Epic Universe is the most recent theme park to open in Orlando — the Theme Park Capital of the World — and the third park to open at Common Orlando Resort (the opposite two being Common Studios Florida and Common Islands of Journey). Common can be dwelling to Volcano Bay water park; the CityWalk eating, buying and leisure district; and 11 themed inns.
Associated: Stunning issues you are able to do at Common Orlando with no park ticket
Like Common’s different parks, Epic Universe has lands and sights themed to standard leisure franchises. Except for that, Epic Universe takes every little thing you suppose you understand a few theme park and turns it on its head.
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Common Epic Universe. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Epic Universe has 5 immersive worlds, together with The right way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Tremendous Nintendo World, Darkish Universe and Celestial Park. You may learn our full information to the 5 worlds of Epic Universe for a better take a look at the lands and sights in every world, however after spending three days within the park, I’ve amassed a listing of ideas and tips that can aid you profit from your go to.
Listed here are 11 tricks to maximize your journey to Epic Universe to avoid wasting time in line, have extra enjoyable and guarantee your Common trip is nothing in need of epic.
Arrive early and keep late
In case you are staying in any of Common Orlando’s on-site inns, you should use early park admission advantages to enter Epic Universe as much as one hour previous to the posted opening time. Solely choose sights are open throughout this time, however you possibly can ask a staff member or search for signage on the park entrance on the day of your go to to seek out out which lands and sights are open for early park admission throughout your go to.
Thus far, Mine-Cart Insanity, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem and Yoshi’s Journey in Tremendous Nintendo World, and Stardust Racers in Celestial Park have persistently been on the early opening listing.
Of those, the await Mine-Cart Insanity is often longer all through the day than the others. You must be capable to head there first earlier than the wait climbs too excessive, after which knock out the opposite sights in Tremendous Nintendo World. Or, should you get one or two sights finished in Tremendous Nintendo World and it is getting near the official park opening time, you would make your solution to one of many different portals to be first in line for the sights in that world.
Alternatively, you would head straight for Stardust Racers and get on this exceptionally thrilling coaster with a really brief wait. Since it’s a dueling coaster, you would probably experience each tracks earlier than the park opens to common daytime company.
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Lastly, you would forgo getting on any rides throughout that first hour and line up in entrance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic to be first in line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry when it opens. The identical may very well be mentioned for different sights, like if you wish to be first to fulfill Hiccup and Toothless in The right way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, however Battle on the Ministry often has the longest wait on the park, with wait instances persistently longer than an hour.
If you do not have early park admission, you continue to need to arrive slightly bit early (about half-hour earlier than gates open) to go away time for getting by means of safety and into the park. I’d keep away from Mine-Cart Insanity and Battle on the Ministry till later within the day when wait instances get shorter. You could possibly examine wait instances within the Common app to see what’s shortest when the park opens and head there first.
The explanations to remain till closing (or take a break and return later within the day) are twofold. From what I’ve seen to date, the wait instances drop drastically within the final hour or two earlier than park closing. If there may be something you did not get to earlier within the day or something you need to reride, try to be in a position to take action with a brief wait near closing time.
Second, this park shines at night time. Each facet of the park adjustments as soon as the solar goes down and the park lights come on. (Extra on that later.)
Epic Universe will not be a 1-day park
Are you able to get on each experience at Epic Universe in at some point? In all probability. And if all you’ve gotten is at some point, you possibly can nonetheless have a good time.
However, in case your schedule and finances enable, two days is the candy spot to get on all of the rides and expertise the opposite issues that make this park so particular, like assembly characters, taking part in the interactive components in every land, seeing the stay exhibits and sitting down for a few good meals.
In two days, you possibly can discover two worlds on the primary day and two worlds on the second. You may go to Celestial Park on each days as a result of it’s the central world that you’re going to go by means of to get to the opposite 4 worlds.
Extra time within the park additionally means you possibly can go at a slower tempo and absorb all the small print. Chances are you’ll come throughout a Viking and a child dragon in The right way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, meet college students visiting Paris from totally different wizarding colleges in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic or race round Tremendous Nintendo World to see what number of cash you possibly can rack up punching blocks and taking part in mini video games.
For now, you will have to purchase two particular person one-day tickets as a result of there are not any multiday Epic Universe tickets, however that ought to change as soon as the park has been open for a bit. Or, if you wish to make a five- to seven-day journey out of it and go to Common’s different parks, you would buy a multiday bundle that features entry to Epic Universe and add a further one-day Epic Universe ticket for 2 days at Epic.
The right way to maximize 1 day at Epic Universe
When you solely have at some point to spend at Epic Universe, there are some things you will need to do to maximise your time (along with staying in one in all Common’s official inns so you should use the early park admission profit).
A number of of the sights at Epic Universe use a single-rider line, which might prevent time in line (so long as you do not thoughts your get together being break up up and using with strangers).
However the best solution to save time in line and get on extra rides is to buy a Common Specific go, Common’s model of a skip-the-line go. Common Specific allows you to bypass the normal standby line on most sights and use a a lot shorter Specific entrance.
