Universal Epic Universe: Your Comprehensive Parking and Transportation Guide
Welcome to Universal Epic Universe, the newest theme park at Universal Orlando Resort! As the largest Universal park in the US (and second globally), Epic Universe promises immersive experiences across The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon, and Universal Monsters franchises. This guide provides everything you need to know about parking, transportation, and navigating your arrival at Epic Universe.
Epic Universe Overview
Epic Universe, set to open on May 22, 2025, marks a significant expansion of Universal Orlando Resort. Located on a new south campus, separate from the existing Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay (the north campus), Epic Universe introduces a novel park layout and advanced technology to enhance the guest experience.
Getting to Epic Universe
Location
Epic Universe is located south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard. The address for GPS is 1001 Epic Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819, positioning it just east of Kirkman Road and north of Universal Blvd., near the Orange County Convention Center.
Transportation Options
Free Shuttle
Regular free buses shuttle visitors to the Epic Universe campus from the main bus stop near CityWalk. The ride, which is partially on express lanes, takes 10-15 minutes.
Guests at the Universal hotels on the original campus will have access to free shuttle buses as well.
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Guests at the Stella Luna and Terra Nova hotels can take a free continuous 10-minute shuttle from the front of those hotels. At peak hours, you may have to stand during the journey.
Guests at the Helios Grand can simply use the special park entrance off the main lobby.
Driving
Use the address 1001 Epic Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 in your GPS. Allow extra time during peak travel hours due to potential traffic. Once on Universal property, follow posted signs closely, as traffic patterns may shift based on construction, crowd flow, or event days.
Ride Share
The drop-off/pick-up area for Universal Epic Universe is at 1201 Epic Blvd., Orlando, near the Viking parking area, about a 5-minute walk from the front gates.
Parking at Epic Universe
Parking Lot Sections
The Epic Universe parking lot is divided into themed sections:
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- Explorer: 101 - 107
- Monster: 201 - 211
- Viking: 301 - 311
- Dragon: 401 - 410
- Hero: 501 - 511
Take a picture of your section when you park to easily locate your car later. Accessible parking is available in the Explorer section.
Parking Options and Pricing
- Standard Parking: $32 per day
- Prime Parking: $50-$60 per day. This option is closer to the entrance and offers the only covered/shaded parking at Epic Universe and has the EV charging stations.
You can drive out of the parking lot and re-enter on the same day without paying twice as long as you show your receipt. You can also use your parking receipt for free same-day parking at the main Universal Orlando parking structure that serves Universal's other theme parks.
Valet Parking
Valet parking is available at Epic Universe, separate from the main parking area. Follow signs carefully to the Valet section.
- Two hours or less - $38
- Over two hours (before 6:00 pm) - $76 - $81
- Over two hours (after 6:00 pm) - $46 - $81
Electric Vehicle Parking
EV parking is available in the covered section of row Viking 301. Charging stations are free to use.
Bike Parking
Bike parking is located near the entrance and exit of the bus drop-off area.
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Annual Passholder Discounts
Annual passholders receive parking discounts, depending on the pass type:
- Premier Passholders: Free Valet or Prime parking
- Preferred Passholders: Free Self Parking or 50% off Valet
- Power and Seasonal Passes: No parking discounts
Discounts are valid at the Universal Orlando parking garages and the Epic Universe parking lot, not the resort hotels. Discounts may not be valid on event nights.
Drop-off and Ride Share
The ride-share and guest drop-off area is located near the Viking section of the parking lot, though it’s important to note that it’s a separate, designated area. There are two zones for both drop-off and pick-up: the Red Zone and the Blue Zone, so be sure to confirm which zone you’re in when coordinating with your driver or a friend picking you up.
For drop-offs, the process is especially efficient-vehicles bypass the main toll plaza via a direct access road that leads straight to the designated drop-off area.
If you are arriving by taxi or bus (including Universal’s own on-site transportation), you’ll be dropped off at a large designated area near the park’s main entrance. This same location is used for pickups at the end of the day.
Security Checks
All guests will go through security screening before entering the park, including walking through a scanner and having bags inspected or x-rayed. Review Universal’s list of restricted items and conditions of entry and leave any prohibited items at home.
