The reason my roommate and I are waiting a few months to visit is mainly so that any issues that rides have on opening week have a chance to be fixed. Going off of the opening months for Hagrid’s and Rise of the Resistance, I’m worried about ride operations for the first few months. Having 11 new rides at once seems like a tall order to fill
One thing epic has that those did not is such extensive testing over a long period of time. All the rides have been testing for awhile now. I don't think they will suffer from a lot of down time, minor issues I'm sure.
By the time the park opens they will have been doing ongoing ride testing for probably close to a year on most of the rides. I'd say the AP Previews will be a good test to see where the rides are in terms of breaking down or having issues.
Im going to the AP previews and then just playing it by ear after that. In terms of wait times, most of the rides at Epic have been designed for high through put. For example, Stardust Racers, from what I can gather, will run four trains on each track for a total of eight 20-passenger trains running. If dispact times are similar to Hulk and Velocicoaster (which its Universal, so they will probably be on point). Run the numbers say the get 60 dispatches an hour. 20ppl x 60 = 1200. Two sides running so double that. 2400 riders an hour. That line will not stop moving i think.
I am going the 4th June and 1st July so far but the one thing I would really love as someone who has literally followed this project from before they broke ground would be a full time-lapse video of construction.
Hi! Noise ordinance comment here: Universal is in a residentially zoned area, therefore they have more strict noise ordinances. This is why they don’t have as large of firework shows, or are open as late/early as often. Certain rides (like rip ride rockit and velocicoaster) are too loud to operate past certain hours. Universal actually pays a fine every night during HHN to keep rockit open late
Oh wow, they take a hit in the wallet for a ride that is trash. I guess it is the only coaster of significance (besides Gringotts) at UStudios. So glad it’s being removed.
My partner and I are supper stoked to be there on OPENING DAY! I was a pass holder and she purchased a pass so we could get the individual tickets. And we have 3 days at Epic starting on opening day. We have come to accept that there may be delays of various sorts, so we go with the understanding and just want to take it all in. To that, has there been any info on opening day ceremonies?
I have a 4 night stay at Helios Grand booked for mid-February 2026, that will be my first visit to Epic Universe. Gonna wait for the slow season so we can get the most out of our days.
I live in Canada so I’m probably going to go for a week to Universal around April 2026. Probably have a Resort day, spend a day at Volcano Bay Waterpark, Islands, Studios, and a couple at Epic Universe
I posted this on Attraction Ideas channel too but my boyfriend and I are waiting until late 2026 early 2027. Multiple reasons. Demand and initial excitement/hysteria lowers. Give them time to work out the kinks. Let them figure out what works and what doesn’t. Also maybe by that point there will have been a small expansion or a few more rides added. Let’s be honest, as exciting as this is, they will not be opening with a ton of rides and attractions. Although we are extremely excited and anxious to experience Epic Universe, we think it is best for us to be patient for a little while. We just spent 6 days at Disney/Universal in late August, so we should be ok.
That’s exactly what I’m doing for that reason. I also don’t wanna pay like $400 for a multi day ticket just to visit epic for one day. If I spent all that money to visit epic and I didn’t get to do everything I wanted, I’d feel like I wasted money
Ride delays are definitely possible but they've been doing ride testing ongoing for months now and will have AP Previews as well so hopefully they will have had time to run all the rides through 1000's of times by the time the park opens
I think I'm gonna wait to see how Universal handles the crowds before buying tickets. I'm hoping that the limited tickets means limited crowds but who knows =/. If it looks manageable I may try to go in the fall, elsewise I'll wait until 2026 at the minimum. Until than I'll take advantage of the lower crowds at Disney. With all their construction happening at the same time Epic Universe Opens I'm hoping for lower crowds at Disney.
It's possible, the thing that would be a defense against that is there are many rides people want to do whereas Hagrids is the best ride in IOA so it gets long lines... and it's a great ride
@@capthemagic I'm referring more to the first year of opening. People visiting are gonna want to check out the new rides and it will cause high wait times. I'm fine with waiting until 2026 to visit epic. I'm not in a rush to visit and hopefully the crowds will be more manageable by then. I'm not an ap holder so I'm waiting for single day tickets to go on sale.
