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Ranking Every Epic Universe Attraction By Wait Times

If you’re planning a trip to Universal’s Epic Universe, there’s one thing you’re definitely going to want to know before you even hit security: how long you’ll be waiting in line. The park officially opens May 22, 2025, and while it’s stunning, immersive, and packed with brand-new attractions, some rides already have lines that feel more intense than the coasters themselves.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the wait times—ranked from the longest waits to the shortest, based on preview day data and guest reports. This format makes it easy to prioritize what you really want to ride.

The Universal grand helios hotel located inside of Epic Universe.
Credit: Universal

Every Epic Universe attraction’s expected wait time

1. Donkey Kong: Mine-Cart Madness
60–80 minutes
This one is an instant smash. The “jumping” coaster effect is pulling massive crowds, and it’s not unusual to see the wait exceed 100 minutes during peak hours.

2. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
60–80 minutes
A dark ride with augmented reality, this Mario Kart experience is one of the most talked-about attractions—but you’ll want to be prepared to wait. It topped 90 minutes at one point during previews.

3. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
40–50 minutes
With jaw-dropping effects and a truly bonkers story, this dark ride in the Dark Universe area is one of the park’s top-tier experiences. Expect the line to grow longer in the evenings.

4. Stardust Racers
35–45 minutes
A dueling coaster in Celestial Park with speed and flair, this one is grabbing attention from thrill seekers across the board.

The Universal Orlando resort epic universe portals, which will open soon next to Disney World.
Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

5. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
30–40 minutes
As the signature coaster in the Isle of Berk, this family-friendly attraction blends beautiful theming with smooth thrills. It’s picking up popularity quickly.

6. Yoshi’s Adventure
20–40 minutes
A scenic and gentle ride through Super Nintendo World. Even though it’s aimed at kids, the charming design keeps wait times steady.

7. Fyre Drill
15–35 minutes
A water-blasting ride with plenty of splash zones. On hot days, expect this line to spike fast—especially with families.

Concept art for an attraction at Universal's Epic Universe: Isle of Berk
Credit: Universal

8. Dragon Racers Rally
15–35 minutes
An interactive spinning ride where you control the dragon’s tilt. Fun for all ages, and perfect for shorter waits.

9. Curse of the Werewolf
20–30 minutes
Dark Universe’s secondary coaster doesn’t draw the same crowds as Frankenstein, but it’s a solid ride with some spooky flair.

10. The Untrainable Dragon (Stage Show)
20–30 minutes for a good seat
This show features live actors and huge animatronic dragons—plan to arrive early if you want a great view.

11. Le Cirque Arcanus (Stage Show)
20–30 minutes
This magical stage show in the Ministry of Magic is full of strange creatures and atmospheric storytelling. Easy to miss—but worth seeing.

12. Celestial Carousel
10–25 minutes
Whimsical, beautiful, and usually a short wait. A great way to catch your breath between major rides.

And one you can’t just walk onto…

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Virtual Line only
This is the headliner. Located in the new Ministry of Magic area, this dark ride doesn’t offer a standby queue at all right now. You’ll need to snag a spot through the Virtual Line system, which drops randomly throughout the day. Watch the app closely.

Andrew Boardwine

A frequent visitor of Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, Andrew will likely be found freefalling on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or enjoying Pirates of the Caribbean. Over at Universal, he'll be taking in the thrills of the Jurassic World Velocicoaster and Revenge of the Mummy

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