Universal’s newest theme park in Orlando, Florida, is set to open on May 22, 2025. A preview of the entrances to various themed areas from Celestial Park is available. Initially exclusive access to Universal Epic Universe through Chronos has now been expanded to the public.
As of Tuesday, the Universal Orlando Resort began offering park preview tickets to the general public, according to a statement from the resort. Tickets are available for visits to Epic Universe until the park’s grand opening on May 22.
The release of tickets resulted in high demand on both the resort’s website and app, causing frustration among those who had already purchased annual passes or booked accommodations at a Universal hotel to experience limited-capacity previews.
Universal aims to make an impact on the theme park landscape, challenging Disney’s dominance with this new attraction. However, changes to preview access have sparked negative reactions among some passholders and guests, who expressed their discontent on social media.
Despite the expanded access, Thrill Data reports that Epic Universe continues to limit capacity during preview days. After the official opening, a significant increase in daily visitors is expected.
Criticism has arisen from previous visitors who anticipated exclusive early access. Some guests with reservations have expressed dissatisfaction, noting that cancellation windows at Universal’s hotels have already closed, leaving them with non-refundable bookings.
Universal Orlando Resort has not yet provided a response regarding potential accommodations or refunds for these guests. The resort is part of Universal Destinations & Experiences, a division of Comcast NBCUniversal.
As the preview period continues, experiences within Epic Universe may vary as preparations for the grand opening are finalized, according to Universal Orlando Resort’s statement.