Tickets to Epic Universe
One-day tickets to Epic Universe start at $139-$199 for adults and $134-$195 for kids aged 3-9, depending on the day you go.
It's unwise to wait until you reach the entry gates to purchase a ticket. As a new park, Epic Universe might reach capacity, and the best deals are given to people who book ahead.
Per-day costs decline slightly when you purchase ticket packages that include one or more of the other Universal parks in Orlando (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and water park Volcano Bay). If you buy a multi-day ticket package, you won't need to specify the date you'll go to Epic Universe, only the starting date of validity for your tickets.
You'll find a ticket price calendar and sales at UniversalOrlando.com.
Using the Universal Orlando Resort App
Download the Universal Orlando Resort app for maps, wait times, showtimes, dining menus, reservations, and ticket validation. Add your credit card information for easy purchases. The app can also generate a QR code that you can use to pay for things, and the app's map section can even tell you the location of important places like restrooms and family bathrooms, ATMs, and water bottle filling stations. (In Maps, remember to use the Filter to restrict your searches to Epic Universe as the Venue; otherwise the app reverts to Universal-wide searches.)
At Epic Universe, many of the restaurants ask guests to order from their phones so that staff may bring your meals to your numbered table. If you don't, they'll still help you in person, but the system runs smoother if you use the app.
Basics Costs at Epic Universe
- Suntan lotion: $20
- Rain poncho: $14
- Bottled soda: $5
- Main courses at quick service counter: $16-$21
- Monster energy drink: $6
- Wheelchair rental: $15
- ECV vehicle rental: $75 ($95 with shade canopy)
- Double stroller: $40 (no single strollers rented)
- Lockers: $15-$20 for multi-entry
Optional add-ons for additional activities:
- Power-Up Band for Super Nintendo World: $45
- Interactive wand for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: $65-$86
Lockers at Epic Universe
Some rides forbid loose items and require the use of lockers near the boarding area. When lockers are required, they are free and single-entry. They're always double-sided, so you'll put your things in on one side and retrieve them after the ride on the other side. Ride lockers are big enough for a small bag and purse and all of the items in your pockets-nearly everyone finds they're ample enough-but large or bulky items may not fit.
All lockers at Epic Universe use facial recognition to open and close, and photographs of faces will not work as a hack to open them. (If you don't want to use facial recognition, ask crew member for an alternative validation method.) Lockers for attractions are divided into numbered bays to help you remember where you stuff is; the bays that are farthest away tend to have shorter lines. If you forget your locker number when you return to it, the facial recognition system will tell you which one was yours.
Wheelchair rentals, daily locker rentals ($15-$20 with in-and-out privileges), and ECV rentals are found to the left as you enter the park.
Express Pass and Single Rider at Epic Universe
The most expensive Universal hotels grant Express Pass, which give guests for access to special, shorter lines.
Epic Universe may also sell Express Pass to guests as well; check when you're there to see if it's available. The purchase price will be in the hundreds of dollars.
When the system is in operation, the following attractions are eligible (but check with Universal for the day of your visit, because the list could be shortened in peak season-Harry Potter and the Donkey Kong coaster are sometimes excluded):
- Constellation Carousel
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Fyre Drill
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Hiccup's Wing Gliders
- Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
- Mine-Cart Madness
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
- Yoshi's Adventure
Many attractions have Single Rider lines for people who want a shorter wait in exchange for riding alone. It's not a good idea to bring multi-person parties into this line as ride operators are wise to that tactic.
Park Layout
Epic Universe adopts a traditional wheel-and-spoke design, with a central hub called Celestial Park and various themed lands radiating from it.
Celestial Park
The central hub of Celestial Park is designed as a massive corridor, offering experiences, entertainment, and attractions.
Themed Lands
The park’s four different realms are completely isolated from everything else, with the exception being Celestial Park, which connects them together. The themed lands include:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic: Captures the magical side of 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Transports guests into the heart of Nintendo’s video game realm, complete with warp pipe travel.
- How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk: Vikings and dragons live alongside one another, bringing to life the How to Train Your Dragon franchise with thrilling experiences.
- Dark Universe: Universal Monsters are a living, breathing part of this gothic realm, offering a multi-faceted exploration of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments.
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