Universal’s newest theme park has officially opened, bringing with it some incredibly long wait times in central Florida. Epic Universe’s incredible attractions are drawing massive crowds, leaving many guests wondering: Does Epic Universe have an Express Pass?
Artist concept of Epic Universe layout | Image © Universal
Absolutely! Epic Universe indeed offers Express Pass options, just like its sister parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed that Epic Universe Express Passes are available to help you skip those long lines and maximize your adventure time in this spectacular new theme park. If you’re planning a visit, you’ll definitely want to understand your options before you arrive.
What is Universal Epic Universe?
Universal Epic Universe has officially opened as the newest theme park within Universal Orlando Resort. Since its grand opening on May 22, 2025, this revolutionary new theme park has significantly expanded the resort’s offerings, bringing brand-new lands and attractions based on some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment to life for guests worldwide.
What Makes Epic Universe So Special?
Epic Universe promises to be a game-changer for Universal Orlando Resort. Understanding why Epic Universe Express Passes are essential starts with grasping just how incredible this new theme park truly is.
With five breathtaking immersive worlds, each attraction draws massive crowds eager to experience these beloved franchises brought to life:
Super Nintendo World transforms the Mushroom Kingdom into reality with attractions like Mario Kart and Yoshi’s Adventure. The authentic video game atmosphere creates such an immersive experience that guests often spend hours exploring every interactive element. Meanwhile, the Donkey Kong area adds another layer of Nintendo magic with Mine-Cart Madness and other thrilling experiences that have families lining up from park opening.
Just steps away, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expands into the Ministry of Magic, where magical creatures roam freely and the wonder of Fantastic Beasts comes alive through cutting-edge technology. The detailed theming is so spectacular that even non-Potter fans find themselves mesmerized by every spell-binding detail.
Adventure seekers flock to How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, where Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and Dragon Racer’s Rally offer heart-pounding thrills high above the park. The soaring experiences and immersive dragon training elements create such popular attractions that wait times often exceed two hours during peak periods.
For those craving classic thrills, Dark Universe brings legendary movie monsters to life through attractions like Curse of the Werewolf, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. These innovative attractions blend modern technology with timeless scares, drawing horror fans and thrill seekers alike.
Add in Celestial Park, a beautiful central hub that also is home to the pulse-pounding Stardust Racers roller coaster, and you have a park unlike any other!
Will Fast Passes Work for Epic Universe?
There’s no such thing as a “Fast Pass” any more. Disney replaced its old FastPass system with something called Lightning Lane. Meanwhile, Universal uses something called Express Pass. Both the Disney and Universal systems require payment (though there are ways to get a free Universal Express Pass). Disney Lightning Lanes don’t work on Universal rides, and Universal Express Passes don’t work on Disney rides.
Understanding Universal Express Pass
The Universal Express Pass and Universal Express Unlimited Pass are already popular options at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay. These passes allow guests to skip the regular lines at most attractions, significantly reducing wait times.
And again, they are offered at Epic Universe, too. For the time being, Epic Universe has just one Express Pass option: the Universal Epic Universe Express Pass. This is the standard Express Pass option (one entry per ride). The Unlimited Express Pass option (allowing multiple re-rides of the same attraction) is not yet offered for this park.
What Rides/Attractions are Included in the Universal Epic Universe Express Pass?
Universal says this pass will allow one ride on each of the following:
- Constellation Carousel
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Fyre Drill
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Le Cirque Arcanus
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
- The Untrainable Dragon
- Yoshi’s Adventure
The pass will NOT include:
- Dragon Racer’s Rally
- Mine-Cart Madness
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Remember, the list of rides which are (and are not) included is always subject to change. But as of now, if these are on your must-ride list (and trust us, they should be), it’s a good idea to head for them first thing in the morning or later in the evening when wait times tend to dip.
How Much is the Express Pass for Epic Universe?
Rates start around $159.99 per person and go up from there depending on date of visit. For the cheapest prices, you’ll need to stick with the off-season; prices are well into the upper $200s for the summer and more than $300 between Christmas and New Year’s.
For example, here’s what we found when logged onto the Universal site on June 12, 2025 to check prices for a few dates:
- Independence Day (July 4, 2025): $280
- Monday in late September (September 22, 2025): $170
- Saturday in early September (September 6, 2025): $180
- Christmas Day (December 25, 2025): $300
- New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2025): $330
Note that these prices can change. Express Pass prices for the above dates have increased by $15 to $40 when compared to the price when they first went on sale in late March 2025! It’s best to buy your Express passes as early as possible to avoid sell-outs and lock in potentially lower rates.
When Can I Buy an Express Pass for Epic Universe?
Epic Universe Express Passes are on sale now, but there may be a pause or delay in sales from time to time. For example, on the first day of sales (March 27, 2025), Express Pass sales were halted for several hours due to overwhelming demand.
Hotel Guests and Express Pass Access
One of the perks of staying at certain Universal Orlando Resort hotels is the complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Pass. This benefit is currently offered at several Signature Resorts, including:
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
But there’s a big catch, at least for the opening months of Epic Universe. Right now, Epic Universe isn’t offering Express Unlimited, so this hotel perk isn’t yet valid at Epic Universe.
As Epic Universe gets through its opening months and Universal gets a better handle on park operations, they will likely begin offering Express Unlimited. At that time, guests staying at these resorts—and probably guests at the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, too—will probably receive similar benefits for the new park.
Comparing to Other Theme Parks
When considering the potential for Express Passes at Epic Universe, it’s helpful to compare it with other major theme parks:
- Walt Disney World: Disney’s Lightning Lane system, formerly known as FastPass, is a paid service that allows guests to bypass regular lines at select attractions in parks like Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Universal Express Pass system offers a comparable, if not enhanced, experience at Epic Universe.
- Universal Studios Hollywood (California): The Universal Express Pass is already a staple here, offering guests a way to maximize their time at the park.
Planning Your Visit to Epic Universe
There’s more to planning a trip to Epic Universe than just Fast Passes / Express passes. There are several ways to start planning your visit:
- Book Early: Consider booking your stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel as soon as possible. Existing Orlando hotels like Cabana Bay Beach Resort or new ones like Universal Helios will be in higher demand thanks to the new park; booking early gives you the best chance of securing exactly what you want.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on official updates from Universal and consult with travel agents who specialize in theme park vacations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Fast Passes Work for Epic Universe?
- Universal has confirmed that Universal Express Passes are available for Epic Universe. They’re on sale now.
Which hotels will offer Express Pass benefits for Epic Universe?
- Likely candidates include the Universal Helios Grand Hotel and existing resorts like Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Hard Rock Hotel. But remember, this wouldn’t go into effect until Universal starts offering Express Unlimited Passes at Epic Universe.
What are the key attractions at Epic Universe?
- Highlights include Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansions, How to Train Your Dragon, and Dark Universe. Only some of these will include Express Pass access, at least at first.
It’s clear that Universal’s Epic Universe offers an unparalleled experience in the world of theme parks. Planning your visit with the right information and tools will ensure you make the most of your time at this exciting new addition to Universal Orlando Resort.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest additions, and start planning your epic adventure today!
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