Epic Universe Early Park Admission Shuffle – What’s My Best Option?

Universal Orlando is tinkering with Early Park Admission at Epic Universe again. We have all the details and new plans inside.

What is Early Park Admission?

Early Park Admission (EPA) at Epic Universe grants select guests an hour of exclusive ride time on select attractions in the morning. Included guests are those staying at Universal Orlando hotels, purchasing select packages, and Annual Passholders during select times of the year.

Which Epic Universe Attractions Participate in EPA?

Universal has adjusted the attractions offered during EPA several times since the park opened in May 2025. As of the date of publication, the following attractions are open during EPA:

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
• Viking Training Camp
• Dragon Racer’s Rally
• Toothless Meet & Greet – Entertainment
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
• Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness
• Yoshi’s Adventure

Attractions such as Stardust Racers have appeared on-and-off the list of EPA attractions, while others, like Ministry, that were unofficially open during EPA are now advertised as part of it. Universal updates its website quietly to change EPA attractions, so check the website the morning of your visit to confirm the attractions offered.

Crowd Flow & Operations

With this new attraction selection, we have seen some shifts in how the park flows at opening. There is no longer a rush to Stardust racers; instead, a large chunk of guests go to Berk for the meet and greet and rides. Super Nintendo World remains extremely popular during the EPA period, and now that Mine Cart Madness is open, we expect the land will remain popular till the early evening. Finally, the popular Ministry of Magic’s official status on the list means more guests will go to it in the morning, so unless you are among the first guests into the queue, you might want to do another attraction first.

TouringPlans Touring Tips

So, what should you do if you have EPA, and what should you do if you don’t?

Early Park Admission

For this EPA guide, you’ll want to be at the front of the EPA line, preferably the guests who pass through security and are held at the turnstiles before the park opens. Once you enter the park, hug the right pathway around the Luna statue and fountains. Once EPA starts ride the following attractions:

1. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
2. Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness

Ok, not too much of a surprise here, these two attractions demand long waits throughout the day. Our plan has you go with Potter first: it has the longest lines and demands the most investment in the day. Mine-Cart Madness should be emptying of EPA guests at the time you’ll be swinging by, but before general admission guests enter the park.

Regular Guests

If you don’t have access to EPA (or miss it) then do these first three attractions first:

1. Curse of the Werewolf
2. Hiccup’s Winged Gliders
3. Consetllation Carousel

Curse is a low-capacity coaster in a land that lacks child-friendly attractions; it quickly gets hour-long waits during the day. Winged Gliders is a popular coaster that always has long waits, and Constellation Carousel is a slow-loading ride that people usually wait till nighttime to ride.

Special Considerations

Universal has smartly added some in-demand meet-and-greets to Early Park Admission. Toothless’ Meet & Greet waits during the day are often over an hour long; i you have a Dragon-head in your touring group, then consider visiting the meet and greet during EPA. Have a Super Nintendo Fan? Then consider spending your time in Super Nintendo World playing the Key Challenge games or riding Yoshi Adventure before riding Mine-Cart Madness immediately before the park opening for all guests.

What is your Epic Universe EPA plan? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!