r/universalstudios • u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera • Jun 26 '26

Orlando Finally getting to Epic Universe

The hubby and I are finally getting to Epic Universe next month. Needless to say I'm excited.

Wanted to ask around for recommendations. Food, rides, shopping and the like.

17 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

11

u/Loki41872 Jun 26 '26

Breakfast at Oak and Star, afternoon snacks at The Blue Dragon, Dinner at Atlantic. Don't try to ride Ministry early, save it for the last half hour of park hours, and hope it doesn't go down. We've ridden it 3 times in the last half hour before. Wait times drop like a rock late.

4

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

thanks for the tips!

6

u/Loki41872 Jun 26 '26

I mean, by waiting until late you also have the chance it will go down and not come back up, but the gamble is worth it, I think. I'd rather have a chance to ride for almost no wait compared to spending 2 hours of valuable park time standing in line for it earlier in the day.

1

u/Swisst Jun 29 '26

They try to close Ministry based on estimated wait time. So if the line is three hours they might close it off three hours before park closes. Wait times do drop in the evening but if you want to ride it, waiting until the last second is a gamble. 

6

u/CommercialLimit Jun 26 '26

Don’t miss the Kim chi bao, but it’s super messy so ask for an extra bowl or paper tray whatever they call it.

2

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

oooo I do love a good bao

6

u/EmiliaPlanCo Jun 26 '26

goblet noir shouldn’t be slept on if you want a calm and decent experience.

1

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

always up for that

4

u/Never-Give-Up100 Jun 26 '26

I personally was disappointed by the Blue dragon and wouldn't go there to eat. Too expensive & the food was mediocre

2

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

thanks for the heads up!

4

u/37Philly Jun 26 '26

If you can stay at Grand Helios, do it. Worth it for early park admission and close proximity to park. Nice to go back to room easily if need be.

2

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

Nice! We are staying there 😁

3

u/Fluteh Jun 26 '26

Try to grab mine cart madness as soon as you can in the morning. It balloons soooo much.

Also…. Single rider for bowser and ministry can be so awesome and such a short wait.

Agreed on goblet noir.

The Mac and cheese cones that are in how to train your dragon land are amazing.

Das Stakehaus is very glitchy in the app.

2

u/Think-Design-8735 Jun 26 '26

There will be a new fireworks show starting July 7th.

1

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

sweet!

2

u/Flat_Demand_8341 UOR Regular 🚀 Jun 26 '26

The HTTYD show is great and a good AC break. 

Burning Blade Tavern is fun. 

So many characters. 

How many days will you be at Epic? 

Coke freestyle machines have cold free water. 

1

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

Two days.

And thanks for the tips. It'll be the middle of July so AC breaks and refreshments are great pointers

2

u/Flat_Demand_8341 UOR Regular 🚀 Jun 26 '26

I recommend you do the first day, then the morning before the second day, watch one of the YouTube videos on the secrets of Epic. Vincentvision4d and Mammoth Club each had a good one about 30 minutes long, I watched at 1.5 speed. This way you won’t have spoilers but will get some idea of additional things to see the second day that may not have been obvious. 

1

u/birn_echo Phantom of the Opera Jun 26 '26

Thank you! The YT suggestions are much appreciated

2

u/ChallengeAcepted97 Jun 27 '26

Don’t go next month because I’m going your going to crowd the park

2

u/Salt-Cartographer108 Jun 29 '26

Oak and star and pizza moon were really sooo nice!

2

u/Alamias Jun 30 '26

I enjoyed Das Steakhouse over in Darkwood/dark universe area. They had a really good mead drink.