EPIC Rope Drop? and Express?

[Tymeece]

I bought preview tickets for Saturday 5/17. We are staying at Dockside so that we get early entry. I am a Disney person so don't understand the Universal ways...LOL
My questions:
How early should we get to the park to rope drop? Is 1 hour before early entry early enough? Is there a certain side we go to for early entry with hotel stay?
Where should we go first? Hear Nintendo is busy. Will any other area except Celestial be open early?
Express is not available to be purchased online for our preview day right now or it is sold out? Is there a possibility to buy it at resort or park the day before or day of?
Thanks for any help

 

[whitestavern]

We bought them for 5/13. I can't help with rope drop timing--we've only been once years ago--but I've heard you can buy EP tix day of. Most people so far are saying they're not really necessary. Universal has capped the number of tix sold, so park won't be at capacity, and lines should not be too crazy. Crossing fingers

 

[Tymeece]

We bought them for 5/13. I can't help with rope drop timing--we've only been once years ago--but I've heard you can buy EP tix day of. Most people so far are saying they're not really necessary. Universal has capped the number of tix sold, so park won't be at capacity, and lines should not be too crazy. Crossing fingers

Thanks. Yeah, since it is so new I don't know what to expect for Epic early entry. I want to ensure we make the best of the day. We are flying in Friday, Epic Saturday, and back home Sunday. We are staying at our DVC in November and plan to do Epic again. This is more of a reconnaissance with one of my daughters before the whole family comes. I will post any tips or tricks I learn

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Hopping on with a related question - when are the first morning buses from the hotels to Epic?


Only Nintendo area & Stardust Racers for early entry. During previews, EP is available in the park only.

 

[Tymeece]

Hopping on with a related question - when are the first morning buses from the hotels to Epic?


Only Nintendo area & Stardust Racers for early entry. During previews, EP is available in the park only.

Would love to know for sure as well. Someone told me thought only an hour before park open. Which would be too late. I thought about taking a ride share. Which the address doesn’t seem to be right in LYFT currently.

 

[wdwrule]

Hopping on with a related question - when are the first morning buses from the hotels to Epic?


Only Nintendo area & Stardust Racers for early entry. During previews, EP is available in the park only.

At least from Cabana Bay, we were quoted buses arrive at earliest 9am for pick-up, in other words, hour before early entry. Some buses share. We ended up just taking an uber.

ETA: we did take a bus back at closing. Very efficient bus systems!

 

[wdwrule]

Would love to know for sure as well. Someone told me thought only an hour before park open. Which would be too late. I thought about taking a ride share. Which the address doesn’t seem to be right in LYFT currently.

I just typed in Universal Epic Universe for ride share.

 

[Tymeece]

I just typed in Universal Epic Universe for ride share.

Thanks

 

[Minnie1222]

We just went on 05/01 without EP. We were able to ride all 3 Nintendo attractions and the carousel during the one hour early entry. In 7 hours we rode everything, except for Stardust, Berk's boat (by choice) and Ministry, Wing Glider (ride closures). During the same 7 hours, we also paused for snacks, drinks, and a very long lunch, as well as leisure shopping and going back to Helios twice to drop off the goods.

 

[AustinTink]

leisure shopping and going back to Helios twice to drop off the goods.

We are planning to have things sent back to the room. They do offer that service at Helios correct? Just making sure for future planning.

 

[Tymeece]

We just went on 05/01 without EP. We were able to ride all 3 Nintendo attractions and the carousel during the one hour early entry. In 7 hours we rode everything, except for Stardust, Berk's boat (by choice) and Ministry, Wing Glider (ride closures). During the same 7 hours, we also paused for snacks, drinks, and a very long lunch, as well as leisure shopping and going back to Helios twice to drop off the goods.

Great to know about your early entry success. Thanks.

 

[Minnie1222]

We are planning to have things sent back to the room. They do offer that service at Helios correct? Just making sure for future planning.

I don't know! I usually don't use their delivery service.