Universal’s Epic Universe is the newest addition to the Orlando theme park landscape. The popularity of the park’s attractions is expected to create significant wait times, leading many guests to ask about the skip-the-line option, which Universal calls the Express Pass. While some visitors may refer to this product as “Fast Pass,” the Epic Universe system is an iteration of Universal’s existing paid Express Pass program, tailored for the new park’s technological infrastructure and unique design.
Anticipated Operational Mechanics
The Express Pass at Epic Universe functions as a paid entitlement that grants access to a shorter queue at participating attractions. Guests utilize a scannable credential, which may be a physical pass or integrated into the Universal Orlando Resort mobile application, at the ride entrance. This credential is scanned by a team member or a dedicated reader to validate the pass before the guest enters the expedited lane. The current standard Express Pass is a single-use product, allowing one express entry per guest for each included ride per day.
Universal has infrastructure for virtual queuing technology, which could be integrated with the paid Express Pass system. This technology allows guests to reserve a return time slot via the mobile app, eliminating the need to physically wait in a queue line. For popular rides, a virtual queue may be activated to manage crowds and regulate the flow of guests, particularly for areas like Super Nintendo World. The Express Pass bypasses the majority of the regular queue, merging guests into the main line closer to the loading area.
Utilization of the Express Pass is designed to be seamless, with designated entry points that divert guests from the traditional standby line. Even within the Express Pass queue, the design aims to preserve some of the pre-show elements and detailed theming of the attraction. For example, guests using the Express Pass for the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge attraction still experience the pre-show area, though they may bypass the initial rooms of the standard queue. The integration of the pass is technologically supported by the park’s advanced systems, which can also be used to manage capacity for attraction areas and even entire themed lands.
Pricing Structure and Purchase Logistics
The pricing for the Epic Universe Express Pass is dynamic, fluctuating based on anticipated park attendance and the time of year. Initial reports indicate a starting price around $129 to $160 per person for the one-day, single-use pass. This cost can increase significantly, ranging from $250 to over $330 during peak periods, such as summer and holiday weekends. Guests must purchase a separate Express Pass for every person in their party who wishes to use the expedited queues.
Guests can purchase the Express Pass online in advance or on the day of at designated kiosks inside the park. Purchasing online is recommended, as the price is locked in, and the passes can sell out on high-demand days. The Express Pass is an add-on and does not include park admission; a separate park ticket is required to enter Epic Universe.
The park offers multi-day Express Pass options that bundle access for Epic Universe with the other two Universal Orlando theme parks. These passes are available in two-day, three-day, four-day, and five-day increments, providing a per-day cost that is generally lower than purchasing a single-day pass. Unlike the other Universal parks, the Epic Universe Express Pass is not included as a complimentary perk for guests staying at the premier on-site hotels, such as the Hard Rock Hotel or Portofino Bay Hotel.
Key Differences from Current Universal Express Passes
A significant distinction for the Epic Universe system is the current absence of the “Express Unlimited” option, which allows guests to ride participating attractions multiple times using the expedited queue. At Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, guests can purchase both a one-time Express Pass and an Unlimited version, and the Unlimited Pass is included with stays at select resort hotels. The Epic Universe Express Pass is currently only offered as a single-use product, limiting each guest to one expedited ride per participating attraction.
This lack of an unlimited option and the exclusion of the Express Pass benefit for premier hotel guests marks a shift in Universal’s approach to its line-skipping product. This change is partly due to contractual agreements and a decision to manage capacity at the newest park during its initial operational phase. While the other Universal parks include nearly all attractions on the Express Pass, Epic Universe has a small number of high-demand attractions, such as Dragon Racer’s Rally, that do not accept the Express Pass.
The Epic Universe Express Pass is designed for a high-tech environment that leans heavily on mobile integration and virtual queue management. The park’s infrastructure, which includes the potential to manage capacity for entire themed lands, suggests a more sophisticated, app-driven operational model than the existing parks. This technological foundation allows Universal greater flexibility to adjust crowd management strategies on the fly. The system can potentially turn virtual queues on and off for both standby and Express Pass guests to optimize guest flow.