Hoppin’ news! Universal Epic Universe is now open — and you can save on your Universal Orlando tickets when you purchase through Undercover Tourist, up to $88 per ticket!
Universal Epic Universe is a mind-blowing theme park with five wondrous worlds to explore. From the decrepit streets of Darkmoor to the breathtaking beauty of Berk and everything in between, you're going to want to spend a lot of time exploring every nook and cranny of Universal Orlando Resort's frogtastic fourth gate. That being said, one of the most important things you can do once you've entered through the Emerald Gate is to make sure that you keep cool. Central Florida's climate is no joke — especially in the summer — and the last thing you want ruining an epic day is dehydration (or worse!). Thankfully, it's easy to find ways to beat the heat here. Let's break down our top tips on how to stay cool at Epic Universe.
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Overview of Orlando's Climate
One of the biggest draws of Orlando is the city's year-round sunny, mild weather and subtropical climate. (It is in the Sunshine State, after all!) Central Florida tends to maintain a comfortable average annual temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. While winters are mild and dry, summers are hot and humid with afternoon showers. From June to August, average highs range from 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity. This is why it's important to stay hydrated, wear light clothing and take advantage of early morning and late evening outings when temperatures are lower.
Orlando weather can change rapidly, especially in the summer. A sunny morning with clear blue skies can quickly turn into a rainy afternoon ... followed by clear skies again! We recommend checking the daily forecast and being prepared for both sun and showers during the day.
Packing for the Heat at Epic Universe
Make sure you have a big enough backpack! Here are all the things you're going to want to bring with you to Epic Universe to help beat the heat. (All-day lockers are available both at the front of the park and at the Concierge stands in front of each of the four portals, so you don't have to lug everything around the entire day.)
Sunscreen
Lather it on in the morning (on your body and face!), but also be sure to pack it. Take some time to reapply it every two hours. Good news: if you froget, you can find it at merchandise stands all around the park and at your Universal Orlando hotel. The last thing you want is to leave the park looking as red as Hookfang!
Hats and Sunglasses
Protecting your face and eyes from the sun's harsh rays is imperative. We frogs love dressing up in outfits inspired by our favorite characters at this park, so you can even go all out with themed sun-blocking accessories! (Hello, bat sunglasses I've been eyeing on Amazon.) If tying up your hair is a must-do for you, make sure to score a hat with a hole for your ponytail.
You'll be asked to remove your hat on most rides, but glasses can stay on as long as you're wearing them over your eyes (and not on the top of your head). If you decide to wear your glasses on rides, we highly recommend a strap to prevent them from falling off mid-ride. (Note that on Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, a visor and attachable AR lenses are part of the attraction's experience.)
Lightweight, Quick-Dry Clothing
Leave the denim, cotton and dark colors at home. You're going to want to wear clothing that breathes while visiting Epic Universe. Moisture-wicking pieces, such as tank tops and bicycle shorts (or anything that prevents chafing) are going to be your best friend. You're especially going to want quick-dry clothing if you're planning on hopping on Fyre Drill!
While we're on the subject of clothing, you must keep your shoes at all times — even on attractions such as Stardust Racers and Fyre Drill. Be sure to wear (or pack) shoes that you're OK with getting wet, but will also stay on your feet!
Refillable Water Bottles
I never enter a theme park without it. With tons of water refill stations and Coca-Cola Freestyle machines (which allow you to grab water and ice for free) throughout the park, filling up your water bottle is a piece of cake. You can even purchase a collapsible water bottle that folds up when empty to save room in your backpack!
Cooling Accessories
From portable misting fans to neck fans to cooling towels, packing a little extra something that will help you stay cool at Epic Universe is incredibly worth it, especially when waiting in lines. If you somehow manage to froget, Universal has you covered. Toothless and Light Fury tail fans are available at merch stands throughout the park, along with a variety of other cooling accessories.
Tips to Stay Cool at Epic Universe
You don't have to wait for Apollo to pass the torch to Luna for the night to find some respite from the sun. Here are our top tips for staying cool at Epic Universe.
