As anticipation builds for Universal Orlando Resort’s massive new theme park, Epic Universe, a new revelation has visitors wondering if their experience will be as seamless as they hoped.
A Game-Changing Expansion
Epic Universe marks Universal’s boldest move yet to rival Disney, introducing a multi-park experience that fully immerses guests in some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment. The park’s hub, Celestial Park, is a sprawling, futuristic space filled with lush landscapes, water features, and high-speed attractions. But it’s the themed lands that are generating the most buzz.
At SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests can explore a real-life Mushroom Kingdom, race through Bowser’s Castle, and take on a new Donkey Kong mine cart ride. Meanwhile, horror fans will find thrills in Dark Universe, where Frankenstein’s monster and other classic movie monsters have been given a modern, immersive twist.
The park will also expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a Parisian setting inspired by Fantastic Beasts alongside the Ministry of Magic, adding yet another chapter to the ever-growing Potterverse. Rounding out the lineup is How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, a family-friendly land featuring Viking villages, interactive experiences, and what appears to be an animatronic Toothless.
Virtual Queues Raise Eyebrows
With a lineup this stacked, it’s no surprise that crowds are expected to be overwhelming when the park opens. However, fans have discovered a potential obstacle to their experience—the use of virtual queues throughout Epic Universe.
Yesterday, Universal Orlando Resort quietly updated its park map to include Epic Universe, and fans immediately spotted a controversial detail: a virtual queue symbol next to every land in the park.
While it remains unclear whether every land will require a virtual queue just to enter, the symbol’s presence across the entire park suggests that Universal is leaning heavily into a system that will regulate guest flow.
Theme park industry insiders have pointed out that Universal has experience with virtual queue technology, most notably at Volcano Bay, where guests use a TapuTapu wristband system to hold their place in line (although it’s worth noting that this system is apparently on pause right now). Disney has also implemented virtual queues extensively, including for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which only recently dropped its virtual boarding groups four years after opening.
Fans Express Concern Over Accessibility
The theme park community has long been divided on virtual queues. While they reduce long waits and allow guests to explore instead of standing in line, they can also make securing a spot on a ride feel like a high-stakes competition—especially when demand far exceeds availability.
Many Universal fans were quick to voice their concerns on social media.
“So, you have to purchase a 3-day ticket to get to Epic Universe, and then you need a virtual line to get INTO the actual lands?” said one X, formerly known as Twitter, user. “This, by logical conclusion, also means virtual queue for the rides.”
Universal has yet to officially confirm how the system will work or if virtual queues will be mandatory for every ride. However, the mere possibility of limited standby lines is enough to leave some fans uneasy.
A System Still in Development
While Universal has not provided full details on how Epic Universe’s virtual queues will function, the move signals a shift in how major theme parks manage crowds for high-demand attractions.
Until more information is released, it remains to be seen whether this system will enhance the guest experience—or create more headaches for visitors eager to explore Universal’s biggest expansion yet.
Do you think Epic Universe should use virtual queues?
