll be on my own and primarily “for analysis.” I’ll undoubtedly have loads of enjoyable, however our household trip will possible be delayed till early 2026 for extra optimum circumstances.
Anyway, right here’s how I plan to benefit from my future visits to Epic Universe in 2025, and why I like to recommend the identical in the event you’re planning on tackling the brand new park within the coming months…
Greatest Meals Park in Orlando
I can’t say definitively that Epic Universe is at the moment the #1 meals park in Orlando. Even after spending a number of days there, I’ve nonetheless solely scratched the floor of what its culinary scene has to supply. However what I did strive was largely distinctive, a incredible combination of enjoyable, photogenic, scrumptious, and bold.
Based mostly on that have, it’s simply the #1 meals park in Common Orlando. That’s not a excessive bar, although. The opposite parks could be a bit, ahem, restricted when you get outdoors the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands, with extra crowd-pleasing delicacies of various levels of edibility.
Epic Universe is a large departure from this, with each creative & intriguing choices and theme park staples completed at a very excessive stage. Take Pizza Moon, for instance. It’s a counter service pizza parlor (therefore the title), so that you may understandably have restrained expectations. It’s in some way incredible, being nearer in high quality to By way of Napoli than Pizzafari. (Imagine the hype concerning the ube-crusted Pizza Lunare.)
My concern is that this received’t final. It is extremely usually the case that new eating places at theme parks open with menus that swing for the fences, solely to be dumbed-down over the months and years that observe to comport with the expectations of common friends, and within the title of operational effectivity and throughput.
I might see each being points at Epic Universe. We waited over 45 minutes for a part of our order in the future at Café L’air De La Sirène (in equity, it was incredible). We additionally overheard one other visitor ask “why is the crust purple?” concerning the aforementioned Pizza Lunare (they appeared to ship it again, however that wasn’t 100% clear).
Visiting earlier offers you a better alternative to benefit from the Epic Universe menus of their full glory. Going for 2 days offers you extra time to strive all the formidable and enjoyable meals. After which, you’ll have craveworthy dishes to mourn many years from now: “Keep in mind when Epic Universe had that distinctive and glorious ___? Carry it again, Common!”
See Portals at Evening
Like each theme park ever, Epic Universe is best at evening. That is very true of these in Central Florida throughout the summer time, simply by advantage of consolation from cooler climate and sunshine being changed by synthetic lighting packages. It’s my dream for Magic Kingdom to return to midnight closings throughout June and July.
Epic Universe is actually fairly at evening. The cartoonish colours of Tremendous Nintendo World pop underneath a deep blue nightfall sky because the lights oversaturate the environments. How you can Practice Your Dragon – Isle of Berk sees its setting turn out to be a moody and atmospheric panorama, with wealthy lighting that amplifies the rockwork and craggy cliffs. Then there’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic with its romanticized tackle Paris–let’s simply say it does justice to the “Metropolis of Lights” moniker.
Nevertheless, the 2 unequivocal highlights of nighttime at Epic Universe are Celestial Park and Darkish Universe. The previous is the park’s central hub, and it’s downright disagreeable throughout the day as a result of a dearth of shade and heat-reflective pavement. At evening, Celestial Park is beautiful, with fountains and lighting results that make you wish to linger and take in its distinctive ambiance and nuanced unique design.
Then there’s just about the whole thing of Darkish Universe, which ‘works’ a lot better at evening. (It’s not known as Daylight Universe for a purpose.) You’ll completely wish to see Burning Blade Tavern dwell as much as its title, wander outdoors the Frankenstein property, and spend a while getting misplaced within the alleys of Darkmoor.
Because of park hours, all of this isn’t attainable in a single evening. Possibly on dates when the park now closes at 10pm (kudos to Common for doing the best factor and lengthening some closings), however even then, it’ll be actually, actually rushed. You received’t be lingering or taking any time to soak up the ambiance. The optimum strategy is really two portals per evening, plus a sluggish stroll by means of Celestial Park in your manner out. Even that’s going to be a bit extra rushed than you may like.
Gradual Down & Drink the Particulars
Each time a brand new theme park land opens, it has turn out to be the cliche to say, “that is truly a full day land.” This occurred with Pandora, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Tremendous Nintendo World, and each Wizarding Worlds. And little doubt, I’ve spent full days in all of those lands–a number of, even–once they had been model new.
However I’m a dork who spends manner an excessive amount of time in theme parks who loves a shiny new object. It’s one thing to understand and obsess over, and there’s pleasure in discovering all the particulars and secrets and techniques these new lands maintain. That is the case for a lot of different locals and Annual Passholders, who’ve a willingness to spend inordinate quantities of time in new areas as a result of all the pieces else is “previous information” to them. For a primary timer or rare customer, the circumstances are clearly completely different.
Nonetheless, with none background information or intense fandom for any of those properties (save for Nintendo, however I’ve already skilled two different variations of that land), I discovered myself wanting extra time inside every portal. I saved stumbling upon new and attention-grabbing issues whereas there, and I do know my visits solely scratched the floor.
Epic Universe is sort of a complete park of Wizarding Worlds by way of design particulars, and in contrast to something Common has completed earlier than. In time period of depth and a spotlight to element, it jogs my memory of Animal Kingdom. However frankly, with areas which might be extra attention-grabbing and fascinating to me, personally. It’s very troublesome to each deal with using the rides and savoring the areas. You actually need two days for that, even when it’s not a 2-day park within the conventional sense of the time period.
Wet Days, Downtime & Delays
Epic Universe has now had its first one-two punch of technical difficulties plus inclement climate inflicting journey closures. I’d say that is solely going to worsen throughout the peak of summer time storm season, however there have already been instances when just one (1) journey in all the park was working. It’s onerous to think about something worse than that…hopefully!
