Considering a private tour of Epic

[alex33x]

We have a reservation starting October 6 to October 15th this year. I booked a single night at Lowes Pacific, not planning on staying there physically, because I'm a DVC member. But it was cheaper to book the hotel for the night than actually buying unlimited express passes for Universal and Islands of Adventure. Then since this doesn't apply to Epic, I bought separate single day tickets to Epic with the single ride express pass, only to find out later that Battle at the ministry doesn't have an express lane, and neither do the Mine Carts at Nintendo world.

Some have suggested rope dropping battle of the ministry but still takes 90 minutes to 2 hours since you have to wait for the park to open. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I'm considering getting a private tour just to skip some of this lines. I have never spent longer than an hour in a line at any park in many years of visiting I always buy the unlimited express passes, Genie+ now LL and anything that will save me time on the long lines. I really don't want to potentially wait 4-6 hours on just two rides when we visit. Am I crazy?

 

[angryduck71]

So the group VIP tour. I posted a thread about it.

 

[LuvOrlando]

If you can afford it why not? I imagine all the Universal parks are going to be completely jammed right before Halloween so a little less angst in your day can go a long way to a nice visit. I have been to parks where I could only manage 4 rides in a day and that is very aggravating.

We are headed there in early 2026, EPIC looks amazing. I know you said you have DVC but if it was me I wouldn't ignore the room on property entirely. At the least, I would use it to store some things, let the family drift into and out of, shower and change clothes for a leisurely dinner but for me I would be likely to use the room for the night to get a super early start at Epic since it is so much closer & the crowds will probably be quite a lot.

 

[AprilsZoo]

I know you said you have DVC but if it was me I wouldn't ignore the room on property entirely. At the least, I would use it to store some things, let the family drift into and out of, shower and change clothes for a leisurely dinner but for me I would be likely to use the room for the night to get a super early start at Epic since it is so much closer & the crowds will probably be quite a lot.

I would do the same. No need to drag all your luggage obviously, but take a duffel or similar and a few packing cubes. Have each family member pack a separate cube with clothes for the next day and toiletries/toothbrushes, etc. (The front desk has a lot of toiletries, btw. DGD forgot her toothbrush, and with a quick text, we had toothbrushes and toothpaste for all of us, (although I only asked for it for her, they brought 5 of them anyway, in a cute little bag.) plus they even asked if we needed razors, shaving cream, deodorant or anything else. All with no charge.) Then go ahead and use the room. Bell Services will hold your bag (and I think even put it in the room when it’s ready). You have to go to the hotel on the first morning anyway to get your passes.

Being able to go to your room right there at Universal that night let’s you get an earlier start the next day. Bell services will hold your bag again on day 2, or you can rent a locker if going back to the hotel at the end of the night wouldn’t be convenient.

When you consider the time it will take to get to & from your Villa from Universal, it seems like a way to shave at least 2 hours off the “commute” to/from the parks over 2 days. Also it’s convenient to get food at Citywalk for breakfast &/or dinner.

For me, if I’m paying for the room, I might as well use it and get a little convenience out of it.

We did this for our visit (pre Epic Universe), getting a room at Hard Rock, and got the premier pass for two days. We went ahead and stayed there for that night. It was a tight fit, because we got a rollaway bed for DGD and I had a scooter. So 5 of us shoehorned in with an ECV… but it was definitely worth it for the one night.