Epic Universe isn’t a 2-day park for the typical vacationer. Regardless of claims on the contrary by diehard Common Orlando followers, that is completely unfaithful for the overwhelming majority of friends. I wish to be abundantly clear about this, as a result of the title would possibly sound like pure reward, with us saying that is the primary multi-day park in Central Florida since Magic Kingdom. It’s not.
That is extra about there being legitimate explanation why theme park followers and repeat guests to Walt Disney World and Common Orlando would possibly wish to allocate extra time to Epic Universe throughout its opening 12 months. A few of that’s self-evident: it’s new! After all locals and Annual Passholders would wish to spend disproportionate time on the new park, versus those they’ve accomplished dozens to tons of of occasions.
A part of that’s extra strategic, although. That sure experiences and choices would possibly require a number of days at Epic Universe, that it behooves you to construct in a buffer so that you don’t stroll away saying, “I want I had extra time to do X or Y,” or “I can’t imagine that, even after a number of days within the park, there’s nonetheless a lot I missed!” These are my sentiments precisely proper now, so it’s not precisely hypothetical!
Talking of which, I’m torn in the case of Epic Universe. I like Common Orlando’s new park, and can’t wait to return this summer time and past. However there main downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park throughout its opening season(s), as specified by Why You Ought to Skip Epic Universe (Subtitle: “or Methods to Study to Cease FOMO and Wait to Go to Till Winter 2026 & Past”).
To be completely trustworthy/blunt with you, that ‘skip’ article is growing older rather well only one week later. Though it was met with backlash by a vocal minority of Common stans, I really feel forward of my time and totally vindicated in publishing it. I nonetheless do see upside in visiting early and am wanting to return myself, however with every passing day, I imagine that ready till later is the “right” recommendation for many vacationers.
However, I’m publishing this within the curiosity of stability…and since I mentioned I might. Additionally, as a result of by advantage of studying a distinct segment web site about theme parks, you have already got put your self within the minority in the case of issues like this. So it’s solely attainable that the recommendation right here nonetheless applies to a majority of Disney Vacationer Weblog readers, even when the vast majority of all vacationers needs to be avoiding Epic Universe till 2026!
I don’t have any first-hand experiences at Epic Universe in Might 2025, simply to be clear. It’s purely from watching on the sidelines as reviews on social media pour in. I take pleasure in lurking the Common Orlando reddit, which is a implausible group, to maintain me within the loop. It has been fascinating (and disheartening) watching the real-time shift there within the final two weeks. It has step by step gone from unadulterated hype and pleasure to blended/measured enthusiasm to defensiveness vs. cheap expectations to virtually pure pessimism. A wild experience rivaling the wonderful Stardust Racers.
Level being, as excited as I’m to revisit Epic Universe ASAP (and I’m very excited), I additionally acknowledge that not everyone seems to be me. I already did each experience a number of occasions in a low-stress, low-stakes atmosphere. If I am going again and do nothing however Monsters Unchained, a few coasters, and a ton of consuming & exploring, I’ll think about my subsequent days to be successes. The typical vacationer may not have the identical time or tolerances to expertise Epic Universe, operational warts and all, within the coming months.
To that time, I’m married to a mean vacationer (nothing about Sarah is common–however you get the concept), so none of that is theoretical! Our household had an Epic Universe journey deliberate for this summer time that we’re suspending for the explanations coated in that ‘Skipping Epic Universe’ article. Whereas I’ll return to Epic Universe many occasions within the months to come back, that’ll be on my own and primarily “for analysis.” I’ll undoubtedly have loads of enjoyable, however our household trip will possible be delayed till early 2026 for extra optimum circumstances.
Anyway, right here’s how I plan to take advantage of my future visits to Epic Universe in 2025, and why I like to recommend the identical if you happen to’re planning on tackling the brand new park within the coming months…
Greatest Meals Park in Orlando
I can not say definitively that Epic Universe is at present the #1 meals park in Orlando. Even after spending a number of days there, I’ve nonetheless solely scratched the floor of what its culinary scene has to supply. However what I did attempt was largely distinctive, a implausible combination of enjoyable, photogenic, scrumptious, and impressive.
Primarily based on that have, it’s simply the #1 meals park in Common Orlando. That’s not a excessive bar, although. The opposite parks is usually a bit, ahem, restricted when you get outdoors the Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands, with extra crowd-pleasing delicacies of various levels of edibility.
Epic Universe is a large departure from this, with each ingenious & intriguing choices and theme park staples accomplished at a extremely excessive stage. Take Pizza Moon, for instance. It’s a counter service pizza parlor (therefore the title), so that you would possibly understandably have restrained expectations. It’s in some way implausible, being nearer in high quality to By way of Napoli than Pizzafari. (Consider the hype concerning the ube-crusted Pizza Lunare.)
My concern is that this received’t final. It is rather typically the case that new eating places at theme parks open with menus that swing for the fences, solely to be dumbed-down over the months and years that comply with to comport with the expectations of common friends, and within the title of operational effectivity and throughput.
