Epic Universe Ticketing Info, Advice, & Speculation

[saint.piss]

Bummer. I don't know how I missed that news

 

[Captain Spaulding]

That's what the soft opens are for: AP only access to the parks basically. Or at least that's how it should be. Let only APs and employees experience the park for soft opens. When do you guys think soft opens will start? Hoping for next month

SW has a companion pass offer for taking March flights that would activate during Sept. for HHN. It would have been great to know preview dates to take advantage of that. Maybe I'll just book for end of March and cancel if nothing happens.

 

[saint.piss]

SW has a companion pass offer for taking March flights that would activate during Sept. for HHN. It would have been great to know preview dates to take advantage of that. Maybe I'll just book for end of March and cancel if nothing happens.

I think we should find out details within the next 2-3 weeks. Hopefully

 

[OLSinFLA]

Am I crazy to think that we just .. literally might not get single day tickets until the park is open for a while? lmao

No, cause Universal already announced they would be available before May 22

 

[Stonecoldfreak1]

Not selling 1-day tickets would be a self-inflicted wound.. A 1-day ticket is a great way to convince people who are visiting WDW (or greater Orlando) a reason to travel over to UOR if they weren't swayed by the existing parks.

I can see a scenario where 1-day tickets will be non-existent the first 2-3 weeks, but after that it's overkill IMO.

I can easily see them holding off until about mid/late June. They could feel like they sold plenty of tickets so far (AP singles and 3 day) and don't want to completely overwhelm the opening team. Even without a park at capacity, it can easily be rough goings for a little bit. Last thing they'll want is someone posting on social media about how much of a mess things were.

SW has a companion pass offer for taking March flights that would activate during Sept. for HHN. It would have been great to know preview dates to take advantage of that. Maybe I'll just book for end of March and cancel if nothing happens.

From the couple of people in park I've spoken with, they're not expecting previews until April, but who really knows. I might just book that promo for the opening day of Terra Luna, go to the park for some Duff beers, enjoy some Mardi Gras food and then come back home. It'll help will save us some money in regards to HHN trips for sure.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

For SW promo, need to book by end of this Thursday and can't make changes after that. Luckily I have points, so easy to cancel.

 

[RGMick77]

I had heard Passholder Previews would be in April. But I still haven’t gotten any emails confirming that.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I had heard Passholder Previews would be in April. But I still haven’t gotten any emails confirming that.

I'd put good money on that.

 

[Rhian]

Opening day is the only date sold out of the three-day package they’re currently selling.

Just adding to this: you can still book a vacation package or get the 3-Day ticket separately including Opening Day still. AP tickets are currently sold out for Day 1.

Wait early entry won't be a thing on opening day? I thought it was

There's a bit of confusion on Universal's part because the FAQ contains this:

Q: Will Early Park Admission be offered at Universal Epic Universe?
A: Yes, Early Park Admission for Universal hotel guests will expand to include Universal Epic Universe from the park’s Grand Opening date onward.

The actual Early Access page contains the (presumably) correct information:

Early Park Admission for Epic Universe will begin on May 23, 2025.

No, cause Universal already announced they would be available before May 22

Guess what goes on sale May 21st?

I kid but could you imagine? It is before Opening Day! haha

 

[Brian G.]

Guess what goes on sale May 21st?

I kid but could you imagine? It is before Opening Day! haha

I’ve been told it won’t be the case.

 

[TaylorMade]

I’ve talked a few times to a friend who is a Disney/Universal travel agent. She says sales for the multi day Epic tickets “have been slower than expected.” They must be hell bent on sticking to a date for when single day tickets go on sale.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Us: “There’s no way they’ll do another Universal Studios Escape. They’ve learned their lesson.”

Universal: “Hear us out, guys…”

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Us: “There’s no way they’ll do another Universal Studios Escape. They’ve learned their lesson.”

Universal: “Hear us out, guys…”

I don't think it's that extreme, but you could have a SWGE scenario where the true demand comes 3-4 months out when APs & locals can go at a cheaper price.

AP and Florida Residents are used to the value of an AP or a Florida Resident ticket offer.

