Common Orlando has expanded paid previews of Epic Universe to the normal public, that means you now not should be an AP, on-site visitor, and so on–anybody can purchase pre-opening tickets! This covers pricing, dates & particulars together with our commentary about attending tender openings forward of the brand new theme park’s official opening over Memorial Day weekend.
That is the second wave of Epic Universe previews, with the primary beginning final week and persevering with by way of Might 8, 2025. This extension runs proper as much as grand opening week, with tickets now accessible for everybody by way of Might 19, 2025. As a reminder, Epic Universe can have its grand opening on Might 22, 2025 and it’s doubtless that there’s a multi-day media occasion Might 20-21, so that is most likely it on previews.
Some dates of the Epic Universe previews have began to promote out for Annual Passholders (at current, there’s nonetheless full availability for everybody else), however they’re usually Fridays by way of Sundays–and cheaper dates. We wouldn’t fear an excessive amount of about offered out dates out should you’re considering one of many mid-Might weekday preview dates.
Listed here are remaining April 2025 ticket costs for most of the people previews of Common Epic Universe:
- April 29, 2025: $144
- April 30, 2025: $144
Might 2025 Epic Universe preview ticket costs:
- Might 1, 2025: $144
- Might 2, 2025: $149
- Might 3, 2025: $154
- Might 4, 2025: $149
- Might 5, 2025: $144
- Might 6, 2025: $144
- Might 7, 2025: $144
- Might 8, 2025: $144
- Might 9, 2025: $149
- Might 10, 2025: $154
- Might 11, 2025: $149
- Might 12, 2025: $144
- Might 13, 2025: $144
- Might 14, 2025: $144
- Might 15, 2025: $144
- Might 16, 2025: $149
- Might 17, 2025: $154
- Might 18, 2025: $149
- Might 19, 2025: $149
You would possibly discover that these tickets are all costlier than Annual Passholder tickets by about $20 per ticket. All of those costs are pre-tax. In an attention-grabbing twist, these tickets are literally cheaper than preview tickets for lodge friends–at the very least for the dates I bought, which had been $180 after tax. I’d hazard a guess that lodge costs now match off-site friends.
Right here’s the announcement from Common Orlando: “Don’t miss this distinctive alternative to participate in a particular preview earlier than the Might 22, 2025 Grand Opening of Common Orlando Resort’s latest theme park.
“Throughout this Preview interval, we’re placing the ultimate touches in place and rehearsing, so some sights and experiences is probably not accessible.”
Restricted availability, tickets accessible on a first-come, first-served foundation. Restrictions apply. Costs range by day, plus tax. Epic Universe Grand Opening is Might 22, 2025.
Members of most of the people can purchase tickets on-line right here.
Annual Passholders, on-site resort friends, and members of different choose group who already bought tickets are prone to now be fearful about crowds with Common increasing Epic Universe previews to the general public. That’s a good concern, and we might anticipate attendance to extend because of this transfer.
We’ve been warning that this was prone to occur, as Common wants to stress-test Epic Universe with crowd ranges extra intently approximating these it’ll expertise opening day. Nonetheless, the caps are nonetheless fairly low, so we wouldn’t fear an excessive amount of. Furthermore, the demographics most probably to buy tickets have already got completed so. The most important excellent “bucket” is Florida residents who don’t have Annual Passes.
Even vacationers visiting Walt Disney World are unlikely to make the most of this expanded eligibility. There’ll completely be some who do, and so they’re most likely disproportionately readers of a weblog like this one. However the common visitor makes their trip plans months upfront, is on a finances, and has already purchased park tickets to Walt Disney World. They aren’t going to drop all the things to go to Epic Universe in massive numbers.
As you would possibly’ve observed from our elevated Epic Universe protection, I’ve attended a number of paid previews so far, and had principally optimistic experiences. That’s simply me, although. Sarah and Megatron haven’t but attended.
