Common Orlando has launched the park hours for Epic Universe’s grand opening on Might 22, 2025 and first week of operations thereafter, in addition to the schedules for Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. This shares official particulars, together with our commentary about why this information is disappointing, as is the unduly defensive response from some followers.
In keeping with the Common Orlando Resort calendar, Epic Universe will likely be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for its grand opening on Might 22, 2025. The park additionally is not going to host Early Park Admission that date, as early entry at Epic Universe begins Might 23 and continues by at the very least the tip of December 2025.
Epic Universe will likely be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. by at the very least Might 31, 2025. Working hours should not but out there for June onwards, however there’s no motive to count on longer hours at some point of summer time. Epic Universe is bought out of tickets for Might, whereas that’s not the case for a lot of the rest of the summer time season.
Surprisingly, Islands of Journey is open to most people from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Might 22, with Early Park Admission beginning at 8 a.m. That means that decades-old park is successfully working for two further hours than Epic Universe on the brand-new park’s opening day.
Epic Universe is presently open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for paid previews, with on-site resort visitors getting Early Park Admission beginning at 10 a.m. These sneak peeks are pretty low capability (our estimates put them at below 50% based mostly on caps, and far decrease than that based mostly on precise ticket gross sales), and Epic Universe paid previews have been prolonged by nearly opening day.
Notice that in late Might 2025, the sundown time in Orlando, Florida ranges from 8:13 p.m. to eight:18 p.m.
On the threat of stating the apparent, it doesn’t get darkish the second the solar goes down; it takes one other 30-45 minutes earlier than dusk and issues actually begin wanting good. Not less than, this has been our expertise with Epic Universe throughout previews.
The park hours for Epic Universe over opening weekend (and past) are particularly unlucky provided that the park was virtually designed to be skilled at evening. To make certain, each theme park in Central Florida is healthier within the night simply by advantage of lighting packages and luxury. However Epic Universe, specifically, has fountains and results in Celestial Park in addition to just about the whole thing of Darkish Universe that solely actually ‘work’ at evening. (Extra like Daylight Universe, amirite?!)
There are myriad potential causes for Epic Universe closing early. One is undoubtedly the necessity to conduct in a single day upkeep; a number of sights are nonetheless unreliable and that’s unlikely to be resolved within the subsequent month. One other is wanting or needing to clear the park by an inexpensive hour; if Mine-Cart Insanity has a 120 minute wait at park closing, which means the park gained’t be guest-free till nearer to 11 p.m.
Much less charitably, there’s in all probability the will to chop prices or push visitors in direction of visiting Islands of Journey. We already know Comcast has spent a ton of cash gearing up for the launch of Epic Universe, and now they’d like to save lots of on working bills and recoup their funding. Equally, there is perhaps park buyouts; we already noticed one in all these in Darkish Universe throughout previews!
Regardless of the causes, none of them are insurmountable–nor do they justify Common closing the park so early on the day of its anxiously-awaited grand opening. This transfer has Massive Animal Kingdom Power, and I don’t imply that in a optimistic method.
Truthfully, that is one other factor making me need to push off our opening weekend journey to Common Orlando that we booked months in the past.
It seems like that is going to be a not-so-grand opening for Epic Universe, and an anticlimactic expertise when all is alleged and achieved. Following months of previews and a gala media occasion within the couple of days main as much as Might 22, it simply looks like the day itself goes to be enterprise as ordinary and missing the standard fanfare that comes with such openings.
I’m positive the large day will nonetheless be particular with diehard Common followers and Crew Members, and I don’t need to counsel in any other case. However it seems to be like the corporate isn’t doing something particular, and that loads of the thrill has been pulled ahead to the previews that almost all of those self same followers will have already got attended. This isn’t essentially a grievance–having the chance to expertise these previews has been superior. There’s simply much less of an incentive to be there on Might 22.
That’s a minor element within the grand scheme of issues; I’m extra involved concerning the chance/likelihood of Epic Universe not being open at evening throughout its first summer time. It’s such a surprising park at evening, and it seems like that’s being squandered. I don’t consider Epic Universe “wants” these shorter hours, but when it does, function from 10 a.m. till 10 p.m., on the very least. I’d’ve thought Common would need to depart vacationers with an enduring impression to take dwelling and share with family and friends; phrase of mouth goes to be vastly vital to this park.
What’s most disheartening about that is followers instantly leaping to Common’s protection, preemptively providing excuses on the corporate’s behalf for why this can be a essential transfer. That it merely isn’t doable or pragmatic for Epic Universe to have a later closing on opening day than 9 p.m. for X or Y motive. Closing should happen earlier because of sure operational realities, or no matter. Fortunately, this isn’t the angle of most Common followers–however it’s of too many.
As a longtime Walt Disney World fan, I’d strongly warning the Common diehards in opposition to this–it’s a slippery slope. I’ve misplaced monitor of what number of instances I’ve heard that X or Y isn’t doable for that reason or that. Followers present a pretext, giving the corporate a go on making a enterprise determination that’s damaging for the visitor expertise; it’s usually achieved below the misguided notion that the followers are defending the creatives or passionate folks working arduous to ship an exemplary expertise. The issue with this line of considering is that creatives are not often (learn: nearly by no means) those making enterprise choices.
