5 Tips for Enjoying Epic Universe in the Rain

Rainy days can put a real damper on a theme park visit. Here are 5 tips for getting the most out of Epic Universe when it rains.

Rain at Epic Universe

No one likes to see storms on the forecast during their visit to Epic Universe. This is especially true if you are taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip!

The fact is that rainstorms are relatively common in Florida. A shower could pop up any time during the summer and during hurricane season. Light rain won’t disrupt your plans, but a storm can cause delays in ride operations.

But, rain doesn’t mean that your trip has to be a wash. I (Kate) have been to Epic Universe 3 times, and there has been rain ALL three times. My travel party and I have learned a lot about how to make it work despite the weather and have had 3 awesome visits, even with storm delays! Here are tips for getting the most out of your visit to Epic Universe when it rains.

Tip 1: Bring Ponchos

Ponchos are 100% worth bringing along. They are super easy to pack in a small bag and bring along with you, and even the cheapest ponchos can make a big difference in sparing you from dealing with sopping clothing.

Order the compact-sized ponchos instead of the larger ones. There are some out there that are folded down to a size smaller than a cell phone.

The theme parks sell them, but they are pricey and they are not easily packable, in my opinion. It is so much easier and more cost-effective to use the little ones.

If you are concerned about shoes, you could also bring along waterproof shoe covers. There are plenty of disposable options, and these also pack easily. Also, consider a stroller cover if you are bringing a stroller.

Many attractions will remain operational during the rain, provided there are no dangerous conditions. A poncho can allow you to happily continue enjoying these rides without having to sit directly in a wet seat and help you stay dry as you get from place to place without getting soaked.

Tip 2: Understand Ride Operations and Plan Accordingly

As I mentioned, a little rain shower will not disrupt most operations at Epic Universe. However, if extreme conditions like dangerously high winds or lightning are detected within a certain radius of the area, outdoor attractions will close for inclement weather!

If there is a threat of a weather delay, attraction operators will begin making announcements that, for your safety, the ride may be suspended operations for inclement weather. This lets you know that you might not make it onto the ride before it closes. If the ride does go down, an additional announcement will be made, and the ride will stop loading.

Once the delay begins, you can choose to stay in line. However, you need to know that typically the attraction must remain closed until the all clear has been given for at least 30 minutes. Then, attraction operators must test the attraction for safety checks.

So know that if a ride closes for weather, you are likely going to be waiting at lest 45 minutes for it to reopen, assuming the inclement weather passes quickly. If this is the case. you might be better served to head to an indoor experience, including select attractions, a show, or a meal.

Tip 3: Know What Stays Open During Bad Weather

If you are keeping an eye on the weather and suspect a storm is coming, it is prudent to get to a good location ahead of the crowds. Therefore, it is good to know what may remain open during a weather delay. At Epic Universe, there are only a few options.

Very few attractions stay open during a weather delay.

Attractions that Stay Open

It is easier to remember what remains open than it is to remember what closes. Rides that stay open include: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Dark Universe, Constellation Carousel in Celestial Park, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge in Super Nintendo World, and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. These attractions have indoor queues as well.

Shows that Stay Open

You can also rely on shows to remain open. These include Le Cirque Arcanus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic and The Untrainable Dragon in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. You can read our review of the shows HERE. The queue for Le Cirque Arcanus is completely covered. The queue area for Untrainable Dragon is partially covered.

Dining

If there is an inclement weather warning, it may also be a good idea to go ahead and make a mobile order and enjoy a nice meal and a dry place to hang out if you can’t experience the attraction right away. Most restaurants offer indoor or covered seating options.

Shops

You could also use the opportunity to go shopping. However, many retail locations remain open even after the restaurants and rides close, so if you are trying to make the most of your time, stick with food and attractions.

Tip 4: Keep an Eye on Your Weather App

That said, if you have a reliable weather app, go ahead and prepare for what could happen and try to stay a step ahead. If you are reasonably certain a deluge is on the way, get to where you want to be before the crowds head there. After all, there are precious few options, and people will eventually flock to them.

You can even plan strategically. If you know afternoon storms are expected, hit the outdoor attractions on your “must-do” list early and save your indoor must-dos for the rain delay. Plan your meals for projected stormy times, too!

Also, if your weather app helps you see when storms have passed, keep an eye on the Universal app for attractions to reopen. So far, Fire Drill typically takes the least time to reopen once it is declared safe, and Stardust Racers typically takes the most time. (But that trend might change as time goes on).

Tip 5: Wait it Out

If you can, wait it out. Stay comfortable and dry during the delays and see what happens. Storms come and go relatively quickly in Florida.

Many people give up and leave when the rain starts. They might simply have gotten drenched and uncomfortable. Or they might not want to wait around while everything closes, especially if there are not more than a few hours of operation left in the day.

If you are staying at Helios, leaving and coming back later also makes sense because it is so quick and easy to go back and forth when conditions improve. Stella Nova and Terra Luna might also make sense, depending on your luck with buses. But unless there are several hours of operation left in the day, going back and forth from other locations won’t make sense in many cases.

Those who stick around are often rewarded with lower crowd levels and even lower temperatures. It can be a great time to be in the parks in terms of waits.

Final Thoughts

With any luck, you will have all clear skies during your visit to Epic Universe. But even if it rains, good research, a little preparation, and a flexible mindset will help you to pivot on the fly when weather delays strike!

Have you ever been caught in bad weather in a theme park? What are your best tips for making the most of the day? Let us know, and share this article with your friends and family so they are prepared.