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HHN single night tickets, express passes, VIP tours are now available. There seems to be a change to the screw early ticket? Entry at 2pm and you can do up to 3 houses?

10:04am on 3/26/26 by PrincipalTinker

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Multiple Day tix? That's a lotta screwing.

4:28pm on 3/26/26 by Fatty McButterpants

DH might just reconsider going this year lol

10:16pm on 3/26/26 by sneezy93

Took me almost 24 hours to see that typo!

8:12am by PrincipalTinker

If stardust is open now, does that change a good early access strategy? I had planned battle at the ministry followed by maybe mine cart, but wondering if stardust should be in there instead.

6:54am by travis27471

The day it opened @ approx 11, it jumped over 90 min, but came down to 35 min after couple hrs. IIRC, it was around 35 min most of the day yesterday, after RD and before dusk. It and carousel increase for night rides.

7:32am by urbyq

We had 2 days so did Battle day 1 & Minecart day 2. Battle seemed to decrease in wait times throughout day more than Minecart. On & off both around 8:30 & we were couple 100 back in RD crowd.

7:34am by urbyq

Sounds like battle isn't open for early today unfortunately.

7:46am by travis27471

Will be at Epic the first week of April. Is a good rope drop strategy Ministry then Minecarts? Apologize if this has already been discussed.

5:45pm on 3/17/26 by cpowers

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Bump! Curious as well!

12:58pm on 3/18/26 by mmmartin

Will you have early entry? Express pass?

2:27pm on 3/18/26 by PrincipalTinker

Yes to early entry, no express pass.

3:38pm on 3/18/26 by cpowers

If Ministry is a "must do" I think you might want to start there.

4:49pm on 3/18/26 by PrincipalTinker

Mine cart is down A LOT. we wasted a RD in it and kicked ourselves. If only have 1 day, I would check app a lot days before and see if it still down all the time.

9:04pm on 3/20/26 by Buckeye86

So is ministry back as available in EE? It was changing so much I stopped keeping up! We'll potentially have 3 EE attempts into Epic if we can use jet lag to get up & out early enough to move from SN to helios 1st morning.

8:57pm on 3/21/26 by hodg

What's the crowd level suppose to be? We waited about 30 minutes @ 9:00 am on a day that was a 6, but have nearly walked straight on during less crowded days (don't remember the level, but was 12/16 - 18 if you want to look it up).

11:10pm on 3/21/26 by jmarriner

Oops...wrong thread.

11:11pm on 3/21/26 by jmarriner

New TP blog post on Epic rope drop https://touringplans.com/blog/big-changes-to-early-park-admission-at-epic-universe/

7:46am on 3/23/26 by PrincipalTinker

Crowd level just got updated to 6 from 3. I was pretty we werent going to see 3 levels! Thanks all for your feedback!

11:37am on 3/23/26 by cpowers

We just did this today. EA, no express. Timing tracked like it said in the blog. We were coming from RPR. Caught bus around 7:05, don't think it was 1st one, maybe 2nd. Seats full, few standing. Joined a stopped security line about 7:20.

9:57pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

Space between security and tickets was full. 7:30 things start moving. EA herded to left to wait. We ended up 100-200 back, but past Mario, 7:40 holding. 7:50, they do the opening with music & water and we start moving right after. Steady walk to Paris.

10:03pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

Held briefly in a courtyard near the wand shop until 8. Started moving again. Steady pace for 15 min until well inside ride queue. don't remember where we stopped. 15 more mins to ride. Finished just after 8:30.

10:07pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

Hiccups went down on our way over so we went to Darkmoor. Rode Monsters Unchained. Curse of Werewolf was 15 min but fam said no (thankfully!). Saw Ygor and Frank&Bride. Headed back to catch Cirque Arcanu but it was down!?! Did some spell work

10:29pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

Caught it when it came back up, very cool! Went to Berk for lunch & saw Untrainable Dragon. Headed back around 2 for a long hotel break. Back to Epic @ 6 for supper @ Toadstool. Hiccups was walk-on. Checked out rest of Berk, then Mario-land.

10:33pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

Kart dropped to 15 min (basically walk-on) Did powerup band stuff and Bowser jr games. Yoshi @ 8:45p was walk-on. Headed out & saw some of the fountain show. Tomorrow is Donkey Kong and carousel and we'll have done everything we wanted.

10:37pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

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We did pretty much the same bus timing today. DH confirmed at least 1 bus before ours. Seems more people thus morning since we started further back before Super Nintendo. At 7:50 the opening announcement started, but this time crowd started moving too.

