Epic Universe is nearly empty. Lifeless. Devoid of company. A ghost city. Etcetera. We’re speaking COVID-era attendance. The most recent park at Common Orlando has been the least busy of the three gates over its opening weekend (and slower than Walt Disney World, for that matter), with 1/10 crowd ranges at worst, and most points of interest being walk-ons or having minimal waits no matter their posted occasions. This covers what we’re seeing so far over Memorial Day and some takeaways.
For starters let’s make our perspective on this clear: large kudos to Common Orlando for selecting to have low crowds for the opening weekend of Epic Universe. Some cynical Walt Disney World followers are in some way criticizing Epic Universe for this, calling it a flop or pointing to the present crowds as “proof” of the park’s unpopularity. That is utter nonsense.
We have now been vocal detractors of Common Orlando’s high-friction method to Epic Universe park tickets, warning since final summer season that Common risked repeating the identical “crowdpocalypse” mistake with Epic Universe as Disney did with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and different highly-hyped theme park additions. We’ll have much more to say about these missteps and the gang penalties within the days and months to return, however that’s not what is occurring proper now. In no way.
Common Orlando might have bought out Epic Universe at full capability over opening weekend. Most likely a number of occasions over. Natural demand probably would’ve supported the sale of 100,000 tickets to Epic Universe every day of this vacation weekend. As a substitute, Common Orlando seems to have bought about one-tenth that many tickets.
Briefly, it completely was a option to have crowds be this low for opening weekend. On the danger of stating the plain, the better choice would’ve been to promote many extra tickets, take short-term earnings, endure heavier crowds and no matter else got here with that. The word-of-mouth wouldn’t have been as optimistic, so it might’ve include a tradeoff. Nevertheless it was however a alternative–and never resulting from lack of demand, unpopularity, or the results of Epic Universe being a flop. Once more, all garbage.
How attendance at Epic Universe performs out within the weeks and months to return will probably be a very totally different story. It’ll even be a results of deliberate decisions by Common Orlando, particularly, these to introduce extreme friction into ticket gross sales. However that’ll be extra oblique, and fewer a matter of Common selecting to maintain the capability cap extremely low (though each will play roles).
The underside line is that we ought to be praising guest-friendly choices just like the one Common Orlando made with opening weekend of Epic Universe. That’s true whilst Walt Disney World followers, because the opponents be taught classes from each other. As a substitute, I’m pretty satisfied that criticism from some Walt Disney World followers was preordained.
They’d’ve complained if strains had been too lengthy, pulling a Chapek and calling it an indication of failure; as a substitute, they’re complaining that the strains are too quick. Fortunately, it’s a vocal-but-small minority of Disney zealots. The remainder of us see this as factor.
I’ve been watching this intently through the Common Orlando app and in addition speaking to a number of buddies on the bottom at Epic Universe. We’ve additionally been having fun with eye within the sky protection from friend-of-the-site bioreconstruct, the go-to supply for aerial theme park images (a extremely advisable observe who graciously offered the helicopter photographs right here and has lots of extra on Twitter).
Anecdotally, most points of interest are walk-ons or near it by mid-afternoon, whatever the posted wait occasions. The one exceptions to which can be Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry, Mario Kart, Mine-Cart Insanity, and the Meet Toothless & Mates character greeting.
The precise wait occasions for these are far and wide, with Battle on the Ministry and Toothless being the one issues averaging posted wait occasions which can be over an hour lengthy. Even Mario Kart and Mine-Cart Insanity, which have averages of 30-45 minutes, are routinely walk-ons within the second half of the day. Even the car parking zone has been comparatively empty over opening weekend!
The plain query is why are crowds so low at Epic Universe? How did Common Orlando let this occur? Given the wait occasions, wouldn’t it have been effective to promote a number of thousand extra tickets? Why go away a lot cash on the desk?
As you would possibly recall, ticket gross sales to Epic Universe had been a trouble. We have now used the phrase high-friction rather a lot, and can proceed to take action typically within the months to return. However for proper now, all we actually have to cowl is that Common Orlando introduced the opening date of Epic Universe, began promoting multi-day tickets plus trip packages to most people, and single day tickets for Annual Passholders all inside fast succession in late October of final yr. All of this–from announcement to launch–occurred within the span of a single week.
5 months later, Common Orlando lastly began promoting 1-day Epic Universe tickets to most people, solely a pair weeks after beginning multi-day ticket gross sales to Florida residents. When that occurred again in mid-March of this yr, solely dates on or after June 1, 2025 had been obtainable. Which means that opening week (or so) was already “bought out” by the point common company might buy single-day Epic Universe tickets.
There are air quotes round “bought out” as a result of, should you actually needed to attend Epic Universe this weekend, you would discover a approach. Stalking the ticketing web page has revealed pop-up availability, so being diligent about that will’ve finally yielded outcomes. Only a couple weeks in the past, Common Orlando ‘restocked’ tickets for many dates that had been beforehand bought out.
