Epic Universe Poll

[AstroBlasters]

I thought this might be interesting. Please add any additional insights in the comments to and let us know if your next WDW stay will be a DVC resort , other Disney resort, Off Property (gasp!) or Universal…

 

[juliebee]

I have a trip planned for May and have been considering going to Universal for two days- one Epic day and the other a "best of" IOA/UO day. I created my trip with a split reservation as I might stay at SSR for the Universal days for ease of driving if we rent a car. Debating if I just want to stay at Universal for the days. We've stayed at both Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay and the express pass is really great, but I don't know if that will be offered for Epic in May.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I have a trip planned for May and have been considering going to Universal for two days- one Epic day and the other a "best of" IOA/UO day. I created my trip with a split reservation as I might stay at SSR for the Universal days for ease of driving if we rent a car. Debating if I just want to stay at Universal for the days. We've stayed at both Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay and the express pass is really great, but I don't know if that will be offered for Epic in May.

I don’t believe Epic gets Express Pass for hotel guests…. even those staying at Helios….

 

[juliebee]

I knew they didn't right now... but wasn't sure if that would change by May since that would be around their one year anniversary

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Haven’t been to Universal Studios Orlando (we live fairly close to the one in Hollywood) in 20+ years and don’t have any real interest in going now…thought husband might want to go for Jaws stuff in August but he didn’t care when he learned the ride was gone, and my kids haven’t asked about it either, so we’re only going to be at WDW (plus cruise) on our next 2-3 trips.

 

[PolyRob]

I don’t believe Epic gets Express Pass for hotel guests…. even those staying at Helios….

It's crazy that Helios doesn't provide any Express Pass even for IOA/US with what the rooms cost

 

[JackosinDIS]

We visited Epic and the other universal parks during our stay at SSR last week.

With hindsight, I should have booked a universal hotel for a night to get the express passes for IOA and studios. We really wanted to ride Hagrids, but without express, the lines were just too long for me and various kids who are too little to ride.

We purchased express passes for Epic. Be prepared - it does not work the same as the other parks (yet). Only gives you a ‘shorter’ wait than standby, which, in some cases was still 100 mins (looking at you Mario Kart!).

The day we visited (21st), the express passes for Epic did not include mine cart or battle at the ministry. Of course, this was changed on 22nd to include both!

 

[pinkxray]

Our next trip is Thanksgiving week. We have seasonal passes to Universal so we will be at the original parks the weekend we arrive. Staying at Royal Pacific. I thought about adding in Epic, but I really don’t want to deal with the already crowded park on one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. We will find plenty to do in the two original parks. Love all the holiday stuff there.

We will be back in Florida in April for the Springtime Surprise 5k. I’m thinking we might move to Helios or Stella Nova our last night and do Epic Universe that day, which is also DD 9th bday. The only thing that bother me is looking at hotel prices, that weekend(April 18) has the highest prices of the month. I thought most spring breaks were done by then and we would be missing spring break crowds. While our seasonal passes won’t help with Epic, at least we can use them that weekend one more time for a good hotel rate.

 

[stat]

I went to Epic back on June with one kid and had an amazing time. Despite advice to skip it for a full year since it was new, we timed it perfected by going on a Sunday (thanks to Thrill Data) and got to ride everything.

We're not going on this Labor Day trip we're on, but shortly before Thanksgiving we're coming back down with the whole family and doing Helios and Epic, can't wait! I will say Helios prices are crazy. They've nearly doubled since we first booked. DVC "plan way ahead" skills really paid off!

 

[MattB2G]

We will probably head over to Universal in 2 years to do the new park and rides, probably do a 2 night stay at either the Hard Rock or Helios. Family likes Universal but love WDW!!!

 

[Smugpugmug]

I'm currently staying with my sister who lives close to WDW property so for now the answer is no. I am waiting for Epic to be added to the annual pass and yes I am aware that will make the annual pass more expensive. Plus I didn't want to buy tickets when I have plans to head to Disneyland in a few weeks anyway.

 

[Hubalorian]

We are going next summer with friends of ours who have two young kids (we have three haha). So I don’t think we’re going to want to trek over to Epic with five kids for a day. Especially since three of the children need mid day naps and the heat can be brutal. Plus our friends kids have never been to Disney world!

We might make the trek but there would be lots of logistics to figure out

 

[Mouseforward]

I do the every other year sorcerers pass for WDW - next year is my off year. I will do a cash trip and do universal. Probably stay two nights at hard rock, two at Helios and then the rest in SSR

 

[crazycatlady]

My answer was maybe, but that needs to be clarified. Our next trip is December and DH and I are doing the Orlando Informer Meet Up on Friday and Saturday to do the OG Universal parks, so we will probably not add Epic to that trip because of budget. Our DD, who has a Uni season pass, WILL be going over to Epic for a day on our December trip. This will be the 4th time visiting Epic, which she loves. We will almost definitely wait until our following trip in May to go to Epic for the first time.

 

[Sandisw]

I knew they didn't right now... but wasn't sure if that would change by May since that would be around their one year anniversary

They are not planning to add Express pass to Helios.

 

[RickNJane]

We have a 2 week trip coming up in November with the GrandKids. Decided to do Universal for 4 days prior just us 2. Staying at a resort that furnishes express pass. Bought express pass for Epic. Which is a departure for us since we never buy LL. Universals Express pass is much more simple. Maybe the start of a new tradition.

 

[Skywalker3]

I am trying to finalize some plans best I can for an Oct trip to Universal, for HHN. Currently no WDW plans except maybe Disney Springs. DS's fall break schedule, and travel logistics are stressing me out. But I am hoping to plan 1 day at Epic on that trip.
We are out of DVC points, and don't currently have APs. Likely, we wont' be making any WDW trips until Fall 2026.
We might add a day at Epic then, so I chose maybe.
We love Universal, and I can't wait to visit Epic.

 

[AstroBlasters]

It's crazy that Helios doesn't provide any Express Pass even for IOA/US with what the rooms cost

I know right! I feel like if they did then we would stay there on arrival day, spend a day and a half at EPIC and then go to WDW at check in on the following day…

 

[AstroBlasters]

We visited Epic and the other universal parks during our stay at SSR last week.

With hindsight, I should have booked a universal hotel for a night to get the express passes for IOA and studios. We really wanted to ride Hagrids, but without express, the lines were just too long for me and various kids who are too little to ride.

We purchased express passes for Epic. Be prepared - it does not work the same as the other parks (yet). Only gives you a ‘shorter’ wait than standby, which, in some cases was still 100 mins (looking at you Mario Kart!).

The day we visited (21st), the express passes for Epic did not include mine cart or battle at the ministry. Of course, this was changed on 22nd to include both!

Dude…..it changed the next day…..