Updated: August 2026 to include updates and additions to the Epic Universe Express Pass lineup
What to Know About Express Passes for Epic Universe
One of the biggest questions we get from families planning Universal Orlando vacations is about Express Pass at Epic Universe – how it works, which rides are included, how much it costs and whether it is worth adding to a Universal Orlando vacation package for 2026 and 2027 vacations.
And if you have been researching this for a while, you may have already noticed something:
The answer keeps changing.
Universal has continued to expand and adjust Express Pass options available at Epic Universe since the park opened in 2025, and we love the phased approach Universal Epic Universe has taken while implementing during its growth, and look forward to the changes coming for 2027.
Mom Approved Travel is a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency, and our Advisors have been following these changes from the beginning. When Epic Universe Express Passes were first released, we were modifying our clients’ reservations MOMENTS after they became available.
So let’s break down what families actually need to know now.
While 2027 Vacation Packages have been released, 2027 Epic Universe Express Passes have NOT, and we will modify vacation packages for our MAT clients as soon as they are released.
Here is everything you need to know about adding and using the Epic Express Pass to your Universal Orlando Epic vacation:
Does Epic Universe Have Express Pass?
Yes. Epic Universe has Universal Express Pass for us to add to most Universal Orlando vacation packages!
Universal Express Pass allows you to use a shorter Express queue at participating Epic Universe attractions instead of waiting in the regular standby line.
For the traditional Epic Universe Express products currently available, Express access is generally once per participating attraction, rather than Unlimited Express like the original two parks.
You also still need valid theme park admission.
An Express Pass is not a park ticket – and while that sounds basic, with the number of Universal ticket and Express combinations now available, it can be very confusing if you don’t deal with it everyday like we do, so its worth being very clear to avoid sadness at the gate.
Is Epic Universe Express Pass Included With Your Universal Hotel?
No, and this is probably one of the biggest points of confusion when families start putting together a Universal Orlando vacation.
Before Epic Universe opened, you could get Unlimited Express Pass access at what were formally called “Premier Resorts” which included Hard Rock Hotel, Lowes Royal Pacific and Lowes Portofino Bay as a hotel amenity.
However, when Epic opened everything changed. Hard Rock Hotel, Lowes Royal Pacific and Lowes Portofino Bay are now part of the Signature Collection and while those three hotels still receive Unlimited Express Passes as an amenity for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe is NOT included with these hotel-based Express Passes.
Sidenote: While Loews Sapphire Falls and Helios Grand Hotel are also part of the signature collection, there are no Express Pass amenities included at either.
Clear as mud, right? Don’t worry, we plan Universal vacations every day, so while it may feel confusing, we live and breathe Universal as a high volume Universal U-Preferred Agency and can help guide you to the best option for your family and vacation.
Let Mom Approved Travel simplify all the Express and hotel options by filling out our Universal trip request form →
Universal Epic Universe Express Pass is a separately purchased item either as a stand-alone product, like the Express Pass at Volcano Bay or as part of a three park multi-day Express Pass.
This means Epic Express is not included with any Universal Hotel, including the Signature resorts (formerly called premier resorts) Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific or Helios Grand Hotel at this time and MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY.
According to our conversations with Universal leadership, it is not in the plans to have an Express Pass for Epic to be an added amenity for any of the Universal Orlando hotels, ever. Things can always change of course, but we are planning vacations with current information for our MAT families now, and can always modify a reservation if needed.
Is the Universal Epic Express Pass Unlimited?
The 2026 Epic Express Pass Options do NOT include an Unlimited Express Pass, which means your Epic Universe Express Pass is good once per ride, per day purchased.
Since 2027 Universal Orlando Express Passes are not out for, we cannot speak to these just yet. However, 2026 vacation packages are, and as soon as the 2027 Universal Express Pass options are released, we will modify any eligible existing MAT client reservations.
Now is a great time to get locked in on pricing and get the best room availability with our MAT Advisors!
>> Start your 2026 and 2027 Universal Vacation Planning with Mom Approved Travel here >>
What rides does the Universal Epic Express Pass include?
Epic Universe Express Passes are currently available for the following EPIC Universe attractions:
- Constellation Carousel – Celestial Park
- Curse of the Werewolf – Dark Universe
- Fyre Drill – Isle of Berk
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – Isle of Berk
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™ – Ministry of Magic
- Le Cirque Arcanus™ – Ministry of Magic
- Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge – Super Nintendo World
- Mine Cart Madness – Super Nintendo World
- Monsters Unchained: Frankenstein Experiment – Dark Universe
- Stardust Racers – Celestial Park
- The Untrainable Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Yoshi’s Adventure – Super Nintendo World
Epic Express Passes ARE NOT offered on the following EPIC attractions:
- Dragon Racer’s Rally – Isle of Berk
- Character meet-and-greets, including experiences such as meeting Toothless, are also not part of the regular Epic Universe Express attraction lineup.
Learn more about Epic Universe lands and attractions
What Is Universal Express Pass Now at Epic Universe?
Universal has also introduced Express Pass Now, a day-of option that may allow guests to purchase one-time Express access for select attractions while they are already inside the park.
Express Pass Now is accessed through the Universal Orlando Resort app, and availability is based on attraction capacity. That means the attractions offered, or whether an option is available at all can change throughout the day.
For our MAT client families, we look at Express Pass Now as a possible bonus, not something we recommend building your entire park strategy around.
Your family has invested too much into your Universal vacation to arrive at Epic Universe simply hoping the Express option you want happens to appear that day.
How much are Universal Epic Universe Express Passes?
If you are purchasing a standalone 1 day 2026 Universal Epic Universe Express Pass, pricing will vary based on the dates of your visit, and the type of Express Pass selected.
The 1 day Epic Express Passes are DATED, which means you do have to select which day you want to utilize your Express Pass, and they are non-refundable. This is no different from a standalone single day Express Pass for the other Universal Orlando parks.
On the initial day of release, on average the Express Passes were approximately 250-ish per person per day for the 1 day EPIC Express Pass option. In 2026, we have seen the demand based prices for lower season dates under 200, and peak demand days run 330+ dollars.
Universal also offers 3-Park Multi-Day Express Pass options that include Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. These can be worth comparing for families spending multiple park days at Universal Orlando and cost less per day the more days you purchase, but remember these are once per day, per ride options – as no Express Pass that includes Epic Universe will have Unlimited Express access at this time.
Mom Approved note: As a rule of thumb for all pricing at Universal including Express Passes, weekends are a little more than weekday, much higher on holidays and when kiddos are out of school are higher than typical “in-school” days.
How do I get Universal Epic Universe Express Passes?
Express Passes for Universal Orlando Epic Universe can be purchased either a la carte, or added to a Universal vacation package.
If you utilize a Universal Travel Agent or Universal Travel Agency (like Mom Approved Travel) they can easily add this to your existing vacation package.
We are a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency
I hope this helps you understand the basics of the Express Passes for Epic Universe. We can’t wait for you to experience all that Universal Orlando Resort has to offer you and your family!
It would be our pleasure to help you get the absolute best value for your vacation dollars on your Universal Orlando Epic Universe vacation, and we will help you select the best options for your family.
Simply CLICK HERE to get started or reach out to one of our Universal Orlando Resort experts at Mom Approved Travel, a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency.
Christy Slavik, CTA
Founder of Mom Approved Travel | Travel Advisor since 2015
Family & multigenerational travel specialist
Mom Approved Travel is a Universal U-Preferred Travel Agency
