Epic Universe Sees 406 Hour Wait Times for One Ride, Leading to a Diluted Guest Experience
A Bigger Expansion on the Way?
Universal Epic Universe guests waited all day to ride one ride, as the wait time exceeded 6 hours for hundreds.
Universal Epic Universe’s Longest Lines Yet Spark New Questions About an Unexpected Expansion
Few theme park debuts have generated as much excitement as Universal Epic Universe, yet this week delivered a surprising twist that has fans and analysts taking a closer look. Guests entering the newest Universal Orlando Resort park anticipated its bold attractions and immersive worlds—but many instead spent nearly their entire day standing in a single line. Some described the crowds as “unlike anything since opening day,” as Epic Universe confronted one of its toughest operational moments so far. But was this simply an unusually busy day—or a symptom of something the resort has already begun addressing behind the scenes?
That answer might lie in a development that initially seemed routine, yet carries far more weight when viewed alongside the recent guest experience.
Six-Hour Waits That Consumed the Day
On December 3, lines inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic swelled to staggering heights. Universal’s newest headliner, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, posted wait times reaching 380 minutes, pushing many guests toward a six-hour-plus commitment when combining the regular queue and Express lane waits.
Standby lines reportedly hit four hours, while Universal Express—which normally cuts a large portion of the wait—hovered around two hours. Once inside the queue, many realized their theme park day would revolve around this single attraction.
Four hours for standby and 2 hours for EXPRESS is insane. I love this park, but your experience there can differ so wildly from day to day. – @NickChaps96 on X
Four hours for standby and 2 hours for EXPRESS is insane. I love this park, but your experience there can differ so wildly from day to day. pic.twitter.com/s36Hpc2NkU
— Nick Chappell (@NickChaps96) December 3, 2025
The Ministry of Magic ride has been consistently popular since Epic Universe’s opening on May 22, 2025, regularly holding at least a two-hour wait. But the latest numbers mark one of the sharpest spikes yet, underscoring both the attraction’s incredible demand and the park’s broader crowd-distribution challenges.
A Rumbling Issue: Limited Capacity in a Massive Park
Epic Universe is celebrated for its groundbreaking layout and deeply themed lands, yet the park’s limited number of indoor attractions has drawn increasing criticism. The Ministry of Magic section, anchored by one mega-attraction, has become a focal point for crowd buildup—resulting in extended waits and congested pathways.
This dynamic sets the stage for why a recent administrative filing is suddenly attracting intense attention.
A 150,000-Square-Foot Permit Appears—And Fans Notice Immediately
Earlier this month, a construction permit was quietly submitted describing “site utilities and foundation work” and “new construction” for a 150,000-square-foot development within Epic Universe. The documentation lacked all attraction specifics, but theme park watchers quickly compared the scale to existing buildings.
The size is striking: roughly equivalent to the combined footprint of the current Le Cirque Arcanus theater and Battle at the Ministry ride building.
With rumors already circulating since November about a potential expansion to the Ministry of Magic area, the timing immediately fueled speculation that Universal may be preparing a major addition to the Wizarding World.
Universal Confirms Expansion—Without Saying What It Is
The Orlando Business Journal reached out for clarity and received an official response from Alyson Sologaistoa, Vice President of Public Relations for Universal Orlando Resort:
“Universal Orlando is preparing for some exciting additions to Universal Epic Universe in the future. … Details about specific developments will be shared in due time.”
The confirmation of “exciting additions” offers validation that change is on the way, yet Universal declined to reveal which land or experience will benefit from the new development.
Still, the alignment of rumors, wait-time spikes, and the massive permit filing has shifted industry expectations toward a Wizarding World expansion.
What Guests Should Expect Going Forward
Universal has not announced any timeline or content for the new project, meaning nothing immediate will alleviate the intense Ministry of Magic wait times. Guests should expect fluctuating but consistently high numbers as demand continues to exceed capacity.
For now, the situation highlights two truths: Battle at the Ministry is an undeniable hit, and Epic Universe may need more than one marquee attraction in this land to balance the overwhelming popularity of the Wizarding World.
Based on the language of Universal’s official statement, the resort appears ready to expand sooner than many expected—potentially signaling the park’s first major evolution since opening.
