Category: Coasters

Why Waiting for Epic Universe to Open is a Bad Idea

Epic Universe, debuting at Universal Orlando in 2025, will be amazing but here’s why waiting to visit Universal Orlando until then is a bad idea!
Epic Universe Entrance – Artist Rendering, compliments of Universal Orlando Parks and Resorts

With 5 NEW and exciting lands, Universal Orlando’s 4th theme park is sure to be beyond Epic. In fact, that may be an understatement! However, if you are considering a future visit, here are some things to think about.

Let’s go back in time to the excitement and hype when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first opened. While it was a dream come true for Potter Fans, those days, weeks, and months after the grand opening were honestly not as magical for Muggles and little Wizards alike. Crowd levels were at capacity, attractions lines were hours looooong, and it was actually impossible to see and do much.

A quick Google search will produce tons of articles like this one showing how thousands of Guests waited in lines that stretched back to the entrance of CityWalk just to get into the parks:

Copyright: Atlanta Journal-Constitution article on opening day for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Fast forward to 2025 and it’s easy to predict the popularity for Epic Universe will surely soar again. After all, we are not only talking about the addition of a new Wizarding World. Joining the land of the Ministry of Magic are 3 other new lands: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk.

This is going to be a mind-blowing, game-changing enhancement to all that Universal Orlando has to offer and you can bet crowd levels are going to soar until the hype and newness wears off a bit.

Lucky for you, Dear Friends, there are choices to be made! If you count yourself among those who are too excited to wait or just want bragging rights to be among the first to visit Epic Universe, your wish is our command! Packages and tickets for 2025 haven’t been released yet but you won’t have to wait too long and we’ll be here to assist you!

However, if you haven’t crossed off a most magical visit to Universal Orlando’s current theme parks from your bucket list or if you wish to return to create more memories, you may want to do so this year while crowd levels are still manageable because once Epic Universe opens, we have it on good authority Guests will still be directed to ALL of the theme parks, which translates into higher crowd levels everywhere on property.

Here’s a few more compelling reasons to visit now vs. later:

1) Vacations with Character® LLC has SO many great deals to offer in 2024, including exclusive savings* of up to $1300.00 on a 3-park/5 night vacation package as well as special ticket offers to get you to the magic sooner! There’s never been a better time to SAVE! $$$

2) There are SO many fun and new things to see this year:

    • The adorable DreamWorks Land is officially open
    • CineSational: Symphonic Spectacular the all-new lagoon show has made it’s debut and it’s FANTASTIC!
    • Hogwarts Forever is not to be missed! This new nighttime projection on Hogwarts Castle tells the story of a student going through their first year at Hogwarts and plays nightly (it even has a few different endings)

3) Beginning July 3, the New Mega Movie Parade debuts. This spectacular new addition will feature 13 brand new floats, nearly 100 performers (dancers, skaters, stilt walkers, performers, and more), not to mention special effects.

4) If scary movies are your jam, don’t forget Halloween Horror Nights, the world’s premier event is also coming this Fall and it’s never too early to plan for this as well. In fact, private tours, which are the best way to experience this event, and tickets do sell out!

Last but not least…

5) There’s nothing like a visit to Universal during the holidays to put you in the spirit. Join the celebration of Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ all decked out in it’s finest; Enjoy huge balloons at Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and it even snows — in Florida!;  Laugh along to the Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Holiday Decorations, courtesy of Robin Gantek and Vacations with Character® LLC

So, as you can see, there’s never been a better time to experience all that Universal Orlando has to offer! Epic Universe isn’t going anywhere and in the meantime, you can still enjoy THREE amazing theme parks at an incredible price!

*For more information, be sure to contact your favorite Vacations with Character® Vacationista and we’d be  happy to provide you with the best price possible for your vacation as well as all the details for special offers available to you for your dates of travel. We ♥ Universal and can’t wait to help you book a most magical adventure. Please visit us at: www.vacationswithcharacter.net or or www.universalvacationplanners.com

Vacations with Character is proud to earn the distinction of being a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency.

 

 

10 Tips to Experience Universal Orlando Resort

The parks, hotels, and CityWalk are open and welcoming guests back with a few changes and welcome surprises! Read on for more details.

Courtesy of Universal Partner Community

As previously reported on our social media accounts, things may be a little different when you arrive with new operational guidelines that put your safety, and that of the Team Members, first.  Rest assured, it’s still the Universal you know and ♥! Here are some tips to experience the parks and make your visit a stress-free one, which = more fun for you!

