Menu

UPDATE: Universal’s Epic Universe Opening Day Will Not Be Available for Thousands of Guests and Here’s Why

Aerial view of an illuminated theme park at night, showcasing various attractions such as a Ferris wheel, water rides, and whimsical buildings. The park is surrounded by a dense forest, enhancing its vibrant and colorful appearance at Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort.
Credit: Universal

Universal Orlando’s upcoming Epic Universe theme park is already proving to be a hit with fans, as tickets for the highly anticipated Grand Opening Day on May 22, 2025, sold out in less than an hour.

A family of four poses happily with two Minion mascots in front of the Universal Studios Singapore globe, giving way to Epic Universe.

Credit: Universal

Universal’s Epic Universe Opening Day Tickets for Passholders Sell Out in Under an Hour

This swift sellout underscores the intense demand for the park’s debut, the first new addition to Universal Orlando’s roster in over 20 years.

It appears that Epic Universe’s opening day has sold out for Annual Pass single day tickets within the first hour. – @AliciaStella on X

Early this morning, Universal Annual Passholders were given exclusive access to purchase single-day tickets for the park’s opening day. By 6 a.m., all available tickets had been snapped up, even with the park’s implementation of a virtual queue to manage web traffic. The overwhelming response has left many eager Passholders eagerly awaiting more chances to visit the park.

Virtual Queue Overwhelmed by Demand

Universal anticipated the high demand and introduced a virtual queue system to help manage the rush for tickets. Starting just before 5 a.m., thousands of Passholders logged in to purchase tickets for the Grand Opening Day. However, despite Universal’s efforts, the tickets sold out within an hour, a testament to the excitement surrounding the new park’s debut.

“1-Day Universal Epic Universe Ticket add-ons for Passholders on Grand Opening Day (May 22, 2025) are currently unavailable,” Universal confirmed in an official statement following the sell-out.

Universal Orlando Resort Epic Universe official logo

Credit: Universal

Pricing and Ticket Availability for Epic Universe

The rapid pace at which these tickets disappeared reflects the significant enthusiasm of Universal’s Annual Passholders, who have been eagerly waiting to be among the first to experience the park.

Single-day ticket prices for Epic Universe vary by date, ranging from $122 to $173, with opening day tickets priced at $156 plus tax. Right now, only Universal Orlando Annual Passholders are able to purchase single-day tickets, and Universal has not yet announced when these tickets will be made available to the general public.

Passholders can buy up to six tickets per transaction, though some may need to complete multiple transactions if more than six Passholders are linked to the same account. Universal has also reserved an allotment of tickets throughout 2025 to ensure that Passholders will continue to have access to the park after its opening.

It’s important to note that these tickets are non-transferable and must be linked to a valid Annual or Seasonal Pass at the time of purchase. To enter the park, guests will need to show both the linked pass and a valid photo ID.

A group of animated characters, including a young warrior and a dragon, stand in a fantastical landscape. Various dragons fly in the sky above them against a backdrop of cliffs and clouds. The scene is vibrant and adventurous at Universal Orlando Resort.

Credit: Inside The Magic

Ongoing Demand for Epic Universe Tickets

With the opening day tickets selling out so quickly, there’s no doubt that demand for Epic Universe will remain high in the lead-up to its grand opening. Passholders will likely continue snapping up tickets for future dates, especially as Universal releases more availability in the coming weeks.

“We’re excited to offer our Passholders this exclusive opportunity to be part of Epic Universe’s historic opening,” Universal said in a statement. “Details on general ticket sales will be shared in the near future.”

In addition to single-day tickets, Universal is expected to announce new ticketing options, including Annual Passes that will provide access to Epic Universe. These additional ticket packages are likely to generate even more interest in the new park.

One the left: Mickey Mouse inside of Disney World. On the right: The Universal Orlando Resort globe.

Credit: Disney Fanatic

Important Information for Passholders

For Passholders who were able to secure tickets for opening day, there are a few key details to keep in mind. Each single-day ticket is automatically linked to the Annual or Seasonal Pass used during the checkout process. Park entry will require both the linked pass and a photo ID, and the tickets are date-specific, meaning they are only valid for the selected day.

Universal’s strict non-transferable policy is aimed at managing the demand for these high-interest dates, particularly the opening day, ensuring that tickets remain with the individuals who purchased them.

What’s Next for Epic Universe?

Epic Universe is set to transform Universal Orlando’s theme park lineup with cutting-edge attractions, immersive lands, and new experiences. As excitement for the park’s debut builds, fans are eagerly awaiting more news on general ticket availability and other special offers leading up to the May 2025 opening.

The Universal Orlando Resort Globe

Credit: Inside the Magic

With Passholders already securing their spots, all eyes are on Universal as it prepares to open the doors to its groundbreaking new park. If the record-breaking ticket sell-out is any indication, Epic Universe is poised to become one of the most popular destinations in Orlando when it opens its gates next year. For those still hoping to attend, keep an eye out for announcements on when general admission tickets will go on sale, as Universal is likely to see continued high demand in the weeks and months ahead.

With SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Celestial Park, an expansion for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, How To Train Your Dragon Land and the Dark Universe, this Universal destination promises to deliver millions a unique Universal park experience. Get ready to experience the epicness by staying at Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel next door to Universal Park.

Universal Creative and Universal Destinations and Experiences have been hard at work building this new place where guests can experience things like Super Mario Land, Donkey Kong County, a Mine Cart Madness ride designed to feel like Mario Kart, your favorite Universal Monster, Diddy Kong, the Constellation Carousel, and so much more.

Unlike Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Beijing, Universal Studios Singapore, Universal Studios Japan, or Universal Studios Hollywood, this new theme park will give Walt Disney World a run. Check out the Epic Universe preview center inside of Universal CityWalk in Orlando for all the new and exciting things coming in May 2025.

About Emmanuel Detres

Since first stepping inside the Magic Kingdom at nine years old, I knew I was destined to be a theme Park enthusiast. Although I consider myself a theme Park junkie, I still have much to learn and discover about Disney. Universal Orlando Resort has my heart; being an Annual Passholder means visiting my favorite places on Earth when possible! When I’m not writing about Disney, Universal, or entertainment news, you’ll find me cruising on my motorcycle, hiking throughout my local metro parks, or spending quality time with my girlfriend, family, or friends.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.