Can you really do Disney and Epic Universe in one trip?
Yes, you can, and lots of Disney families are doing exactly that. Since Universal Epic Universe opened in May 2025, it’s been one of the most common questions I get from Disney fans: “Can we squeeze in a day at the new park without wrecking our Disney trip?”
The honest answer is that something has to give. Unless you’re adding days, fitting in Epic Universe usually means you won’t visit all four Disney parks. And you know what? That’s okay. A trip that has room to breathe beats a trip that checks every box and leaves everyone exhausted.
Right now I’m planning a 5-day trip for a family of four with two kids who will be 7 and 8 years old when they visit. They want one day at Epic Universe, and I want them to have a real rest day. My own family is also looking at a big trip next year that would add a day at Epic Universe and a day at Islands of Adventure. So I’ve been working through this for real, not just in theory. Here’s how I’d approach it.
Step 1: Understand Universal tickets (they’re not like Disney’s)
Your Disney tickets don’t work at Universal, and Epic Universe needs its own admission. Universal changed its ticket options for 2026, and it’s good news for Disney fans adding a day or two.
| If you want… | Look at… | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Just 1 day at Epic Universe | 1-Day Epic Universe ticket (sold by Universal) | You pick your exact date when you buy |
| 1 day at Epic + 1 day at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure | 2-Day ticket | Includes one day at the one of the original parks plus one separate Epic Universe day |
| 3 or more Universal days | 3-, 4- or 5-Day tickets | Epic Universe is now included on any or all days; Park-to-Park lets you hop between all three parks |
Express Pass is sold separately and lets you skip the regular line once per ride. Unlimited Express isn’t offered at Epic Universe, and no Universal hotel includes free Express for this park. If you only have one Epic day and your budget allows it, Express can be a helpful safety net if rides go down.
Planning for 2027? Ticket options can change from year to year, so double-check before you buy (or let me check for you).
What Universal costs (2026 pricing)
A quick note before the numbers: these are 2026 prices, per person, before tax. Prices for 2027 may be different, so use these as a ballpark and check current pricing before you book.
Universal uses date-based pricing, just like Disney. The same ticket can cost noticeably more on a holiday week than on a quiet weekday.
| Item | 2026 price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Epic Universe ticket | About $139 to $199 | Depends on the date; kids 3 to 9 pay a little less |
| 1-Day Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure ticket | From about $124 | Depends on the date |
| 2-Day ticket (1 day Epic + 1 day Studios or Islands) | About $273 to $514 with tax | Depends on the date and ticket type |
| Parking at Epic Universe or the main garages | $35 per car (Prime $50 to $60) | One fee per day covers all parks |
One parking tip: the main garages are free after 6 p.m. on most nights, but that doesn’t apply at Epic Universe or on Halloween Horror Nights event nights.
Express Pass prices
Express is optional, and it’s priced by date too. Here’s what to expect:
| Express option | 2026 starting price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Epic Universe Express | From $199.99 (peak days can reach about $330 to $360) | One use per ride; no Unlimited version at Epic |
| 1-Day Islands of Adventure Express | From $114.99 | One use per ride |
| 1-Day Islands of Adventure Express Unlimited | From $154.99 | Ride as many times as you want |
| Express Pass Now | About $20 to $30 per ride | Bought one ride at a time in the Universal app, inside the park |
For a family of four, Epic Universe Express can add $800 or more to a single day. That’s why I often suggest arriving early and using Express Pass Now for just one or two key rides instead.
Good to know for longer stays: guests at Universal’s Premier hotels (Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific) get free Express Unlimited at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It doesn’t work at Epic Universe.
The Disney side: why dropping a Disney day saves less than you think
With Disney tickets, each day you add costs less than the one before it. That’s the part most families miss when they compare a Disney day to a Universal day.
Here’s a real 2026 example for a ticket starting Monday, August 3, 2026:
| Disney ticket (adult, 1 park per day) | Total | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Magic Kingdom | $169 | $169 |
| 4-Day | $558.56 | $139.64 |
| 7-Day | $652.51 | $93.22 |
Look at the jump from 4 days to 7 days. Those three extra days add only about $94 total, or roughly $31 a day. Across all of 2026, a typical 4-day ticket was about $659, and going all the way to 10 days added only about $216 more.
