2024 Guide to Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando Resort: How to Make the Most of Your Morning

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Early Park Admission is a phenomenal benefit available to guests staying at any of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, and the higher-level Annual Passholders.

Early Park Admission  at Universal Orlando Resort allows you to enter select parks up to an hour before the park opens to the general public. 

In this guide, I’ll share what’s included during Early Park Admission, how it can impact your day whether or not you have it, and how to make the most of EPA during your next vacation  to Universal Orlando.  

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What is Early Park Admission?

Every day, Guests with Early Park Admission get exclusive access to either Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay an hour before the parks opens to the general public. 

For most of the year, EPA starts at 8:00 am. During peak seasons, Universal sometimes opens one or both of the parks an hour earlier, with EPA starting at 7:00 am.

This perk can be HUGE for beating the crowds and the Florida heat, especially during peak seasons. Having a flexible Early Park Admission strategy will help you get the most out of your day.

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Who Gets Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando

• Guests Staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel

  • Universal's Hard Rock Hotel

  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort

  • Cabana Bay Beach Resort

  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort

  • Aventura Resort

  • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort 

    • – Surfside Inn and Suites & Dockside Inn and Suites

• Higher Level Annual Passholders

  • At-least at the preferred level

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So What Time Does Early Park Admission At Universal Orlando Start?

Quite simply, it’s 1 hour before the theme parks open, and 30 minutes before Volcano Bay opens.

Historically, Universal Orlando releases the dates and hours for EPA 2 months in advance.

Since the time varies day to day, week to week—  Check Universal’s 2022 Early Park Admission hour schedule via the Universal App. I find the Universal website schedule to not be as up to date. 

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What should I bring to get into Early Park Admission

• VALID park tickets

• Hotel room keys 

  • A hotel key is needed for each person whose staying in your hotel room with you at the resort. 

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How to Use Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando

Universal's Early Park Admission is available every day of your hotel stay, including days of check-in and check-out.  Your hotel key is what gets you access into EPA. It’s critical that each person in your group has their own room key.

If you want to Utilize EPA on your check-in day, You’ll need to check in to your hotel first. The earliest Universal will let you check-in is 6:00AM. You’d leave your items stored with Universal. 

Note- EPA begins an hour before the official park opening. Some days, EPA can be as early as 7 a.m.. If that's the case, you’ll need to book it from the hotel to the park. 

The gates to the park will open an hour or so early for all guests  that have Early Park Admission. Once past the turnstiles,  there will be checkpoints to ensure guests have the proper EPA credentials.

Once you’re through the checkpoint, you’ll be able to ride the attractions  included in Early Park Admission

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Note— Early Park Admission isn’t offered every single park day either. There are certain days Universal just doesn’t offer it. Again, why it’s super important to check the EPA schedule before you book your trip, leading up to your trip, and every morning of your trip.

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When to Use Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando

You should use Early Park Admission in these situations:

• You only have one day at Universal to explore.

  • especially if you are park hopping

• You're visiting during an extremely busy time

  • Peak of summer and around holidays

  • Use Undercover Tourist’s Crowd Calendar as your guide. 

    • If it's a level 8, 9 or 10 day, consider using EPA to knock out popular attractions before the crowds arrive.

• Any time you visit and want to beat the crowds and the heat.

• You want to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with minimal crowds.

• You're spending the day at Volcano Bay.

  • Early Park Admission gets you first access to the rides   

  • Access to prime seating  around the water park.

I know what you are thinking, “I’m on vacation, why do I have to get up early?”  Well, most guests won’t want to get up either, so this is your chance to really take advantage of EPA. 

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What Rides are Included During Early Park Admission

Attractions available are always subject to change, so I recommend you check the official Universal website closer to your trip. 

Here are the rides typically available:

Universal Studios Florida

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

• Sometimes the Ollivander’s Wand Experience 

• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Universal Islands of Adventure

• Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure

• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

• Ollivander Wand Experience 

• Flight of the Hippogriff

• VelociCoaster

Volcano Bay

Double check the website for any changes

• Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides

• Krakatau Aqua Coaster

• ika Moana 

• Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

• Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides

• Honu of the Honu Ika Moana

• Ko’okiri Body Plunge

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How to Maximize Early Park Admission

Know what ride you want to start with first, and where’s its located within that park.

Wear a fanny pack if you can

• For rides like Hagrid’s, you’ll save more time by bypassing the lockers.

• If you can’t swing a fanny pack, have a non-rider in your group hold the bags to avoid stopping at the lockers.

Plan to Arrive EARLY

To make the most out of the hour, get to the turnstiles at least 45 minutes BEFORE EPA starts. Particularly if Hagrid’s is how you want to start the morning.

Why arrive so early?

• It'll account for the time needed to get through security and the walk through CityWalk to the turnstiles. 

• If you're using bus transportation from your resort, you'll want to take the first shuttle of the day!

• By arriving early, you’ll be able to easily knock out 2 or 3 rides that are open for EPA. You’ll then be able to head to the next priority ride on your list. 

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EPA is a thrill-seekers opportunity to knock out high priority rides with very short waitimes. Non thrill-seekers can experience the Wizarding World without it being packed like sardines.

It’s also an opportunity to get rare muggle free, empty park photos.

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