Suggestions for visiting Epic Universe at Common Orlando Resort

Epic Universe is the most recent theme park to open in Orlando — the Theme Park Capital of the World — and the third park to open at Common Orlando Resort (the opposite two being Common Studios Florida and Common Islands of Journey). Common can be residence to Volcano Bay water park; the CityWalk eating, purchasing and leisure district; and 11 themed accommodations.

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Like Common’s different parks, Epic Universe has lands and points of interest themed to standard leisure franchises. Except for that, Epic Universe takes every part you suppose you understand a couple of theme park and turns it on its head.

Epic Universe has 5 immersive worlds, together with Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Tremendous Nintendo World, Darkish Universe and Celestial Park. You may learn our full information to the 5 worlds of Epic Universe for a better take a look at the lands and points of interest in every world, however after spending three days within the park, I’ve amassed a listing of suggestions and tips that can assist you take advantage of your go to.

Listed here are 11 tricks to maximize your journey to Epic Universe to save lots of time in line, have extra enjoyable and guarantee your Common trip is nothing wanting epic.

Arrive early and keep late

If you’re staying in any of Common Orlando’s on-site accommodations, you need to use early park admission advantages to enter Epic Universe as much as one hour previous to the posted opening time. Solely choose points of interest are open throughout this time, however you possibly can ask a group member or search for signage on the park entrance on the day of your go to to seek out out which lands and points of interest are open for early park admission throughout your go to.

To date, Mine-Cart Insanity, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem and Yoshi’s Journey in Tremendous Nintendo World, and Stardust Racers in Celestial Park have persistently been on the early opening checklist.

Of those, the look forward to Mine-Cart Insanity is often longer all through the day than the others. You need to have the ability to head there first earlier than the wait climbs too excessive, after which knock out the opposite points of interest in Tremendous Nintendo World. Or, should you get one or two points of interest accomplished in Tremendous Nintendo World and it is getting near the official park opening time, you possibly can make your solution to one of many different portals to be first in line for the points of interest in that world.

Alternatively, you possibly can head straight for Stardust Racers and get on this exceptionally thrilling coaster with a really brief wait. Since it’s a dueling coaster, you possibly can doubtless journey each tracks earlier than the park opens to common daytime visitors.

Lastly, you possibly can forgo getting on any rides throughout that first hour and line up in entrance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic to be first in line for Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry when it opens. The identical could possibly be stated for different points of interest, like if you wish to be first to satisfy Hiccup and Toothless in Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, however Battle on the Ministry often has the longest wait on the park, with wait occasions persistently longer than an hour.

If you do not have early park admission, you continue to need to arrive just a little bit early (about half-hour earlier than gates open) to go away time for getting by way of safety and into the park. I’d keep away from Mine-Cart Insanity and Battle on the Ministry till later within the day when wait occasions get shorter. You may examine wait occasions within the Common app to see what’s shortest when the park opens and head there first.

The explanations to remain till closing (or take a break and return later within the day) are twofold. From what I’ve observed to date, the wait occasions drop drastically within the final hour or two earlier than park closing. If there may be something you did not get to earlier within the day or something you need to reride, you ought to be in a position to take action with a brief wait near closing time.

Second, this park shines at night time. Each facet of the park adjustments as soon as the solar goes down and the park lights come on. (Extra on that later.)

Epic Universe will not be a 1-day park

Are you able to get on each journey at Epic Universe in at some point? Most likely. And if all you will have is at some point, you possibly can nonetheless have a good time.

However, in case your schedule and price range enable, two days is the candy spot to get on all of the rides and expertise the opposite issues that make this park so particular, like assembly characters, enjoying the interactive components in every land, seeing the dwell exhibits and sitting down for a few good meals.

In two days, you possibly can discover two worlds on the primary day and two worlds on the second. You may go to Celestial Park on each days as a result of it’s the central world that you will move by way of to get to the opposite 4 worlds.

Extra time within the park additionally means you possibly can go at a slower tempo and soak up all the small print. You could come throughout a Viking and a child dragon in Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, meet college students visiting Paris from completely different wizarding colleges in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic or race round Tremendous Nintendo World to see what number of cash you possibly can rack up punching blocks and enjoying mini video games.

For now, you may have to purchase two particular person one-day tickets as a result of there aren’t any multiday Epic Universe tickets, however that ought to change as soon as the park has been open for a bit. Or, if you wish to make a five- to seven-day journey out of it and go to Common’s different parks, you possibly can buy a multiday package deal that features entry to Epic Universe and add an extra one-day Epic Universe ticket for 2 days at Epic.

Easy methods to maximize 1 day at Epic Universe

When you solely have at some point to spend at Epic Universe, there are some things you may need to do to maximise your time (along with staying in one among Common’s official accommodations so you need to use the early park admission profit).

A number of of the points of interest at Epic Universe use a single-rider line, which might prevent time in line (so long as you do not thoughts your get together being break up up and driving with strangers).

However the best solution to save time in line and get on extra rides is to buy a Common Specific move, Common’s model of a skip-the-line move. Common Specific permits you to bypass the standard standby line on most points of interest and use a a lot shorter Specific entrance.