What that means for your Epic Universe day
So if you trade one Disney day for an Epic Universe day, you usually aren’t saving a full day’s ticket price. You might save only $30 to $60 per person on the Disney side, while the Epic Universe ticket costs $139 to $199 per person.
For a family of four, a rough comparison looks like this:
- Dropping one Disney day: saves about $120 to $240 total
- Adding one Epic Universe day: about $550 to $800 in tickets, plus $35 parking and your ride to and from the park (more if you add Express)
That doesn’t mean Epic Universe isn’t worth it. For a lot of families, it absolutely is! It just means you should go in knowing the real cost, so it’s a choice you feel good about and not a surprise at checkout.
Timing matters at both resorts
Disney and Universal both price tickets by date, so when you go can matter as much as how many days you buy.
At Disney, the most economical stretch is usually late August through September, after many schools are back in session. In 2026, some late-August dates had Magic Kingdom at $139, while peak holiday Easter week reached $199. Holiday weeks are the most expensive. Universal follows the same pattern: Epic Universe tickets range from about $139 to $199 depending on the date, and Express prices rise on busy days too.
If you’re planning for late summer or fall, keep these in mind:
- August: Early August still has summer crowds and pricing. Late August is often a sweet spot once schools start.
- September: Usually one of the best-value months at both resorts.
- Late September and October: Halloween Horror Nights runs on select evenings at Universal Studios, which can mean earlier closing for day guests there. Disney’s Halloween parties can also mean earlier closing at Magic Kingdom on party nights. Check the calendars before you pick your park days.
The tradeoff: heat, humidity and storms
Late August and September can be great for prices and potentially lighter crowds, but they’re also some of the hottest, most humid weeks of the year in Orlando. Highs are usually in the low 90s°F, and with the humidity it often feels like 100°F or more. Short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms are common, and outdoor rides close when there’s lightning nearby. It’s also peak hurricane season.
None of this is a reason to skip these dates. It just means planning for the weather:
- Start early. Be at the park for opening, when it’s coolest and lines are shortest. Early Park Admission is extra valuable this time of year.
- Take a midday break. Head back to your hotel for a nap or a swim during the hottest part of the day. This is where a rest day or an afternoon break really pays off.
- Stay hydrated. Bring refillable water bottles. Disney and Universal quick-service restaurants will give you a free cup of ice water.
- Pack for heat and rain. Think cooling towels, a small fan, sunscreen, hats and ponchos. A storm usually passes in under an hour, so a poncho can save your afternoon.
- Plan indoor and water options. Shows, indoor rides and air-conditioned restaurants make great afternoon stops, and a water park day can be perfect in the heat.
- Consider travel insurance. Because of hurricane season, I recommend it for any late-summer or fall trip.
Park Hopper and Park-to-Park: worth the extra cost?
Both resorts let you add the option to visit more than one park in a day. At Disney it’s called Park Hopper, and at Universal it’s called Park-to-Park. Either one adds to your ticket price, so it’s worth thinking about who will actually use it.
| Option | 2026 added cost (approximate) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Disney Park Hopper | About $65 to $115 per ticket | The add-on costs less per day on longer tickets |
| Universal Park-to-Park (3+ day tickets) | About $30 to $50 more than a base ticket | Lets you hop between all three parks, including Epic Universe |
| Universal Park-to-Park (1-day Studios + Islands) | From about $164.99 total | Doesn’t include Epic Universe |
My recommendation
Families with young children: I usually skip it. Little ones do best with one park a day and a real break, and most families with young kids don’t have the energy to hop anyway. That money is better spent on a meal, a souvenir or an extra day.
Families with older kids, or groups of adults: I generally like Park Hopper at Disney for the flexibility. You can spend the morning in one park, head back to your resort for an afternoon break, then go to a different park for dinner and fireworks. It’s a great way to fit in more without wearing yourself out.
