Epic Universe Ticketing Info, Advice, & Speculation

[Mad Dog]

We always stay on site at the main campus. Being able to walk to the parks via beautiful landscaped walkways, is a plus. Or take the scenic water taxi. For us, this elevates the Universal experience above the WDW experience. I've always considered the Universal & WDW parks just about equal. But Universal wins on the leisurely vacation aspect. We drive to Universal from Pittsburgh, but we've rarely ever used our car once it's parked at the hotels.

 

[belloq87]

For me and the people I tend to travel with, we just put a premium on being able to have a few hours of privacy away from each other at night!

I totally get the appeal of staying onsite, and if I ever traveled solo, I'd do it!

 

[Sithina]

For us, it's on-site at UOR all the way. The amenities offered and the proximity to the parks and CityWalk can't be beat, and it's so relaxing to not have to worry about anything. I agree with the @Mad Dog on the "leisurely vacation" feeling--UOR is such a different vibe from Disney, and everything is so close, it's very easy to switch plans or just spend half the day lazing in bed or by the pool. I need my vacations to be as relaxing as possible, even when I'm going to theme parks.

We only go to Universal, so it makes little sense for us to stay off-site and have to drive in and park. And the caliber of hotels across all price points, at much more reasonable prices than on-site offerings elsewhere, is unmatched for our needs.

As for AirBnB-type services, we made a conscious decision to never use them many years ago, even if it means spending more money at a hotel. For us, the cost-savings isn't worth knowing (first hand) what this business model does to communities and the people who live and work in them.

And, well, I don't want to go on vacation just to have to cook and clean up after myself and others for the entire trip. Hotel amenities and services, please; I'm not here to work.

 

[Mad Dog]

For us, it's on-site at UOR all the way. The amenities offered and the proximity to the parks and CityWalk can't be beat, and it's so relaxing to not have to worry about anything. I agree with the @Mad Dog on the "leisurely vacation" feeling--UOR is such a different vibe from Disney, and everything is so close, it's very easy to switch plans or just spend half the day lazing in bed or by the pool. I need my vacations to be as relaxing as possible, even when I'm going to theme parks.

We only go to Universal, so it makes little sense for us to stay off-site and have to drive in and park. And the caliber of hotels across all price points, at much more reasonable prices than on-site offerings elsewhere, is unmatched for our needs.

As for AirBnB-type services, we made a conscious decision to never use them many years ago, even if it means spending more money at a hotel. For us, the cost-savings isn't worth knowing (first hand) what this business model does to communities and the people who live and work in them.

And, well, I don't want to go on vacation just to have to cook and clean up after myself and others for the entire trip. Hotel amenities and services, please; I'm not here to work.

Yes, big time...to all those thoughts....As I've stated in a few past forum comments, I'm wondering how Epic will fit in for me. For one, I'm certain I'll just stay in the main campus hotels. In fact, my next two vacations, in November 2025 and June 2026 are already booked. I'll be splitting time between Portofino and CBBR for both. Epic is kind of a WDW outlier. The park looks beautiful, but due to the off campus location, even though it's a fairly short bus ride, just won't have the same leisurely appeal to my vacation. So, I'm sure my wife and I will spend most of our time at IOA and USF. I've been doing long Universal vacations since 2011, even back when very few guests stayed for more than a handful of days. The Portofino staff always expressed amazement when they saw I was booked for 10 to 14 nights, and they said hardly no one does that. Of course that was before Diagon Alley turned even more people into Universal fans, and solidified what Hogsmeade had started. We don't commando the Universal parks. In fact, our theme park days are generally a couple hours in the morning, afternoons back at the hotel pool, and nights back at the parks and CityWalk. It's the walking distance and boats that allow us to do that leisurely. And like you, I change my agenda a few times every day. So much more fun than that heavy Disney planning. Soooo, I'm going to treat Epic more like a Disney park, due to it's location. So a day at Epic going to be like a day at Disney, namely 8 to 12 hours tour, and less leisure. There's really not enough to do at the Epic campus to get me to book one of their three hotels. Heck, I won't even stay at Dockside or Surfside, since it's not a comfortable walk from those hotels to the parks. I have to admit, Universal main campus layout has me spoiled silly.

