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 dwelling to Volcano Bay water park; the CityWalk eating, purchasing and leisure district; and 11 themed inns.

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Like Common’s different parks, Epic Universe has lands and sights themed to standard leisure franchises. Apart from that, Epic Universe takes every thing you suppose you realize a few theme park and turns it on its head.

Epic Universe has 5 immersive worlds, together with Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Tremendous Nintendo World, Darkish Universe and Celestial Park. You possibly can learn our full information to the 5 worlds of Epic Universe for a more in-depth take a look at the lands and sights in every world, however after spending three days within the park, I’ve amassed a listing of ideas and tips that can enable you take advantage of your go to.

Listed below are 11 tricks to maximize your journey to Epic Universe to avoid wasting time in line, have extra enjoyable and guarantee your Common trip is nothing in need of epic.

Arrive early and keep late

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

To this point, 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 listing.

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

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

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 may very well be stated for different sights, like if you wish to be first to fulfill Hiccup and Toothless in Tips on how to Prepare 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 a bit of 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 possibly can verify 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 seen 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 evening. Each side of the park modifications as soon as the solar goes down and the park lights come on. (Extra on that later.)

Epic Universe shouldn’t be a 1-day park

Are you able to get on each experience at Epic Universe in at some point? Most likely. And if all you’ve gotten is at some point, you’ll be able to nonetheless have a good time.

However, in case your schedule and finances 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, taking part in the interactive components in every land, seeing the dwell reveals and sitting down for a few good meals.

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

Extra time within the park additionally means you’ll be able to go at a slower tempo and absorb all the small print. You could come throughout a Viking and a child dragon in Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, meet college students visiting Paris from completely different wizarding faculties in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic or race round Tremendous Nintendo World to see what number of cash you’ll be able to rack up punching blocks and taking part in mini video games.

For now, you will 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.

Tips on how to maximize 1 day at Epic Universe

In the event you solely have at some point to spend at Epic Universe, there are some things you will need to do to maximise your time (along with staying in one in every of Common’s official inns so you should use the early park admission profit).

A number of of the sights at Epic Universe use a single-rider line, which might prevent time in line (so long as you do not thoughts your celebration being cut up up and using with strangers).

However the best option to save time in line and get on extra rides is to buy a Common Categorical move, Common’s model of a skip-the-line move. Common Categorical allows you to bypass the normal standby line on most sights and use a a lot shorter Categorical entrance.

A selected Categorical move for Epic Universe is obtainable on the Common Orlando web site beginning at $139.99 per particular person, per day, however you can even buy it at Common inns or contained in the park (primarily based on availability). The Epic Universe Categorical move lets you skip the road on choose sights as soon as per day.

At the moment, this is applicable to all Epic Universe sights 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 Categorical is that you simply bypass the standby queue, and a number of 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 virtually as spectacular because the rides themselves. If time permits, I’d do these rides a second time with out utilizing Categorical simply to see the queue and be taught extra concerning the story behind the attraction.

In the event you solely have at some point, I additionally suggest that you become familiar with the park’s sights earlier than your go to. Use this data to decide on your must-do rides and reveals in every land. Concentrate on these, and any time you’ve gotten left over is bonus time to do something you might have missed.

Keep at an Epic Universe resort

Common opened three new inns this 12 months within the neighborhood of Epic Universe. Common Stella Nova Resort and Common Terra Luna Resort are inside strolling distance of Epic Universe, but additionally provide bus service to the park. Common Helios Grand Lodge is situated alongside the again of Celestial Park, permitting you to stroll straight by way of the resort’s personal 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 evening for shorter stays and near $175 per evening 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 degree of service, you will discover a increased price ticket: near $400 per evening for brief stays and $300 per evening for stays of 4 nights or longer.

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Whenever you keep at one in every of these three properties, you’re nearer to Epic Universe than if you happen to stayed at one other Common Orlando resort. Being nearer to the entrance gate (or again gate if you happen to keep at Helios Grand) means you may 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 if you happen to run from experience to experience

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 totally integrates you as the principle character in your favourite tales. Need to observe your dragon racing abilities and meet Toothless from “Tips on how to Prepare 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 taking part in on stage in Celestial Park.

My experiences solely scratch the floor of the adventures you’ll be able to have that do not contain getting on a experience. My level is, there may be a lot to see and do on this park, and you’ll miss out on numerous it if you happen to solely concentrate on rides.