RELATED: 10 Tips for Universal Orlando’s Reopening and 10 Tips for Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay Reopening

1. The Universal Orlando Resort App is Your New Best Friend

Courtesy of Universal Partner Community

Take a minute to download the Universal Orlando Resort app! More than ever, this will be the most useful thing during your visit. It will help you navigate around the crowds, trim down time waiting in queues, minimize physical interactions, and so much more! Here are some top features:

  • – Virtual Line experience for attractions
  • – Mobile food and drink ordering for select restaurants
  • – Interactive park map
  • – Virtual wallet where you can purchase and house your park tickets, Express passes, and also set up your TapuTapu for your visit to Volcano Bay
  • – Wait time alerts that you can set for when the times drop

(Download it for FREE from the App Store and Google Play. Data and other charges may apply; check with your wireless provider’s rate plan for details.)

2. Dodge Crowds with the Virtual Line Experience (see #1 above!)

Courtesy of Derek Funk, Universal Partner Community

3. Order Your Food Ahead of Time with Mobile Order (see #1 above!)

4. Make a Game Plan Beforehand

Create your list of “must-do’s” and then use the app to navigate wait times while also utilizing the virtual line queue, plus mobile ordering.

5. Get a More Personalized Experience With Social Distancing

Courtesy of Universal Partner Community

Maintaining social distancing spaces actually makes you feel as if you have rides and attractions almost to yourself and provides for a more personal and intimate experience!

6. Take a Break in the U-Rest Areas

In addition to planning out what you want to do, make sure to slot in time to take breaks. There are new U-Rest areas sprinkled throughout the parks and CityWalk, where you can recharge with a drink or snack with your face covering off. You can find them in the following locations:

  • Universal CityWalk
    • Down by the waterfront in front of Hard Rock
  • Universal Studios Florida
    • Fear Factor Live Theater
    • Central Park by the lagoon
  • Universal’s Islands of Adventure
    • Port of Entry Landing by the waterfront
    • The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show Theater in Lost Continent (the show is no longer available)

7. Make Way for Perfect Selfies and Photo Ops!

Courtesy of Universal Partner Community

With limited crowds and social distancing, there is plenty of free space all around so you can capture some really great memories – and photos of your favorite spots without other guests crowding in.

8. Early Park Admission = More Time and Fewer Crowds

Booking a vacation package  OR purchasing your tickets from Vacations with Character® allows you the perk of entering the park one hour earlier than the general public! Can you say…sign me up??? We are also experts at helping you navigate the hotels, new policies, attractions, transfers, and more…and our services are FREE for our clients! In fact, we may be able to save you money…money you can use to buy a new Wizarding Wand or a few ButterBeers and VooDoo doughnuts. 😉

9. Your Bae This Summer is Volcano Bay

Courtesy of Universal Partner Community

With minimal crowds, plentiful areas to relax, social distancing enforced while you play, and the TapuTapu wearable – made exclusively for Volcano Bay – this park truly makes you feel as if you’ve escaped to a relaxing, tropical paradise and you will simply fall in LOVE! Plus, masks are not required in the pools, on the slides, or while eating/drinking because your space is always maintained with new guidelines and markers. Plus, with Tap Tu Play and Tap Tu Pay on your TapuTapu wearable, there is no  standing in long lines to experience an attraction, no more carrying wallets, cash or credit cards around the park and no fumbling for a locker key. They have truly thought of everything!

10. New Experiences are Waiting to Welcome You Back

The parks may have been closed for a couple of months, but select Team Members have been hard at work creating new experiences for you to come back to. With new “Love is Universal” and anniversary merchandise to snatch up, new food and beverage offerings, and even new entertainment attractions like The Bourne Stuntacular and Raptor Encounter (baby raptor Sierra is the cutest!), there’s never a better time to visit!

Questions? We’ve got answers…and tickets…and special offers available for your next amazing vacation to Universal Orlando Resort.  Contact a Vacations with Character® Vacationista for a free quote for tickets or packages today and let’s welcome you back!   https://universalvacationplanners.com/

We are honored to be an Authorized Universal Orlando Vacation Planner!

Many thanks to Denielle Ricci, Associate Editor of the Discover Universal Blog and Universal Partner Community Representative for help in providing this information!