 

[JustLikeMe]

Yes, big time...to all those thoughts....As I've stated in a few past forum comments, I'm wondering how Epic will fit in for me. For one, I'm certain I'll just stay in the main campus hotels. In fact, my next two vacations, in November 2025 and June 2026 are already booked. I'll be splitting time between Portofino and CBBR for both. Epic is kind of a WDW outlier. The park looks beautiful, but due to the off campus location, even though it's a fairly short bus ride, just won't have the same leisurely appeal to my vacation. So, I'm sure my wife and I will spend most of our time at IOA and USF. I've been doing long Universal vacations since 2011, even back when very few guests stayed for more than a handful of days. The Portofino staff always expressed amazement when they saw I was booked for 10 to 14 nights, and they said hardly no one does that. Of course that was before Diagon Alley turned even more people into Universal fans, and solidified what Hogsmeade had started. We don't commando the Universal parks. In fact, our theme park days are generally a couple hours in the morning, afternoons back at the hotel pool, and nights back at the parks and CityWalk. It's the walking distance and boats that allow us to do that leisurely. And like you, I change my agenda a few times every day. So much more fun than that heavy Disney planning. Soooo, I'm going to treat Epic more like a Disney park, due to it's location. So a day at Epic going to be like a day at Disney, namely 8 to 12 hours tour, and less leisure. There's really not enough to do at the Epic campus to get me to book one of their three hotels. Heck, I won't even stay at Dockside or Surfside, since it's not a comfortable walk from those hotels to the parks. I have to admit, Universal main campus layout has me spoiled silly.

We just did three nights at Helios before moving over to Royal Pacific for the remainder of our trip, and that’s how we’ll do it in the future too. Maybe four nights at Helios next time. Like you we enjoy splitting our days up a bit and having the option of returning to the hotel for some pool time or a break in the room if a storm comes in or it’s just too hot out - perhaps even a change of clothes if we do a water ride or get caught in a downpour.

If you like the convenience of returning to Portofino from Islands of Studios then you’ll love how easy it is to go back and forwards between Epic and Helios. The hotel just becomes an extension of the park.

 

[belloq87]

Still no movement on multi-day Epic tickets. Or offering tickets beyond the end of the year.

I don't understand or appreciate it.

 

[pjnugget]

Still no movement on multi-day Epic tickets. Or offering tickets beyond the end of the year.

I don't understand or appreciate it.

its "technically" available next year if you buy the package...the park to park includes epic. doesn't do me any good because i reserved hotels earlier with a really great rate so i can't do the package...

 

[belloq87]

its "technically" available next year if you buy the package...the park to park includes epic.

Yeah, I gather that if a hotel stay is included, you can book into next year.

But for just park tickets the calendar stops in December.

 

[pjnugget]

It is supposed to be once per day, however it doesn't say that as far as I can see in the details?

It says so when buying from OI:

View attachment 25682

Has anyone tried this in practice in real life? Since Epic is new, I don't think people have actually done any type of park hopping when they visit Epic.

Starting to formulate my strategy for next year and wanted to see if park hopping and using express pass actual works.

 

[pjnugget]

Has anyone tried this in practice in real life? Since Epic is new, I don't think people have actually done any type of park hopping when they visit Epic.

Starting to formulate my strategy for next year and wanted to see if park hopping and using express pass actual works.

whooops, Park to Park that includes Epic doesnt start until next year so no real world examples until the new year...I guess that would be me! lol

this is what over-researching does to your brain

 

[DrStarlander]

Well, time ran out for my family. We had to lock in airline tickets and travel days for vacation requests. So we just booked a trip to Switzerland and Germany instead of Epic (from the west coast). Couldn't wait any longer for the tickets/vacation we wanted (2 days at Epic plus a day each at USF and IOA). We're going to Europa-Park instead, which has always been on my list! I'll enjoy watching the videos of Epic opening days.

Back in Feb. I posted the above, that since I was unable to buy the Epic Universe tickets that I really wanted and which would justify the trip from the west coast (to get 2 days at Epic), I'd skip Epic and go to Europa Park in Germany instead.

