UniversalParksBlog News for March 9th, 2025
This is such an exciting time for Universal Studios fans.
We’ve got new interactive wands, employee previews at Universal Epic Universe, and the promise of quick expansion at the parks.
Image: Universal
I’ll bring you up to speed in UniversalParksBlog News. Once again, you’re gonna like this one.
The Epic Universe Update Part One
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort
A few weeks ago, buzz grew about potential cast previews at Epic Universe.
Nobody wanted to get their hopes too high for understandable reasons, as we’re still more than two months from opening day.
Photo: Universal
Well, to the pleasant surprise of all involved, Team Member previews began on March 1st.
You can quickly glance at the calendar to realize the implication here.
Photo: NBCUniversal
People have been experiencing the attractions at Epic Universe for more than a week now.
Obviously, there are countless constraints in place to keep the mystery alive for those of us who don’t work at the parks.
Photo: Universal
Photos and videos are allegedly banned, although some parts of the internet have somehow come up with a few.
I’m not going to post any of them because 1) it’s unethical 2) it would ruin the surprise for you and 3) they may be taken down before this article goes live.
Photo: Universal
But the point is that a not insignificant number of people already know how great the new rides are. And that makes me jealous.
Universal has taken care of its employees here by giving them a two-week window to explore Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
Even better, there isn’t a one-day limit on Team Members, unlike guests visiting for the first time.
Our sponsor, Let’s Adventure Travel, recently spoke on the record with Travel Weekly about our expectations for the park.
Photo: Universal
The article notes that some other agencies have experienced frustration over that single-day admission limit.
I mentioned last time that Universal has promised that single-day admission tickets are coming soon. We just don’t know when.
Photo: Universal
But Universal kindly provided us with several other new details about Epic Universe, some of which will blow your mind.
Single Rider and Expansion
Photo: Universal
I presume that you’re familiar with Single Rider lines at theme parks, but I’ll explain them just in case.
Some theme park attractions have extra spots in the ride carts due to uneven traveling party sizes.
Photo: Universal
Let’s say that it’s a four-person cart, but the group only has three people. That’s a waste of 25 percent of the space.
So, Universal Studios fills the space from the Single Rider line. Not surprisingly, Epic Universe will use this tactic, too.
Photo: Universal
While park officials didn’t confirm anything explicitly, the official website lists the rides that can possibly have Single Rider.
On some attractions, Single Rider only opens occasionally, based on park traffic. Keeping that in mind, here’s the list:
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Mine-Cart Madness
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
Photo: Universal
I’ll stress that you should NOT expect to show up at Epic Universe and discover Single Rider available at all these attractions.
Frankly, I’d be happy with three during the park’s earliest days. But we’ll update you once we learn for sure.
Photo: Universal
On the expansion front, you should watch this Epic Universe video:
Just to be clear, that’s park officials confirming every theme park at Universal Epic Universe has expansion plans in place.
Now, again, you shouldn’t get your hopes up since we don’t get specifics or a timeline here.
Image: Universal
Still, the undeniable implication here is that Epic Universe isn’t the end of short-term projects but rather just the beginning.
Specifically, the video explicitly states that plans are already in place for expansion at Epic Universe. And that’s phenomenal!
All the Cool Wizards Are Doing It
This past week, I took my collection of magic wands and threw them in the trash.
Okay, no, I didn’t because I spent a sizable amount of disposable income at them.
Yes, I’m just like everyone else who visits The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I buy wands…and have the stack of boxes to prove it.
Since I don’t live in Florida, I don’t break out my wand collection as often as I’d like, but I now know I’ll be adding to it soon.
Universal has cleverly timed the unveiling of its new line of interactive wands.
Conveniently enough, they’ll be ready just in time for the opening of Epic Universe and a massive influx of tourists!
Comcast certainly wasn’t going to let an opportunity like Epic Universe go to waste.
So, the parks will sell you a better brand of wand…and for a higher price. Duh!
You can watch one of my favorite influencers, Super Enthused, try out the new technology here:
My wife and I watched this video the other day, and we laughed with bitter recollection.
Universal
While the new technology is impressive, it appears to suffer from the same drawback as the originals.
Sometimes, the response is either slow to react or just doesn’t happen. So, you wave your wand like a lunatic for no reason.
Universal hands out maps that show where the interactive wands work…and yes! The Ministry of Magic is one of them!
Thus far, the most impressive tech involves a fountain and a splash, which will be delightful this summer.
Otherwise, I don’t mean to sound like a muggle, but it strikes me as more of the same.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m totally gonna buy one, though. It’s the Law of Malibu Stacy’s New Hat.
Thanks for visiting UniversalParksBlog.com! Want to go to Universal? For a FREE quote on your next Universal vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from Let’s Adventure Travel will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Universal
