The led lights where fully working last nightThere's just something otherworldly about Stardust at night, with the audio blasting and the train lights fully functioning. It looks as if they've not been at 100 per cent recently (image from two days ago) so hopefully they keep on top of it.
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- Favourite Ride
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- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Universal Epic Universe - New Florida Theme Park
I know I had express yesterday but this what managed to do on a Monday-
Battle at the Ministry x 1 (non express)
Mario Kart x 1 (express) went down so ended up waiting 40 mins.
Yoshi x 1 (express)
Mine Mart Madness x 1 (non express)
Constellation carousel x 1 (exprsss)
Werewolf x 1 (express)
Monsters Unchained x 2 (1 express and 1 non)
Stardust Racers x 4 (1 express and 1 not)
Hicups Wing gliders x 1 (1 express)
The untrainable dragon show
Plus sit down mid morning Starbucks btrak
Lunch at spitfry grull
Dinner at Astro pub
2 hr break back at the hotel mid afternoon
Plus an ice cream sat watching the fountains at 8.45pm.
PlusLook round shops etc, could have ridden more if had wanted to and rushed about a bit more.
Battle of the ministry opened at 9 again seems best strategy first thing- It did go down in the morning for short while after I had ridden it and queue time stayed very high all day 150 mins after - where as other ride queues where similar or shorter than sat so I think it’s likely wasn’t running at full capacity after (can’t say for sure). The queue at 9pm was 90 mins and they closed it at that point saying at capacity so don’t leave it until the end.
Benjsh
TS Member
Very helpful info! Thanks a bunch
I do think Battle should open everyday at 9am for early entry guests similar to with what happens with Hagrids at IOA. It will help spread the crowds out way better for me and perhaps make Nintendo land the better option for guests without early entry.
It's quite frustrating that the early entry attractions seem to be changing so frequently at the mo. Makes it hard to plan.
I think if BATM is early entry we will go there first. If not we will do Mario Kart Bowser's challenge and then hopefully Minecart right after it.
i joined mine kart at 9.50am
So before non onsite guests had been allowed to enter did single rider , main queue said 50 mins. They had opened it a bit early before 10am. It took me about 45 mins I asked the family I was out with and they joined the main queue at same time as me. Most of other times went past single rider was at capacity- but I would rather wait in the main queue as at least that moves constantly.
If you want to the burning blade tavern windmill set on fire it happens every 15 mins ie 7pm, 7.15pm etc. it lasts one minute.
At islands this morning - it’s noticeable quieter than the weekend and this time last year. velocicoaster at 9.30 (a half an hr after normal opening) is 35 mins on Sunday was 75 mins at this point.
So before non onsite guests had been allowed to enter did single rider , main queue said 50 mins. They had opened it a bit early before 10am. It took me about 45 mins I asked the family I was out with and they joined the main queue at same time as me. Most of other times went past single rider was at capacity- but I would rather wait in the main queue as at least that moves constantly.
If you want to the burning blade tavern windmill set on fire it happens every 15 mins ie 7pm, 7.15pm etc. it lasts one minute.
At islands this morning - it’s noticeable quieter than the weekend and this time last year. velocicoaster at 9.30 (a half an hr after normal opening) is 35 mins on Sunday was 75 mins at this point.
Also they block non hotel guests from entering the portals before 10am- they don’t seem to for battle at the ministry. Which is why I don’t think advertise it but there is nothing stopping non resorts guests doing it. You can’t get on anything else or In the portals though without your hotel card.
Bowser
TS Member
Benjsh
TS Member
Would you say posted queue times have been accurate or exaggerated? Hearing mixed reviews on this. Some folk are saying 85 mins queues have been more like 60mins and others saying they have been pretty much spot on.
lol should be 3 not express!
Queues have been fairly spot on in most cases. Stardust racers at 9pm said around 45 mins if I remember correctly but it took 30. Other than that fairly accurate. But as always it’s never an exact science as lots of variable comes into play- ie breakdowns, slower loading guests etc. I prob been lucky but on the whole rides reliability was pretty good on my visits. Plus weather played ball with two very short shut downs for weather that only lasted half and hr or so.
Now Hagrids has express the normally queue is so slow, it was slow before now you hardly move. Even in early entry the express line just fills up (express takes 30-40 mins in the morning). With guests in the original 3 delux hotels able to use it unlimited times. I know universal don’t like the fact they give away free unlimited express but as it stands can’t change as in the orginal contract for these hotels with the operator lowes.
velocikieran
TS Member
Booked to go back to Orlando next May very excited! Last visit was 2022 so plenty of new things to see including of course Epic Universe. Question though when is the best time to book Universal tickets? Do deals come up at certain times of the year like Black Friday or will current prices be cheapest rates?
It’s duelling so each ride counts as two
i bought mine from yourticketgenie for August next year. As they all start based on a chosen date I don’t think there’s really any discount to be had nowadays but they have undercut the other suppliers by a decent wedge for the 2026 4-park tickets.
Final day at universal and epic today (move to Disney for second half tomorrow). My early entry strategy worked again. Ministry done by 9.25am. Stardust racers virtual walk on. And joined 45 min queue for donkey kong at 9.45am which again opened earlier before non hotel guests are allowed in the area. Got the bus from Aventura at 7.45am and get to park just after 8am, you could get an earlier bus if want to be closer to the front as even when I have arrived a good number of guests already there but that time has worked ok for me getting into the park and the rides.
Also the existing parks outside Hagrids have not been busy and significantly quieter than when hear the same week last year and 2022. Many rides late afternoon virtual walks one and even in the day not long. Rides like hulk showing 15 min waits but late afternoon virtual walk ins. Last year would still have been 45 mins. Even Velocicoaster is regularly 30-45 mins be up to 75 last year.
Also the existing parks outside Hagrids have not been busy and significantly quieter than when hear the same week last year and 2022. Many rides late afternoon virtual walks one and even in the day not long. Rides like hulk showing 15 min waits but late afternoon virtual walk ins. Last year would still have been 45 mins. Even Velocicoaster is regularly 30-45 mins be up to 75 last year.