Harry Potter fans at Universal: Park-to-Park is the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. If that train ride is on your list, Park-to-Park is worth it, no matter your kids’ ages.
Doing Epic Universe plus just one other Universal park? If your plan is one day at Epic Universe and one day at either Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios (not both), you don’t need Park-to-Park. A base ticket, like the 2-Day ticket, covers it. Just know that this means no Hogwarts Express, since the train only runs between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. If riding it matters to your family, plan for both parks and add Park-to-Park.
Step 2: Decide which Disney park to skip (or shorten)
There’s no single right answer here. It depends on what your family loves most. I ask my clients a few questions:
- Which park would your kids be most upset to miss? For most families with young kids, that’s Magic Kingdom. Protect it, and consider giving it two days.
- Who are your must-see characters and rides? If Star Wars or Toy Story is a big deal, Hollywood Studios stays in.
- How much do the adults care about EPCOT? Some families love it; others are happy to save it for a future trip.
- Are your kids animal lovers? If not, Animal Kingdom can often be a shorter morning visit rather than a full day.
Remember, this isn’t your only Disney trip ever. Skipping a park this time just means you have a reason to come back.
Sample 5-day plan for a family with young kids
Here’s the kind of plan I’d build for a family with kids around 7 and 8. It includes four park days, one of them at Epic Universe, plus one real rest day.
| Day | Plan | Why it’s here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magic Kingdom | Start with the magic while everyone has the most energy |
| 2 | Hollywood Studios or EPCOT | Choose based on your family’s favorites |
| 3 | Rest day: pool, sleep in, Disney Springs in the evening | Recharge before the biggest, busiest day |
| 4 | Epic Universe | A full day at a brand-new park with fresh legs |
| 5 | Magic Kingdom again (or the Disney park you skipped) | End the trip on a familiar favorite |
Why put the rest day right before Epic Universe? Epic is a long day with lots of walking and big crowds. Arriving rested makes a huge difference, especially for little legs. I also like not ending the trip on the most intense day.
Flexible tip: If your kids do better with half days, you can turn the rest day into a short morning in a park plus an afternoon at the pool.
Getting from your Disney hotel to Epic Universe
Disney transportation won’t take you to Universal, so you’ll need your own plan for that day. Most families choose one of these:
- Rideshare (Uber or Lyft): The easiest choice if you don’t have a car. For a family, book a larger vehicle if you’re bringing a stroller.
- Rental car: Handy if you already have one for the trip. Budget for Universal parking.
- Private car service: More expensive, but useful for larger groups or families traveling with car seats.
Plan for the drive to take roughly 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and where you’re staying. Leave early. Getting there before the park opens is the single best thing you can do for your Epic Universe day.
Another option is to spend a night at a Universal hotel. Universal hotel guests get Early Park Admission, which can be worth a lot on a one-day visit. That does mean changing hotels mid-trip, so it’s a tradeoff I talk through with each family.
Tips for your Epic Universe day with kids
- Check height requirements before you go. Look up each ride’s minimum height on the Universal app or website so nobody’s surprised at the line.
- Download the Universal Orlando app. It shows wait times and the park map, and it’s different from the My Disney Experience app.
- Pick your must-dos ahead of time. Let each child choose one or two “can’t miss” things so the day feels like theirs.
- Plan a midday break. Find a shady spot or a sit-down lunch to reset before the afternoon.
- Set expectations. You may not get to everything in one day, and that’s fine. A happy day beats a checklist.
Adding more than one Universal day
For my own family’s trip, we’re looking at one day at Epic Universe and one day at Islands of Adventure. That fits nicely with Universal’s 2-Day ticket, which pairs one day at the original parks with a separate Epic Universe day. If you’re adding three or more Universal days, a multi-day ticket gives you the most flexibility.
With a bigger group, the planning gets more involved: different ages, different must-dos, and more people to move between resorts. I’ll be sharing more about planning for larger family groups in an upcoming series, so stay tuned.
Another option: the split stay
If you’re planning two or more Universal days, consider splitting your trip instead of adding Universal into your Disney vacation. You spend the first part of your trip at a Disney resort, then check out and move to a Universal hotel for the rest.