1. Stay Hydrated
Lucky for you, we have an entire blog devoted to staying hydrated at Epic Universe! From those aforementioned refillable water bottles and Coca-Cola Freestyle machines to more fun drinks, such as Beau Thé Blue d'Occamy and Le Breuvage Sombre du Gobelet Noir in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, there's plenty of refreshing beverages around the park to keep you from getting dehydrated. Just remember that water is the best option. While you can supplement with sugary and alcoholic drinks, too many can actually dehydrate you.
2. Grab a Bièraubeurre or Cold Treat
Speaking of fun beverages, Butterbeer has made its way to 1920s Paris in the form of Bièraubeurre (the same thing — but in French!). You can get it cold (Froide) or frozen (Glacée) and even dairy-free.
That's not all, though! There are tons of frozen treats available around the park to keep you cool throughout the day. One of our absolute favorites is the DK Crush Float at The Bubbly Barrel in Donkey Kong Country (available with or without the fun souvenir mug), but we also adore the mouthwatering array of ice cream flavors at Frosty Moon. Also, don't sleep on the smoothies at Yoshi's Snack Island and ICEEs at Spit Fyre Grill!
3. Take Frequent Breaks
While you may feel a desire to consistently hop from ride to ride, taking some time out of your day to chill out is paramount to having a successful day at Epic Universe. Grab a bench next to the relaxing Cosmos Fountain, pull up a chair at CelesTiki or Bar Zenith or stop by Hooligan Harbor Hideaway and watch as boat battle ensues at Berk's Fyre Skool. Carving out a few minutes to catch your breath, cool off, drink some water and reapply sunscreen will help you feel significantly more energized throughout the day.
4. Eat a Late Lunch
The hottest part of the day is normally going to fall between 2 and 3 p.m. Grab some snacks before then, such as the Warm-Hearted Cinnamon Bites at De Lacey's Cottage, Koopa Troopa Calzones at Yoshi's Snack Island or anything at Starbucks, and plan your mid-day meal when the sun really starts beaming down. Mobile order from one of the many delicious quick-service options, such as The Oak & Star Tavern or Café L'air de la Sirène or use this time to try one of the phenomenal table-service locations: Atlantic or The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant.
5. Hit the Water Ride, or Hang Out at the Splash Pad
There's truly no better way to get cool during a hot summer day than by getting a little wet. In the heart of Epic Universe, aka Celestial Park, you'll find Astronomica, an interactive wet-play attraction designed as a compass rose that points to the portals and attractions around the whole park. (It even comes alive with light, color and music at night!) Over in How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, stop by Berk's Fyre Skool and test your fire-extinguishing skills on Fyre Drill, a wet and wild boat battle commandeered by resident chaos twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, that is sure you get you absolutely drenched. (Hit the blue targets for maximum soakage!)
6. Seek Air Conditioning Whenever Possible
It's not rocket science. The best way to completely avoid the sun, however, is to completely stay out of it. From merchandise locations (Other Worlds Mercantile, Mario Motors, Pretorius' Scientific Oddities, K. Rammelle, Hiccup's Workshop, etc.) to restaurants (Pizza Moon, Toadstool Cafe, Das Stakehaus, Le Gobelet Noir, Mead Hall, etc.), there are lots of places to escape the heat. Not to mention — barring extended queues — a fair number of attractions are completely indoors. Run to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Le Cirque Arcanus or The Untrainable Dragon if you're looking for some much-needed air conditioning.
Another cool experience you can undergo indoors is the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience in Dark Universe. Let the discloses of Dr. Septimus Pretorius transform you into a vampire, werewolf or something even more fashionably monstrous. This terrifying transformation is available to monster lovers 5 and up.
Best Epic Universe Attractions for Staying Cool
Hop to these epic attractions when temperatures start getting too high.
- Astronomica (water play area)
- Constellation Carousel (covered outdoor queue and ride)
- Curse of the Werewolf (covered outdoor queue and ride)
- Fyre Drill (water ride)
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (indoor queue and ride)
- Hiccup's Wing Gliders (partially covered outdoor queue and ride)
- Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge (indoor queue and ride)
- Mine-Cart Madness (covered outdoor queue and ride)
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (indoor queue and ride)
- Stardust Racers (covered outdoor queue and ride)
- Le Cirque Arcanus (indoor show)
- The Untrainable Dragon (indoor show)
What are your favorite ways to stay cool at Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Favorite Ways to Stay Cool at Universal Orlando
Hoppy planning!
