Epic Universe Survival Guide: A Travel Planner’s Secrets You Won’t Hear Anywhere Else

Planning a trip to Epic Universe? Don’t go in blind. In this episode of the Just Some BS Podcast, Brandon brings back Hank from Outer Rim Travels — a full-time travel planner who attended Universal’s Travel Planner Preview Day and has already spent multiple days inside the brand-new park. This is the most practical, honest, and hype-free breakdown of Epic Universe you’ll hear anywhere. Hank covers: • The REAL first impressions of Epic Universe • Why Celestial Park feels shockingly “Disney-level” • How to use Helios Grand’s private entrance the right way • Which rides break down most often (and how to time them right) • The truth about Early Entry strategy • Stardust Racers vs VelociCoaster • Mine-Cart Madness tips + what to expect from Donkey Kong • The ride he didn’t expect to be his #1 favorite • Why Dark Universe is a must at night • Which food is actually worth eating (and what made his… uh… bathroom glow) • Whether Express Pass is worth the cost • Which two portals you should pair together each day • What families need to know about stairs, queues, and pacing • The biggest mistakes first-timers make If you’re heading to Epic Universe in 2025 or 2026, this is your entire playbook. 00:00 – Intro & Hank moving to Orlando 01:00 – First impressions of Epic Universe 02:25 – Helios Grand: private entrance + early access strategy 04:40 – Rides breaking down & how to time Ministry of Magic 06:10 – Room quality, pricing & Disney comparisons 08:10 – Celestial Park vs main gate experience 10:20 – Coasters: Stardust, VelociCoaster & ride intensity 13:25 – Curse of the Werewolf and screen-based rides 15:15 – Dark Universe: fear factor & nighttime vibe 17:50 – Super Nintendo World impressions + Mine-Cart Madness 22:20 – How to Train Your Dragon: rides, show & world design 25:10 – Express Pass truth & crowd strategy 27:45 – Ride order: what to do first and why 31:00 – Nighttime fountains, lighting & ambiance 33:20 – Food breakdown: best items in every portal 37:00 – Hidden lore, Easter eggs & park storytelling 40:20 – Merch, stores & shopping tips 42:40 – How many days do you really need? 45:00 – Splitting portals across trip days 48:00 – Hank’s top 3 rides at Epic Universe 51:45 – Planning pitfalls & final pro tips 55:00 – Where to find Hank from Outer Rim Travels 🎙️ Like what you heard? This podcast is just one part of the Just Some BS universe. Follow host Brandon Stanchock for weekly BS-free takes on leadership, personal growth, company culture, AI, gaming, and more. 👊 Subscribe to the podcast 🧠 Level up with Growth-ish Mentorship 🎮 Check out the book: Gamers: The Unexpected Overachievers 🧢 Grab some weird merch that actually means something 📱 Connect on LinkedIn: Brandon Stanchock 🔗 All links: linktr.ee/BrandonStanchock Your Potential. Your Rules. Stay Weird.