A selected Specific go for Epic Universe is accessible on the Common Orlando web site beginning at $139.99 per individual, per day, however you may as well buy it at Common inns or contained in the park (primarily based on availability). The Epic Universe Specific go permits you to skip the road on choose sights as soon as per day.
Presently, this is applicable to all Epic Universe sights apart from the next:
- Dragon Racer’s Rally
- Mine-Cart Insanity
- Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry
The one draw back to Common Specific is that you just bypass the standby queue, and among the queues at Epic Universe — like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry, the entire Tremendous Nintendo World rides and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders — are nearly as spectacular because the rides themselves. If time permits, I’d do these rides a second time with out utilizing Specific simply to see the queue and be taught extra in regards to the story behind the attraction.
When you solely have at some point, I additionally advocate that you become familiar with the park’s sights earlier than your go to. Use this info to decide on your must-do rides and exhibits in every land. Concentrate on these, and any time you’ve gotten left over is bonus time to do something you’ll have missed.
Keep at an Epic Universe lodge
Common opened three new inns this 12 months within the neighborhood of Epic Universe. Common Stella Nova Resort and Common Terra Luna Resort are inside strolling distance of Epic Universe, but additionally supply bus service to the park. Common Helios Grand Resort is situated alongside the again of Celestial Park, permitting you to stroll straight by means of the lodge’s personal entrance and immediately into the park.
Stella Nova and Terra Luna are in Common’s surprisingly budget-friendly Prime Worth lodging class. Costs begin at round $200 per night time for shorter stays and near $175 per night time for stays of 4 nights or longer.
Helios Grand is in Common’s extra upscale Signature assortment, the resort’s highest lodge tier. Which means that along with elegant theming, luxurious facilities and an elevated stage of service, you will discover a larger price ticket: near $400 per night time for brief stays and $300 per night time for stays of 4 nights or longer.
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Whenever you keep at one in all these three properties, you’re nearer to Epic Universe than should you stayed at one other Common Orlando lodge. Being nearer to the entrance gate (or again gate should you keep at Helios Grand) means you will get contained in the park sooner and simply pop out and in of the park for a noon nap or swim.
You may miss rather a lot should you run from experience to experience
Greater than any theme park I’ve visited, Epic Universe feels alive. Every world has a kinetic power that makes you are feeling such as you’ve truly been transported far, distant from Central Florida (minus the new and humid temperatures).
The rides are technological and storytelling marvels, however there may be a lot extra to this park than rides.
Every world totally integrates you as the principle character in your favourite tales. Need to follow your dragon racing abilities and meet Toothless from “The right way to Practice Your Dragon”? At all times dreamt of being a wizard and touring to the Ministry of Magic through the Floo Community? You are able to do all of that and a lot extra on this enchanting new park.
Throughout my visits, I had an opportunity assembly with the Invisible Man within the Darkish Universe, accomplished the three key challenges essential to face off towards Bowser Jr. and win the Golden Mushroom in Tremendous Nintendo World, and danced alongside to a band taking part in on stage in Celestial Park.
My experiences solely scratch the floor of the adventures you possibly can have that do not contain getting on a experience. My level is, there may be a lot to see and do on this park, and you’ll miss out on a variety of it should you solely deal with rides.
Epic Universe is much more lovely at night time
Epic Universe is such an aesthetically pleasing park that I may very well be there all day with out getting on a single experience and nonetheless go away content material. And that sentiment is even stronger at night time.
Epic Universe glows with majestic, ethereal gentle after sundown. At night time, every little thing from the portals into the worlds to the rides and even the eating places takes on a brand new feel and look. For instance, the big fountain in Celestial Park adjustments from a peaceable physique of water through the day to a colourful, glowing storytelling mechanism through the nighttime fountain present, with colourful fountains and music from the park’s worlds at night time.
Even should you’ve been within the park all day, it is value popping into every world at night time to see the transformation.
I used to be blown away by how a lot spookier Frankenstein Manor in Darkish Universe felt and the way the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter shone a bit brighter at night time. The sights additionally supply a special expertise at nighttime. The dueling coaster trains on Stardust Racers streak by means of the night time sky like comets, and the Constellation Carousel animals twinkle as you experience.
Don’t skip the carousel
With so many flagship rides to select from, it may be straightforward to skip what seems to be a basic carousel. In truth, on my first go to, I did skip the Constellation Carousel. I like a carousel, however I needed to check out the kinds of rides I’ve by no means been on earlier than.
After I lastly did experience Constellation Carousel, it was such a good looking second that I nearly teared up. Slightly than a standard carousel, the animals dance round in mild, rhythmic circles because the carousel spins to the music, making for a special power every time you experience.
And the way in which the animals sparkle at night time makes you are feeling as should you’ve left Earth and spun proper up into the cosmos.
There are Easter eggs galore
There are far too many Easter eggs and secrets and techniques to listing right here, and the best solution to be taught all of them is to talk to the characters and staff members in every world. You may decide up bits of data by talking with the monster hunters and different residents of Darkish Universe or the Vikings in Isle of Berk.