A selected Specific move for Epic Universe is on the market on the Common Orlando web site beginning at $139.99 per particular person, per day, however you too can buy it at Common accommodations or contained in the park (based mostly on availability). The Epic Universe Specific move permits you to skip the road on choose points of interest as soon as per day.

Presently, this is applicable to all Epic Universe points of interest apart from the next:

• Dragon Racer’s Rally
• Mine-Cart Insanity
• Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry

The one draw back to Common Specific is that you simply bypass the standby queue, and among the queues at Epic Universe — like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry, the entire Tremendous Nintendo World rides and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders — are nearly as spectacular because the rides themselves. If time permits, I’d do these rides a second time with out utilizing Specific simply to see the queue and be taught extra concerning the story behind the attraction.

When you solely have at some point, I additionally suggest that you become familiar with the park’s points of interest earlier than your go to. Use this info to decide on your must-do rides and exhibits in every land. Concentrate on these, and any time you will have left over is bonus time to do something you will have missed.

Keep at an Epic Universe resort

Common opened three new accommodations this yr within the neighborhood of Epic Universe. Common Stella Nova Resort and Common Terra Luna Resort are inside strolling distance of Epic Universe, but in addition supply bus service to the park. Common Helios Grand Resort is positioned alongside the again of Celestial Park, permitting you to stroll straight by way of the resort’s non-public entrance and straight into the park.

Stella Nova and Terra Luna are in Common’s surprisingly budget-friendly Prime Worth lodging class. Costs begin at round $200 per night time for shorter stays and near $175 per night time for stays of 4 nights or longer.

Helios Grand is in Common’s extra upscale Signature assortment, the resort’s highest resort tier. Which means along with elegant theming, luxurious facilities and an elevated stage of service, you may discover a larger price ticket: near $400 per night time for brief stays and $300 per night time for stays of 4 nights or longer.

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Once you keep at one among these three properties, you’re nearer to Epic Universe than should you stayed at one other Common Orlando resort. Being nearer to the entrance gate (or again gate should you keep at Helios Grand) means you will get contained in the park sooner and simply pop out and in of the park for a noon nap or swim.

You may miss lots should you run from journey to journey

Greater than any theme park I’ve visited, Epic Universe feels alive. Every world has a kinetic vitality that makes you’re feeling such as you’ve really been transported far, far-off from Central Florida (minus the new and humid temperatures).

The rides are technological and storytelling marvels, however there may be a lot extra to this park than rides.

Every world absolutely integrates you as the primary character in your favourite tales. Need to observe your dragon racing abilities and meet Toothless from “Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon”? All the time dreamt of being a wizard and touring to the Ministry of Magic through the Floo Community? You are able to do all of that and a lot extra on this enchanting new park.

Throughout my visits, I had an opportunity assembly with the Invisible Man within the Darkish Universe, accomplished the three key challenges essential to face off in opposition to Bowser Jr. and win the Golden Mushroom in Tremendous Nintendo World, and danced alongside to a band enjoying on stage in Celestial Park.

My experiences solely scratch the floor of the adventures you possibly can have that do not contain getting on a journey. My level is, there may be a lot to see and do on this park, and you’ll miss out on loads of it should you solely deal with rides.

Epic Universe is much more stunning at night time

Epic Universe is such an aesthetically pleasing park that I could possibly be there all day with out getting on a single journey and nonetheless go away content material. And that sentiment is even stronger at night time.

Epic Universe glows with majestic, ethereal mild after sundown. At night time, every part from the portals into the worlds to the rides and even the eating places takes on a brand new feel and look. For instance, the massive fountain in Celestial Park adjustments from a peaceable physique of water through the day to a colourful, glowing storytelling mechanism through the nighttime fountain present, with colourful fountains and music from the park’s worlds at night time.

Even should you’ve been within the park all day, it is value popping into every world at night time to see the transformation.

I used to be blown away by how a lot spookier Frankenstein Manor in Darkish Universe felt and the way the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter shone a bit brighter at night time. The points of interest additionally supply a special expertise at nighttime. The dueling coaster trains on Stardust Racers streak by way of the night time sky like comets, and the Constellation Carousel animals twinkle as you journey.

Don’t skip the carousel

With so many flagship rides to select from, it may be straightforward to skip what seems to be a traditional carousel. In actual fact, on my first go to, I did skip the Constellation Carousel. I really like a carousel, however I wished to check out the varieties of rides I’ve by no means been on earlier than.

Once I lastly did journey Constellation Carousel, it was such a stupendous second that I nearly teared up. Reasonably than a standard carousel, the animals dance round in light, rhythmic circles because the carousel spins to the music, making for a special vitality every time you journey.

And the best way the animals sparkle at night time makes you’re feeling as should you’ve left Earth and spun proper up into the cosmos.

There are Easter eggs galore

There are far too many Easter eggs and secrets and techniques to checklist right here, and the simplest solution to be taught all of them is to talk to the characters and group members in every world. You may decide up bits of knowledge by talking with the monster hunters and different residents of Darkish Universe or the Vikings in Isle of Berk.

