Common Orlando has expanded paid previews of Epic Universe to the common public, which means you now not must be an AP, on-site visitor, and so forth–anybody can purchase pre-opening tickets! This covers pricing, dates & particulars together with our commentary about attending mushy openings forward of the brand new theme park’s official opening over Memorial Day weekend.
That is the second wave of Epic Universe previews, with the primary beginning final week and persevering with by means of Might 8, 2025. This extension runs proper as much as grand opening week, with tickets now out there for everybody by means of Might 19, 2025. As a reminder, Epic Universe can have its grand opening on Might 22, 2025 and it’s probably that there’s a multi-day media occasion Might 20-21, so that is in all probability it on previews.
Some dates of the Epic Universe previews have began to promote out for Annual Passholders (at current, there’s nonetheless full availability for everybody else), however they’re sometimes Fridays by means of Sundays–and cheaper dates. We wouldn’t fear an excessive amount of about bought out dates out if you happen to’re considering one of many mid-Might weekday preview dates.
Listed below are remaining April 2025 ticket costs for most people previews of Common Epic Universe:
- April 29, 2025: $144
- April 30, 2025: $144
Might 2025 Epic Universe preview ticket costs:
- Might 1, 2025: $144
- Might 2, 2025: $149
- Might 3, 2025: $154
- Might 4, 2025: $149
- Might 5, 2025: $144
- Might 6, 2025: $144
- Might 7, 2025: $144
- Might 8, 2025: $144
- Might 9, 2025: $149
- Might 10, 2025: $154
- Might 11, 2025: $149
- Might 12, 2025: $144
- Might 13, 2025: $144
- Might 14, 2025: $144
- Might 15, 2025: $144
- Might 16, 2025: $149
- Might 17, 2025: $154
- Might 18, 2025: $149
- Might 19, 2025: $149
You may discover that these tickets are all dearer than Annual Passholder tickets by about $20 per ticket. All of those costs are pre-tax. In an attention-grabbing twist, these tickets are literally inexpensive than preview tickets for resort company–at the least for the dates I bought, which had been $180 after tax. I’d hazard a guess that resort costs now match off-site company.
Right here’s the announcement from Common Orlando: “Don’t miss this distinctive alternative to participate in a particular preview earlier than the Might 22, 2025 Grand Opening of Common Orlando Resort’s latest theme park.
“Throughout this Preview interval, we’re placing the ultimate touches in place and rehearsing, so some points of interest and experiences is probably not out there.”
Restricted availability, tickets out there on a first-come, first-served foundation. Restrictions apply. Costs fluctuate by day, plus tax. Epic Universe Grand Opening is Might 22, 2025.
Members of most people can purchase tickets on-line right here.
Annual Passholders, on-site resort company, and members of different choose group who already bought tickets are more likely to now be frightened about crowds with Common increasing Epic Universe previews to the general public. That’s a good concern, and we might anticipate attendance to extend because of this transfer.
We’ve been warning that this was more likely to occur, as Common wants to stress-test Epic Universe with crowd ranges extra intently approximating these it’ll expertise opening day. Nevertheless, the caps are nonetheless fairly low, so we wouldn’t fear an excessive amount of. Furthermore, the demographics most definitely to buy tickets have already got performed so. The most important excellent “bucket” is Florida residents who don’t have Annual Passes.
Even vacationers visiting Walt Disney World are unlikely to reap the benefits of this expanded eligibility. There’ll completely be some who do, they usually’re in all probability disproportionately readers of a weblog like this one. However the common visitor makes their trip plans months upfront, is on a funds, and has already purchased park tickets to Walt Disney World. They aren’t going to drop every part to go to Epic Universe in massive numbers.
As you may’ve seen from our elevated Epic Universe protection, I’ve attended a number of paid previews so far, and had largely constructive experiences. That’s simply me, although. Sarah and Megatron haven’t but attended.
