Epic Universe rang in 2026 with its busiest day ever, with reasonable wait instances beating its earlier worst day through 20+ mins! Common Orlando’s new park is not any stranger to colossal crowds which might be worse than New Yr’s at Walt Disney Global, however this in reality takes the cake. This put up takes a take a look at fresh information and tries to make sense of what took place and whether or not we will be able to be expecting extra of this in 2026.
For starters, this comes all through the preferred New Yr’s week at Common Orlando. It thus shouldn’t come as an enormous wonder that Epic Universe is busy, as we already reported that over One-Dozen Walt Disney Global Rides Hit 2+ Hour Prime Waits All over Christmas & New Yr’s Top Week. This time of yr being busy isn’t precisely ‘prevent the presses’ information, however the twist on that to begin 2026 at Epic Universe completely is notable since the top took place after New Yr’s Eve.
Attendance tendencies are similar at each Common Orlando and Walt Disney Global, with Epic Universe being the caveat to that more often than not, no less than in terms of crowd dynamics with Floridians and Annual Passholders. That’s no longer specifically related at this time, as crowds between Christmas and New Yr’s are fueled through non-local vacationers.
Prior to we dig into Epic Universe’s colossal crowds to begin 2026, let’s get started with a handy guide a rough recap of wait instances information. Epic Universe first broke the 80 minute wait time barrier on July 16, when reasonable wait instances have been 85 mins and the group degree used to be 10/10. That used to be adopted through back-to-back 80 minute days August 6-7.
After a slower low season (slightly talking), October noticed every other spike round Fall Damage. The 2 weeks round Columbus Day have been the busiest of 2025 at Epic Universe, with 72 minute weekly averages. Now not even Thanksgiving or Christmas may just surpass the ones stats. The ones additionally incorporated a few day-to-day excessive water marks, with Epic Universe breaking the 80 minute barrier on a number of events, and maxing out at day-to-day numbers of 86 mins (two times).
The week of Christmas ended up no longer being somewhat as unhealthy, with a 70 minute reasonable. Nonetheless third-worst of 2025, even though, and with a number of days exceeding 70 or 80 mins (albeit dragged down through Christmas Eve, which had a forty five minute reasonable).
As at all times, remember the fact that those are averages. Wait instances have a tendency are upper noon, however in most cases decrease very first thing within the morning or night time. Some points of interest are averaging waits which might be over 200 mins, however that’s offset through a couple of people-eaters, much less standard points of interest, and one water experience that has had low numbers because of chilly climate.
The times with averages over 70 or 80 mins are notable as a result of just one different Common or Disney theme park has had an 80+ minute day since 2019 (EPCOT on December 31, 2025). Past that, there were only a few 70+ minute days, except for at Epic Universe, the place it’s a commonplace incidence.
In opposition to that backdrop, let’s dig into the wait instances information for Epic Universe (courtesy of thrill-data):
Let’s get started out with the per 30 days information, which presentations January 2026 with a transparent and decisive lead over each and every month that got here prior to. Such a lot in order that it’s skewing the dimensions.
In fact, January 2026 is most effective 2+ days previous at this level, so so much can exchange. And as mentioned beneath within the observation, it’s going to. If Epic Universe is averaging an 90 minute per 30 days wait time a few weeks from now, Common will want to make main adjustments. (Nevertheless it received’t be.)
Extra attention-grabbing this is that June, July and October–versus November and December–have been the busiest months of remaining yr. The remaining two months have been dragged down through slower weeks, however we nonetheless anticipated them to be busier. This used to be in reality a nice wonder–nice information for Epic Universe!
Listed here are the weekly numbers for Epic Universe.
Not anything in point of fact stunning right here. As famous above, Fall Damage used to be busy. Thanksgiving used to be a identical tale, as used to be the lead-up to Christmas after which New Yr’s Eve. The remaining bar is the present week, which is winding down and has been the worst but. With a couple of slight variations, Walt Disney Global’s weekly wait time fashion line (no longer the typical wait instances themselves) roughly mirrors this.
What does wonder me slightly this is the lows after Thanksgiving, which incorporates our favourite week of the yr at Walt Disney Global (have we discussed that prior to?!). I might’ve guessed that those two weeks would’ve been slightly busier, as the name of the game is out about them, and savvy lovers search out those dates. It’s no longer simply us.
In accordance with the recognition of the ones two weeks amongst Central Florida regulars, I might’ve extrapolated that savvy lovers would goal the ones dates as a good time to do Epic Universe to steer clear of its notorious crowds.
Obviously that didn’t occur. That whole week used to be gradual and incorporated two of Epic Universe’s least-busy days ever (Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7). That’s price preserving in thoughts for those who’re already making plans for 2026.
I’d additionally notice that our Secrets and techniques to Triumph over Crowds at Epic Universe: Perfect Dates to Talk over with in 2025 & 2026 really helpful the ones explicit dates, in addition to others that have been gradual all through the remaining two months. (I’ll be updating that soon-ish with extra suggestions for 2026.)
In any case, we now have the day-to-day numbers, appearing a number of 70-80 minute averages within the remaining week plus, culminating in a 107 minute reasonable on Friday, January 2, 2026.
