Just a few weeks into its debut, Epic Universe—the long-awaited new addition to Universal Orlando—is making headlines again. But instead of being celebrated for its stunning lands and thrilling attractions, the buzz is all about broken rides, long lines, and an oddly specific warning about shoes.
The Launch Hasn’t Gone Smoothly
There’s no denying that Epic Universe looks phenomenal. It’s got the immersive theming, the massive attractions, and the potential to rival Disney World. But the excitement has quickly run headfirst into a wall of operational hiccups.
At the top of the complaint list is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, the park’s crown jewel attraction. Guests are reporting waits exceeding five hours—only to have the ride go down right before they get on. And this hasn’t been a one-time issue. The ride has been plagued with frequent breakdowns, leaving some guests walking away frustrated and heading straight to Guest Services.
And it’s not just Harry Potter. Attractions like Stardust Racers, Monsters Unchained, and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders have all experienced unexpected closures too. For a park this massive, you expect some growing pains—but the amount of downtime across the board has pushed many guests to demand refunds. Those lines, by the way, have started wrapping around buildings.
Keep Your Shoes On—Seriously
In the middle of all this, Universal has now issued a brand-new safety directive at Stardust Racers, the sleek dual-launch coaster that zips through the heart of Celestial Park. The rule? Keep your shoes on—no exceptions.
Why such a specific request? Apparently, some guests thought they’d be clever by removing loose-fitting sandals in the queue to keep them from flying off mid-ride. Unfortunately, this led to operational slowdowns and delays, since loose shoes count as loose articles. So now there are announcements and signs everywhere telling guests to keep their footwear securely on—or risk holding up the ride for everyone.
It may sound like a small thing, but it’s just one more kink in a long list of unexpected opening issues.
Growing Pains or Something More?
Let’s be fair—theme parks always have a few bumps at launch. Even Islands of Adventure struggled in its early days. But with Epic Universe, the volume and scale of guest frustrations are building faster than expected.
Beyond the mechanical issues, visitors have pointed out a lack of shaded areas throughout the park (which is a big deal in Florida’s brutal heat), limited entertainment options for little ones, and less-than-ideal crowd flow in some areas.
The question isn’t whether Universal can fix these issues—they have the resources and track record to do it. The real question is: how quickly can they turn this around before the guest perception sticks?
If You’re Going Soon—Be Prepared
If you’re planning a trip to Epic Universe soon, it might be smart to temper your expectations. Yes, the park looks absolutely incredible, and when everything’s working, it delivers some truly next-level experiences. But with frequent ride closures, refund chaos, and even announcements about shoe etiquette, it’s clear this park is still finding its footing.
And if you’re planning to ride Stardust Racers? Tie your shoes tight—and maybe keep an extra dose of patience in your back pocket.
