Our 1-day Common Epic Universe itinerary gives a plan for a really perfect talk over with, with method to reduce time ready in traces for the Nintendo and Harry Potter headliners, along side pointers for fending off the worst crowds & calling audibles because of journey breakdowns, unhealthy climate, and so forth. This contains recommendation for eating places, displays, snacks, leisure, and extra.
That is going to be a extra ‘light-weight’ itinerary than customary, providing a coarse define to your day versus a strict step by step plan of assault. That is out of necessity and our need not to overpromise and underdeliver. The sensible truth is that Epic Universe remains to be brand-new, and the park nonetheless hasn’t hit its stride. It’s been just a little of a coarse journey, with the one consistency being inconsistency.
Talking of which, we’ll get started by way of all over again creating a plug for our rundown of Why You Will have to Skip Epic Universe. Our recommendation for almost all of holiday makers is to stick at the sidelines and wait till Epic Universe improves its operations and potency.
Should you haven’t but bought tickets and are averse to excessive wait occasions or competitive strategizing, you will have to actually imagine ready to talk over with Epic Universe till 2026. On the other hand, take a look at our Secret to Triumph over Crowds at Epic Universe: Best possible Dates to Talk over with in 2025 & 2026 for recommendation on when to talk over with for the bottom wait occasions.
There are a number of causes for ready to talk over with or opting for the most productive dates, however the large one is that Epic Universe is seeing astronomical wait occasions for plenty of causes regardless of somewhat low attendance. Epic Universe has had a number of record-setting days and weeks since, breaking the 80 minute wait time barrier a couple of occasions this summer time.
The park as soon as once more exceeded 80 minute averages 3 times remaining month: October 7, 12, and 14. There’s an excessively actual chance it’ll hit 90 mins right through Thanksgiving week, and it may be able to eclipse 100 mins between Christmas and New Yr’s Eve.
Remember the fact that those are averages. Wait occasions have a tendency to be even upper noon, however decrease very first thing within the morning or night. Some points of interest are averaging waits which are over 2 hours, however that’s offset by way of a couple of people-eaters or much less in style points of interest which are beneath half-hour. All informed, Epic Universe has 5 rides plus one meet & greet averaging wait occasions over an hour this month. 3 of the ones are in triple-digit territory.
This won’t appear that unhealthy. In spite of everything, many rides at Walt Disney Global have wait occasions which are over an hour. However understand that that is a median throughout all rides and right through the day, and it doesn’t take into accout downtime. The very best reasonable wait occasions Walt Disney Global has had since 2019 had been 71 and 70 minute waits–each got here right through the weeks of New Yr’s (early 2020 and past due 2023).
Epic Universe has had two complete weeks with upper reasonable wait occasions, and dozens of particular person days breaking 70 mins. Suffice to mention, Epic Universe wait occasions had been actually excessive, making it tough to perform the whole thing in one day.
All of this can be a bit past the scope of this put up, however we point out it to underscore simply how tough it may be to strategize for Epic Universe. Additionally, that it’s possible you’ll wish to make tricky choices on what to do and what to skip. On busier days, you completely will be unable to do all of it. We’ve won reader proceedings from some visitors who best did 3-5 points of interest all day.
That’s an excessive instance, however we’d nonetheless counsel consulting our Scores & Opinions of All Epic Universe Points of interest, and making a listing of 4-5 points of interest which are must-dos, any other few that you simply’d find irresistible to do, and a couple of which are alright to skip. Any such record is useful in expectation-setting, and likewise now not overemphasizing rides. Numerous Epic Universe’s attraction is atmospheric–there’s no line for that!
With that every one out of the way in which, let’s get to the brass tacks of the itinerary…
Line-Skipping at Epic Universe
A few issues prior to we get began. First, this Epic Universe itinerary assumes that you simply would not have Categorical Go, which is Common’s skip-the-line possibility. Should you do have Categorical Go, that takes away numerous force of following an itinerary for rides. It does now not remove all the force at Epic Universe, so don’t let Categorical Go make you complacent.
When you have Categorical Go, we advise following this itinerary within the morning by means of standby traces when wait occasions are minimum or nonexistent, after which revisiting rides within the afternoon and the usage of Categorical Go then. By means of and big, this itinerary gives step-by-step technique so that you don’t wish to acquire Categorical Go. See Will have to You Purchase Categorical Go at Epic Universe?
