Early Park Admission at Universal Orlando: A Complete Guide
One of my favorite hacks for beating the crowds at Universal Orlando is to utilize Early Park Admission (EPA).
Early Park Admission gives you a head start, letting you enter the parks before the general public and head straight to the most popular rides, leading to shorter wait times.
Here’s how it works and how to make the most of it.
What Is Early Park Admission?
Early Park Admission is a special benefit that allows eligible guests to access the Universal Orlando theme parks ONE HOUR before they officially open to the general public.
Who Qualifies for Early Entry at Universal Orlando?
To qualify for Early Park Admission, you must stay at one of the on-site Universal hotels. This is a HUGE incentive to stay at one of these eleven resorts!
There is no extra cost for EPA. If your hotel qualifies for it, then you get it automatically included in your stay.
On the flip side, there is no way to pay extra for EPA if you’re not staying at one of the Universal hotels.
eligible Universal hotels that get you Early Park Admission:
- Loews Portofino Bay
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Loews Royal Pacific
- Loews Sapphire Falls
- Universal Helios Grand Hotel
- Aventura
- Stella Nova
- Terra Luna
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Endless Summer Resorts – Dockside Inn & Surfside Inn
Which Parks Offer Early Entry, and When?
It’s important to note that Universal Orlando changes which parks are open for early entry throughout the year. The opening times also adjust.
Make sure you check both the theme park hours AND which parks are offering Early Park Admission for your specific trip dates.
But here is a general rule of what Universal has been offering.
- Epic Universe has consistently been offering EPA every day since its opening in May 2025.
- Early Park Admission is offered at ONE of the two other parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
- Volcano Bay offers early access (typically 30–60 minutes), though timings may vary with park demand.
If you check this page on Universal’s site, you can find out the park hours and EPA times for specific dates.
Premier Passholders and Preferred Passholders (select days only) can also get EPA to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. No Epic Universe as of now.
How to Use Early Park Admission
- Arrive Early: I can’t stress this enough, but to take advantage of EPA, you have to actually get up and get to the parks early. My recommendation is to arrive at the park at least 30 minutes before EPA starts. Remember, you have to go through security, too!
- Show Your Credentials: Have your theme park ticket and hotel room key ready. Each guest needs their own room key to enter early to show they are part of the hotel stay. Minors can usually get in without their key card as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a key, but I do recommend bringing everyone’s keys just in case.
- Plan for Check-In Day: EPA is available even on the day you check in. But you MUST check into your hotel first and get a keycard. It’s OK if your room isn’t ready, as you can store your luggage with Guest Services. I’ve had clients who arrived at their hotel as early as 7:00 AM to pick up room keys before heading to the parks.
Helpful Tips
- Timing is critical: I know it sounds early, but arriving 45–60 minutes before EPA begins gets you a serious advantage. We have been able to ride multiple top attractions before the park officially opens.
- Focus on the Most Popular Rides: I always target attractions like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which you can almost guarantee will have a much longer wait later.
- Line experiences vary: It is entirely possible to encounter long lines to get in, even with EPA. That’s why we always try to get there extra early.
- Don’t worry about transportation: Universal transportation, such as the buses and boats, begins running very early to match EPA.
- EPA is especially valuable if you DON’T have an Express Pass. Make sure to utilize this important perk!
What Rides Are Available for Early Park Admission?
Not every ride in the parks is open during EPA. The exact list of what’s open and what’s not is subject to change by Universal. But, as of this writing, here is what you can ride during that magical one hour.
Islands of Adventure:
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Ollivanders
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Universal Studios:
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Ollivanders Wand Experience
Epic Universe:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Yoshi’s Adventure
- Stardust Racers
- Constellation Carousel
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Curse of the Werewolf
Volcano Bay:
- Honu & ika Moana
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge
- Waturi Wave Pool
- Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
- Puka Uli Lagoon
Early Park Admission is a powerful perk for those staying on-site.
By arriving early, presenting your credentials, and planning strategically, you can enjoy some of the most popular attractions with minimal wait.
To make the most of EPA:
- Check which park is offering EPA each day
- Arrive early, often before 7:00 AM for an 8:00 AM start.
- Know your must-do rides ahead of time.
- Use EPA even on your check-in day if you’re arriving early.
Early Park Admission can transform your day, giving you a head start, cooler temps, and shorter lines.
