Universal Orlando's Epic Universe Opens May 22

In this post, we discuss the May 22 opening of Universal Epic Universe, a brand new theme park coming to Universal Orlando Resort. We start with what we know about the opening date and ticket sales, before moving onto some more general information about the park. Let’s get to it.

About This pOst

This post originally served as a hub for our “looking forward” content about Epic Universe. Now that previews have reached the general public and the park is set to open soon, this post basically just contains the big-picture information about the park—how to get tickets, where it’s located, when it opens, and such.

Once we visit in early June, all our Universal Orlando Resort content will be getting updated to account for Epic Universe, and we’ll have suggested one-day plans, too. The go-to place for starting to plan your trip is our Universal Orlando Planning Guide.

Epic Universe Opening Details

We’re going to start with the Epic Universe opening details…

Epic Universe Previews

Epic Universe is now in general previews, meaning that anyone can potentially secure tickets to visit the park. You can see the different options for preview tickets (e.g. hotel guests may have access to a different “pool” of tickets than the general public) here.

Epic Universe Opening Date

Epic Universe will have its grand opening on May 22, 2025.

Epic Universe Tickets

With under three weeks to go until Epic Universe opens, tickets for after the opening are pretty widely available, subject to one quirk. As of now, the tickets that include Epic Universe always include it as its own separate day. For example, you can buy:

  • a single day ticket to Epic Universe

  • a two-day ticket that includes one day of hopping between the other two parks and one day of Epic Universe

  • a three-day ticket that includes one day at each of three parks, no hopping

  • a three-day ticket that includes two days of hopping between the other two parks and one day of Epic Universe

You cannot buy a ticket that allows you to move freely between all three parks on any day. The Epic Universe day will always be its own day.

Epic Universe Express Pass and Early Park Admission

Epic Universe will offer Express Pass and will participate in Early Park Admission for Universal resort guests. As of now, there is no Express Pass Unlimited option. Three rides will not have Express Pass:

  • Dragon Racer’s Rally

  • Mine-Cart Madness

  • Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

Basics of Universal Epic Universe

Here are some basic things to know heading into Epic Universe.

 

What is Universal Epic Universe?

Universal Epic Universe is a brand new theme park coming to Universal Orlando Resort. That resort already has two traditional theme parks—Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. It also has a “water theme park” (i.e. a water park), Volcano Bay.

 

Universal Orlando’s major competitor down the road is Walt Disney World, which has four theme parks and two water parks, making it a somewhat better “vacation” destination in the minds of many. Adding a third park, however, will make Universal Orlando a solid destination for a four-to-five night trip.

As part of the Epic Universe expansion, Universal also opened three new hotels—Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

 

What lands and Rides will Epic Universe have?

Epic Universe will have five lands:

  • Celestial Park (the hub area)

  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

  • Super Nintendo World

  • How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

  • Dark Universe

Plus, we now have an Epic Universe Rides Guide that outlines the 11 rides, plus other entertainment and attractions, at Epic Universe.

 

Where is Epic Universe located?

Epic Universe is located about three miles south from the rest of the Universal Orlando campus. This is new for Universal Orlando, as its previous two theme parks are both connected to CityWalk and even connected themselves via a ride (the Hogwarts Express).

However, Walt Disney World’s theme parks are spread across its huge campus, so visitors to these destinations should generally be prepared to take buses to get to parks.

All Your Other Universal Orlando Planning Questions Answered

Don't be overwhelmed by Universal Orlando planning! Take a second to check out our most important content!

Just starting out? Start with our Universal Orlando Resort planning guide! If you’re considering a Universal hotel, read our Review of Universal’s Aventura Hotel!

You’ll want to know what rides the parks offer, so we’ve got a Universal Studios Florida Rides Guide and a Universal’s Islands of Adventure Rides Guide. And to know how to get on them without the long waits, read all about Express Pass at Universal Orlando Resort.

If you’d like an idea of how to plan a day at these parks, we can help there, too. Our One Day Universal Studios Florida Itinerary covers a full day at the original park, and our Universal’s Islands of Adventure One Day Plan covers that park.

Early risers always have the best theme parks days (well, we think so). Read about Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando to learn how to get an extra hour in the parks. And read about rope drop at Islands of Adventure, including getting on the brand new Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.