Storm season goes to be tough, simply by advantage of the variety of points of interest with outside parts at Epic Universe. That will probably be exacerbated within the first yr by the all-new points of interest have rising pains which might be usually tormented by issues their first few months. Even with out rain, issues have been rocky lately–it’s usually the case that solely one-third of rides are operational at any given second. Plenty of ‘delays’ or flat-out ‘closed’ points of interest. That is the character of the beast as points of interest turn out to be extra complicated.
The underside line is that you just’ll wish to give your self two days in the event you’re visiting Epic Universe in its first ~6 months as a buffer. Versus tilting at windmills and ‘forcing’ issues when the stuff hits the fan, glide! Absorb these particulars, discover the park, and provides your self “permission” to have an excellent time throughout a nasty day. That is very troublesome with only a single day and no margin for error to get all the pieces completed, however simpler with two. As somebody who has made ‘lemonade out of lemons’ throughout many operational meltdowns at different theme parks, belief me–that is the best way.
Enhance Odds for Harry Potter
One factor I can’t stress to Disney followers is: DO NOT assume your expertise and success charge will switch to the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Common’s Digital Line system is manner worse than even Walt Disney World’s first era of Digital Queue. It’s additionally much less predictable and “talent” doesn’t matter as a lot. It feels unfair and arbitrary.
With every passing day, I hear extra horror tales. Success charges have plummeted, and increasingly more folks have reported going 0 for 3 and even 0 for six throughout a number of days. On some actually tough days, the journey hasn’t been opening till the afternoon, and the sooner VL drops don’t truly even occur.
That is nothing new. The attraction was not open for the majority of worker previews, as crews labored to enhance its uptime and operational capability. As soon as paid previews started, there was seemingly recognition from administration that the attraction needed to be out there at the least a few of the time, therefore the digital queue.
Now, because the park races in the direction of grand opening in lower than two weeks with unreliability and downtime woes persisting, Common Orlando has introduced that Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry will probably be closed from Might 10 by means of Might 16, 2025. The journey is at the moment scheduled to reopen on Might 17 for the ultimate few days of previews earlier than the Might 22, 2025 grand opening of Epic Universe. Even that’s topic to vary.
What we heard some time in the past is that there are main points with Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry and it’s anticipated to be months earlier than it’s firing on all cylinders (the timeframe I heard was Fall 2025, however that may very well be outdated at this level). Which means that it’ll get worse earlier than it will get higher. If the journey doesn’t enhance reliability and uptime at the same time as capability will increase as soon as official opening arrives, that would imply solely 10-15% of friends experiencing Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry on a daily day.
Accordingly, giving your self as many possibilities as attainable on the Digital Line is a practical strategy. With present success charges, it’d take 2 days of tries, and even then, breakdowns or unhealthy luck might stymie your success. (Actually, we’d advocate going into Epic Universe mentally ready for not using–have that be the baseline so that you don’t set your self up for disappointment.)
When it’s working, Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is certainly the target #1 attraction within the park, and finest journey Common Artistic has ever constructed. An important planning submit you’ll be able to learn is our VL information: How you can Be a part of the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry.
N/A. Earlier is Optimum
Usually, we advise diehard followers to go earlier versus ready on the subject of formidable and envelope-pushing points of interest as a result of probability of pesky and problematic results being disabled later for the sake of operational effectivity. Essentially the most notorious instance of that is Indiana Jones Journey at Disneyland, with many long-lost results which might be the stuff of legends. Extra lately, this has additionally been true with Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and extra.
My concern was that this is able to even be the case with Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem to be that’s the case. I’ve but to have an ideal ride-through on Monsters Unchained, and others have reported Battle on the Ministry usually working with damaged results. On this case, it seems these rides will get higher over time, as additional check and modify hones their timing and will get the Audio Animatronics firing on all cylinders.
I’d additionally prolong this to the park as an entire. Throughout my visits, there have been nonetheless closed-off paths in Celestial Park and different areas that wanted their ending touches. Possibly this will probably be completed by opening day, however possibly not. Regardless, my perspective is that the park goes to develop into its personal over time, and it might take a number of wet seasons to get it actually trying good.
I’m effectively conscious that this ‘constructive’ article about spending extra time at Epic Universe is pretty backhanded. A lot of that is ‘lemonade out of lemons’ stuff. However in the event you booked a gap season journey months in the past, that’s the angle from which I’d now advocate approaching this new park. Go in with a restrained and cheap stage of hype, hoping for the perfect however ready for the worst.
On the danger of belaboring the purpose, we don’t anticipate any of this to be a lot of a problem within the medium or long-term. I’m cognizant of the fact that some current posts have seemingly positioned me as an Epic Universe Hater, however I swear, I actually am not. I like the brand new park! Nearly each new attraction or land has preliminary rising pains, particularly the superior ones. Epic Universe is a complete park of these!
I’m not making an attempt to be important or nitpick–that is extra of a sober “it’s what it’s” kind of commentary within the face of what has felt like a runaway hype practice. A yr from now, Epic Universe needs to be working easily and with a excessive diploma of effectivity. It’ll hopefully have blossomed into its personal. There’s one thing to be stated for experiencing a brand-new theme park, however there’s additionally a non-monetary price to doing so. Take into account each earlier than taking the plunge.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation in your go to to Central Florida? Ensure 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? When you do go to, are you planning on spending a number of days at Epic Universe to understand the brand new park in its full glory–or give your self extra of a security internet to expertise extra of the park and endure downtime and delays? Involved about unreliable rides, how scorching the park will get, or anything? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you’ve gotten within the feedback beneath!
