UniversalParksBlog News for April 9th, 2025
Greetings! I apologize for the delay in this week’s UniversalParksBlog News, as I was traveling and had spotty internet.
The timing was unfortunate, as plenty is happening at Universal Epic Universe. So, let’s catch you up on the latest!
Get Your Epic Universe Tickets!
Image: Universal
Last time, I mentioned that Epic Universe had started selling single-day admission.
Well, the floodgates have opened, as the park is offering a plethora of new tickets and other upsells.
AP Photo/John Raoux, File) (John Raoux/AP
At this point, the only limit is your imagination, as Universal sells something to fit any budget and kind of vacationer.
You’ll like this news even better if you’re a current annual passholder.
Photo: Universal Orlando
As of yesterday, you can buy sneak preview tickets to Epic Universe. In other words, you don’t need to wait until May 22nd.
I’ll wait for you to awaken from having passed out to continue. Are you good? Okay. Here’s what you need to know.
The preview ticket dates already started on Monday, April 7th. You can buy single-day admission from now through May 8th.
However, you should ACT FAST if you have any intention of attending a sneak.
The hold times are already about an hour to get through the virtual queue and book tickets.
I strongly suspect that sellouts will occur sooner rather than later, forcing you to wait another six weeks to visit the parks.
Photo: Universal
Also, as a reminder, you cannot buy/schedule single-day admission at the park until the start of June.
So, there is a distinct “now or never” aspect to booking a sneak preview date.
Image: Universal
You should also be aware that some elements of the parks aren’t quite ready yet.
As an example, the Curse of the Werewolf spinning roller coaster still has mesh everywhere as a precautionary measure.
Presuming you don’t mind these trivialities, you should buy tickets now.
Image: Universal
If they bother you, just wait until early June for your first visit as an annual passholder. It’s less than two months from now anyway.
More about Epic Universe
Image: Universal
Ticket sales have been a bit mercurial thus far. The reason why is that the system is struggling a bit due to the massive demand.
So, you should know that once you enter the digital queue, do NOT leave the page or refresh your screen.
Image: Universal
If you do, you’ll lose your spot in line and restart, thereby wasting all your previous time spent waiting in the queue.
For those of you who have been saving up for your first visit, I’ve got even better news!
Image: Universe
Universal will offer a couple of upsells you should consider, including VIP Tours.
They’re now available and on sale for Epic Universe. The Universal VIP Experience tours start at $389.99 per person.
Universal
For four hours, a Universal Studios Team Member will host you on a walking tour of the new park.
While on the tour, your guide will help you skip virtually all the lines at several attractions.
So, for anyone who can afford it, these VIP Tours represent the ideal way to experience Epic Universe for the first time.
Should you prefer something a bit more affordable, I’ve got another tip.
Photo:unofficialuniversal.com
Universal Express Passes are now on sale at Epic Universe! These work like the other Universal Express Passes at the other parks.
At Epic Universe, you’ll pay at least $129.99 per person for the Universal Express Pass.
Photo: UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
This pass will work at ten different opening day park attractions.
Options include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Curse of the Werewolf, and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
Photo: USH
Ergo, you’ll squeeze a great deal of value out of these passes. Also, you should know that you can buy multi-day passes.
You can buy packages for up to five days of Universal Express Pass.
Image: Universal
By adopting this approach, you’ll reduce the average daily cost of the passes.
Even MORE about Epic Universe
Image: Entertainment Weekly
I told you there was a lot happening! And I picked a terrible time to go on vacation.
Anyway, fans of Halloween Horror Nights will love an option at Epic Universe.
When you visit the Classic Monsters themed land, Darkmoor, you can purchase a makeup package.
Professional makeup artists will turn you into a horror show, and the cosmetics will stay on during your entire day.
Photo: https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/The_Bride_of_Frankenstein
So, you should think of this makeup package as the deluxe version of the one during Halloween Horror Nights.
Since the theming at Darkmoor is so exemplary, you’ll feel like a part of the story as you roam around with your new look.
Photo: Universal
Also, you should know that the Universal Helios Grand Hotel starts accepting reservations a week from today.
That’s April 16th if you’re reading this article a day or two late.
Since the Helios is part of Epic Universe, it’s the ideal place to stay during your first park visit.
Finally, the Epic Universe Portals are…going on tour. I don’t claim to understand it, but here are the details.
By the way, to give you an idea of the excellence of Epic Universe, here’s Super Enthused during her first visit:
Her joy is total, and you’ll feel the same way during your first visit!
Universal Studios Miscellany
Ordinarily, the story of the month would be Universal Studios confirming a new theme park.
However, I’d already tipped you to this fact a WHILE ago. So, it’s no surprise to hear that the United Kingdom will get its own theme park.
Universal
As expected, the location will be Bedfordshire, which didn’t exactly take Sherlock Holmes to deduce.
That’s where Universal purchased all its land. So, we’ve been waiting for this announcement for quite some time.
The big reveal this week is that the park will take six years to build.
That gives Universal Studios London (probably not the park’s actual name) a target opening year of 2031.
We also learned that it’ll feature themed lands based on Minions, Super Nintendo, and Harry Potter.
Yes, I know that you expected all of those brands, but they’re officially confirmed now.
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Feature Photo: Universal