On the chance of pointing out the most obvious, that’s insane.
The former excessive used to be 86 mins, hit on a couple of events. Even that quantity used to be upper than another Common Orlando or Walt Disney Global park since 2019 (EPCOT “most effective” hit 83 mins on New Yr’s Eve 2026). The day prior to this used to be 21 mins upper than the former excessive. And that’s on reasonable–it isn’t the height wait instances!
Above are the appeal averages for January 2, 2026 at Epic Universe. Right here’s a handy guide a rough rundown of the points of interest averaging triple-digit waits:
- Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity: 264 mins
- Harry Potter and the Struggle on the Ministry: 214 mins
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem: 176 mins
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: 119 mins
- Meet Toothless & Pals: 115 mins
- Yoshi’s Journey: 103 mins
- Curse of the Werewolf: 100 mins
There extra points of interest have been over an hour. You comprehend it’s a loopy day when Monsters Unchained, a veritable people-eater, is posting reasonable waits of 73 mins! And as captivating as Yoshi’s Journey is when it’s a walk-on, I can’t believe devoting a Hallmark Christmas film price of my existence to ready in line for it.
If you happen to’re considering, “neatly indisputably savvy technique would’ve helped beat those crowds,” assume once more.
Above is a warmth map of wait instances. Positive, it’s essential’ve knocked out a few headliners within the first two hours, however a couple of large rides seem to have had behind schedule openings after which posted triple-digit waits nearly instantly.
Ready out the crowds in large part should not have labored, both. Wait instances have been nonetheless excessive within the ultimate two hours, and in accordance with what I noticed in checking the Common app, each Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity and Harry Potter and the Struggle on the Ministry minimize their traces (e.g. “at capability”) neatly over an hour prior to park last. That’s why they’re lacking wait instances at the above warmth map for the overall 2 hours.
I might additionally upload that, in my spot-checking of the app during the day, it didn’t seem that any appeal suffered from in depth downtime all through the noon peaks. (That’s corroborated through the above warmth map no longer having any noon blanks.)
Briefly, this used to be no longer like a wet summer season day when the various outside rides needed to close down. It additionally used to be no longer an operational meltdown because of downtime and delays. From what I perceive, Common Orlando has in reality been discovering its footing operationally with Epic Universe, and the rides are changing into extra environment friendly, no longer much less. (Every other silver lining!)
By means of all appearances, this can be a tale of Common Orlando overselling Epic Universe. Sky-high call for all through the tail finish of a top week colliding with too many price ticket gross sales and coverage adjustments. This is clearly a nasty factor, but it surely’s no less than slightly excusable (he says as somebody who watched this spread from the relaxation of house, and no longer as a paying visitor who persisted those traces).
We now have been caution for months that Epic Universe used to be poised to damage the 100-minute reasonable wait time barrier one day.
That it used to be just a topic of time because the park larger capability and offered extra tickets. We even went so far as to are expecting that it might occur this previous week. What that prediction overlooked (or would’ve overlooked if it contained extra specificity) is that I might’ve guessed that Epic Universe would see its worst-ever crowds on December 29-30, and no longer January 2, 2026.
That’s as a result of tickets for the times main as much as Christmas and New Yr’s Eve had been offered out for months, with availability every now and then doping up. My assumption used to be that Common used to be going to oversell the park the remaining two weeks, hitting upper attendance numbers than ever prior to. From that upper baseline, an afternoon of operational unhealthy success would push the typical above 100 mins.
With the good thing about hindsight, I might now danger a bet that Common used to be in moderation managing capability on the ones dates–similar to they did round opening day and the week thereafter.
Common most likely knew the ones days might be problem-points, because it’s no longer precisely new knowledge that Christmas to New Yr’s is a hectic stretch. The ones dates have been nonetheless busy, to make certain, however throughout the realm of what we’ve been seeing for top dates.
My bet is that what took place with January 2, 2026 is a mixture of Common taking its eye off the ball when it got here to managing capability, at ease price ticket & park hopping insurance policies throwing a monkey wrench into issues, and an inflow of holiday makers who spent the week at Walt Disney Global (or in other places) hitting Epic Universe prior to heading house.
Perhaps the ones visitors in particular have shyed away from the times main as much as NYE, anticipating them to be worse? As we’ve identified in other places, the dates after New Yr’s Eve aren’t gradual at Central Florida parks, however there’s a chronic false impression (in accordance with out of date knowledge) that they’re. In reality, the week after NYE is in most cases the second-busiest of the yr at Walt Disney Global.
As for what’s subsequent, we don’t be expecting Epic Universe to damage the 100 minute barrier once more anytime quickly. Preferably, it’s going to by no means occur once more, because the park continues to support its operational potency.
Who is aware of, even though. As we’ve said numerous instances prior to, the excessive wait instances at Epic Universe are most commonly a capability and potency tale, and no longer one in all overwhelming call for. The park is hitting those crowd ranges (which might be in reality wait time ranges) with slightly modest attendance.
It’s notable that January 2, 2026 did promote out of tickets. It’s protected to think capability remains to be capped beneath Common’s eventual goal.
