Universal Announces Opening Date and Ticket Options for Epic Universe; Plus, Construction Updates
After its official announcement in July, we’ve been waiting on major news about Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe theme park and its Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic section. While we’ve heard about the return of two alums to record footage for the park (with Imelda Staunton confirmed and Eddie Redmayne unconfirmed), we now have an official opening date and more information about some ticket options.
Universal has beaten the expected summer 2025 opening date, with the countdown now on to May 22, 2025, when the doors will open for the first time. The park consists of four areas, each dedicated to its own fandom with a portal-style gate to welcome guests to the park. Some rides, attractions, and shops have already been announced, but there’s plenty still to find out about in the months before May.
Concept artwork of the entrance gate of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
The first phase of ticket packages will go on sale on October 22, 2024, for dates beginning May 22. Bookings for the Universal Helios Grand Hotel also open on October 22, and single-day admission to Epic Universe will go on sale for Annual Passholders on October 24.
The first phase includes two package options: the first for a multi-day ticket to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure with one-day admission to Epic Universe, and the second a Create Your Own Vacation option. The multi-day ticket comes in three-, four-, and five-day options, and it includes the opportunity to add admission to Universal Volcano Bay. The second option allows for guests to stay overnight. Guests can bundle a stay at one of the park’s 11 hotels with one of the multi-day tickets, which also includes early access to a park of your choice.
Additional ticket options, including Universal Express passes, Florida resident tickets, more multi-day ticket options, and single-day tickets for the general public, will go on sale in the coming months before the park opens.
Not only have ticket options been announced, but there has also been a whole range of construction updates over the past few months. Despite the effects of Hurricane Milton, the park has seemingly finished construction on the entrance portals to all of its sections. And behind the entrance portal to the Wizarding World lies the Porte Saint-Denis arch, which now has a large phoenix on the back of it, facing the wizarding streets of Paris.
New entrance signs are also set to appear across the park with a magical design, featuring the Forbidden Forest and Hogwarts Castle.
The big top for the attraction Le Cirque Arcanus has been erected, and most of the buildings have now been decorated on the outside, from magical shops to spellbinding cafes. More details about the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride were also revealed last month as a part of the Back to Hogwarts celebrations.