I may see each being points at Epic Universe. We waited over 45 minutes for a part of our order in the future at Café L’air De La Sirène (in equity, it was implausible). We additionally overheard one other visitor ask “why is the crust purple?” concerning the aforementioned Pizza Lunare (they appeared to ship it again, however that wasn’t 100% clear).
Visiting earlier offers you a higher alternative to benefit from the Epic Universe menus of their full glory. Going for 2 days offers you extra time to attempt all the formidable and enjoyable meals. After which, you’ll have craveworthy dishes to mourn many years from now: “Keep in mind when Epic Universe had that distinctive and wonderful ___? Carry it again, Common!”
See Portals at Night time
Like each theme park ever, Epic Universe is healthier at evening. That is very true of these in Central Florida in the course of the summer time, simply by advantage of consolation from cooler climate and sunshine being changed by synthetic lighting packages. It’s my dream for Magic Kingdom to return to midnight closings throughout June and July.
Epic Universe is basically fairly at evening. The cartoonish colours of Tremendous Nintendo World pop beneath a deep blue nightfall sky because the lights oversaturate the environments. Methods to Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk sees its atmosphere change into a moody and atmospheric panorama, with wealthy lighting that amplifies the rockwork and craggy cliffs. Then there’s the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic with its romanticized tackle Paris–let’s simply say it does justice to the “Metropolis of Lights” moniker.
Nonetheless, the 2 unequivocal highlights of nighttime at Epic Universe are Celestial Park and Darkish Universe. The previous is the park’s central hub, and it’s downright disagreeable in the course of the day resulting from a dearth of shade and heat-reflective pavement. At evening, Celestial Park is beautiful, with fountains and lighting results that make you wish to linger and take in its distinctive environment and nuanced unique design.
Then there’s just about the whole thing of Darkish Universe, which ‘works’ a lot better at evening. (It’s not known as Daylight Universe for a cause.) You’ll completely wish to see Burning Blade Tavern dwell as much as its title, wander outdoors the Frankenstein property, and spend a while getting misplaced within the alleys of Darkmoor.
Attributable to park hours, all of this isn’t attainable in a single evening. Perhaps on dates when the park now closes at 10pm (kudos to Common for doing the precise factor and increasing some closings), however even then, it’ll be actually, actually rushed. You received’t be lingering or taking any time to soak up the environment. The optimum method is actually two portals per evening, plus a gradual stroll by means of Celestial Park in your manner out. Even that’s going to be a bit extra rushed than you would possibly like.
Sluggish Down & Drink the Particulars
At any time when a brand new theme park land opens, it has change into the cliche to say, “that is really a full day land.” This occurred with Pandora, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Tremendous Nintendo World, and each Wizarding Worlds. And little question, I’ve spent full days in all of those lands–a number of, even–once they had been model new.
However I’m a dork who spends manner an excessive amount of time in theme parks who loves a shiny new object. It’s one thing to understand and obsess over, and there’s pleasure in discovering all the particulars and secrets and techniques these new lands maintain. That is the case for a lot of different locals and Annual Passholders, who’ve a willingness to spend inordinate quantities of time in new areas as a result of every part else is “previous information” to them. For a primary timer or rare customer, the circumstances are clearly totally different.
However, with none background information or intense fandom for any of those properties (save for Nintendo, however I’ve already skilled two different variations of that land), I discovered myself wanting extra time inside every portal. I saved stumbling upon new and fascinating issues whereas there, and I do know my visits solely scratched the floor.
Epic Universe is sort of a entire park of Wizarding Worlds when it comes to design particulars, and in contrast to something Common has accomplished earlier than. In time period of depth and a spotlight to element, it jogs my memory of Animal Kingdom. However frankly, with areas which can be extra fascinating and fascinating to me, personally. It’s very tough to each concentrate on driving the rides and savoring the areas. You really want two days for that, even when it’s not a 2-day park within the conventional sense of the time period.
Wet Days, Downtime & Delays
Epic Universe has now had its first one-two punch of technical difficulties plus inclement climate inflicting experience closures. I’d say that is solely going to worsen in the course of the top of summer time storm season, however there have already been occasions when just one (1) experience in your complete park was working. It’s exhausting to think about something worse than that…hopefully!
Storm season goes to be tough, simply by advantage of the variety of points of interest with outside elements at Epic Universe. That shall be exacerbated within the first 12 months by the all-new points of interest have rising pains which can be typically tormented by issues their first few months. Even with out rain, issues have been rocky not too long ago–it’s typically the case that solely one-third of rides are operational at any given second. A number of ‘delays’ or flat-out ‘closed’ points of interest. That is the character of the beast as points of interest change into extra advanced.
The underside line is that you simply’ll wish to give your self two days if you happen to’re visiting Epic Universe in its first ~6 months as a buffer. Versus tilting at windmills and ‘forcing’ issues when the stuff hits the fan, glide! Absorb these particulars, discover the park, and provides your self “permission” to have a very good time throughout a nasty day. That is very tough with only a single day and no margin for error to get every part accomplished, however simpler with two. As somebody who has made ‘lemonade out of lemons’ throughout many operational meltdowns at different theme parks, belief me–that is the way in which.