Jan 2026 for me. That said Epic Universe is build with crown management in mind and all the main rides have a huge throughput. Universal is also investing in capacity ( like the millions they spent on Hagrids) and the patents they have to improve ride management. And sure you will stand in an extended queue at some point but they at least have you comfortable in the shade unlike some other theme parks.
@@metallicnole4514 It depends how many guests they let into the park. Hagrid is indeed a very popular ride but Epic will have many popular rides so that could spread it a bit out but yeah it will be crowded.
@@ottot3221 We'll just have to see how the capacity is, efficiency of ride ops, and how reliable the rides are. Especially when there are new ride systems. I hate that velocicoaster cycles only one train at a time through the circuit when I've been there. Even though the track can handle multiple trains at the same time.
@@neo_thrillz I must have terrible luck because anytime I've ridden it, they only had 2 trains and only dispatched one at a time. Meaning they don't dispatch the train until the other one returns to the station. Even though they could run multiple trains on the track at the same time.
Universal has no problem with allowing 60 minite waits on average for big ticket rides with epic Its going to be 2hr+ waits becahse of a bunch of trust fund executives that think the park experience doesn’t matter
The reason my roommate and I are waiting a few months to visit is mainly so that any issues that rides have on opening week have a chance to be fixed. Going off of the opening months for Hagrid’s and Rise of the Resistance, I’m worried about ride operations for the first few months. Having 11 new rides at once seems like a tall order to fill
One thing epic has that those did not is such extensive testing over a long period of time. All the rides have been testing for awhile now. I don't think they will suffer from a lot of down time, minor issues I'm sure.
@@krisbarlow4552 They may do testing, but can't factor everything until they are cycling guests through the ride.
I doubt the rides will be broken that's more of an issue when executives rush an early open. Most of the rides have been testing since the Fall
By the time the park opens they will have been doing ongoing ride testing for probably close to a year on most of the rides. I'd say the AP Previews will be a good test to see where the rides are in terms of breaking down or having issues.
We’re planning on going around Halloween so we can try to hit both Epic and HHN this helped a lot 🙏
That's a solid plan
Im going to the AP previews and then just playing it by ear after that. In terms of wait times, most of the rides at Epic have been designed for high through put. For example, Stardust Racers, from what I can gather, will run four trains on each track for a total of eight 20-passenger trains running. If dispact times are similar to Hulk and Velocicoaster (which its Universal, so they will probably be on point). Run the numbers say the get 60 dispatches an hour. 20ppl x 60 = 1200. Two sides running so double that. 2400 riders an hour. That line will not stop moving i think.
My birthdays on the opening second day so I seen it as a sign I should go for opening 🤣
I am going the 4th June and 1st July so far but the one thing I would really love as someone who has literally followed this project from before they broke ground would be a full time-lapse video of construction.
Hi! Noise ordinance comment here: Universal is in a residentially zoned area, therefore they have more strict noise ordinances. This is why they don’t have as large of firework shows, or are open as late/early as often.
Certain rides (like rip ride rockit and velocicoaster) are too loud to operate past certain hours. Universal actually pays a fine every night during HHN to keep rockit open late
Thanks for the comment. I wasn’t sure if that was for sure the case but makes sense
Oh wow, they take a hit in the wallet for a ride that is trash. I guess it is the only coaster of significance (besides Gringotts) at UStudios. So glad it’s being removed.
@@BoomerBaskins RRR is probably the worst thrill coaster in FL
Planning on adding it to a December meet up trip, and really hoping to get in on a passholder preview day
My partner and I are supper stoked to be there on OPENING DAY! I was a pass holder and she purchased a pass so we could get the individual tickets. And we have 3 days at Epic starting on opening day. We have come to accept that there may be delays of various sorts, so we go with the understanding and just want to take it all in. To that, has there been any info on opening day ceremonies?
I’m planning for an early October trip. I think crowds will be bad, but want to avoid early technical issues and then the summer heat.
October can still be hot but it's not like mid August Florida heat for sure
I have a 4 night stay at Helios Grand booked for mid-February 2026, that will be my first visit to Epic Universe. Gonna wait for the slow season so we can get the most out of our days.
Good move!
I live in Canada so I’m probably going to go for a week to Universal around April 2026. Probably have a Resort day, spend a day at Volcano Bay Waterpark, Islands, Studios, and a couple at Epic Universe
Planning on going next December!