9:59pm on 3/26/26 by urbyq

We went to Super Nintendo. Used the exit on the right. Avoided escalators & stairs. Back @ minecart before 8, crowd already entering queue. Moved pretty steady with minor stopping til 8:15. Then had to wait for them to load more cars on track. Off at 8:30

10:07pm on 3/26/26 by urbyq

We were able to use the exit to enter Nintendo at April 2025 previews but it wasn't available during our January 2026 trip. Must be up and down? It's definitely faster for Donkey Kong.

11:41pm on 3/26/26 by sneezy93

Is there a way to contact universal hotels for room requests now? It's 1 night SN, 2 nights Helios, 7 nights PBH. Only want to request adjoining/ connecting rooms w in-laws- worried we'll lose them if end up on another floor or building.

7:30pm on 3/26/26 by hodg

I just always call sometime the week before directly to the resort and put in my request. That's the only way I know of. Like Disney sometimes it works and sometimes not but I feel like they try to honor best they can.

10:14pm on 3/26/26 by sneezy93

how do we get on a float for the parade ?

10:37pm on 3/24/26 by snelvis

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OR... you can pay for ride and dine (not cheap but you get dinner out of it).

10:24am on 3/26/26 by browndalmatian

2:30 back at old Fear Factor. I believe if you are one of the first few there and they have spots, they will put you in a float, and then anything that opens up after that they use a raffle system.

7:42pm on 3/26/26 by clyde4242

Thanks !

9:56pm on 3/26/26 by snelvis

Experienced our 1st roll back on Velocicoaster this morning. Was nice to finally see what others were talking about. Even with the slight delay, we were off Hagrids and Velocicoaster by 8:28. Great start.

10:57am on 3/24/26 by clyde4242

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Also family had a great time throwing beads from the RiverBoat float last night. If you have never done it, it is definitely worth it.

10:58am on 3/24/26 by clyde4242

Nicely done with the morning! How close to the front of the IoA tapstiles were you? We are trying to decide whether to attempt Hagrid in the morning on a visit very soon, based on where we are in line.... Or just straight to Velocicoaster

11:40am on 3/24/26 by patdoc

We were in the passholders line maybe 60 or so back. I guess I forgot to mention we also had express. IMO if you're not in the first 25/30 in one of the taps, I may pass and just do Hagrids at closing.

12:45pm on 3/24/26 by clyde4242

Oh wow. That'd be freaky & cool at the same time! DS19 wld think it was the best thing ever. Did they take you backwards to fire off again I presume?

2:27pm on 3/24/26 by hodg

How fun!!! I think that would be so exciting to experience!!!

3:22pm on 3/24/26 by malinMN

@hotdog, yes it crept back slowly until almost the turn, then went back faster and then sped into top hat

5:33pm on 3/24/26 by clyde4242

Now I have to know ! How do we get on a float ?

10:38pm on 3/24/26 by snelvis

Liking my new name :-)

1:56am on 3/25/26 by hodg

@hodg, sry I don't read too good

6:27am on 3/25/26 by clyde4242

@snelvis, you can purchase a ride and dine package or they do have passholders sign ups in January. Also if your lucky enough and there are extra spots they do a daily standby that you have to sign up for

6:29am on 3/25/26 by clyde4242

Another great start, off Hagrids @8:07, off velocicoaster @8:19(back row) off velocicoaster 2nd time(front row) @ 8:36.

8:43am on 3/25/26 by clyde4242

Oh wow! I have never heard of the roll back. Sounds wild!

7:22pm on 3/25/26 by WendyMarie

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Family got lucky to land some extra spots on the Mardi Gras float tonight. If you get a chance you have to do it, it's a blast. Off to Mama Della's for dinner

8:49pm on 3/25/26 by clyde4242

Sounds like you're having a great time!!! YAY! So happy for you all! Yes, the float is SO fun!

10:25am on 3/26/26 by browndalmatian

Ok, Mama Della's is a must do if you enjoy Italian. Shortly after we sat Mama came to our table and we conversed with her for at least 10 minutes. A really neat lady. All I can say is Chicken Carbonara. 100/10, unbelievably good. It is a little pricey

7:39pm on 3/26/26 by clyde4242

AP discount. Every time I have stayed at Hardrock they have never verified my annual pass. Have they cracked down on that.

7:13pm on 1/10/26 by ICONTROLWDW

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Hi ICONTROL, there is always a chance they could check, but there was a thread today on the forum and recently, no one checked.

