Is the Universal Epic Universe Express Pass Worth It? Here’s What You Should Know Before You Buy
By: April Steckman
May 22, 2025
Short answer? Yes—absolutely. But there's more to the story than a simple "yes." Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to experience Universal Orlando's newest theme park, it’s important to weigh a few key factors before deciding if the Universal Epic Universe Express Pass is the right fit for your family.
Let’s walk through the most important things to consider before you make the investment.
1. Availability Matters—And It’s Limited
With Epic Universe opening May 22, 2025, demand is already high—and Express Passes are expected to sell out quickly on many dates. During my preview visit on May 19, the passes were still available for purchase at the hotel, but the price had climbed to over $200 per person.
Keep in mind: Express Pass pricing is dynamic. It starts at $139.99 but increases with demand. For larger families or groups, this can add up quickly, making it a significant part of your vacation budget.
2. Not All Rides Are Included
Another important factor to consider is which attractions the pass actually covers. As of now, three of the park’s most popular rides are not included in Express Pass access:
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Mine-Cart Madness™
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™
That said, ride availability can change. In fact, the new Harry Potter attraction recently transitioned from virtual queue to standby access—so stay flexible and check the latest updates before your visit.
The good news? The Express Pass still includes 10 incredible attractions, offering great value for those looking to reduce wait times and experience more throughout the day.
3. Understand What the Express Pass Really Is
This isn’t a “skip-the-line” pass. Instead, the Express Pass reduces your wait time—typically by about 50%. So if a ride has a 100-minute wait in the standby queue, the Express line may still be around 50 minutes.
It’s a helpful perk, but it’s important to manage expectations. On other vacations, I’ve waited no more than 15–20 minutes using similar tools. At Epic Universe, I found myself adjusting to longer waits, even with the Express line.
That said, if you're like me and struggle with long lines (or are traveling with little ones who do), the Express Pass can be a game-changer. And to Universal’s credit, the standby queues themselves are incredibly immersive. Mario Kart, for example, features disappearing ghosts, rumbling fireplaces, whimsical book titles, and one of the most creative lamps I’ve ever seen. Waiting isn’t always a bad thing here—it’s part of the adventure.
4. Smart Alternatives: Single Rider Strategy
If the Express Pass isn't within your budget or simply doesn’t feel like a match for your travel style, don’t worry—there are still great ways to maximize your time.
One of my favorite strategies is to use single rider lines. These often offer near walk-on access, even on popular rides. While it does mean splitting up from your group temporarily, the time saved can be well worth it—especially during peak periods.
For example, I rope dropped Mine-Cart Madness™, went straight to Donkey Kong Country, and even though the standby line was already 70 minutes, I was able to ride as a single rider almost immediately. It was such a time-saver that my park partner barely had time to finish a bathroom break!
Just keep in mind: single rider lines don’t give you access to the highly themed standby queues, which may be a drawback if the queue is part of the experience you’re looking forward to.
Current Express Pass Ride Access (Subject to Change)
✔️ Included Attractions:
Constellation Carousel
Curse of the Werewolf
Fyre Drill
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Le Cirque Arcanus™
Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Stardust Racers
The Untrainable Dragon
Yoshi’s Adventure™
❌ Not Included (Currently):
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Mine-Cart Madness™
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
If you’re hoping to do it all and avoid long waits, the Express Pass is absolutely worth considering—especially if your visit falls on a busy date. It may require a bit of a mindset shift in terms of wait expectations, but it can significantly improve the flow of your day.
If you’re more budget-conscious or willing to plan your strategy around single rider lines and rope drop, you can still enjoy an incredible day at Epic Universe without the added cost.
As always, I’m here to help you decide what’s right for your travel style—and make sure your Universal vacation is just the right mix of magic, thrills, and ease.
Would you like help deciding whether the Express Pass is a good fit for your travel party or planning a custom park touring strategy? Let me know—I’d love to help.