(Not less than on the subject of park hours, there’s clear consensus that Walt Disney World ought to have longer hours at Magic Kingdom. Most additionally agree that Animal Kingdom shouldn’t shut earlier than sundown, as occurs a lot of the 12 months. On the very least, you don’t actually have followers defending the shorter hours. Most level to the 8 a.m. to midnight hours at Disneyland and surprise why we are able to’t have that. There’s additionally a particular double-standard with how followers deal with Walt Disney World and Common Orlando.)
Typically, it’s the case that choices are essential for causes followers can’t comprehend or admire. From the surface wanting in, we can’t see the whole image or perceive the sensible realities of operating a theme park. We are able to have unrealistic expectations; there’s actually no denying that.
However very often, there’s not consensus about these things throughout the firm, both. This must be apparent, as you in all probability don’t agree with each determination made in your office, faculty, and so on. There’s nearly by no means unanimous settlement even in smaller organizations–now think about how that scales to multinational conglomerates.
In terms of theme parks, there are loads of hard-fought inner battles; the people who find themselves passionate concerning the product try to ship extra. It’s not unusual for them to wish “ammunition” within the type of fan suggestions to assist their place. I’m not essentially saying that’s what’s occurring right here, however I’m saying that the individuals who at all times bounce to an organization’s protection as a result of they suppose criticism is tantamount to unloyalty are actually those who’re misguided. They’re those who’re behaving in methods detrimental to the standard of the expertise; constructive criticism is an asset, not a legal responsibility.
I point out all of this as a result of one of many ways in which Epic Universe struck me most whereas strolling round was how lots of the battles Common Inventive gained. There are such a lot of ‘superfluous’ particulars in Epic Universe that we’ve by no means seen in a home Common theme park exterior of the Harry Potter lands. Loads of issues that would’ve simply been minimize when the funds began to spiral, however by some means weren’t. A lot of this mission struck me as an ‘in opposition to all odds’ accomplishment.
There have been numerous situations, in reality, the place I used to be impressed by a comparatively little factor as a result of I knew there’s no method present-day Imagineering would’ve had the political capital to win a few of these similar battles (at the very least not domestically). This isn’t to say Epic Universe surpasses all six Disney theme parks in america; it undoubtedly doesn’t. It’s extra you could stroll round and be struck by this or that, and suppose: “Disney by no means would’ve achieved this.” (For the report, this cuts each methods–however this isn’t an Epic Universe evaluation.)
Granted, it’s doable that Comcast merely gave them a clean test and full autonomy. I by some means doubt that. Though I don’t have almost as a lot perception to the dynamic between management and artistic at this firm, I do have a free understanding of the way it works at Disney. Furthermore, I’ve eyes. I’ve seen the tip outcomes at Common’s current gates and the sharp distinction between these and Epic Universe. It’s not like the identical creatives answerable for these additions all of a sudden “acquired good” when it got here to Epic Universe.
Level being, Common Inventive managed to make one thing particular, they usually did that with not simply beautiful lighting packages but additionally core themed design in some areas that’s actually higher at evening. I’d hazard a guess that the method itself was usually oriented round how sure areas would feel and look below the managed nighttime present lighting.
Defend this early closing if you would like. That’s clearly your prerogative. There are little question legitimate the explanation why Epic Universe would possibly “want” to shut at 9 p.m. throughout its opening summer time. There are additionally the explanation why it shouldn’t, and on steadiness, it’s tough for me to see the previous successful out for another motive than ease and expense.
In terms of providing unwavering assist of no matter choices an organization makes, achieve this with the information that perhaps, simply perhaps, you’re defending the “improper” folks in an inner energy wrestle. If the groups behind Darkish Universe, Celestial Park, Tremendous Nintendo World, and so on., might communicate their minds freely with out concern of reprisal, do you truthfully suppose they’d say, “sure in fact, we wish this factor we’ve passionately created for the previous decade to shut after half-hour of nightfall.”
Anyway, I wished to supply this ‘pep speak’ to Common followers as a result of there’s undoubtedly a sure “Second Metropolis Syndrome” amongst lots of them. I get it. You need to defend ‘your parks’ as a result of so many Disney followers provide nothing however criticism and condescension. (The identical dynamic exists, albeit to a lesser extent, with Animal Kingdom fans throughout the WDW fandom.)
Nonetheless, the tides are turning on that. With Epic Universe, you’ve reached The Massive Present. This park goes to show heads and trigger a important reevaluation of Common, together with (particularly) amongst Disney diehards. It’d behoove you to carry Common to the identical excessive commonplace going ahead that the park’s creators held themselves to when designing and constructing Epic Universe. Defending choices detrimental to the visitor expertise isn’t doing anybody any favors; simply ask Walt Disney World followers how that’s labored out for us.
Want journey planning suggestions and complete recommendation on your go to to Central Florida? Be certain that to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for the whole lot about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for the whole lot about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and far more, join our FREE e mail e-newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on Common Orlando closing Epic Universe at 9 p.m. on its grand opening day and thereafter in Might 2025 even formally? Assume there’s a very good motive for this, or is it a cost-savings (or technique to promote the park twice for company buyouts)? Hoping Common Orlando does issues otherwise/higher with operations of this distinctive new theme park? What do you suppose the response can be if Walt Disney World did this? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share another ideas or questions you might have within the feedback under.
