If you’re not using early entry at Epic Universe, you’re leaving time (and ride count) on the table.

Universal hotel guests get into Epic Universe a full hour before the rest of the crowd. That’s twice as much early access as Disney’s 30-minute head start—and yes, it makes a major difference. After testing out a bunch of early entry tricks over multiple visits, I’ve locked in my favorite hacks that genuinely made my day smoother, cooler, and way more productive. Here are five early entry moves that I swear by—and think you should try too.

Start at the Other Portals (Not Celestial Park or Nintendo)

Here’s what most people do: they get early entry and immediately head to Celestial Park or Super Nintendo World. But here’s the thing—those are already open. That means they’re already filling up with people.

If you really want to play this smart, walk past those and head toward one of the other portals, like Dark Universe or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Those don’t officially open until the full park opens, but you can line up right at the entrance to those areas. That puts you near the front of the line for a high-demand ride before the general crowd floods in.

I’ve done this at the Ministry of Magic portal, and while the Battle for the Ministry ride isn’t open during early entry, tons of people head there to queue up. That line explodes the second the park fully opens—so having a spot near the front is gold.

Knock Out Two Big Rides Before Rope Drop

If you want the ultimate thrill-chaser strategy, this is the move: go hard during early entry, and you can knock out two major rides before the park technically opens.

Here’s what I did: walked straight from the Helios Grand Hotel entrance to Mine-Cart Madness, rode it, and then hustled over to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. With the crowds still trickling in, I made it through both faster than I thought possible. Then, with a chunk of the park still unopened, you can jump in line for either Battle for the Ministry or Monsters Unchained.

It’s a super efficient way to hit big names fast—and it only works if you’re using early entry right.

The Hotel Entrance Has Better (and Faster) Lines

One of the sneakiest advantages of staying on-site? That dedicated hotel guest entrance. I used the one at Helios Grand Hotel, and let me tell you—this entrance is smoother than anything at the main gate.

Instead of waiting outside in the sun with everyone who parked and walked over, you’re indoors, in the A/C, waiting in a line that splits into several smaller lines once security opens. That means shorter wait times, less crowd stress, and a faster path into the park. It’s the kind of thing you don’t think about until you experience both sides—and then you never want to go back.

Early Entry = Prime Spot at the Wizarding World Portal

Even though Harry Potter and the Battle for the Ministry doesn’t run during early entry, a lot of people head straight for the portal and line up anyway—and for good reason.

That ride consistently pulls some of the longest wait times in the park. By getting in early and heading straight to that portal, you’re already way ahead of the rush. When the ride officially opens, you’re among the first on it. No Lightning Lane needed, no hour-long line. Just solid planning and a good early entry game plan.

Easy Breaks If You’re Staying at Helios Grand Hotel

This one’s more of a comfort hack, but don’t underestimate how helpful it is. If you’re staying at Helios, the access is unbeatable. You’re just steps from the entrance to Epic Universe, and I took full advantage of that.

Forgot sunscreen? Back to the room. Need a break from the heat? Back to the room. Want a midday nap or to swap your gear? You guessed it—back to the room. That “come-and-go” freedom gave me the flexibility to relax and recharge without losing my place in the park. It also meant I didn’t have to pack like I was prepping for a survival challenge.

Epic Universe early entry isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s a power tool. With a full hour of lead time and a hotel entrance that feels like a VIP lane, you can line up for headliners before the main crowd even gets through security. Compare that to Disney’s 30-minute early entry, and yeah…Universal wins this one hands down.

If you want shorter waits, better ride coverage, and a less chaotic start to your day, these five hacks make early entry work for you. You don’t have to be a pro—just know where to go, and move with purpose.

Stay tuned to DFB for more on Epic Universe!

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