BEYOND THIS GATE FIND GARDENS GREEN AND EPIC WORLDS TO FILL YOUR DREAMS
Universal Epic Universe officially opens TODAY, and earlier this month work bestie T and I were invited for a preview visit. Friends, this isn’t just another theme park. It’s a multiverse of five breathtaking worlds, each more immersive than the last!
🪄Celestial Park
🪄Super Nintendo World
🪄Dark Universe
🪄How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk
🪄The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Let’s dive in.
Celestial Park
Celestial Park is the cosmic heart of Epic Universe. In this hub you’ll find shopping, dining, live entertainment, and Helios Grand Hotel. There are two attractions: Stardust Racers – dual launch coaster – and the family-friendly Constellation Carousel. Be sure to take in a fountain show during the day and at night.
But most importantly, within Celestial Park are the portals to the other four worlds.
Super Nintendo World
Once you enter the portal to Super Nintendo World, you’ll literally be transported into the Mario Bros. video game. The sights and sounds come alive all at once. This world is multi-level (lots of stairs!), and the vertical design (just like in the game) adds to the immersive experience.
Attractions in this world include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, which is an interactive VR attraction; Mine-Cart Madness, which is a launch coaster themed to Donkey Kong; and Yoshi’s Adventure for the littlest fans.
Be sure to purchase PowerUp Bands to play games and earn 3 keys to fight Bowser Jr. You’ll keep track of your points and your keys in the app. The “fight” is a team effort and uses body movement. So much fun!
Dark Universe
Hands down, Dark Universe is my favorite world. It features the classic monsters my generation grew up with (think Frankenstein, Wolfman, and the Invisible Man), but reimagines them for new generations. The detail in this world is immaculate, and a rainy afternoon added to the ambiance.
Attractions here include Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which I think is the best attraction in the park. Change my mind, ha! The storyline follows Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiment gone awry. The ride mechanics are similar to that of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, but the storytelling in both the queue and on the ride itself is much more intense! The other attraction is spinning coaster Curse of the Werewolf that tears through the Dark Forest.
My only regret is that after two days in the park, I did not get to experience Darkmoor Village after dark. I’ll just have to return soon. 😉
How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk
I remember watching How to Train Your Dragon when the teens were littles. And stepping into this world brought back so many memories. It is true to the film and the character interactions are so much fun!
The attractions here include Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a mild coaster that soars above and around the Isle of Berk; Dragon Racer’s Rally, the thrilling Viking-made dragon-riding trainer; and Fyre Drill, a boat battle where teams of Vikings compete to outscore and out-soak each other.
Viking Training Camp is a sprawling, interactive adventure play camp. If you need the littles to burn off some energy, this would be a great option!
This land also features the show The Untrainable Dragon. What we saw was Epic! However, halfway through the animatronics failed and we had to evacuate the theatre. Remember, we were there during a preview! For the inconvenience we were gifted an Express Pass.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic exceeded expectations! Here, you’ll encounter fantastic beasts as you explore wizarding Paris in the 1920s, then take the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry in the 1990s for new thrills with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
The themeing in this world is phenomenal, and even extends to the restrooms!
The attraction in this world is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry in which your mission is to help stop Delores Umbridge. The queue alone is worth the wait!
This world is also home to Le Cirque Arcanus show where you come face to face with fantastic beats in a spectacular mix of live performers, puppetry, and special effects. Such fun details with interesting props under the big top as you wait in queue.
Of course just like in the other two parks, there are interactive wand experiences throughout this world.
Final Thoughts
During this experience I had several pinch-me moments. It has been profound observing Epic Universe go from concept to reality, executed with immaculate detail. The addition of Epic Universe transforms Universal Orlando Resort from a 3-4 day destination to 5-6 days easily!
For the full experience, you need more than one day in Epic Universe, even with Express Passes (sold separately for Epic). If time is limited, I highly recommend upgrading to a shared or private VIP Tour.
Note that the following attractions/shows do not utilize Express Passes:
- Dragon Racer’s Rally
- Minecraft Madness
- Harry Potter Battle at the Ministry
As with any new park, there are bound to be growing pains. An attraction or show may go down. The best advice I can give is to pivot and enjoy the rest of the park. There is so much to see and do!
If you’re thinking of a 2025 or 2026 visit to Universal Orlando Resort, I’d love to help! As part of my service, I assist with developing park strategies to make the most of your vacation investment.
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Helios Grand Hotel / Epic Universe
As a full-service travel agent, I would love to be of assistance to you. I am passionate about what I do and pour that energy into crafting perfectly planned itineraries for you. Email ebony@familytraveladventuresllc.com to learn more.
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