Epic Universe vs. Universal Orlando: Should UK Visitors Do Both?

With the highly anticipated opening of Universal's Epic Universe in 2025, UK theme park fans are facing a big question: Should they visit both Epic Universe and the existing Universal Orlando Resort during their next Florida holiday? In this in-depth guide, we compare both attractions and help you decide if doing both is worth your time and money. Epic Universe Front Gate What Is Epic Universe? Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort's ambitious new theme park, set to open in 2025. It promises to be one of the most immersive and technologically advanced parks ever built. Located a few miles from the existing Universal Orlando complex, Epic Universe will feature multiple themed lands including: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic Super Nintendo World How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk Universal Monsters: Dark Universe Celestial Park (the park's central hub) Each land will offer cutting-edge rides, immersive storytelling, themed dining, and spectacular shows. For UK visitors, it's especially exciting given the strong appeal of brands like Harry Potter and Nintendo. What Does Universal Orlando Resort Offer? Universal Orlando Resort currently includes three theme parks: Universal Studios Florida: Home to attractions like The Simpsons Ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and Revenge of the Mummy. Islands of Adventure: Features Jurassic World VelociCoaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Volcano Bay: A water theme park with thrilling slides, a lazy river, and family-friendly water attractions. The resort also includes on-site hotels, CityWalk entertainment district, and a seamless Park-to-Park experience for those who want to ride the Hogwarts Express between the two main parks. Should UK Visitors Do Both? 1. Length of Stay Matters If you're planning a 7- to 14-day Florida holiday, visiting both Epic Universe and Universal Orlando is absolutely feasible. In fact, many UK travellers already spend multiple days in Orlando theme parks, including Walt Disney World. Adding 1–2 extra days for Epic Universe can enhance your trip significantly. 2. Budget Considerations Visiting both parks will naturally increase the cost of your trip. Tickets, transportation between parks, and potentially more hotel nights will add up. However, Universal may offer bundle deals or park-to-park tickets that include Epic Universe once it's open. Look out for UK-specific ticket offers. Historically, UK visitors have benefited from special multi-day passes and combo deals that are better value than US equivalents. 3. First-Time Visitors vs. Return Guests First-Time Visitors: If you’ve never been to Orlando, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are must-dos. The original Wizarding World, Jurassic Park, and Marvel Super Hero Island are unforgettable. Return Visitors: Those who have visited before may find Epic Universe a fresh, more appealing option—especially with new IPs and next-gen attractions. Universal Orlando Resort Transport & Accessibility Universal Orlando Resort is known for its walkability. If you stay on-site, everything is within easy reach. Epic Universe, however, will be a short drive or shuttle ride away. Universal has announced plans to connect all resorts with reliable transport systems, but it's likely that park hopping will be less convenient compared to the current Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure setup. If you plan to visit both, consider staying at a Universal hotel that offers shuttle access to both Epic Universe and the original resort. Upcoming Attractions Worth Seeing At Epic Universe: Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (Super Nintendo World) Flight of the Hippogriff–style coaster (Isle of Berk) Universal Monsters Dark Ride (Dark Universe) Celestial Carousel (Celestial Park) Transport & Accessibility Universal Orlando Resort is known for its walkability. If you stay on-site, everything is within easy reach. Epic Universe, however, will be a short drive or shuttle ride away. Universal has announced plans to connect all resorts with reliable transport systems, but it's likely that park hopping will be less convenient compared to the current Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure setup. If you plan to visit both, consider staying at a Universal hotel that offers shuttle access to both Epic Universe and the original resort. At Universal Orlando Resort: Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Islands of Adventure) Jurassic World VelociCoaster Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem Epic Universe will focus more heavily on immersive lands with detailed environments and next-gen ride systems, while Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure maintain their iconic thrill rides and established franchises. Ideal Itineraries for UK Visitors Option 1: Universal Orlando Only (3–5 Days) Day 1: Universal Studios Florida Day 2: Islands of Adventure Day 3: Volcano Bay (optional) Day 4–5: Repeat favourites or explore CityWalk Option 2: Epic Universe Only (2–3 Days) Day 1: Super Nintendo World + Celestial Park Day 2: Wizarding World + Dark Universe Day 3: Isle of Berk + repeat attractions Option 3: Do Both (6–8 Days) Day 1–3: Universal Orlando Resort Day 4: Rest/shopping day Day 5–7: Epic Universe Day 8: Return to favourites or CityWalk Is It Worth Doing Both? For UK visitors, doing both Epic Universe and Universal Orlando Resort is absolutely worth considering—especially if this is a once-in-a-lifetime or once-every-few-years holiday. Each park offers something unique: Universal Orlando Resort: A tried-and-tested theme park experience with iconic rides and rich nostalgia. Epic Universe: The future of theme parks, with new immersive lands and attractions you won’t find anywhere else. If time and budget allow, experiencing both parks will give you the most complete Universal experience possible. The arrival of Epic Universe marks an exciting new chapter for Universal fans, especially UK visitors planning their next Florida trip. While each park can stand on its own, combining both creates a theme park experience that’s bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever before. Start planning now to make the most of your adventure.

Epic Universe vs. Universal Orlando: Should UK Visitors Do Both?

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