You know what’s one of the best things about a brand-new theme park?
Well, no one actually knows what the theme park is all about. It takes time to figure out which rides are the most popular, which ones tend to go down a lot, which have the best single rider lanes, and so on. But let’s be honest, that’s all part of the fun too. Just exploring and coming up with your own strategies is one of the most exciting things - that sense of discovery when attractions are brand new is just *chef’s kiss*.
You might be asking, “Hey, if that’s the case, will a ride strategy actually work?” Well, yes, it will. That’s because we already have a good idea of which rides are the best, which ones have the best capacity, and which shows are the most fun. You can absolutely go in blind to Epic Universe and still have an amazing time, but this guide is for those who want to make the most of every minute.
In this guide, we’ll cover things like:
- Tips for Epic Universe
- Step by step ride strategy for Epic Universe
- Should I buy an Express Pass for Epic Universe?
- The Top Ten Rides at Epic Universe
Of course, you can always reach out to us by clicking the Request a Quote button and sending a message. It’s completely free to contact us, and we’ll be more than happy to help you plan your next (epic) vacation.
Ready? Let’s go!
Tips for Epic Universe
Wake Up Early and Rope Drop
This might be one of the simplest - and best - tips for Epic Universe. Wake up early and get to the gates at least one hour before they officially open! Rope drop and hit some of the most popular rides while wait times are still manageable. Remember, Epic Universe is brand new, so you can expect it to be crowded for at least a year or two.
Stay in a Universal Resort
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous one. Staying at a Universal Resort gives you access to Early Entry, which lets you enter the park one hour before the general public. That early hour can be a game-changer when you're aiming to ride big attractions like Stardust Racers or Mine Cart Madness. Every Universal Resort offers Early Entry, so just pick your favorite and enjoy the head start.
Consider the new hotels close to Epic Universe
Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and the Helios Grand Hotel all opened in 2025. Stella Nova and Terra Luna offer a 15-minute walking path to the gates of Epic Universe, while Helios is located inside the park itself. Consider these hotels if you want to manage your time better and get to Epic Universe even earlier than most guests.
Save at Least TWO Days for Epic Universe
Epic Universe is huge, and there’s a 99.9% chance you won’t be able to see everything in just one day. Even if the park happens to be empty (it won’t be), there’s always a chance a ride could go down temporarily, making it impossible to experience on that particular day. Buy at least two tickets for Epic Universe so you can explore everything it has to offer without feeling rushed.
Bring lots of water... and a hat
Epic Universe will open during the scorching Florida summer, so make sure to bring plenty of water. Keep in mind that there isn’t much shade as you move around the park, so it’s a very good idea to wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Step by step ride strategy for Epic Universe
It’s time to break down what you should do in a quick and effective way if you’re planning to visit Epic Universe. Be sure to purchase your ticket online and in advance. Famvia, of course, can help with that.
Running short on time or just want to take things slow? You can skip some rides or topics from the list, but make sure to check out anything highlighted in green!
- Download the Universal Orlando Resort App a day before.
- Prepare your backpack with snacks and water bottles.
- Wake up early and rope drop. Arrive at the theme park at least one hour before the gates open, the same thing applies if you have Early Entry.
- Ride Stardust Racers (48″)
- Ride Mine-Cart Madness (36″)
- Ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (40″)
- Ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (40″)
- Lunch break
- Watch Le Cirque Arcanus (show, hours vary)
- Watch The Untrainable Dragon (show, hours vary)
- Ride Hiccup's Wing Gliders (40″)
- Ride Dragon Racer's Rally (48″)
- Ride Curse of the Werewolf (40″)
- Ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (48″)
Attractions not included:
- Constellation Carousel
- Fyre Drill
- Yoshi’s Adventure (34″)
- Play Areas
- Meet & Greets
Should I buy an Express Pass for Epic Universe?
The answer is… yes, most of the time. Epic Universe is a brand-new theme park, so you can expect long lines. During the preview event, Mine Cart Madness reached a 170-minute wait at times, and the Harry Potter ride often hit 200 minutes. That’s pretty standard for a newly opened park, so an Express Pass can save you a lot of time.
Just keep in mind that during the first few weeks - or even months - an Express Pass may cost around $200 per guest. Prices should eventually settle to around $100-$150 once the initial crowds die down. Also note that the Express Pass included with Universal Premier Hotels does not work at Epic Universe.
The Express Pass is NOT available for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Mine-Cart Madness and Dragon Racer’s Rally.
Epic Universe Express Pass Rides
- Stardust Racers
- Constellation Carousel
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Yoshi’s Adventure
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Le Cirque Arcanus
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Fyre Drill
- The Untrainable Dragon
The Top Ten Rides at Epic Universe
Let’s go over what we consider to be the best rides at Epic Universe - the ones you definitely shouldn’t miss on your first day. Honestly, you should try to experience every ride and pick your own favorites, but these are the ones that consistently get great reviews and rank among the most popular in the entire park. Be sure to add them to your itinerary!
Here is a list of our top ten rides and attractions at Epic Universe:
#1 - Stardust Racers
- Info: guests must be at least 48″, mega-coaster.
Stardust Racers is one of the best rides at Epic Universe. Period. In fact, a lot of Reddit users and YouTubers consider this the blockbuster attraction at the new theme park. Stardust Racers is like VelociCoaster on steroids. It’s faster, more comfortable, and looks absolutely mesmerizing at night.