Apart from Helios Grand (and even that got here up every now and then), there was additionally nonetheless resort and trip bundle availability. In fact, that will include the restrictive ticketing insurance policies which can be pushing away many vacationers within the first place, however the level is that it was nonetheless doable for extremely motivated followers to go to on opening day/weekend.
Most apparently, Common Orlando has made same-day Epic Universe tickets obtainable, with out limitation, each single day since opening (see beneath). That is downright humorous to me, because it’s a pointy distinction to the high-friction gross sales method of the Epic Universe rollout that began final summer season.
I can nearly think about my very offline dad watching Legislation & Order: Large Dangerous Crime Metropolis Spinoff Present on NBC, catching an Epic Universe industrial between Detective Stabler taking names & kicking assassins, and deciding to drive down and see the brand new park. Completely oblivious to the entire ticketing insurance policies, and inexplicably having not one of the points or hurdles hardcore followers encountered after they waited in digital queues a number of months in the past–many nonetheless coming away empty-handed!
That sort of state of affairs might’ve performed out in principle, however might be uncommon in truth. I can’t think about there may be a lot overlap between such a offline particular person and precise theme park fanatics within the yr 2025. I’m going to exit on a limb and say these same-day, walk-up gross sales account for lower than 5% of attendance at Epic Universe so far.
The die was solid months in the past with restrictive ticketing insurance policies adopted by months of previews. Only a few locals are going to purchase last-minute given the previews plus prohibitive pricing, and vacationers don’t change or make plans on such quick discover.
If now could be too late to maneuver the needle on attendance, the following query is why Common Orlando didn’t launch extra tickets months in the past?
In a traditional state of affairs, that’s exactly what we’d’ve anticipated to see occur–Common throttling gross sales considerably at first, after which ‘opening the valve’ and releasing extra over time as operations turned extra assured in regards to the crowd-load the park might bear for the official opening.
My finest guess is the previews gave Common important pause, versus confidence. As we defined in Why You Ought to Skip Epic Universe, trip reliability and breakdowns have been massive and chronic points–and never simply with Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Just about each single one of many park’s marquee points of interest has ranges of downtime increased than what company would contemplate affordable.
Throughout previews, there have been some actually tough days. Between breakdowns and climate delays (which shut 7 of 11 rides), there have been events when solely 1-2 rides had been operational. This had a cascading impact on crowds, and even on days attendance is closely capped.
A few days had been so dangerous that Common Orlando really issued refunds. It was for that reason that we warned about being in Epic Universe on the primary day when there was an operational meltdown at increased capability. It’s going to be a nightmare.
Over the course of previews, reliability appeared to get worse as a substitute of higher. A few the worst days got here in the direction of the top. Between the timing of that and a rising refrain of visitor complaints, I’d hazard a guess that Common selected to take the cautious method. As a substitute of releasing one other large batch of tickets in the direction of the top, they may’ve launched a number of hundred. Even with same-day availability in order that the park isn’t formally “bought out,” we all know that the caps are nonetheless fairly low by advantage of leaked ticket information.
As for the “why” of crowds being so low, the plain reply is capped capability. Simply as with the paid previews, Common Orlando is considerably limiting attendance. Primarily based on the aforementioned ticket information, it’s our understanding that present limits are lower than one-third of complete park capability.
That’s solely a part of the reply, although. As a result of, once more, ticket gross sales had been throttled throughout paid previews and there have been some days that had considerably increased wait occasions. The one greatest distinction between then and now could be trip reliability.
Epic Universe has loved its finest stretch ever–the previous couple of days have seen completely unimaginable uptime. This doesn’t appear like a brand-new park, it seems to be like one which’s discovered its operational groove and been operating easily for years. I might say it’s a miracle, however that is nearly precisely what I skilled throughout previews.
It stays to be seen whether or not these technical rehearsals served their objective and what we’re observing now could be the brand new regular, or the theme park gods smiling on Epic Universe for its opening weekend. Both approach, that is the outcome-determinative issue as contrasted with the worst days of the previews (which additionally implies that these dangerous days might return).
There are different variables. One other massive one is that the opening weekend crowd isn’t consultant of normal visitor dynamics. This a lot ought to be apparent by the entire hoops these folks jumped by means of to be there (digital queues to purchase tickets, packages, and so on). By and huge, these will not be common vacationers–they’re locals, Annual Passholders, and hardcore followers.
Many in all probability already attended previews, acquired their fill of rides then, and are at opening weekend for the reminiscences and being a part of historical past. They’re there to purchase opening merchandise, take photographs, eat at Pizza Moon, and so on. On a a lot totally different scale, we’ve seen one thing comparable at Disneyland for the reason that launch of the seventieth. For those who go by wait occasions information, the parks are lifeless. As somebody who has spent a number of days there within the final week-plus, I can guarantee you that isn’t the case.
