Epic Universe has been a hot topic of conversation for weeks now, ever since Team Members began being able to visit the parks back in March.

Currently, Annual Passholder previews are ongoing before the park officially opens to the public on May 22nd, and many people are wondering how they can get into the park early to experience its magic BEFORE the park hits full capacity when it officially opens. Believe it or not, there are a few different ways you can get into this park early!

UPDATE: Epic Universe previews are now open to EVERYONE who purchases a ticket from now through May 19th!

Become An Annual Passholder

Now, we know this seems a little extreme, especially because the current Annual Passes on sale for Universal Orlando don’t include Epic Universe at this time (other than access to purchase one-day tickets once the park opens, but again, that’s open to everyone at this time), but if you do become an Annual Passholder, you can book yourself a preview date to see the park!

In fact, Annual Passholder previews were just extended through May 19th, just a few days before the park’s official opening. Originally, the cutoff date was May 8th, but it appears Universal would like to continue testing how the park is doing at lower capacity before its official opening.

You’ll need to make sure your annual passholder card number is linked inside the wallet of your app, and if you’re planning to purchase tickets for multiple passholders on the same transaction to attend on the same day, they’ll also need to be linked in the wallet of the person buying the tickets. At this time, Annual Passholders can purchase tickets to multiple different preview days.

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Leaving Epic Universe

Book A Stay At A Universal Orlando Hotel

If you don’t want to take the plunge and become an Annual Passholder, that’s totally understandable. Thankfully, you can also get into the park early by booking at stay at one of Universal Orlando’s hotels! This includes all the hotels on property, which are:

• Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
• Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
• Universal Aventura Hotel
• Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• Hard Rock Hotel®
• Universal Helios Grand Hotel
• Universal Stella Nova Resort
• Universal Terra Luna Resort

Staying at a Universal Orlando hotel will ALSO get you early entry into the park, something that the Annual Passholders previewing the park don’t get. It’s a great way to get in line for your favorite attraction before the larger crowds get there (and again, going during previews when the park is only at 20% capacity is PRIME time to go, but crowds can form, and certainly still will!).

FULL LOOK INSIDE the How To Train Your Dragon Kids Suite at Universal’s Helios Grand Hotel

2025 Military Freedom Pass Ticket Holders

If you currently have the 2025 Military Freedom Pass, which is for Active Duty, Reservist, National Guard, and Retired members of all branches of the U.S. Military and/or their spouses, 100% Disabled Veterans, and Department of Defense Civilian personnel members, you also qualify for a preview of Epic Universe!

This can be added to your existing ticket, and any date from now through May 19th is currently eligible. Now, this does cost an additional fee, so keep that in mind, but again, it’s a great way to experience the park with lower crowds!

I Don’t Want To Sound Too Dramatic, But This Epic Universe Souvenir Changed My Life

Universal Rewards Signature VISA Card Members

If you’re a Universal Rewards Signature VISA Card member, you can also get access to Epic Universe previews now through May 19th!

Now, you will have to wait to be approved for the credit card, which may take some time and is something to consider, so be sure to take that into account and plan ahead to see if you’ll have enough time to be approved, and then book a preview ticket.

As of right now, these are the only ways guaranteed to get you into Epic Universe early, and we can say from experience that getting to visit the park at 20% capacity vs. 100% capacity is VERY nice, and we certainly recommend experiencing it this way if you can. However, we’ll be in the park at full capacity too for opening and can’t wait to bring you all the latest news, so stay tuned to DFB!

Epic Universe Could Lead to MAJOR CHANGES at Universal Orlando’s Other Parks

What are you most excited to experience at Epic Universe? Tell us in the comments!