With the primary media occasion over and worker previews having been underway for over a month, Common Orlando is now transferring ahead with previews of Epic Universe and the early debut of Helios Grand Resort, 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 tender openings.
Let’s begin with the previews. Common has opened the net 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 here 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 points of interest and experiences might not be accessible.”
Along with Annual and Seasonal Common Orlando Passholders, energetic 2025 Navy Freedom Move Ticket Holders, Common Rewards Signature VISA Card members, and company staying at any Common Orlando resort may also buy tickets to entry Epic Universe throughout its preview interval.
Notice that a few of these company 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 doable extra preview dates shall be added after that, however availability will probably be much less constant. Media previews are anticipated within the lead-up to the official opening date, and Common Orlando may want time to organize for these, amongst different issues.
Moreover, Common Helios Grand Resort is now open for reservations beginning April 16, 2025!
If you need the professionals to guide Helios Grand Resort for you or to assist decide which Epic Universe packages will work greatest 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 Resort company could 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 all the theme park be accessible through the Preview/Gentle Open interval?
A: The Preview interval is designed to permit company 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 accessible as doable, please observe that sure parts and points of interest might not be working throughout your go to. You possibly can examine for updates throughout your go to on the Common Orlando Resort app.
Q: Is there a particular ticket I want to go to through 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 resort company, activated 2025 Navy 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 telephone by calling (866) PASS-4-FUN or in-person on the entrance gate, Visitor Companies or Common Trip Planning Heart desks so long as they’ve everybody’s Move info accessible at time of buy.
Q: I’m a 2025 Navy Freedom Ticketholder, can I modify the date of my Epic Universe add-on ticket?
A: Activated 2025 Navy Freedom Ticketholders can change the date of their tickets through telephone by calling (866) 727-7438.
Q: What are the park hours through the Preview/Gentle Open interval?
A: Park hours differ through the Preview interval and might be discovered at: https://www.universalorlando.com/internet/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: Extra particulars on the Preview interval from Could 9 – Could 21 shall be accessible 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 shall 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 can buy 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 shall 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 accessible for buy through the Preview/Gentle Open interval?
A: Categorical Passes for Common Epic Universe through the Preview interval shall be accessible for buy on the Concierge/Visitor Companies 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 package deal to incorporate a Common Epic Universe-inclusive ticket and a keep at Common Helios Grand Resort?
A: Sure, you may improve your beforehand bought trip package deal to incorporate a Common Epic Universe-inclusive ticket and lodging at Common Helios Grand Resort for arrivals starting April 16, 2025. Please name (877) 801-9720 for help.
Q: Can I modify the dates of my resort reservation?
A: Sure, for those who booked via Common Orlando Resort, you may replace your resort reservation by calling 888-273-1311. Should you booked via a journey advisor or a third-party web site, please get in contact along with your reserving supply for modifications.
Q: I’m staying at Common Helios Grand Resort, can I buy a Preview ticket?
A: Sure, company staying in any respect Common Orlando resorts will be capable to buy a Preview ticket to Common Epic Universe on the Common Trip Planning Heart within the resort foyer, topic to availability.
Q: I’m staying at a Common Orlando Resort, can I buy a Preview ticket?
A: Sure, company staying in any respect Common Orlando resorts will be capable to buy a Preview ticket to Common Epic Universe on the Common Trip Planning Heart within the resort foyer, topic to availability.
Q: Will Common Categorical merchandise be accessible for buy through the Preview/Gentle Open interval?
A: Categorical Passes for Common Epic Universe through the Preview interval shall be accessible for buy on the Concierge/Visitor Companies kiosks contained in the park and on the Trip Planning Heart at Common resorts. Common Categorical Move doesn’t assure admission and separate theme park admission is required. Common Categorical Limitless Passes should not accessible for buy or use at Epic Universe.
Q: I’m staying at Common Helios Grand Resort on opening day (April 16), what time does the resort open?
A: Common Helios Grand Resort will start welcoming company to examine in on April 16 at 12PM.
Q: Can I entry Epic Universe as a Helios Visitor on the opening day (April 16) of the resort?
A: Epic Universe shall be in a technical rehearsal via April 16. Company staying at Common Helios Grand Resort will be capable to enter Common Epic Universe through the devoted resort entrance starting at 10AM on April 17 with legitimate theme park admission.
Q: I’m a Common Helios Grand Resort Visitor, how can I enter Epic Universe via the entrance gate of the theme park?
A: Company staying at Common Helios Grand Resort will be capable to enter Common Epic Universe through the devoted resort entrance that may be accessed via the resort’s foyer. Common Helios Grand Resort company who want to enter Epic Universe via the entrance of the park can achieve this by touring through automotive to the park’s major entrance. Please observe that parking charges could apply.
Q: Will direct transportation to Common Epic Universe be accessible from all Common Orlando resorts?
A: Sure, company staying at any Common Orlando resort 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 Resort 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 Resort on April 16, what can I do 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 superb facilities and eating shops at Common Helios Grand Resort. A number of thrilling celebratory actions shall be held all through the day, together with the chance to fulfill Common characters.