It’s additionally price emphasizing that there’s any other low cost possibility: maximum rides at Epic Universe be offering Unmarried Rider traces. And now not best that, however with the park skewing against vacationers right through its opening season(s) because of a loss of native Annual Passholders, the ones Unmarried Rider traces are without equal intersection of time and price potency. See Unmarried Rider Traces Are a Sport-Changer at Epic Universe.
Early Park Admission at Epic Universe
Early Park Admission (EPA) is basically Common Orlando’s twist on Early Access or Additional Magic Hours at Walt Disney Global. Going ahead, Early Park Admission can be presented at Epic Universe day-to-day by way of no less than December 31, 2025. It’ll nearly surely proceed in 2026 and past, that’s so far as the calendar is going.
Right through Early Park Admission, all on-site Common Orlando resort visitors and different make a choice teams can get admission to one in all our wonderful theme parks as much as one hour prior to the park opens. It’s but to be best half-hour at Epic Universe, and there’s no explanation why to be expecting that to modify anytime quickly. Unofficially, we’ve already skilled it beginning fairly previous than an hour upfront, and be expecting this to proceed to be the fad going ahead at Epic Universe.
Listed here are the to be had points of interest right through Early Park Admission at Common Epic Universe:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem
- Yoshi’s Journey
Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity- Stardust Racers
- Constellation Carousel
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Curse of the Werewolf
This implies the lands open right through EPA are Celestial Park, Tremendous Nintendo Global, and Darkish Universe. Excluding Mine-Cart Insanity in Donkey Kong Nation, as mirrored within the strike-through above.
Tremendous Nintendo Global is the evident place to begin for EPA at Epic Universe. Frankly, we might counsel beginning in different places, as coated in Why to Skip Tremendous Nintendo Global’s Morning Insanity Right through Epic Universe’s Early Access.
Rope Drop Run at Epic Universe
Should you’re staying off-site, you don’t have get admission to to Early Park Admission. Accordingly, it would be best to prioritize the different portals that aren’t open right through EPA versus racing to Tremendous Nintendo Global and being at the back of all the on-site visitors. That’s objectively unhealthy technique.
There are a couple of exceptions to this. First, Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity is the park’s #1 or #2 reasonable day-to-day wait time, and it isn’t open right through EPA. Sadly, it’s in Tremendous Nintendo Global and the doorway to the journey (and Donkey Kong Nation as a complete) is inaccessible to off-site visitors previous to park opening. Many on-site visitors will pre-queue for Mine-Cart Insanity right through EPA. That still makes this can be a deficient place to begin.
The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and Easy methods to Educate Your Dragon – Isle of Berk each open at common rope drop. Accordingly, you will have to get started in this type of two worlds…
Any other exception to the above is that the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is sometimes open right through Early Park Admission. Whether it is, it’s simply open to everybody. This portal isn’t a part of EPA, so any person can get admission to it.
Should you’re staying off-site, you will have to completely arrive a complete hour (or extra!) previous to professional park opening. You’ll be allowed to go into Epic Universe concurrently EPA visitors, you simply received’t be capable of input Tremendous Nintendo Global or Darkish Universe.
As an alternative, pass take a look at the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic to look if the portal is open and, with it, Harry Potter and the Combat on the Ministry. At the side of Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity, that is the opposite enchantment that’s normally #1 or #2 at Epic Universe in relation to reasonable day-to-day waits.
Combat on the Ministry is a kind of points of interest that steadily turns out to open each time it’s able. The journey is infamous for downtime and delays, so it is probably not up whilst you first input the park. Whether it is, do Combat on the Ministry ASAP.
If it’s now not, you’ve got a while to benefit from the environment in Ministry or Magic, wander round Epic Universe to benefit from the park with low crowds, and so forth. If Combat on the Ministry isn’t open to start out the day, lower your losses! We don’t counsel loitering round, looking forward to it to open. We additionally don’t counsel doing BatM early-on if there’s a behind schedule opening; its wait time has a tendency to height early, so later within the afternoon is perfect if now not very very first thing.
