Universal Orlando Resort finally delivered Epic Universe after years of anticipation, and the park has stayed packed since opening in May 2025. Fans continue showing up for attractions like Battle at the Ministry, Stardust Racers, and Monsters Unchained. Still, another change inside the park is now grabbing attention for a very different reason.
Universal has introduced a new pay-to-ride system at Epic Universe, and while it may help some guests save time, others already feel the costs are getting out of hand.
Epic Universe Still Pulls Massive Crowds
Epic Universe instantly became one of Orlando’s biggest tourist destinations when it opened. Universal built the park around immersive themed worlds filled with attractions, restaurants, entertainment, and interactive experiences.
Visitors can move between SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Dark Universe, Celestial Park, Ministry of Magic, and Isle of Berk during the same visit. The scale of the park alone has impressed many longtime Universal fans.
The attraction lineup has also stayed in high demand. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Mine-Cart Madness, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and Stardust Racers continue drawing some of the park’s longest waits.
With crowds remaining heavy, Universal introduced another way for guests to bypass standby lines.
Epic Universe Changes Its Strategy
Instead of forcing guests to buy a full Express Pass package, Universal now lets visitors purchase expedited access to individual attractions through Universal Express Now.
Guests can pay for one-time skip-the-line access on select attractions throughout Epic Universe. Pricing changes based on crowd levels and attraction demand, but most rides currently fall between roughly $20 and $30 each.
Participating attractions include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, Curse of the Werewolf, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Fyre Drill, The Untrainable Dragon, Constellation Carousel, and more.
For some visitors, paying once or twice may feel worthwhile. Others, however, immediately started comparing the system to Disney World.
Disney And Universal Are Starting To Look Similar
Disney already uses Lightning Lane Single Pass purchases for some of its most popular attractions.
Guests visiting Disney World often pay extra for rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, TRON Lightcycle / Run, and Avatar Flight of Passage. Those attractions typically fall within the same general price range as Universal Express Now.
That has led some fans to question whether Universal is becoming too similar to Disney’s upcharge-heavy vacation model.
Many guests understand charging premium prices for major attractions like Battle at the Ministry. But paying around the same amount for Yoshi’s Adventure has become a sticking point for some visitors online.
Universal built much of its reputation around offering a more affordable alternative to Disney vacations. Epic Universe may now be shifting that perception.
The Extra Costs Can Snowball
Epic Universe already carries expensive add-ons through standard Express Pass options. Those passes can range from the upper hundreds to $300, depending on the season and demand.
Separate park admission is still required on top of that.
Universal Express Now may initially sound cheaper, but repeated purchases can quickly add up. Guests buying multiple single-attraction Express options throughout the day could spend an extra $240, even at lower pricing.
That creates another financial decision for families already balancing hotel stays, food costs, and airfare.
Long Waits May Become Even Longer
The financial side is only part of the debate.
Some fans worry that increased Express access could push standby waits even higher. Attractions typically prioritize Express riders, which slows the standard queue.
Universal guests pointed to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure as an example. After the ride joined Express Pass access, many visitors felt that standby waits became harder to manage.
Epic Universe could eventually deal with similar frustrations if large numbers of guests continue buying ride-by-ride Express access throughout the day.
Still, many visitors will likely continue using the system selectively. Paying extra for one must-do attraction may feel manageable, while standby lines may remain the better option for everything else.
