Navigating Epic Universe

Getting to Epic Universe

Free shuttle to Epic Universe: From Universal Orlando's other parks, there are regular free buses shuttle visitors to the Epic Universe campus from the main bus stop near CityWalk. The ride, which is partially on express lanes, takes 10–15 minutes.

Guests at the Universal hotels on the original campus will have access to free shuttle buses as well.

Guests at the Stella Luna and Terra Nova hotels can take a free continuous 10-minute shuttle from the front of those hotels. At peak hours, you may have to stand during the journey.

Guests at the Helios Grand can simply use the special park entrance off the main lobby.

Driving to Epic Universe: The address for Epic Universe is 1001 Epic Blvd., Orlando. That's just east of Kirkman Road and just north of Universal Blvd., east of the Orange County Convention Center.

Ride share at Epic Universe: The drop-off/pick-up area for Universal Epic Universe is at 1201 Epic Blvd., Orlando. That's near the Viking parking area, which is about a 5-minute walk from the front gates.

Parking at Epic Universe

Parking at Epic Universe: Standard parking costs $32 a day. Prime Parking, which is closer to the entrance, has the only covered/shaded parking at Epic Universe, and has the EV charging stations, costs $50–$60.

You can drive out of the parking lot and re-enter on the same day without paying twice as long as you show your receipt. You can also use your parking receipt for free same-day parking at the main Universal Orlando parking structure that serves Universal's other theme parks.

Opening hours at Epic Universe

The default operating hours at Epic Universe are 9am–9pm, but check the calendar on the Universal Orlando Resort app (see below) for the date of your visit, because those hours can change by the day and by the season.

Because so many of Epic Universe's attractions are outdoors, it's not a great park to be in on days when the weather is challenging. Rides that are exposed to the elements will shut down while lightning is in the area, and when it's very hot out, there aren't many buildings in which to seek AC that aren't restaurants.

Tickets to Epic Universe

One-day tickets to Epic Universe start at $139–$199 for adults and $134–$195 for kids aged 3–9, depending on the day you go.

It's unwise to wait until you reach the entry gates to purchase a ticket. As a new park, Epic Universe might reach capacity, and the best deals are given to people who book ahead.

Per-day costs decline slightly when you purchase ticket packages that include one or more of the other Universal parks in Orlando (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and water park Volcano Bay). If you buy a multi-day ticket package, you won't need to specify the date you'll go to Epic Universe, only the starting date of validity for your tickets.

You'll find a ticket price calendar and sales at UniversalOrlando.com.

Using the Universal Orlando Resort app

App usage is now intertwined with theme parks. Before your visit, you'll need to download the Universal Orlando Resort app (there's also free Wi-Fi in the parks).

Google Play link
Apple App Store link

Under the Profile section, add your credit card information to make buying food and drinks easier.

The Universal Orlando app contains maps, the current status and wait times of all attractions, showtimes (you can even set alerts to remind you it's nearly time), dining menus (alas, without prices), reservations, and the ability to validate your tickets with your photo for quicker entry. It can also generate a QR code that you can use to pay for things, and the app's map section can even tell you the location of important places like restrooms and family bathrooms, ATMs, and water bottle filling stations. (In Maps, remember to use the Filter to restrict your searches to Epic Universe as the Venue; otherwise the app reverts to Universal-wide searches.)

At Epic Universe, many of the restaurants ask guests to order from their phones so that staff may bring your meals to your numbered table. If you don't, they'll still help you in person, but the system runs smoother if you use the app.

What the basics cost at Epic Universe

Suntan lotion: $20
Rain poncho: $14
Bottled soda: $5
Main courses at quick service counter: $16–$21
Monster energy drink: $6

Wheelchair rental: $15
ECV vehicle rental: $75 ($95 with shade canopy)
Double stroller: $40 (no single strollers rented)
Lockers: $15–$20 for multi-entry 
(If you're changing Universal parks on the same day, drop off your rental unit retain your receipt to pick up a replacement unit at the second park—as long as there's inventory, which is not guaranteed.)

Optional add-ons for additional activities:

Power-Up Band for Super Nintendo World: $45
Interactive wand for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: $65–$86

Lockers at Epic Universe

Some rides (check our individual ride reviews) forbid loose items and require the use of lockers near the boarding area. When lockers are required, they are free and single-entry. They're always double-sided, so you'll put your things in on one side and retrieve them after the ride on the other side. Ride lockers are big enough for a small bag and purse and all of the items in your pockets—nearly everyone finds they're ample enough—but large or bulky items may not fit.

All lockers at Epic Universe use facial recognition to open and close, and photographs of faces will not work as a hack to open them. (If you don't want to use facial recognition, ask crew member for an alternative validation method.) Lockers for attractions are divided into numbered bays to help you remember where you stuff is; the bays that are farthest away tend to have shorter lines. If you forget your locker number when you return to it, the facial recognition system will tell you which one was yours.

Wheelchair rentals, daily locker rentals ($15–$20 with in-and-out privileges), and ECV rentals are found to the left as you enter the park.

Express Pass and Single Rider at Epic Universe

The most expensive Universal hotels grant Express Pass, which give guests for access to special, shorter lines.

Epic Universe may also sell Express Pass to guests as well; check when you're there to see if it's available. The purchase price will be in the hundreds of dollars.

When the system is in operation, the following attractions are eligible (but check with Universal for the day of your visit, because the list could be shortened in peak season—Harry Potter and the Donkey Kong coaster are sometimes excluded):

Constellation Carousel
Curse of the Werewolf
Fyre Drill
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Hiccup's Wing Gliders
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
Mine-Cart Madness
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Stardust Racers
Yoshi's Adventure

Many attractions have Single Rider lines for people who want a shorter wait in exchange for riding alone. It's not a good idea to bring multi-person parties into this line as ride operators are wise to that tactic. Single Rider lanes might be closed without explanation, but the attractions that are equipped for it are:

Curse of the Werewolf
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
Mine-Cart Madness
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Stardust Racers

Phone numbers for Epic Universe

General Information: 407/363-8000

Guest Services: 407/224-4233 or 877/589-4783 (hours are 8:30am–7pm ET, 7 days a week)

Dining/Character Dining reservations
407/224-3663

Vacation packages and Ticketing: 877/801-9720

Hotel reservations: 888/273-1311

Lost and found:  407/224-4233 (or use the online form)