Well, we just got back and WOW. We had an absolutely amazing time. It was fantastic. I could go on and on about it, but this isn't the right thread. Suffice to say, one day was absolutely not enough.

I'm bothering to make this comment here because there were many months of discussion about whether the Epic launch and ticket offerings were smart business...or not. And I think my family offers an anecdotal example that there IS global competition in the theme park industry, there are options, and when companies make it difficult or inconvenient to experience their parks, they do run the risk of losing customers. On balance, I'm not saying Universal's strategy was bad -- maybe net net it's worked as hoped -- and we will go to Epic some day for sure.

But now, we will be also going back to Europa Park...all the way from the west coast. And now that the world of European theme parks has opened to us, we'll be checking out Phantasialand and Efteling on our next trip too.

 

[Mad Dog]

Let's see what happens come August when it appears there's not a lot of sold packages. If attendance drops off considerably from where
it's been during the first 6 weeks since official opening, we may see some change in plans.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Let's see what happens come August when it appears there's not a lot of sold packages. If attendance drops off considerably from where
it's been during the first 6 weeks since official opening, we may see some change in plans.

Not looking great for all of Orlando. It's still early, but all of Orlando is seeing a drop in attendance this summer (so far).

Compared to last year's 4th of July weekend, MK stayed flat but all of the other parks saw lower crowd levels according to Touring Plans.

Not sure what the rule is surrounding sharing results from Touring plans is, but when you compare their observed Crowd Levels from 2019 to this year... it's quite shocking at how much of a drop off the summer season has experienced due to higher ticket prices to spread crowds out, weather, "better value" vacation alternatives like cruises, etc.

 

[Mad Dog]

Not looking great for all of Orlando. It's still in early, but all of Orlando is seeing a drop in attendance this summer (so far).

Compared to last year's 4th of July weekend, MK stayed flat but all of the other parks saw lower crowd levels according to Touring Plans.

Not sure what the rule is surrounding sharing results from Touring plans is, but when you compare their observed Crowd Levels from 2019 to this year... it's quite shocking at how much of a drop off the summer season has experienced due to higher ticket prices to spread crowds out, weather, "better value" vacation alternatives like cruises, etc.

Definitely. Summer season in Orlando is no longer a prime visitation season. WDW does more discounts than most any time of the year and the crowds continue to drop. USO seems to be dropping also after the first five crowded Epic driven opening weeks.....and....one thing stands out....the lack of International guests during the time of year that their numbers used to balloon.....I wonder how long it will take for USO and WDW to adjust their new attraction openings, usually around Memorial Day, to reflect that new reality.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Definitely. Summer season in Orlando is no longer a prime visitation season. WDW does more discounts than most any time of the year and the crowds continue to drop. USO seems to be dropping also after the first five crowded Epic driven opening weeks.....and....one thing stands out....the lack of International guests during the time of year that their numbers used to balloon.....I wonder how long it will take for USO and WDW to adjust their new attraction openings, usually around Memorial Day, to reflect that new reality.

Not sure this REALLY has a huge impact, but in Canada, our Govt is trying to dissuade Canadians from traveling to the US because of Tariffs, etc. Lots of fearmongering from our mainstream media. The Govt is trying to seem all patriotic for asking/telling us to NOT travel south of the border. Hilarious, really. Elbows Up! is our latest cringeworthy saying.

 

[Evan]

Not sure this REALLY has a huge impact, but in Canada, our Govt is trying to dissuade Canadians from traveling to the US because of Tariffs, etc. Lots of fearmongering from our mainstream media. The Govt is trying to seem all patriotic for asking/telling us to NOT travel south of the border. Hilarious, really. Elbows Up! is our latest cringeworthy saying.

The boycott was born naturally by Canadians, with the majority in agreement to try their best to avoid using our spending power on US products or travel. The government just followed public sentiment. And it’s working, if you hadn’t noticed. And the international community joined in.

Elbows up indeed, proud Canadian here.

 

[Brian G.]

And we’re gonna steer it back away from this convo because this is veering into political talk.

Thanks.