Epic Questions - Solo Visit on 1/15/26

[DoubleDown7]

Hey everyone. I'm flying in one day earlier than my family to visit Epic. I'll be staying at Terra Luna and going to the park on Thursday January 15th. I plan on being at the park well before EPA and will have to leave to head to Disney around 6:30 that evening. I'm hoping to experience the following: Battle at the Ministry, Mario Kart, Hiccups Wing Gliders, Stardust Racers, Monsters Unchained and both shows (will skip the Carousel, Fyre Drill and don't want to wait for DK (could do Curse of the Werewolf if there is time)). Based off this I have a few questions for all of you Epic pros:
- Would you walk or catch the bus from Terra Luna? I would like to be super early to get a jump on the big crowds
- I want to be able to experience the good queues at least once. Which single rider queues are worth using to save time without missing the preshow story?
- What's the best strategy for EPA? I've seen everything from just waiting for Harry Potter to heading to Mario Kart.
- How early should I show up for the shows?
- How crazy is it to meet Mario/Luigi? I have no connection to How to Train Your Dragon so that meet and greet is not a necessity for me.
- Do you think I can get through most of what I want to do in 8ish hours?

I think that's all for now! Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[angryduck71]

I'm going to attempt to answer... been to Epic three times now. Going again next week.

I'm not sure how long of a walk it is from Terra, but I'm of the opinion, if it is walkable, do it.

I hear single rider on Ministry is awful and not a time-saver. Monsters never has too long of a wait so I have not done single rider. Worth the queue. Those are the best two, so I would not do single rider on them.

EPA strategy -- I'm of no help. One of my days, we had VIP, so we did Mario Cart (and DK) then... and... hated it. I am likely in the minority on that one. BUT, if it is important to you, get to the park an hour before early entry and go to it. Ministry is farther back and breaks down a lot. You MIGHT see how much express is for that day too -- that way early entry isn't stressful, and for just one person on that date, maybe not that bad, and you'd get EVERYTHING done including DK, which I personally loved but a lot of folks thing is too bumpy. My other EPA days -- I did Monsters over and over because that is my favorite. Had express, but that is only one ride each. My son loves Stardust, so he did one EPA there and then used express to ride other side at night.

Express also works for shows, which was REALLY NICE. I would say 30 minutes for the untrainable drago and 20 minutes for magical creatures without express (I'm blanking on acutally names of these, but you know what I mean). With express, 15 minutes before each will be more than fine.

I did not do meet and greet with Mario/Luigi and have yet to see them actually out on my trips.... but, I also ran away quickly from that land because it overwhlemed both my son and me.

I think you can get through everything you want... probably. During that date. Also, the food at Epic is REALLY GOOD so I would try to make time for that. (I would still advocate for express pass, but I HATE waiting in line and spend my money however I can to skip them.)

Have a great trip!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

- Would you walk or catch the bus from Terra Luna? I would like to be super early to get a jump on the big crowds

Walk if you want to be FIRST, bus if just "near the front" is fine.

- What's the best strategy for EPA? I've seen everything from just waiting for Harry Potter to heading to Mario Kart.

There isn't one. It's so dependent on which rides open & luck. One day, going to Ministry will work like a charm, it'll open early & you can be off the ride 30min into early entry. The next day it will act up, not open until 30min after regular opening, and you've done nothing for that 90min of other low early entry queues. Mine Cart, same exact deal. Mario Kart, same deal but more likely to open within the first 30min, and often it is actually supposed to open for early entry. Most consistent are Curse of the Werewolf & Monsters Unchained - but Monsters Unchained will have low waits most of the day anyways. At least if you go there, the early morning ambiance is great. You can head to Nintendo World and just be ready to jump to the most popular ride that is opening immediately.

- How early should I show up for the shows?

If your day isn't jam packed crowded, you should be able to hit the mid-day shows with minimal wait. We walked up to both with 5min to spare and were easily able to get in. You might plan on more like 10min to be safer? Or if you miss one, just get there earlier for the next showing. We saved a lot of time by just walking up to both shows.

- Do you think I can get through most of what I want to do in 8ish hours?

Yes but note the 3.5hrs you are leaving off at the end of the day are the best for crowds and ambiance. Can you arrive later to your Disney thing? Lines after 7:30-8pm just plummet.