UniversalParksBlog News for October 20th, 2024
Well, since nothing else is going on, I guess we could talk about Universal Epic Universe if you wanna.
Oh, yeah. This is a fun week for UniversalParksBlog News!
Is It Memorial Day Yet?
Photo: Universal
Universal Studios just announced the opening date for Universal Epic Universe, and it’s…okay, it’s exactly when I’d guessed.
History will repeat itself in 2025, as Universal’s Islands of Adventure debuted 25 years ago on Memorial Day Weekend in 1999.
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort
Now, Epic Universe will do the same, starting on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025.
Yes, after five years of anticipation, Universal Studios is finally ready to reveal its new theme park to the world.
Photo: Universal
So, guests who arrive the Thursday before Memorial Day in 2025 can spend the holiday at Universal Orlando Resort.
One of those days – and only one – you can experience Epic Universe for the first time.
Photo: NBCUniversal
You’ll want to read this next part because it details how admission tickets will work at the new theme park.
Long story short, you’ll purchase a three-day package to visit the park once.
Photo: NBCUniversal
There are a lot of moving parts here. So, I’ll quote directly from Universal’s press release.
The first thing that you should know is that tickets go on sale on October 22nd, which is Monday.
Photo: NBCUniversal
I’ll also go ahead and tell you it’s complicated. So, the smartest thing you can do is contact an agent at Let’s Adventure Travel.
These vacation planners understand the process night and day better than I ever could.
How to Buy Tickets for Epic Universe
Photo: NBCUniversal
Seriously, I feel like I need a doctorate to understand Universal’s requirements here. According to the web site:
The first phase of ticket sales covers a “variety of multi-day tickets and vacation packages that include three, four or five days admission to Universal’s theme parks – including one day admission to Epic Universe.”
Photo: Universal
“The following multi-day ticket options inclusive of Universal Epic Universe will be available:
- 3-Day Ticket: enjoy two days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, plus one separate day admission to Universal Epic Universe
- 4-Day Ticket: enjoy three days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, plus one separate day admission to Universal Epic Universe
- 5-Day Ticket: enjoy four days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure, plus one separate day admission to Universal Epic Universe”
Photo: Universal
So, when you buy a three-day ticket, you can spend one of those days at Epic Universe.
Should you buy a four-day or five-day ticket, you can spend…one day at Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
You can also create your own package to save up to $200. Here are those rules:
- “a 5-day ticket that includes four days of access to Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay, plus a separate day admission to Universal Epic Universe
- 7-night hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s 11 magnificently themed resorts
- Early Park Admission for Universal Epic Universe, Universal Volcano Bay and either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure up to one hour before the park opens”
About These “Packages”
Photo: Universal
As near as I can tell, if you’re traveling to Universal Studios just for Epic Universe, your best bet is to buy a pair of three-day tickets.
That way, you’d get to visit Epic Universe twice during your trip. Maybe that’s a loophole Universal won’t let you exploit. I don’t know.
Photo: Universal
I’m just reading these rules, the same as you, and they confuse me. Again, that’s why I’d strongly recommend Let’s Adventure Travel.
Those pros likely know something I don’t or at least understand this system.
Photo: Universal
Still, the one thing I can say for sure is that Universal has learned from past mistakes.
When Islands of Adventure opened in 1999, it infamously backfired.
Photo: Universal
Rather than luring massive amounts of new tourists, this park siphoned traffic from Universal Studios Florida.
People prioritize the hot new thing, which causes the old thing to suffer.
Photo: Universal
Universal Studios will operate three different theme parks in May, four if you count Volcano Bay.
Social media will be all over this, and it’d be a bad look for the other parks to seem empty.
Photo: Universal
So, Universal has designed these early packages to keep attendance relatively even across the three parks.
That apparently won’t be the case forever. The press release explicitly states:
Photo: Universal
“Additional ticket products for Epic Universe – including single-day tickets for the general public, additional multi-day ticket options, Florida resident tickets, Universal Express passes and more – will be available at a later date before the park opens.”
Photo: Universal
Also, there’s a vital note for annual passholders. You have “the exclusive opportunity to purchase single-day tickets to Universal Epic Universe before they go on sale to the general public. Passholders can take advantage of this priority opportunity beginning Thursday, October 24.”
You can tell from the rest this is a huge advantage.
More about Epic Universe
Photo: Universal
There’s one other aspect of the tickets I haven’t discussed yet: the pricing.
As Madison Owens notes, adult tickets range from $118 to $174 per day.
Photo: Universal
So, you’ll pay $352-$521 total for a three-day ticket, which means that as of this moment, there’s a $352 cost for Epic Universe.
Sure, you’ll get to spend two days at Universal’s other parks, but let’s be real. You’re reading this because of Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
That’s your priority, and there isn’t currently a way for non-passholders to purchase single-day admission. It’s paywalled.
Universal is showing a great deal of confidence that the demand for its new park is so high that tourists will pay anything.
Photo: Universal
I strongly suspect they’re right. In fact, I’ve had countless discussions with friends who wanted to know about the park.
The combination of Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo Land, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter creates widespread appeal.
Photo: Universal
Universal isn’t even hyping the rides yet. Once people find out what the Ministry of Magic ride is, they’ll lose their minds.
Similarly, the Donkey Kong and Starfall Racers roller coasters are top-notch E-ticket attractions.
Photo: Universal
To a larger point, any self-respecting Universal Studios fan will want to visit when the park is as new as possible just to say and know that they did.
So, nothing happening here is surprising, and it all makes good business sense.
Photo: Universal
Most importantly, Epic Universe is so close to opening that you can buy tickets this week! How great is that?!
Oh, and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel starts booking this Wednesday for its May 22nd opening as well. It’s go time, people!
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
