The 2 BIGGEST Epic Universe Express Pass Ride Changes You Need To Know (And The ONE Ride Still Excluded)
Planning your trip to Universal’s Epic Universe? As of December 19, 2025, the Express Pass system for Universal Orlando’s newest theme park has undergone several crucial adjustments since its grand opening, fundamentally changing how you should plan your day. These policy shifts, driven by guest demand and operational adjustments, directly impact which attractions you can skip the line for and, perhaps more importantly, how much you should budget for this premium add-on.
The biggest news revolves around two major E-Ticket attractions that have recently been added to the Express Pass lineup, significantly increasing the pass’s value, while one high-profile ride remains stubbornly excluded from the system. Understanding these specific changes—and the dynamic pricing that governs the cost—is absolutely essential for maximizing your time and money at Celestial Park and its four surrounding worlds.
The Two Major Rides Recently ADDED to the Express Pass Lineup
When Universal’s Epic Universe first opened, a handful of its most popular, high-capacity rides were conspicuously absent from the Express Pass system. This created long standby wait times in key areas like Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal has since responded to guest feedback and operational data by integrating two major attractions into the Express Pass portfolio, a move that provides much-needed relief to the park’s most crowded lands.
1. Mine-Cart Madness (Super Nintendo World)
The addition of Mine-Cart Madness to the Express Pass is arguably the most significant change for guests prioritizing Super Nintendo World. This attraction, a thrilling and highly immersive roller coaster experience, was initially reserved for the standby line only, leading to multi-hour waits during peak periods.
- Impact: Guests can now use their Epic Universe Express Pass to bypass the regular queue for this marquee attraction. This is a game-changer for touring Super Nintendo World, allowing visitors to save critical time that can be used for interactive experiences like collecting digital coins with the Power-Up Band or enjoying the quick-service dining at Toadstool Cafe.
- Land: Super Nintendo World
- Attraction Type: Roller Coaster
2. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (Wizarding World)
The centerpiece attraction of the park’s newest Wizarding World land has also been officially integrated into the Express Pass system. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is a highly anticipated dark ride that combines cutting-edge technology and massive show scenes to transport guests into the heart of the British Ministry of Magic.
- Impact: This inclusion is critical for fans of the franchise. Given the immense popularity of all Wizarding World attractions across Universal Orlando, having Express Pass access to Battle at the Ministry ensures that guests can experience the ride without dedicating a substantial portion of their day to the queue.
- Land: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
- Attraction Type: State-of-the-Art Dark Ride
The ONE Major Attraction Still EXCLUDED from Express Pass
While the addition of Mine-Cart Madness and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry has substantially increased the value proposition of the Express Pass, one major E-Ticket ride remains stubbornly absent from the list. This exclusion is a crucial detail for all guests planning their day at the park.
Dragon Racer’s Rally (How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk)
As of the most recent updates, Dragon Racer’s Rally is the only major ride at Epic Universe that does not currently accept the Express Pass. This exclusion means that all guests, regardless of whether they purchase the premium pass, must utilize the standby queue for this attraction.
- Why the Exclusion? While Universal has not provided an official, detailed reason, this policy is likely a strategic decision to manage crowd flow in the How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk land. By keeping one of the land's main thrill rides off the Express Pass, Universal can distribute the crowds more evenly across the park and encourage guests to explore the land’s other offerings, such as Fyre Drill and Viking Training Camp, which do accept the Express Pass.
- The Ride: Dragon Racer’s Rally is a dueling coaster experience where two separate coaster tracks race and interact, offering a high-thrill experience. If this ride is a priority for your group, be prepared to tackle the standby line, preferably early in the morning or late in the evening.
A Full Breakdown of Express Pass Inclusions by Land
Beyond the major additions and the single exclusion, the Epic Universe Express Pass provides line-skipping access to the vast majority of the park’s attractions. It’s important to note that the Express Pass for Epic Universe is typically a once-per-ride pass, meaning you can use it one time for each eligible attraction, a difference from the Unlimited option available at the original Universal parks.
Celestial Park
The central hub of the park features attractions that are all included with the Express Pass, making it easy to quickly experience the park's entrance area.
- Stardust Racers: The park's signature dual-track coaster that weaves through Celestial Park.
- Constellation Carousel: The visually stunning, grand carousel centerpiece.
Dark Universe
This land, themed around Universal’s classic monsters, has its main thrill ride included, which is a major time-saver.
- Curse of the Werewolf: A high-speed, indoor/outdoor family coaster experience.
- Monsters: The main, large-scale dark ride experience of the land.
Super Nintendo World
With the recent addition, this land is now almost fully covered, which is essential given its popularity.
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: The interactive augmented reality dark ride.
- Yoshi’s Adventure: The gentle, family-friendly scenic ride.
- Mine-Cart Madness: (RECENTLY ADDED) The thrilling mine cart coaster.
How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
While the most thrilling coaster is excluded, the other attractions are included, ensuring you can still enjoy the land efficiently.
- Fyre Drill: The interactive water battle attraction.
- Viking Training Camp: The large play area (Express Pass is often offered for the entrance/exit).
- Dragon Racer’s Rally: (EXCLUDED) The dueling coaster.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
The full Express Pass inclusion here is a huge win for guests.
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry: (RECENTLY ADDED) The land’s main E-Ticket attraction.
The Reality of Express Pass Cost and Dynamic Pricing
The most important factor to consider alongside the Express Pass ride changes is the cost. The Express Pass for Epic Universe is subject to dynamic pricing, meaning the price fluctuates daily based on projected crowd levels, seasonality, and demand.
- Price Range: Express Pass prices can vary dramatically, typically ranging from $179.99 to over $360 per person, per day, in addition to your park admission ticket.
- When to Buy: The pass is most expensive during peak season (summer, holidays, and school breaks) and significantly cheaper during off-peak weekdays. If you are visiting during a high-demand period, the Express Pass, despite its high cost, is often the only way to experience all the major attractions in a single day.
- Value Proposition: With the recent addition of Mine-Cart Madness and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, the value of the Epic Universe Express Pass has increased substantially. It now covers nearly every major, high-wait attraction, making the investment much easier to justify for those seeking to maximize their time and avoid long standby lines.
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