In a really perfect international, you’ll both be completed with Harry Potter and the Combat on the Ministry in 45 mins. That provides you with sufficient time to rope drop Easy methods to Educate Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. (If Combat on the Ministry isn’t open early, we’d counsel lining up on the Isle of Berk portal ~half-hour prior to professional park opening.)
Should you’re on the portal in time for normal rope drop, we’d counsel the next technique to Easy methods to Educate Your Dragon – Isle of Berk:
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (x2)
- Dragon Racer’s Rally
- Meet Toothless & Pals
- Fyre Drill
The only asterisk here’s Meet Toothless & Pals. That is a shockingly in style come across and it’s an out of doors meet & greet with exceedingly low ability. It’s the #4 reasonable wait time in Epic Universe at round 90 mins. Should you plan on doing this in any respect, knocking it out against the start or finish of the day is perfect.
Should you’re on the absolute entrance of the pack, Meet Toothless first. In case you are now not, then don’t. Rope drop is the time to knock out as many points of interest with low waits as temporarily as conceivable. Even though the road appears brief, it will probably take some time to Meet Toothless. (Once more, tremendous low ability.) That point has super alternative price, and also you’re forfeiting fast rides on curler coasters (and so forth.) with transient waits.
I might additionally observe that Dragon Racer’s Rally and Fyre Drill are each amongst Epic Universe’s maximum skippable points of interest. Should you’re now not enthusiastic about the ones or assembly Toothless, it’s possible you’ll simply journey Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (a really perfect coaster) a few occasions after which leap over to Darkish Universe, the place you will have to be capable of knock out Curse of the Werewolf with just a transient wait.
For the whole thing else you wish to have to find out about rope drop at Epic Universe, see Epic Universe Morning Technique: Rope Drop Rides to Do & Keep away from to Save Time!
Devour Early at Epic Universe
It could appear to be a waste of treasured morning hours to get meals so quickly, however in our revel in, wait occasions can get unhealthy for a couple of of the most well liked counter provider eating places at Epic Universe.
Should you’re nonetheless in Isle of Berk, Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel has some of the longer traces right through the day at Epic Universe. Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel is house to the fan-favorite mac & cheese cones, that are huge and scrumptious. They make for a really perfect mid-morning snack. It could even make sense to fit this above the meet & greet relying upon how lengthy the road is for that.
Then there’s Café L’air De Los angeles Sirène within the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. That is arguably the most productive counter provider eating place at Epic Universe, and likewise amongst the most well liked.
We as soon as waited 45 mins for a few of our meals right through the lunch rush, and feature heard this isn’t unusual! Café L’air De Los angeles Sirène is open early for breakfast, so that you must do this if you wish to consume as a lot at Epic Universe as conceivable. We suggest an early lunch.
The opposite vastly in style counter provider eating place at Epic Universe is Toadstool Cafe in Tremendous Nintendo Global. This can be a position to move for theme park Italian meals if there are not any different crowd-pleasing choices appropriate to your birthday party, or when you actually need the Nintendo environment.
It’s a laugh, however the meals is mediocre. What I may counsel as a substitute goes for the Princess Peach’s Birthday Cake. Getting that dessert to separate for a style of the ambience is most likely the neatest transfer. Do that early or past due within the day to steer clear of the crowds.
For different eating recommendation, see My Favourite Meals at Epic Universe & Will have to-Devour Eating places!
All-Superstar Points of interest at Epic Universe
After completing up an early lunch, it’s a great time to knock out the least-popular points of interest by way of wait time. Those are in truth a few all-stars:
Monsters Unchained – This cutting-edge darkish journey that takes visitors deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, the place Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments. Visitors are thrust into an intense journey in the course of the darkness as they are trying to evade the grasps of The Wolf Guy, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.
Monsters Unchained makes use of the similar journey machine as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Adventure over at Islands of Journey, however iterates on that impressively. That is most commonly an enchantment with sensible units and Audio Animatronics–and large ones that stand up shut and private with visitors. There are nonetheless displays, however they’re most commonly used to complement the motion. Monsters Unchained is the number 1 or #2 journey at Epic Universe in relation to high quality.