Improve Odds for Harry Potter
One factor I can not stress to Disney followers is: DO NOT assume your abilities and success fee will switch to the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Common’s Digital Line system is manner worse than even Walt Disney World’s first technology of Digital Queue. It’s additionally much less predictable and “ability” doesn’t matter as a lot. It feels unfair and arbitrary.
With every passing day, I hear extra horror tales. Success charges have plummeted, and increasingly folks have reported going 0 for 3 and even 0 for six throughout a number of days. On some actually tough days, the experience hasn’t been opening till the afternoon, and the sooner VL drops don’t really even occur.
That is nothing new. The attraction was not open for the majority of worker previews, as crews labored to enhance its uptime and operational capability. As soon as paid previews started, there was seemingly recognition from administration that the attraction needed to be out there a minimum of among the time, therefore the digital queue.
Now, because the park races in the direction of grand opening in lower than two weeks with unreliability and downtime woes persisting, Common Orlando has introduced that Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry shall be closed from Might 10 by means of Might 16, 2025. The experience is at present scheduled to reopen on Might 17 for the ultimate few days of previews earlier than the Might 22, 2025 grand opening of Epic Universe. Even that’s topic to vary.
What we heard some time in the past is that there are main points with Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry and it’s anticipated to be months earlier than it’s firing on all cylinders (the timeframe I heard was Fall 2025, however that could possibly be outdated at this level). Which means that it’ll get worse earlier than it will get higher. If the experience doesn’t enhance reliability and uptime at the same time as capability will increase as soon as official opening arrives, that would imply solely 10-15% of friends experiencing Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry on an everyday day.
Accordingly, giving your self as many possibilities as attainable on the Digital Line is a realistic method. With present success charges, it’d take 2 days of tries, and even then, breakdowns or dangerous luck may stymie your success. (Actually, we’d advocate going into Epic Universe mentally ready for not driving–have that be the baseline so that you don’t set your self up for disappointment.)
When it’s working, Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is definitely the target #1 attraction within the park, and finest experience Common Artistic has ever constructed. A very powerful planning publish you’ll be able to learn is our VL information: Methods to Be a part of the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry.
N/A. Earlier is Optimum
Usually, we advise diehard followers to go earlier versus ready in the case of formidable and envelope-pushing points of interest because of the probability of pesky and problematic results being disabled later for the sake of operational effectivity. Essentially the most notorious instance of that is Indiana Jones Journey at Disneyland, with many long-lost results which can be the stuff of legends. Extra not too long ago, this has additionally been true with Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and extra.
My concern was that this may even be the case with Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. Nonetheless, it doesn’t look like that’s the case. I’ve but to have an ideal ride-through on Monsters Unchained, and others have reported Battle on the Ministry often working with damaged results. On this case, it seems these rides will get higher over time, as additional check and modify hones their timing and will get the Audio Animatronics firing on all cylinders.
I’d additionally lengthen this to the park as a complete. Throughout my visits, there have been nonetheless closed-off paths in Celestial Park and different areas that wanted their ending touches. Perhaps this shall be accomplished by opening day, however perhaps not. Regardless, my perspective is that the park goes to develop into its personal over time, and it might take a couple of wet seasons to get it actually trying good.
I’m properly conscious that this ‘optimistic’ article about spending extra time at Epic Universe is pretty backhanded. A lot of that is ‘lemonade out of lemons’ stuff. However if you happen to booked a gap season journey months in the past, that’s the angle from which I’d now advocate approaching this new park. Go in with a restrained and cheap stage of hype, hoping for the most effective however ready for the worst.
On the threat of belaboring the purpose, we don’t anticipate any of this to be a lot of a difficulty within the medium or long-term. I’m cognizant of the truth that some current posts have seemingly positioned me as an Epic Universe Hater, however I swear, I actually am not. I like the brand new park! Virtually each new attraction or land has preliminary rising pains, particularly the superior ones. Epic Universe is a complete park of these!
I’m not attempting to be vital or nitpick–that is extra of a sober “it’s what it’s” kind of commentary within the face of what has felt like a runaway hype prepare. A 12 months from now, Epic Universe needs to be working easily and with a excessive diploma of effectivity. It’ll hopefully have blossomed into its personal. There’s one thing to be mentioned for experiencing a brand-new theme park, however there’s additionally a non-monetary price to doing so. Take into account each earlier than taking the plunge.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Be sure to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for every part about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for every part about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be attending Epic Universe this summer time for its opening season, or will you skip it till the brand new park settles right into a groove? When you do go to, are you planning on spending a number of days at Epic Universe to understand the brand new park in its full glory–or give your self extra of a security internet to expertise extra of the park and endure downtime and delays? Involved about unreliable rides, how scorching the park will get, or anything? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share some other ideas or questions you will have within the feedback under!