I posted this on Attraction Ideas channel too but my boyfriend and I are waiting until late 2026 early 2027. Multiple reasons. Demand and initial excitement/hysteria lowers. Give them time to work out the kinks. Let them figure out what works and what doesn’t. Also maybe by that point there will have been a small expansion or a few more rides added. Let’s be honest, as exciting as this is, they will not be opening with a ton of rides and attractions. Although we are extremely excited and anxious to experience Epic Universe, we think it is best for us to be patient for a little while. We just spent 6 days at Disney/Universal in late August, so we should be ok.
That’s exactly what I’m doing for that reason. I also don’t wanna pay like $400 for a multi day ticket just to visit epic for one day. If I spent all that money to visit epic and I didn’t get to do everything I wanted, I’d feel like I wasted money
Ride delays are definitely possible but they've been doing ride testing ongoing for months now and will have AP Previews as well so hopefully they will have had time to run all the rides through 1000's of times by the time the park opens
I'm going to Epic on the last week of September/first week of October for my birthday. 😊
I think I'm gonna wait to see how Universal handles the crowds before buying tickets. I'm hoping that the limited tickets means limited crowds but who knows =/. If it looks manageable I may try to go in the fall, elsewise I'll wait until 2026 at the minimum. Until than I'll take advantage of the lower crowds at Disney. With all their construction happening at the same time Epic Universe Opens I'm hoping for lower crowds at Disney.
I’m guessing many rides are gonna be hagrid’s level waits. I’m holding off visiting until single day tickets for non ap holders are available
It's possible, the thing that would be a defense against that is there are many rides people want to do whereas Hagrids is the best ride in IOA so it gets long lines... and it's a great ride
@@capthemagic I'm referring more to the first year of opening. People visiting are gonna want to check out the new rides and it will cause high wait times. I'm fine with waiting until 2026 to visit epic. I'm not in a rush to visit and hopefully the crowds will be more manageable by then. I'm not an ap holder so I'm waiting for single day tickets to go on sale.
I'm going mid - August....the prices at Portofino Bay drop significantly after 8/10...
I'm going the beginning of June , that will probably be awesome but not so awesome at the same time. I am booked again for Autumn.
I do imagine June is going to be crazy but still a good time
Hello !! , We are from Brazil and we are planning to go in August 2025, see you guys
See you there!
Jan 2026 for me. That said Epic Universe is build with crown management in mind and all the main rides have a huge throughput. Universal is also investing in capacity ( like the millions they spent on Hagrids) and the patents they have to improve ride management. And sure you will stand in an extended queue at some point but they at least have you comfortable in the shade unlike some other theme parks.
I'm expecting a lot of the rides having a hagrid's level wait
@@metallicnole4514 It depends how many guests they let into the park. Hagrid is indeed a very popular ride but Epic will have many popular rides so that could spread it a bit out but yeah it will be crowded.
@@ottot3221 We'll just have to see how the capacity is, efficiency of ride ops, and how reliable the rides are. Especially when there are new ride systems. I hate that velocicoaster cycles only one train at a time through the circuit when I've been there. Even though the track can handle multiple trains at the same time.
@metallicnole4514 they run four trains 95% of the time on VC. What do you mean by one train at a time?
@@neo_thrillz I must have terrible luck because anytime I've ridden it, they only had 2 trains and only dispatched one at a time. Meaning they don't dispatch the train until the other one returns to the station. Even though they could run multiple trains on the track at the same time.
Opening day ticket baby
Opening Day Gang lol
I bought tickets for June 3rd ❤ because as annual pass I couldn’t buy before it was too busy the website
Tickets did go quick on the day they went on sale
Planning a trip to Chessington
What's dat?
We go to Orlando every February so we are going to wait until February 2026
Great time to go with weather and crowds usually so not a bad choice
December '25 because that's when we normally go. Have my 4d of tickets and counting the days.
I'm betting that will be a very busy time but still fun non the less
@capthemagic we are booked for the very beginning of December, so hopefully before most of the craziness.
I will be going in September
September for epic and HHN
I'm planning on going on january 2026 just because of my kids vacations
Universal has no problem with allowing 60 minite waits on average for big ticket rides with epic Its going to be 2hr+ waits becahse of a bunch of trust fund executives that think the park experience doesn’t matter
Surely you don't think Comcast/Universal is the only company with executives with trust funds???
2025, after the mess.😊😊