Q: I’m a visitor at a Common Orlando Resort – what unique theme park advantages do I obtain at Epic Universe?
A: Company staying at any Common Orlando resort 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 Resort company will be capable to enter Epic Universe as much as one-hour previous to common company from April 17 via Could 8 with legitimate theme park admission.
Q: Is Early Park Admission at Epic Universe accessible through the Preview interval?
A: Whereas Early Park Admission at Common Epic Universe doesn’t start till Could 23, 2025, Common Resort company can enter the park as much as one-hour previous to common company from April 17 via Could 8 with legitimate theme park admission.
Q: I’m staying at a non-Common resort. Will direct transportation to Epic Universe from my resort be provided?
A: Through the Preview interval, buses from non-Common resorts will drop company off at Common CityWalk. Company will then should 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 Resort:
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 take a look at & alter through the in a single day hours. Park operations can decide what tweaks must be made, and get issues working easily–or not less than as easily as doable for a brand-new theme park with complicated points of interest–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 Staff Members for over a month at this level, and people previews have been prolonged on a number of events. The official occasion line for the extensions was to offer workers extra possibilities to expertise the brand new park. The unofficial motive, I assume, was that Epic Universe wasn’t able to greet company in a paying capability, even with the traditional caveats about tender openings and previews.
The entire level of previews is to start out small so it’s not a trial by hearth state of affairs for workers and provides them an opportunity to search out their footing and be taught on the job. As we’ve identified beforehand, Common Orlando would want to scale up sooner or later to simulate a extra regular visitor load, as Staff 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 an alternative, it’s taking place mid-month.
One phrase of warning is that choose points of interest or complete lands could possibly be unavailable throughout Epic Universe previews. Your complete lands a part of that’s extremely unlikely, because it hasn’t been the case throughout worker previews up to now. However we however wish to increase the likelihood, nonetheless distant, to underscore the character of those previews.
Extra probably is that sure rides will go down. In reality, we’d anticipate in depth downtime to be the norm as a few of these points of interest are extremely complicated and envelope-pushing. Should you’re solely going to pay to attend one preview and wish to expertise as a lot as doable, your greatest wager goes later in Could.
Epic Universe as a complete is clearly not a race towards the clock, however just a few of its complicated points of interest have already been proving troublesome. That’s par for the course with new rides at each Walt Disney World and Common.
One particular pink flag to this point 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 accessible. 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. Quite than attempting to function it throughout worker previews, Common has opted to proceed making changes to get the journey nearer to operating at full tilt.
Truthfully, what was described to me makes Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry sound very very like 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 slightest degree shocked if this isn’t resolved till a lot later within the 12 months.
I additionally wouldn’t be shocked if Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry will not be open throughout public previews. Or whether it is open, however makes use of a digital queue to handle capability and pulse company via the queue, fairly than having paying company 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 leads to downtime. Buddies who’ve attended Staff Member previews have additionally reported a wide range of different points of interest breaking down on a much less constant and predictable foundation.
To be abundantly clear, none of that is criticism of Common. Heck, we’re far more important of Walt Disney World opening Tiana’s Bayou Journey–a reimagined journey–in non-working situation. This can be a brand-new theme park with envelope pushing points of interest. Reliability woes and downtime are merely the character of the beast.
We’re bringing this to your consideration so you may plan accordingly. It’s in all probability a sensible concept to funds a number of days to Epic Universe if you wish to expertise every little thing (minus possibly Battle on the Ministry) throughout previews. Should you don’t wish to endure breakdowns, maybe previews should not for you. Entering into August or September may be the higher possibility!
Alternatively, it’s at all times doable that problematic or pesky results which are triggering downtime merely get disabled by then. So if you wish to expertise high-tech rides of their “purest” type…going as quickly as doable may be the higher method. (Once more, have a look at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and even Indiana Jones Journey, for that matter.)
Finally, there aren’t any ensures with regards to previews and tender openings. We simply need you to pay attention to that, so that you don’t leap to guide one thing that you simply may remorse later. Whereas we’ve centered at size on the potential downsides, there are additionally upsides! One is that you simply’re first experiencing Epic Universe with different highly-motivated company and hardcore followers, that means the power is more likely to be higher than some random day in August or September.
Belief me, as somebody who has completed a number of previews and opening days of rides, lands, and theme parks–that is one thing value 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 the US. So even for those who’re a hardcore Disney fan, you may wish to contemplate visiting Epic Universe through 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 improve as park operations finds its footing, so anticipate crowds to regularly improve over the course of previews. Nevertheless, that ought to go hand-in-hand with effectivity and reliability. The underside line is that this needs to be a fantastic alternative to expertise Epic Universe earlier than most people!
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Be certain that to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every little thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try 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 Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon lands and/or points of interest? Assume Epic Universe shall 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 every other ideas or questions you’ve gotten within the feedback under!