However listed here are just a few of my favorites you could search for in your go to:
You will discover the smallest animatronic in Epic Universe inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. Search for Newt Scamander’s Bowtruckle, Pickett, within the window of the locksmith store.
Additionally in Wizarding Paris, you will get a peek on the sorcerer’s stone. You may must buy an interactive wand for this one, however there’s a spell-casting spot outdoors Nicolas Flamel’s dwelling subsequent to Le Goblet Noir. Whenever you carry out the spell efficiently, the sorcerer’s stone (or thinker’s stone, should you’ve learn the unique British model of the books) will probably be revealed.
The Burning Blade Tavern within the again nook of Darkish Universe is a duplicate of the fiery windmill scene in 1931’s “Frankenstein.” Fortunately, this windmill is not truly on hearth (and you may go inside to fulfill monster hunters and drink scrumptious cocktails), however you possibly can see it catch flame about each quarter-hour. Hear for the bell tower on the entrance of the land to ring. That’s your sign that the windmill will quickly burst into flame.
In case you are acquainted with the lovable (and teeny, tiny) Pikmin, you’re in for a deal with. Not solely can you notice them in little nooks and crannies, but additionally you will get a close-up view by means of the binoculars stationed round Tremendous Nintendo World. Search for the binoculars on the second stage throughout from Yoshi’s Journey as you exit Peach’s Fort. Zoom in on the bush to disclose Pikmin arduous at work.
When you look as much as the tippy high of Mead Corridor in The right way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, you will see the hut the place Gothi, the village elder, resides. It is troublesome to see from such a far distance, however should you zoom in together with your digicam or climb to the highest of the Viking Coaching Camp play space (which you’ll solely enter with kids) and use the telescope, it’s best to get a greater view.
When you look in the back of the Stardust Racers trains earlier than getting on the experience, you will see a small field with lights on the again of the final automotive. This can be a Flux Capacitor that allowed Marty and Doc Brown to time journey within the “Again to the Future” movies. Although the experience has nothing to do with the movies, Again to the Future: The Trip was an early attraction at Common Studios Florida (it has since closed), and you may nonetheless meet Doc Brown in that park.
The stay exhibits are nearly as good because the rides
Epic Universe affords two exhibits: “The Untrainable Dragon” in The right way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and “Le Cirque Arcanus” within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Did each exhibits convey me to tears? Sure. However my proclivity to being overly emotional is not the one motive I’d advocate these exhibits. Each do have their jaw-dropping (or, for some, tear-inducing) particular results, however they’re additionally stuffed with small, however magical, moments that can convey a smile to your face.
Every present has a few 20-minute run time, however I’d finances nearer to 45 minutes. You may must arrive early to attend in line and be seated earlier than the present begins.
I can not stress this sufficient: Don’t skip the stay exhibits.
The place to go if it’s worthwhile to cool off
There was a variety of commentary on the dearth of shade in Epic Universe, and to that, I’d say, “Welcome to Central Florida.” I do not consider this to be an issue particular to Epic Universe, however at a theme park the place the warmth index can climb into the triple digits, it’s useful to know the place to seek out shade.
Every world has a minimum of one or two sit-down eating places the place you possibly can order a meal or snack and sit inside for a bit. There are additionally indoor outlets in every land the place you possibly can browse for souvenirs (or just admire the decor in case you are on a finances).
I spent a variety of time in Burning Blade Tavern and Das Stakehaus in Darkish Universe, and Mead Corridor in Isle of Berk. They had been darkish and funky and helped restore my power earlier than venturing again out.
A number of rides, together with these in Tremendous Nintendo World, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Battle on the Ministry, all have prolonged indoor queues that can preserve you out of the solar. Stopping to absorb the stay exhibits can even get you a break from the warmth.
I additionally strongly advocate you convey a transportable fan and a reusable water bottle. There are bottle refilling stations all around the park — I even noticed some within the experience queues. You too can get free water from the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines, however do not attempt filling your water bottle with soda. There are sensors within the machines that do not will let you get round paying to your caffeine repair.
Older children may need extra enjoyable than little ones
There are solely two rides at Epic Universe with no top requirement (Constellation Carousel and Fyre Drill). The vast majority of what I’d think about “kid-friendly” rides at Epic Universe have a minimal top requirement of 40 inches, so children will in all probability have a greater time as soon as they hit that top.
It isn’t simply their top which will offer you pause on reserving that journey. There’s one world that’s meant to be a bit horrifying.
The setting for Darkish Universe is Darkmoor Village, dwelling to monsters and those that hunt them. To present you an concept of how creepy Darkish Universe is, even I set free a scream on the world’s premier attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
It isn’t simply the experience that’s scary, both. Whenever you enterprise into the darkish and spooky Das Stakehaus for lunch or dinner, you will see useless vampires (and the stakes that made them that manner) on show lining the partitions.
Backside line
Epic Universe is the kind of theme park that permits you to select your individual journey. For simply at some point, you could be a wizard, a dragon tamer, a monster hunter, a online game character or the entire above.
However it’s worthwhile to perform a little planning earlier than you possibly can totally immerse your self in these fantasy worlds. The following pointers will aid you put together to your go to and profit from your time at Epic Universe.
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