For Walt Disney World guests considering a day at Epic Universe, I’d extremely suggest it, albeit with some caveats. This isn’t a standard Common park, which means that company who’ve points with movement illness gained’t have as many issues right here. With that mentioned, those that aren’t good with thrill rides will nonetheless have points at Epic Universe.
The least intense “household” curler coaster is extra intense than Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare–extra on par with Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad, however smoother. It will be the perfect Common park for Sarah (not a excessive bar), however she nonetheless couldn’t do a number of rides, and a handful others can be one-and-done. Setting apart the rides, it’s a improbable theme park, and you would have a whole lot of enjoyable and satisfying day solely doing just a few points of interest.
Households with younger youngsters ought to in all probability keep away from Epic Universe completely. There are some issues that our daughter may do, however that listing is restricted. We’ll be testing that in-person quickly, however my greatest unfavourable realization with Epic Universe is that it’s, as soon as once more, extra a park for me as somebody with zero trip limitations, than it’s for our household.
The most important upside to visiting Epic Universe throughout a preview is crowds, or the dearth thereof. Attendance has very clearly been capped properly beneath Epic Universe’s estimated full capability of round 40,000. Based mostly on leaked information that paints an incomplete image, we’d estimate that Common Orlando is at present releasing 15,000 tickets out there on the market every day.
Be aware that that is what number of tickets can be found and not what number of are promoting. Apart from weekends, Annual Passholder preview tickets haven’t been promoting out, nor have resort visitor tickets. Which means the 15,000 ticket cap (or thereabouts) is irrelevant, as a result of they’re really promoting below 10,000 tickets. On some weekdays, that quantity might be a lot decrease than 10,000–so we’re speaking lower than one-quarter of the park’s whole capability.
I haven’t seen any information but for common public ticket availability, however I’d anticipate these numbers to each enhance. My assumption is that the cap instantly jumps to twenty,000 tickets they usually begin promoting over 10,000 tickets per day. Maybe over 15,000 on weekends.
For this reason the elevated ticket caps aren’t that huge of a problem. We’d hazard a guess that the majority Annual Passholders already bought their tickets through the first wave of gross sales. Apart from the diehards who simply can’t get sufficient (and have loads of disposable earnings), this subsequent wave goes to promote worse, not higher, with APs. I’d be shocked if any weekdays promote out–and unsurprised if weekends don’t.
Lodge company are a unique story, as they’re primarily vacationers who’re continuously refreshed. Somebody doing a visit in mid-Might didn’t have the (sensible) possibility of shopping for Epic Universe preview tickets in April. If something, their uptake may very well be increased as consciousness and constructive word-of-mouth about low crowds spreads. Identical goes with most people.
Nonetheless, locals are probably the first viewers for Epic Universe previews, so all of this can be a recipe for low crowds. You’re in all probability not going to have one other probability to expertise Epic Universe at one-quarter of whole capability. (And if what I skilled is any indication, you’re positively not going to wish to be there when attendance is 25,000 or increased!)
In the end, I extremely suggest attending a paid preview of Epic Universe (ideally two) if in any respect potential. There’s much more let’s imagine concerning the execs & cons of attending Epic Universe previews, however I’m guessing there’s not a lot of an viewers for it. These previews final one other ~6 weeks earlier than the park opens, and I’d think about that not many planners are studying this within the first place.
Those that are studying have in all probability already made their determination whether or not to attend Epic Universe previews or not. Maybe I’m underestimating curiosity (during which case, let me know!), however we now have a whole lot of Epic Universe protection to come back, and specializing in previews appears low-priority. The most important piece of recommendation I can supply for now could be to review up on the digital queue so that you don’t miss the park’s greatest trip: The best way to Be a part of the Digital Line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation in your go to to Central Florida? Be certain that 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 previews? Excited for Tremendous Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Darkish Universe/Traditional Monsters, or the The best way to Prepare Your Dragon lands and/or points of interest? Suppose Epic Universe might be a 3rd gate that’s a worthy addition to Common Orlando Resort…and probably on par with Disney’s greatest lands? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you’ve within the feedback beneath!