8:46pm on 1/10/26 by PrincipalTinker

I meant to post ab this. In all our trips over 6 years we've never been asked for our AP until this last trip at dockside! We stayed in three hotels this time and DS was the only one that has ever asked. I had to dig it out of our carry on to show lol

10:39pm on 1/10/26 by sneezy93

Haven't been in a few years but I'll buy for the discount but honestly almost want to gamble and then just buy it for the discount if I get called out. Or upgrade my regular ticket

11:03pm on 1/10/26 by ICONTROLWDW

We've stayed at Helios twice, PBH several times, HRH, RPR and Sapphire and have never been asked (which I always had it so didn't think much about it) until DS.

11:33pm on 1/10/26 by sneezy93

I've always had one just thinking.

11:44pm on 1/10/26 by ICONTROLWDW

When we were planning on getting an AP I was told I cld check in w regular ticket if I was going to upgrade while there, & go back and show AP to desk later. 2020 happened so I never did it.

5:29am on 1/11/26 by hodg

@sneezy93 that's a good data point! People often say you don't really need it. This is the first I've heard of someone being asked. I would be too nervous to risk it anyway.

2:05pm on 1/11/26 by hartcruise

Are we sure they are not cross referencing thru their data base at checkout? I just always assumed that's what they did as I was told yers ago if you booked AP rate and didn't upgrade during ur stay, they would automatically charge whatever the nonAP rate

2:46pm on 1/11/26 by clyde4242

You think Universal shares their database with Loews? That's a little scary.

2:58pm on 1/11/26 by PrincipalTinker

Certainly not their whole database but I think it's possible for them to cross reference the AP list (although I'm a technology boomer so maybe that's not a thing.)

3:38pm on 1/11/26 by popupcamper

@popup, they could share that info without notifying their customers? They would have to share/cross reference some personal information. They are two separate companies.

3:51pm on 1/11/26 by PrincipalTinker

Although they have been trying to get hotel reservations in the app.

3:52pm on 1/11/26 by PrincipalTinker

In hindsight I'm wondering if I had my AP around my neck in my lanyard when I checked in most times because we're usually headed to the parks right after but DS we checked in very late. Although still how would they know it was active just because they

4:05pm on 1/11/26 by sneezy93

noticed it around my neck? But I'm quite sure nobody has ever asked me to see it until this past one night stay at DS. Which I find odd because that is the cheapest room by far we've ever stayed in at UOR.

4:06pm on 1/11/26 by sneezy93

I don't see a reason why they couldn't. Lowe's says "hey uni, does this person have an AP?" And Uni says "yep". But I'm not a lawyer nor did I sleep in a holiday inn express last night.

4:15pm on 1/11/26 by popupcamper

I see it as similar to how Disney and swan and dolphin hotels talk to each other. I enter my confirmation number and get access to early entry etc. they are checking with Swolphin to be sure I didn't make up a random confirmation number.

4:31pm on 1/11/26 by popupcamper

Side note was thinking about buying regular tickets and a AP but not activate the annual pass. Thoughts on that. I guess the Ap holds value for another time?

4:51pm on 1/11/26 by ICONTROLWDW

I too see it as a Disney/Swalphin relationship. Swalphin gets a Disney ID for each booking but Disney does not know who is on the reservation until you provide/link it. Swalphin also has AP rates that you may need to show your AP .

7:53pm on 1/11/26 by PrincipalTinker

ICONTROL, you do not need to activate an AP right away. My only concern is if they change the way it is activated (at a booth), especially if the AP is electronic (in your Uni wallet)

7:57pm on 1/11/26 by PrincipalTinker

So I could sell my confirmation number @PT? You think Swolphin gives them a confirmation number but it can be used for anyone? #tictocbusinessidea

8:17pm on 1/11/26 by popupcamper

No, I think Swalphin has their own company numbers and need a unique confirmation number from Disney for MDE. Of course, this doesn't matter since Uni does not share AP or other info with Loews :)

9:31pm on 1/11/26 by PrincipalTinker

So yes you can tell Lowe's you have an AP and they can't check? I'm new to uni so I'm confused.

9:40pm on 1/11/26 by popupcamper

No, you show your AP. Everyone can log onto the Universal passholder section of the website and book passholder discounted rooms. They MAY ask you to show your AP at checkin. My AP is in my lanyard, it is also in my app.

5:13am on 1/12/26 by PrincipalTinker

Interesting, thanks @PT!

7:42am on 1/12/26 by popupcamper

Checked into Stella Nova last night on an AP rate. Was not asked to show a pass. Likely upgrading tickets at the end of the week to an AP, but don't actually have it yet. Just to add 1 more piece of data.

7:52am on 1/12/26 by chadp

Ooooh this is a perfect test. Let us know if they charge you nonAP rate if you don't upgrade.