Monsters Unchained isn’t as well-liked by common audiences and it has an excessively excessive hourly ability when it’s firing on all cylinders. This used to be the primary Epic Universe enchantment to hit 1 million visitors; this people-eater is the headliner journey with the bottom wait time on reasonable. Don’t let that idiot you–Monsters Unchained is a ten/10 must-do!
Stardust Racers – This dual-launch racing coaster that sends visitors rocketing in the course of the skies aboard comets in a race to look who’s the quickest of all of them. Achieving speeds as much as 62 mph and heights as much as 133 ft alongside 5,000 ft of monitor, Stardust Racers is Epic Universe’s maximum exciting coaster.
Stardust Racers may be some of the extra dependable and high-capacity points of interest in Epic Universe, owing largely to it necessarily being two curler coasters on one load platform. As long as it doesn’t have downtime, you will have to discover a lovely manageable wait right here–affordable sufficient that you simply may well be pressured to re-ride.
The theoretical hourly ability of Stardust Racers is estimated to be over 2,750 visitors, which is a large reason it steadily has the shortest waits within the park. Like Monsters Unchained, the curler coaster is a humans eater and likewise any other 10/10 journey.
Constellation Carousel – The center-piece of Celestial Park is a good looking carousel that’s completely beautiful, particularly at evening. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless only a carousel. Should you’re going to do it in any respect, do it prior to night. Wait occasions are a lot decrease previous within the day.
You’ll no doubt need to make some degree of seeing it at evening, however we don’t counsel using it then. It appears lovely whether or not you’re using or having a look at it, and the night hours are too treasured to spend 30-45 mins right here. The noon wait time will have to be beneath quarter-hour. That’s the utmost we’d look ahead to it–or even that’s a stretch.
Noon Clock-Killing at Epic Universe
Wait occasions at Epic Universe normally height between 11 am and 1 pm, and then time they begin shedding. On many dates, that lower can also be somewhat steep. We’ve observed the similar at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the place the top-heavy nature of the journey roster ends up in many visitors getting burnt out or hitting a wall after encountering a surplus of excessive wait occasions.
As is the case there, we strongly counsel “getting over the hump” by way of doing lower-stress level displays. Thankfully, there are two improbable ones at Epic Universe:
The Untrainable Dragon – This dragon-filled reside impressive is Isle of Berk takes visitors on a adventure with Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they paintings in combination to resolve the thriller of The Untrainable Dragon. This heartwarming tale involves lifestyles with musical numbers, large-scale units and show-stopping scenes.
The Untrainable Dragon is carried by way of the dragons. They’re completely jaw-dropping, and there’s a definite wow-factor of the creatures. The demonstrate is quite simplistic, nevertheless it’s extremely stress-free.
Untrainable Dragon is a must-see demonstrate, however now not rather on par with the most productive of Disney’s Broadway taste productions–despite the fact that the marquee moments are extra awe-inspiring.
Le Cirque Arcanus (10/10) – The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter’s reside demonstrate within the middle of the Ministry of Magic is natural magic. This demonstrate options reside performers and aerialists, puppetry, particular results and extra to take visitors on a whirlwind adventure the place they’ll come across improbable beasts like by no means prior to. This can be a multi-phase demonstrate, so don’t be anxious when you don’t have a really perfect room within the status house–that’s only a pre-show.
Like Untrainable Dragon, the spotlight of Le Cirque Arcanus is the legendary creatures. They’re majestic and breathtakingly stunning. Le Cirque Arcanus is one thing particular. The reside performers and acrobats that open the act are spectacular, and certain to be favored by way of adults. Nevertheless it’s the puppets that actually scouse borrow the demonstrate. They’re elaborate and cute, and the way in which the performers convey them to lifestyles is natural magic.
I do know completely not anything about Harry Potter and Incredible Beasts, however I completely adore Le Circus Arcanus. I’m positive familiarity with the franchise complements the revel in, nevertheless it’s now not important. This can be a self-contained tale, and but even so, adorable legendary creatures are a common language. Imagine prioritizing some of the previous performances, as Le Circus Arcanus steadily has technical difficulties and will get cancelled later within the day.