For Walt Disney World guests considering a day at Epic Universe, I’d extremely suggest it, albeit with some caveats. This isn’t a traditional Common park, that means that friends who’ve points with movement illness gained’t have as many issues right here. With that mentioned, those that aren’t good with thrill rides will nonetheless have points at Epic Universe.
The least intense “household” curler coaster is extra intense than Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare–extra on par with Large Thunder Mountain Railroad, however smoother. It could be the most effective Common park for Sarah (not a excessive bar), however she nonetheless couldn’t do a number of rides, and a handful others can be one-and-done. Setting apart the rides, it’s a improbable theme park, and you could possibly have numerous enjoyable and satisfying day solely doing a couple of sights.
Households with younger youngsters ought to most likely avoid Epic Universe totally. There are some issues that our daughter might do, however that checklist is proscribed. We’ll be testing that in-person quickly, however my greatest unfavourable realization with Epic Universe is that it’s, as soon as once more, extra a park for me as somebody with zero trip limitations, than it’s for our household.
The most important upside to visiting Epic Universe throughout a preview is crowds, or the dearth thereof. Attendance has very clearly been capped properly beneath Epic Universe’s estimated full capability of round 40,000. Based mostly on leaked knowledge that paints an incomplete image, we’d estimate that Common Orlando is presently releasing 15,000 tickets accessible on the market every day.
Be aware that that is what number of tickets can be found and not what number of are promoting. Except for weekends, Annual Passholder preview tickets haven’t been promoting out, nor have lodge visitor tickets. Which means the 15,000 ticket cap (or thereabouts) is irrelevant, as a result of they’re really promoting beneath 10,000 tickets. On some weekdays, that quantity might be a lot decrease than 10,000–so we’re speaking lower than one-quarter of the park’s complete capability.
I haven’t seen any knowledge but for normal public ticket availability, however I’d anticipate these numbers to each improve. My assumption is that the cap instantly jumps to twenty,000 tickets and so they begin promoting over 10,000 tickets per day. Maybe over 15,000 on weekends.
This is the reason the elevated ticket caps aren’t that large of a problem. We’d hazard a guess that the majority Annual Passholders already bought their tickets through the first wave of gross sales. Except for the diehards who simply can’t get sufficient (and have loads of disposable earnings), this subsequent wave goes to promote worse, not higher, with APs. I’d be shocked if any weekdays promote out–and unsurprised if weekends don’t.
Resort friends are a special story, as they’re primarily vacationers who’re continually refreshed. Somebody doing a visit in mid-Might didn’t have the (lifelike) choice of shopping for Epic Universe preview tickets in April. If something, their uptake might be greater as consciousness and optimistic word-of-mouth about low crowds spreads. Identical goes with most of the people.
Nonetheless, locals are doubtless the first viewers for Epic Universe previews, so all of this can be a recipe for low crowds. You’re most likely not going to have one other probability to expertise Epic Universe at one-quarter of complete capability. (And if what I skilled is any indication, you’re undoubtedly not going to need to be there when attendance is 25,000 or greater!)
Finally, I extremely suggest attending a paid preview of Epic Universe (ideally two) if in any respect attainable. There’s much more lets say concerning the professionals & cons of attending Epic Universe previews, however I’m guessing there’s not a lot of an viewers for it. These previews final one other ~6 weeks earlier than the park opens, and I’d think about that not many planners are studying this within the first place.
Those that are studying have most likely already made their determination whether or not to attend Epic Universe previews or not. Maybe I’m underestimating curiosity (by which case, let me know!), however now we have numerous Epic Universe protection to come back, and specializing in previews appears low-priority. The most important piece of recommendation I can provide for now could be to check up on the digital queue so that you don’t miss the park’s finest trip: The best way to Be part of the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry.
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation in your go to to Central Florida? Be certain to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for all the things about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for all the things 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 may have within the feedback beneath!