 

[HandsomePete]

I’ve talked a few times to a friend who is a Disney/Universal travel agent. She says sales for the multi day Epic tickets “have been slower than expected.” They must be hell bent on sticking to a date for when single day tickets go on sale.

Aligns with what I've heard about bookings.

But... the park is going to be around for decades, they don't need to knock the first summer out of the park. I get that it's frustrating for people who want to book a trip this summer and want something other than the current ticket package, but I can also understand if Universal's stance is "here's your options for this summer... if you want a normal park-hopping ticket then we'll see you next year."

Make sure nothing goes unexpectedly wrong, let the bloggers build the place up and then put a big push on selling proper vacation packages for '26.

 

[belloq87]

I can also understand if Universal's stance is "here's your options for this summer... if you want a normal park-hopping ticket then we'll see you next year."

Make sure nothing goes unexpectedly wrong, let the bloggers build the place up and then put a big push on selling proper vacation packages for '26.

I think that would be decidedly not-great from an optics standpoint, and would needlessly frustrate a lot of people (some, perhaps, to the point of not visiting any time in the foreseeable future).

Universal's current approach to this park's tickets already strikes me as fairly questionable and anti-guest as it is; for it to extend the remainder of the year (I know that's just your hypothetical) would be a monumental unforced error.

 

[ReelJustice]

I think that would be decidedly not-great from an optics standpoint, and would needlessly frustrate a lot of people (some, perhaps, to the point of not visiting any time in the foreseeable future).

Universal's current approach to this park's tickets already strikes me as fairly questionable and anti-guest as it is; for it to extend the remainder of the year (I know that's just your hypothetical) would be a monumental unforced error.

Oh it’s absolutely horrible from several angles and could have long lasting implications, just like last time. This is real money at stake, and future expansions.

They already lost me as a passholder and possibly as a HHN attendee.

 

[Tobias]

I think that would be decidedly not-great from an optics standpoint, and would needlessly frustrate a lot of people (some, perhaps, to the point of not visiting any time in the foreseeable future).

Universal's current approach to this park's tickets already strikes me as fairly questionable and anti-guest as it is; for it to extend the remainder of the year (I know that's just your hypothetical) would be a monumental unforced error.

Oh it’s absolutely horrible from several angles and could have long lasting implications, just like last time. This is real money at stake, and future expansions.

They already lost me as a passholder and possibly as a HHN attendee.

Agreed, as it's been mentioned by others, there are folks out there who're pretty much waiting for single day tickets to be released to the general public. If that happens, vacations are bought, just like that. But if not, well there's a very good chance those vacations are not getting bought.

 

[Alicia]

My theory has been they’re not waiting for a specific date to release single day tickets, they’re waiting for a certain about of other ticket types to sell first. When one pool dries up, then they fill another.

(HHN multi-night tickets all over again.)

 

[SeventyOne]

I don't think it's that extreme, but you could have a SWGE scenario where the true demand comes 3-4 months out when APs & locals can go at a cheaper price.

AP and Florida Residents are used to the value of an AP or a Florida Resident ticket offer.

We're on a Universal fan site, and most Universal fans made in the past 15 years are jilted Disney Adults, so it can be hard to see, but neither tourists nor locals en masse will ever see UOR as worth the Disney premium.

On the flip side, APs would overrun the place if left unchecked (see Aquatica's opening season). So I see the need for a plan. I just think they UOR decided to gouge their most hard-core fans (and bloggers) before announcing what that plan is.

But... the park is going to be around for decades, they don't need to knock the first summer out of the park.

UOR miffed the launch of the best theme park on the East Coast in 1999, never recovered until the industry-changing Potter land. And that was a Hail Mary, had it underperformed the parks would've been shuttered. This is potentially their only season "unchallenged," they need to make a strong first impression and as much $$ as possible.

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal is spending a ton on Epic marketing/advertising. Tickets seems to be their achilleas heel. In the past they've seemed to give extra importance to the package marketing groups when opening new attractions. This trend continues it seems. And, unfortunately, it could give all those marketing/advertising dollars a black eye. Sell the damn tickets already and forget the poorly conceived three day package that hardly anyone wanted. If it's not selling well, that's exhibit A in why it was a bad idea to start with.....Heh, sooner or later Studios and IOA will have to stand on their own. You can't falsely support them forever.