One other issue is that Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry now has a standby line versus a digital queue. Which means it’s now absorbing crowds, versus permitting company to be in two locations without delay. This can be a not-insignificant issue at occasions, as Battle on the Ministry has a large bodily queue, and has had a posted wait time as excessive as 300 minutes (when in truth, it was simply damaged down).
Talking of Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry, that’s place to segue into strategic takeaways from the primary few days of Epic Universe. There aren’t actually many, however the massive one is that it is best to completely not rope drop the brand new Harry Potter E-Ticket. This isn’t a very new piece of recommendation–it’s already talked about in our Epic Universe Morning Technique: Rope Drop Rides to Do & Keep away from to Save Time!
It’s however value reiterating as a result of we now have one other week’s value of information factors. For those who would’ve disregarded our recommendation within the days since that was printed, you’d have both encountered the best common wait occasions of the day for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry or stood in line for nothing, as a result of the trip was really damaged down even when the road was open. Absent an unimaginable quantity of luck, you’d’ve been a lot worse off beginning with Battle on the Ministry than actually the rest. Even should you acquired fortunate, the chance price would’ve made it unadvisable.
Possibly this can change within the weeks or months to return, however as of proper now, the perfect technique for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is doing it within the mid-afternoon. We wouldn’t advocate doing it too late, because the trip continues to be susceptible to prolonged downtime; if it breaks down at 4 p.m. or later, there’s all the time the chance it by no means returns–or has a multi-hour wait as soon as it does. Proper after it returns from a breakdown is the perfect time, assuming you’ll be able to transfer quick and beat the push.
Aside from that, the largest change from previews is that Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem has a better common wait time than Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity. This has been pretty constant over the course of a number of days, and is notably totally different from previews.
I don’t consider that is the beginning of a everlasting sample. Once more, demographics of opening weekend skew extra in the direction of locals and regulars, and Mario Kart has higher re-rideability than Mine-Cart Insanity. As mentioned in our Journey Rankings & Opinions for Epic Universe, we view the Donkey Kong coaster as the largest disappointment of the Epic Universe headliners. Whereas I really like the characters and can do it once more on their account, I might by no means wait greater than half-hour for Mine-Cart Insanity.
Mario Kart can also be polarizing–however most company will need to trip it greater than as soon as because it’s interactive. You additionally just about want 2-3 ride-throughs to expertise each the gameplay and see the good darkish trip environments. With wait occasions so low in all places else, I might see Mario Kart being one of many high points of interest that company repeat as soon as they’re “carried out” with every part else at Epic Universe. About the one factor with increased re-ride potential is Stardust Racers.
Ultimately, my expectation is that Mario Kart and Mine-Cart Insanity each settle into being high 3 wait occasions, alongside Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. However I count on Donkey Kong to take the crown over Mario Kart resulting from capability and first-timer demand. Mine-Cart Insanity is perhaps second-banana to Harry Potter, however I wouldn’t be stunned if it’s #1 over time, regardless of being the inferior attraction. We will see, although!
Lastly, I’d be aware that should you’re visiting within the close to future and bought Categorical Go for Epic Universe, you would possibly have the ability to get a refund ought to these low crowds persist. We’ve heard a number of reviews of company receiving refunds for Categorical Go over opening weekend; apparently, these have been granted pretty freely with zero pushback.
This ought to be yet one more signal that it wasn’t initially Common’s intent for the crowds to be fairly this low opening weekend. Have been that the plan, they in all probability wouldn’t have bought Categorical Go within the first place, because it’s been totally ineffective. (Notice that Mine-Cart Insanity and Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry will not be eligible for Categorical Go, so 2 of the one 3 points of interest the place it might’ve been helpful don’t settle for it within the first place.)
Finally, an excellent opening weekend for Epic Universe and a giant win for company. Right here’s hoping that the optimistic protection of crowds garners extra consideration than the 300-minute posted standby anticipate Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Common Orlando deserves it after erring on the facet of warning and limiting ticket gross sales to such a level that, even had been there extra trip downtime, company within the park nonetheless would’ve had a optimistic expertise.
We’d warning in opposition to extrapolating an excessive amount of from opening weekend for the very same cause–trip reliability and downtime would possibly nonetheless be a wildcard. That’s one of many massive explanation why we pushed off our deliberate opening weekend journey to Common Orlando, and whereas we’re kicking ourselves for that call now, hindsight is 20/20. Given the potential of breakdowns extra on par with later previews, excessive warmth & humidity, and the sensible actuality that the park doesn’t have a ton for toddlers, it was in all probability the fitting choice for us.
Nevertheless, the following few months could possibly be a incredible time to go to Epic Universe for theme park followers and low crowd fanatics with a little bit of flexibility and danger tolerance. We’ll cowl that very quickly, with particular suggestions about when to go to. Keep tuned!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Epic Universe’s insanely low crowds for opening day and weekend? Do you count on attendance to extend over the approaching couple of weeks as summer season kicks into excessive gear? Assume Common Orlando bungled the ticket and bundle rollout of Epic Universe? Did that dissuade you from attending this summer season or yr? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you’ve got within the feedback beneath!