Epic Universe is much more stunning at evening

Epic Universe is such an aesthetically pleasing park that I may very well be there all day with out getting on a single experience and nonetheless depart content material. And that sentiment is even stronger at evening.

Epic Universe glows with majestic, ethereal gentle after sundown. At evening, every thing from the portals into the worlds to the rides and even the eating places takes on a brand new appear and feel. For instance, the big fountain in Celestial Park modifications from a peaceable physique of water in the course of the day to a colourful, glowing storytelling mechanism in the course of the nighttime fountain present, with colourful fountains and music from the park’s worlds at evening.

Even if you happen to’ve been within the park all day, it is value popping into every world at evening 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 evening. The sights additionally provide a unique expertise at nighttime. The dueling coaster trains on Stardust Racers streak by way of the evening sky like comets, and the Constellation Carousel animals twinkle as you experience.

Don’t skip the carousel

With so many flagship rides to select from, it may be simple to skip what seems to be a basic carousel. In reality, on my first go to, I did skip the Constellation Carousel. I like a carousel, however I needed to check out the kinds of rides I’ve by no means been on earlier than.

Once I lastly did experience Constellation Carousel, it was such a gorgeous second that I virtually teared up. Fairly than a conventional carousel, the animals dance round in light, rhythmic circles because the carousel spins to the music, making for a unique vitality every time you experience.

And the best way the animals sparkle at evening makes you’re feeling as if you happen to’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 listing right here, and the simplest option to be taught all of them is to talk to the characters and group members in every world. You possibly can 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 a number of of my favorites that you could search for in your go to:

You 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 may 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 outdoors Nicolas Flamel’s dwelling subsequent to Le Goblet Noir. Whenever you carry out the spell efficiently, the sorcerer’s stone (or thinker’s stone, if you happen to’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 reproduction of the fiery windmill scene in 1931’s “Frankenstein.” Fortunately, this windmill is not really on fireplace (and you may go inside to fulfill monster hunters and drink scrumptious cocktails), however you’ll be able to 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 acquainted with 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 additionally you may get a close-up view by way of the binoculars stationed round Tremendous Nintendo World. Search for the binoculars on the second degree throughout from Yoshi’s Journey as you exit Peach’s Fortress. Zoom in on the bush to disclose Pikmin exhausting at work.

In the event you look as much as the tippy prime of Mead Corridor in Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, you will see the hut the place Gothi, the village elder, resides. It is tough to see from such a far distance, however if you happen to zoom in together with your digital camera or climb to the highest of the Viking Coaching Camp play space (which you’ll be able to solely enter with kids) and use the telescope, it’s best to get a greater view.

In the event you look in the back of the Stardust Racers trains earlier than getting on the experience, you will see a small field with lights on the again of the final automobile. It is a Flux Capacitor that allowed Marty and Doc Brown to time journey within the “Again to the Future” movies. Although the experience has nothing to do with the movies, Again to the Future: The Journey was an early attraction at Common Studios Florida (it has since closed), and you may nonetheless meet Doc Brown in that park.

The dwell reveals are pretty much as good because the rides

Epic Universe presents two reveals: “The Untrainable Dragon” in Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and “Le Cirque Arcanus” within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Did each reveals convey me to tears? Sure. However my proclivity to being overly emotional is not the one purpose I’d suggest these reveals. 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 convey a smile to your face.

Every present has a few 20-minute run time, however I’d finances 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 reveals.

The place to go if you must cool off

There was numerous 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 search out shade.

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

I spent numerous time in Burning Blade Tavern and Das Stakehaus in Darkish Universe, and Mead Corridor in Isle of Berk. They had 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 preserve you out of the solar. Stopping to absorb the dwell reveals may also get you a break from the warmth.

I additionally strongly suggest you convey a transportable fan and a reusable water bottle. There are bottle refilling stations all around the park — I even noticed some within the experience queues. You too can get free water from the Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines, however do not strive filling your water bottle with soda. There are sensors within the machines that do not can 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 isn’t simply their peak that 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, dwelling to monsters and those that hunt them. To offer you an concept of how creepy Darkish Universe is, even I let loose a scream on the world’s premier attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

It isn’t simply the experience that’s scary, both. Whenever you enterprise into the darkish and spooky Das Stakehaus for lunch or dinner, you will see lifeless vampires (and the stakes that made them that manner) on show lining the partitions.

Backside line

Epic Universe is the kind of theme park that lets you select your personal 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’ll be able to totally immerse your self in these fantasy worlds. The following pointers will enable you put together on your go to and take advantage of your time at Epic Universe.

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