There’s additionally the truth that it hit the ones numbers with out Annual Passes being to be had! (Aspect notice: in all probability we must revise When Will Epic Universe Have Annual Passes? to chase away the date every other yr or extra.)
Within the near-term, Epic Universe must observe the similar trend-line as the opposite Central Florida theme parks. Vacationers are already heading house from their Christmas holidays, so numbers must be in free-fall. I wouldn’t be shocked if Sunday, January 4, 2026 has a median day-to-day wait time of lower than part of Friday!
On the other hand, there stay main unanswered questions in regards to the have an effect on of price ticket coverage adjustments on attendance dynamics and wait instances. (That’s exactly why I used to be checking the Common Orlando app the day gone by after I spotted the sky-high waits–researching how issues have already modified.)
Zooming out slightly, I’d are expecting that Epic Universe attendance will probably be upper from now via Easter 2026, with the per 30 days averages for January, February and March being the 3 best possible ever (some weeks will definitely be slower). That is because of each seasonality and the price ticket coverage adjustments.
Iciness is changing into an an increasing number of standard of time for vacationers, particularly common guests to Orlando, and lets see the primary few months of the yr being “unusually” busy at Epic Universe because of this. Clearly, Spring Damage is at all times busy, too. For the reason that, it’s rarely a daring prediction to mention that January via March 2026 will probably be busy months, on reasonable.
Then there are the aforementioned admission adjustments. Visitors with multi-day tickets can now spend a disproportionate period of time at Epic Universe, and we’d be expecting precisely that to occur to some extent (what level is unclear).
This 2026 price ticket coverage has downsides, however is welcome and guest-friendly adjustments that wanted to occur at this level. On the identical time, remaining yr’s limits have been treasured guardrails at combating even worse wait time woes at Epic Universe.
The largest wildcard about 2026 crowds is phrase of mouth about Epic Universe.
Outdoor of the fan neighborhood, is it sure or unfavourable? When reasonable households go back house to inform pals about their journeys, are they highlighting the envelope-pushing points of interest at Epic Universe, or the absurd wait instances? Is consciousness of the brand new park expanding?
There were a large number of proceedings in regards to the days with vital downtime because of downpours and experience breakdowns. Even diehard Common fan communities have soured slightly on Epic Universe, and now counsel ready out the crowds. It’s unimaginable to inform how a lot that is “breaking containment” and achieving audiences past theme park lovers, even though.
Most of the people may most effective be seeing the rave evaluations of the superb Epic Universe experience roster and planning to discuss with “after the frenzy” of the vacation season or early 2026. This is able to set the following a number of months as much as be large at Epic Universe. However, if proceedings about waits are profitable out, it will take longer prior to attendance climbs.
As demonstrated through January 2d, there’s additionally the query of what Common Orlando does (or does no longer do) to control attendance. It’s notable that Epic Universe hit that 107 minute reasonable no longer on a wet summer season day or one with over the top downtime, pushing visitors to the few operational points of interest and ballooning the ones waits, however on a pleasant wintry weather day.
On dates with upper natural call for, there are alternatives Common could make–or no longer make–that experience a big have an effect on on wait instances! It’ll be attention-grabbing to look at whether or not they’re prioritize momentary earnings or long-term visitor pride and different key metrics.
In the long run, it’ll be a laugh to look at what occurs subsequent with 2026 crowds at Epic Universe. To finish on a extra positive and upbeat notice, it does appear to be the park is trending in the precise route operationally. Common additionally obviously intends upon expanding capability through construction out extra ASAP.
My intestine intuition is that the ticketing adjustments received’t adversely have an effect on wait instances an excessive amount of, and are a web sure in giving visitors extra flexibility. There are going to be tough days like the day gone by, certain, however there must even be extra good-to-great days at Epic Universe.
There must be some incredible instances to discuss with within the subsequent couple of years, particularly prior to Annual Passes roll out. Take benefit! Steer clear of the unhealthy, savor the great, embody the chaos.
Once more, we’ll have up to date tips about when to discuss with quickly (I want to see extra wait instances information for 2026 first, and make a pair visits myself). For now, I’d goal weekends on checklist of the Perfect & Worst Weeks to Talk over with Walt Disney Global in 2026 & 2027. That’s a mixture of quantitative and qualitative, and I’d argue that the latter issues extra at Epic Universe than Walt Disney Global. Regardless, nice success–you’re going to want it.
Want travel making plans guidelines and complete recommendation in your discuss with to Central Florida? You’ll want to 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, inns, eating places, and so a lot more.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Had been you at Epic Universe on January 2, 2026? What used to be your on-the-ground revel in? Have you ever visited Epic Universe all through the vacation season? What did you bring to mind wait instances and crowds? Enjoy any operational meltdowns because of breakdowns or climate? Will you discuss with Epic Universe in 2026, or will you look ahead to crowds to calm down (in idea)? Assume phrase of mouth in regards to the new park is sure or unfavourable? Agree or disagree with our evaluate? Any questions? We like listening to from readers, so please percentage another ideas or questions you’ve got within the feedback beneath!