However listed below are just a few of my favorites which you can search for in your go to:

Yow will discover the smallest animatronic in Epic Universe inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. Search for Newt Scamander’s Bowtruckle, Pickett, within the window of the locksmith store.

Additionally in Wizarding Paris, you will get a peek on the sorcerer’s stone. You may must buy an interactive wand for this one, however there’s a spell-casting spot exterior Nicolas Flamel’s residence subsequent to Le Goblet Noir. Once you carry out the spell efficiently, the sorcerer’s stone (or thinker’s stone, should you’ve learn the unique British model of the books) will likely be revealed.

The Burning Blade Tavern within the again nook of Darkish Universe is a duplicate of the fiery windmill scene in 1931’s “Frankenstein.” Fortunately, this windmill is not really on hearth (and you’ll go inside to satisfy monster hunters and drink scrumptious cocktails), however you possibly can see it catch flame about each quarter-hour. Pay attention for the bell tower on the entrance of the land to ring. That’s your sign that the windmill will quickly burst into flame.

If you’re conversant in the lovable (and teeny, tiny) Pikmin, you’re in for a deal with. Not solely can you see them in little nooks and crannies, but in addition you will get a close-up view by way of the binoculars stationed round Tremendous Nintendo World. Search for the binoculars on the second stage throughout from Yoshi’s Journey as you exit Peach’s Fortress. Zoom in on the bush to disclose Pikmin arduous at work.

When you look as much as the tippy prime of Mead Corridor in Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, you may see the hut the place Gothi, the village elder, resides. It is tough to see from such a far distance, however should you zoom in along with your digicam or climb to the highest of the Viking Coaching Camp play space (which you’ll solely enter with kids) and use the telescope, it is best to get a greater view.

When you look behind the Stardust Racers trains earlier than getting on the journey, you may see a small field with lights on the again of the final automotive. This can be a Flux Capacitor that allowed Marty and Doc Brown to time journey within the “Again to the Future” movies. Although the journey has nothing to do with the movies, Again to the Future: The Experience was an early attraction at Common Studios Florida (it has since closed), and you’ll nonetheless meet Doc Brown in that park.

The dwell exhibits are pretty much as good because the rides

Epic Universe provides two exhibits: “The Untrainable Dragon” in Easy methods to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and “Le Cirque Arcanus” within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Did each exhibits carry me to tears? Sure. However my proclivity to being overly emotional is not the one purpose I’d suggest these exhibits. Each do have their jaw-dropping (or, for some, tear-inducing) particular results, however they’re additionally filled with small, however magical, moments that can carry a smile to your face.

Every present has a couple of 20-minute run time, however I’d price range nearer to 45 minutes. You may must arrive early to attend in line and be seated earlier than the present begins.

I can not stress this sufficient: Don’t skip the dwell exhibits.

The place to go if you must cool off

There was loads of commentary on the shortage of shade in Epic Universe, and to that, I’d say, “Welcome to Central Florida.” I do not imagine this to be an issue particular to Epic Universe, however at a theme park the place the warmth index can climb into the triple digits, it’s useful to know the place to seek out shade.

Every world has at the very least one or two sit-down eating places the place you possibly can order a meal or snack and sit inside for a bit. There are additionally indoor outlets in every land the place you possibly can browse for souvenirs (or just admire the decor if you’re on a price range).

I spent loads of time in Burning Blade Tavern and Das Stakehaus in Darkish Universe, and Mead Corridor in Isle of Berk. They have been darkish and funky and helped restore my vitality earlier than venturing again out.

A number of rides, together with these in Tremendous Nintendo World, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Battle on the Ministry, all have prolonged indoor queues that can hold you out of the solar. Stopping to absorb the dwell exhibits also can get you a break from the warmth.

I additionally strongly suggest you carry a moveable fan and a reusable water bottle. There are bottle refilling stations all around the park — I even noticed some within the journey queues. You may also get free water from the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines, however do not attempt filling your water bottle with soda. There are sensors within the machines that do not help you get round paying on your caffeine repair.

Older children may need extra enjoyable than little ones

There are solely two rides at Epic Universe with no peak requirement (Constellation Carousel and Fyre Drill). Nearly all of what I’d think about “kid-friendly” rides at Epic Universe have a minimal peak requirement of 40 inches, so children will most likely have a greater time as soon as they hit that peak.

It is not simply their peak which will offer you pause on reserving that journey. There may be one world that’s meant to be a bit scary.

The setting for Darkish Universe is Darkmoor Village, residence to monsters and those that hunt them. To provide you an thought of how creepy Darkish Universe is, even I set free a scream on the world’s premier attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

It is not simply the journey that’s scary, both. Once you enterprise into the darkish and spooky Das Stakehaus for lunch or dinner, you may see useless vampires (and the stakes that made them that method) on show lining the partitions.

Backside line

Epic Universe is the kind of theme park that permits you to select your individual journey. For simply at some point, you could be a wizard, a dragon tamer, a monster hunter, a online game character or the entire above.

However you must perform a little planning earlier than you possibly can absolutely immerse your self in these fantasy worlds. The following tips will assist you put together on your go to and take advantage of your time at Epic Universe.

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