Credit: UniversalWe’ve got some bad news for future Epic Universe travelers.
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Epic Universe has dominated much of the discussion, both online and in-person, within the theme park community. Universal’s bold, ambitious, and sprawling new theme park is full of fun, magic, and adventure, setting the bar high for competitors like Disney.
However, the park’s operating hours have certainly been disappointing, with the park opening later and closing earlier than other Florida theme parks and even Universal’s other parks. This trend continues in August, with Epic Universe’s hours getting scaled back again.
Beginning Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Epic Universe will open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. For the last few weeks, Epic Universe has remained open between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. The park will close at 10 p.m. during the first half of August, but will begin closing an hour earlier at 9 p.m. starting August 19.
Universal Studios Florida will open at 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. most days in August. The same goes for Universal Islands of Adventure.
For a full breakdown of Universal’s theme park operating schedule, visit the official website.
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It’s unclear why Universal is once again limiting Epic Universe’s hours, though considering the park is only two months old, kinks are likely still being worked out. Reliability has been a major focus for the park since it opened, with rides like Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry being notoriously difficult to get on during certain times of the day.
The attraction experienced extended downtime and abrupt closures during the park’s preview windows, though these issues seem to have been mostly resolved.
Epic Universe officially opened its gates on May 22, 2025. Over the last few weeks, guests have had a chance to explore and enjoy the park’s offerings, which range from thrilling roller coasters to highly themed dark rides. Epic Universe also features many dining options, allowing guests to get lost in the various worlds within.
A highlight for many has been Dark Universe, as a section of the park inspired by the classic Universal monsters. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter also continues in Epic Universe, with a new area called the Ministry of Magic featuring several new experiences.
The two major standouts of Epic Universe are Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride that takes guests through a gothic castle, and the previously mentioned Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a thrilling adventure through the Ministry of Magic.
Have you been to Epic Universe yet? What did you think of the new park?