If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, you get Early Park Admission at all Universal theme parks!
This is a fantastic perk to use on vacation, especially if you’re trying to ride everything in a park in one day, and still want some time to see shows, eat your favorite snacks, and rest when you need to. Over in Epic Universe, the newest park, there are a few rides included in Early Park Admission, but we have news to share — one popular ride is NO longer included in Early Park Admission.
We check the wait times for Epic Universe daily to track ride performance and identify wait time trends. However, in doing so, we’ve noticed something interesting. Universal doesn’t update its wait times as frequently as Disney, so sometimes in the morning, it looks like certain rides aren’t open for Early Park Admission when they really are. The lesson? Don’t trust the wait times on the Universal app first thing in the morning!
Additionally, we noticed a new trend you need to know about. As of June, Mine Cart Madness is no longer included as part of Early Park Admission. However, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure continue to be available in this section of the park.
Now, the attractions listed to be included in Early Park Admission are:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Yoshi’s Adventure
- Stardust Racers
- Constellation Carousel
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Curse of the Werewolf
That’s over half the rides in the park, so while we’re sad Mine Cart Madness isn’t available to ride early, there’s still plenty to explore before the crowds really start to form. We suggest focusing on Curse of the Werewolf or Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, although Super Nintendo World does often see much lower wait times later in the day. Stardust Racers, on the other hand, can see high wait times, but not quite as bad as some of the others, so we wouldn’t prioritize it.
Looking for more recent Epic Universe news? Check out our posts below!
More Recent Epic Universe News!
- Universal Confirms MAJOR Changes Coming to Epic Universe Park
- Epic Universe Files Permit for Potential Expansion
- Annual Passes Are Gonna Be DIFFERENT at Universal Orlando in 2026
- CONFIRMED: Park Capacity Has Been Limited at Epic Universe — But Not for Much Longer
- 5 Universal Orlando Tricks That Work Every Time
Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Epic Universe trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all the latest Disney and Universal news!
The BEST Things To Eat in Epic Universe (From Someone Who Reviews Theme Park Food for a Living)
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