This coaster is also seen as a spiritual successor to Islands of Adventure’s Dueling Dragons, with two vehicles racing side by side like they’re dancing through the air. If you love mega-coasters, you’re definitely going to enjoy this one.
#2 - Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Info: guests must be at least 48″, motion simulator, scary for younger guests.
Monsters Unchained includes elements of Forbidden Journey and even Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. That’s because the queue and pre-show are a major part of the experience. The ride itself feels very Forbidden Journey-esque - you’re seated on a large mechanical arm and taken through scenes featuring classic Universal Monsters in a variety of detailed set pieces.
That said, Monsters Unchained is a big step up from Forbidden Journey. The ride is much more comfortable, with less shaking, and it features some of the best animatronics you’ll find in any theme park. It leans more on practical effects and animatronics than screens, which helps elevate it to one of the top attractions in the entire park.
#3 - Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Info: guests must be at least 40″, motion simulator.
Here it is, what many consider to be the most hyped ride in all of Epic Universe. In fact, very few people have actually experienced it so far, since it faced several issues during the preview events. Those who have ridden Battle at the Ministry, like us here at Famvia, give it two thumbs up! This is a thrilling motion simulator with elements that feel inspired by The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Transformers 3D, Forbidden Journey, and Tower of Terror. It features top-notch visuals, impressive animatronics, and some really great surprises. In the end of the day, it’s just a very good dark ride and motion simulator, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
The main drawbacks? This will likely be the ride with the longest wait times in all of Epic Universe. Don’t be surprised if Universal uses a Virtual Queue system or if standard lines hit over 300 minutes. It’s also prone to frequent breakdowns, so you’d better pray to the gods of Hogwarts that it doesn’t happen while you’re in line.
#4 - Mine-Cart Madness
- Info: guests must be at least 36″, family coaster.
The Donkey Kong roller coaster is a huge hit with families. It features a brand-new gimmick where your cart isn’t actually attached to the visible track below - instead, a hidden mechanical arm guides you along a concealed track. This allows for some really fun surprises, like sudden jumps over broken sections of track and seamless transitions from one path to another. It’s a very popular ride with families and a whole lot of fun.
The main drawback is the wait time. This doesn’t look like a coaster with high capacity, which is a bit of a bummer. A lot of guest complaints boil down to how long you have to wait in line, and that the queue could be a little more entertaining. That said, the ride itself gets very positive reviews.
#5 - The Untrainable Dragon
- Info: show, good for all ages.
The Untrainable Dragon is a really cute and emotional show, and the best one at Epic Universe. It’s a musical that blends top-notch puppetry, impressive costumes, and live performances. The show originally debuted at Universal Beijing, where it won several awards.
In this 20-minute live performance, Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid team up to solve the mystery of the Untrainable Dragon. Don’t miss it!
#6 - Mario Kart - Bowser's Challenge
- Info: guests must be at least 40″, dark ride with mini-game elements.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is a ride that tends to divide opinions. Some people love it, while others think it feels a bit too confusing. It’s essentially a dark ride that uses AR technology, meaning you’ll put on a special visor that lets you see virtual racers all around you, from Mario and Bowser to Peach and Luigi. You can steer your vehicle slightly by turning the wheel, but for the most part, you’re guided along a set track at a slow pace. Your goal is to fire green shells at the enemy team and rack up points.
Personally, I like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and I think it actually gets better the more times you ride it. Each visit helps you learn new tricks and better understand the rules, which can definitely feel a bit messy the first time around. I also believe this ride will improve over time, especially as AR technology becomes more refined and it gets easier to keep track of everything happening around you.
#7 - Hiccup's Wing Gliders
- Info: guests must be at least 40″, family coaster.
Some people are calling this a junior version of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but I don’t really agree with that. Wing Gliders is a fun family coaster with a launch and a few surprises, but it doesn’t have the same level of intensity or “oomph” as Hagrid’s. It features a brief backward section and some light story elements, but overall it’s much more family-friendly, especially when compared to the ride at Islands of Adventure.
Is it still fun? Absolutely, especially for families with younger kids. The track also offers some great views of Epic Universe, so that’s another reason to give it a go.
#8 - Le Cirque Arcanus
- Info: show, good for all ages.
Guests have been asking for a live show in the Harry Potter areas for a long time… so here it is! I love the overall look of this show. It’s designed to resemble an old circus from the 1920s or 1930s, with vibes that feel straight out of the Bioshock video games. The performance itself is a creative blend of live actors, screen-based visual effects, puppetry, and plenty of surprises. If you're a Harry Potter fan, this is one show you definitely shouldn’t miss.
#9 - Constellation Carousel
- Info: carousel, good for all ages.
Ahhh, is there a more classic theme park attraction than a carousel? This one has a futuristic twist, with creatures that resemble a pegasus, a chimera, and more. It looks especially beautiful at night and is a great choice for families with toddlers… or for anyone bringing a special date to Epic Universe.
This carousel is also a bit unique - it actually moves across different turntables on the floor, so it’s not your traditional ride. Still, it’s a lot of fun and makes for an awesome photo spot.
#10 - Curse of the Werewolf
- Info: guests must be at least 40″, family coaster.
Curse of the Werewolf is a family spinning coaster, which means your vehicle shifts from side to side throughout the ride. The track design is fairly simple, but it does offer a few surprises, like some brief backward sections that are a lot of fun.
My only complaint is that it’s a bit short and only lasts about a minute. Think of it as The Barnstormer of Epic Universe, and you won’t be disappointed. It’s definitely worth checking out if the wait times are low… which will be tough to find during the park’s opening months.