For just one Universal day, a split stay usually isn’t worth the hassle of packing up and changing hotels. For two or three days, it can make a lot of sense.
Why a split stay can be worth it
- Early Park Admission. Universal hotel guests can get into the parks up to an hour before everyone else. On a busy Epic Universe day, that head start can matter more than anything else.
- No daily commute. Every Universal hotel has free shuttles to all the parks. Several hotels are within walking distance of Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk, and some offer boat rides. Epic Universe is different: it’s a separate park a few miles away, so from those hotels you’ll take a free shuttle bus there (about 10 minutes). Either way, you skip the daily rideshare from Disney and the $35 parking fee.
- Free Express at the Premier hotels. Guests at Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific get free Express Unlimited at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (not Epic Universe). For a family, that perk can be worth hundreds of dollars a day.
- Hotels built for Epic Universe. Helios Grand Hotel has its own entrance right into Epic Universe. Stella Nova is about a 10-minute walk on a dedicated path. Terra Luna is close too, but there’s no good walking path, so most guests take the shuttle. The tradeoff is that these three hotels are a shuttle ride away from Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk.
- More flexible tickets. With three or more Universal days, you can visit Epic Universe on any of those days. A Park-to-Park ticket lets you hop between all three parks.
Which Universal hotel area should you pick?
It depends on which parks matter most to your family. Universal’s hotels sit in two areas: the main area by Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk, and the newer area by Epic Universe. Every Universal hotel includes Early Park Admission and free shuttles, so the big differences are convenience and Express.
| Stay here… | Best if… | The tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Main area (near Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) | You’re spending more time at the original parks, or you want free Express Unlimited there by staying at a Premier hotel | You’ll take a shuttle to Epic Universe, and the free Express doesn’t work there |
| Epic Universe area (Helios Grand, Stella Nova, Terra Luna) | Epic Universe is your top priority and you want the easiest start to that day | You’ll take a shuttle to the original parks, and none of these hotels include free Express, even Helios Grand |
For a trip with one day at Epic Universe and one day at Islands of Adventure, both options work. A Premier hotel in the main area gives you free Express on your Islands day, which can save a lot of time and money, especially with a bigger group. An Epic-area hotel makes your Epic morning the easiest, and Stella Nova and Terra Luna are among Universal’s more affordable hotels. I help each family weigh this based on their budget and must-dos.
Things to plan for
- Moving day. Checking out of one hotel and into another takes a chunk of time. I like to make moving day a lighter day, like a pool afternoon or an evening at CityWalk.
- Two separate bookings. Your Disney and Universal stays are booked separately. If you’re staying on Disney Vacation Club points, plan to pay for the Universal hotel separately.
- Getting between resorts. Plan a rideshare or car service with room for your luggage.
Example: a 7-day split stay
| Days | Where you’re staying | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 | Disney resort | Three Disney park days plus one rest day |
| 5 | Move to a Universal hotel | Check in, then a pool afternoon or CityWalk evening |
| 6 | Universal hotel | Epic Universe with Early Park Admission |
| 7 | Universal hotel | Islands of Adventure, or Volcano Bay for a lighter day |
Don’t forget the water park: Volcano Bay
Universal has its own water park, Volcano Bay, and it can be a great fit for a split stay or a lighter day between big park days. A 1-day ticket costs about $80 to $85 per adult, depending on the date, and you can also add Volcano Bay to some multi-day Universal tickets.
A few things to know:
- No more virtual line. Volcano Bay retired its TapuTapu wristband and virtual line system in October 2025. Rides now use regular lines, so arriving early helps.
- It’s seasonal. Volcano Bay is closed for a major refurbishment from October 26, 2026, until on or before March 24, 2027. Even outside that closure, it doesn’t open every day, so check the calendar before you plan your day around it.
Let’s plan your Disney + Universal trip
Thinking about adding Epic Universe to your Disney vacation? I’d love to help you decide what to keep, what to skip, and how to make it all flow, so you can spend your trip enjoying it instead of planning it. Reach out to WDW Magical Castles Travel and let’s start planning.
email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com for a no obligation quote.