Afternoon in Paris: Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Butterbeer Breather – Because you’re already within the Wizarding Global of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic for Le Circus Arcanus, imagine experiencing extra of the land now. Take a day wreck with some Butterbeer, and experience it whilst exploring the world, absorbing the attractions and sounds of Wizarding Global Paris.
Butterbeer is sort of a actually candy & creamy model of cream soda, possibly like root beer when you got rid of the chew and dialed up the creaminess to 11. Without reference to whether or not that sounds interesting, ingesting a Butterbeer is a should–it’s a Common/Harry Potter ceremony of passage.
Wizarding Global Paris Performers – As soon as completed with that, proceed exploring the Wizarding Global Paris. There’s quite a lot of retail outlets, again alleys, and extra. The entire land is brimming with element. I’m extra of a France fan than a Harry Potter fanatic, and I really like Ministry of Magic.
We actually experience Position Cachée Jazz Band with Plume the Puffskein, which is an atmospheric track act that plays 10-15 minute units right through the day. There’s additionally all kinds of free-roaming characters that improvise and engage with visitors.
Those performers are just right, however that is extra awkward for me than the rest since Harry Potter isn’t my jam. I don’t have any clue what they’re speaking about and not understand how to effectively riff with them. There’s this detective lurking within the shadows again there who I swear will get his kicks by way of giving me jumpscares after I’m putting in for pictures. I suppose this is able to pass higher when you talk Hufflelump or no matter.
Harry Potter and the Combat on the Ministry – Should you didn’t knock up the Harry Potter headliner previous, mid-to-late afternoon generally is a just right time. It’ll most likely nonetheless have an extended wait at this level, however the upsides of doing it now versus ready longer are three-fold: 1) it’s an indoor get away from the warmth; 2) it’s breakdown inclined, so ready isn’t with out possibility; 3) doing it now frees up your night.
I don’t suppose it’s prudent to save lots of Combat on the Ministry till the very finish of the evening. Reliability (or lack thereof) is a large factor, which means that hanging it off may lead to now not attending to revel in it in any respect. Alternatively, when you do it now and it does have a brief wait later within the evening (as is steadily the case), you’ll be able to do it once more!
Middle of the night in Nintendo
The most productive theme park itineraries are principally the similar ahead or backwards, and that’s true with Epic Universe. Should you don’t knock out Tremendous Nintendo Global originally of the morning right through Early Park Admission, you will have to put it aside for the tip of the night.
Assuming it wasn’t a coarse day with downtime and delays, you’ll understand wait occasions for Tremendous Nintendo Global begin to lower by way of 4 pm. On a reasonably busy day, they’ll actually drop off by way of five or six pm. By means of 7 pm, Yoshi’s Journey will have to be beneath half-hour and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem will have to be beneath an hour.
There is not any customary for Mine-Cart Insanity; it’s now not unusual for the Donkey Kong coaster to have a 3-hour wait when the whole thing else is at or beneath an hour. Do Mine-Cart Insanity within the remaining hour of the night or in no way.
An underrated a part of doing Tremendous Nintendo Global at evening is that it’s a lot more delightful. Crowds are chaotic previous within the day, and the glossy surfaces replicate and radiate the warmth. It could actually get actually uncomfortable. At evening, the bogus lights actually makes the colours pop, and it’s a lot more manageable with fewer humans.
This midnight good looks and pleasantness isn’t distinctive to Tremendous Nintendo Global. Each portal within the park is arguably higher at evening, and we advise creating a lap of the park to test all of them out. Darkish Universe is the one who garners essentially the most consideration, and for just right explanation why, however each and every unmarried land/international of Epic Universe is shocking at evening. And the excellent news is that the portals are generally open for just a little after park final, so you’ll be able to do that lap as soon as you’ll be able to now not journey the rides!
Want shuttle making plans pointers and complete recommendation to your talk over with to Central Florida? You should definitely learn our Common Orlando Making plans Information for the whole thing about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally take a look at our Walt Disney Global Holiday Making plans Information for the whole thing about the ones parks, motels, eating places, and so a lot more. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and a lot more, join our FREE e mail e-newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What would you come with on your easiest day in Epic Universe? Any favourite rides, displays, eating places, or snacks you counsel? Which points of interest are safely skippable for you? Do you compromise or disagree with our technique? Any questions we will can help you resolution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