1:03pm on 1/12/26 by popupcamper

I was asked one time (several years ago) out of several trips. I'm 95% sure they're not confirming entitlement in other ways (electronic records) so I wouldn't expect a rate adjustment unless they ask and you don't show AP by end of stay. But no guarantee

3:14pm on 1/12/26 by redboy42

Never been asked when checking in, most recently at Aventura 1/2-6 where we had connecting rooms booked together.

6:35pm on 1/13/26 by Wahoohokie

I cant remember being asked but we're usually wearing ours on our lanyards at check-in because we're heading straight to the parks. I have heard here of people buying while there to show by check out.

5:52am on 1/14/26 by TenMileMom

I was always told as long as u have it by checkout u are fine but never have been actually asked for it.

6:00pm on 1/14/26 by Buckeye86

I'm a worrier id hate to see an additional 3k on my bill. I'm fine spending 450 for the pass for the discount plus a 5 day ticket..we have always had passes but with epic now.... I won't more options plus I don't think we are going to do a 2nd trip

10:42am on 1/16/26 by ICONTROLWDW

Paying for college now so...yea me

10:43am on 1/16/26 by ICONTROLWDW

Also, I would worry that the price charged would be the current non-AP rate which usually goes up the closer the booking date gets to the date of stay. It may be a lot more than when you first checked prices to book the trip.

2:55pm on 1/18/26 by Buckeye86

I am bumping this thread for @kate

3:14pm on 3/25/26 by PrincipalTinker

Thanks Tink

3:20pm on 3/25/26 by kateschmidt

I wonder what happened with @chad. I don't want to be the one to test it. Haha

3:30pm on 3/25/26 by kateschmidt

I am checking in to Aventura in two weeks on an AP discount. Mine has expired, but my teen-agers has not. My teen will not be with me this trip, though. Since I am the one who purchased the pass holder for my minor teen, would that count for the discount?

4:26pm on 3/25/26 by eightyeightkeys

(Continued...) If it doesn't and they ask, then I would upgrade my current 4-day ticket to an AP but I'm wondering...

4:27pm on 3/25/26 by eightyeightkeys

@chad and @Wahoohokie both checked in, in January without APs?

4:50pm on 3/25/26 by PrincipalTinker

The policy was the person had to be present with the AP pass. But sometimes they don't ask for it.

9:19pm on 3/25/26 by Buckeye86

@Buckeye, where is that policy? That is different from what you posted earlier?

5:49am on 3/26/26 by PrincipalTinker

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I don't think I've ever been asked. Come to think of it, though, I feel like the last few times we got the FL Resident discount instead, and it was the same as the AP one. I think... it's been a while (about a year). :)

10:22am on 3/26/26 by browndalmatian

I do think AP and FL residents rates are the same. Since the only thing they ask for at check in is a credit card and ID, the ID does usually show where you live?

11:17am on 3/26/26 by PrincipalTinker

Just spent 3 nights at Portofino and at check in she just said "you are a passholder correct?" I said yes and went to show it and she said "no worries, you're good." Obviously this can vary from resort to resort and clerk to clerk. Just thought I'd share.

7:32pm on 3/26/26 by clyde4242

Can I use the entrance from Helios to get into epic if I'm not a guest there? I'm just curious not sure if I'll do this.

11:34am on 3/25/26 by mmmartin

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We're coming across from SN- planning on dropping bags at BS, putting 2 or 3 people in line then heading to check in & grab a coffee. Will that work?

2:16am on 3/26/26 by hodg

As long as you have the Helios room key after check in. Make sure you get a key for every one in your party You will need to show it as you enter park security at the Helios/Epic entry.

4:10pm on 3/26/26 by ladyortramp

Presume they'll give a blank room key like you get for EP at other resorts? Rooms will obv not be ready at that time. Now just to work out how early we need to get there- at least we'll have U.K. jet lag

7:28pm on 3/26/26 by hodg

Going next week with 4-day 3-park tickets plus EP from RPR. Forecast shows possible precipitation mid week. How are each of the parks in the rain?

7:59pm on 3/18/26 by urbyq

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Not sure what autocorrect did there. Should say they have no official policy stated but whenever I called a few times . . .

9:33pm on 3/22/26 by Buckeye86

Thanks! Yeah I probably won't change anything then, even for rain, since we bought them last year and the price has almost doubled! Won't want to pay new price difference

4:08pm on 3/23/26 by SusannaBee

I would have two plans. One for no rain and one for rain. If it looks like rain, save the indoor stuff for when that is so you can still be doing something other than shopping when the rain comes. Try to get the outdoor rides in as quick as u can.

9:23pm on 3/25/26 by Buckeye86

Observation: Super Mario World at night is like Vegas for kids.

8:25pm on 3/25/26 by urbyq

They is a perfect description of the lights and bling!

9:17pm on 3/25/26 by Buckeye86

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