I’m on the ground inside Epic Universe for the first few days of paid previews of the new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort. This third gate features groundbreaking attractions and lands based on Nintendo, Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Monsters & more. Follow along here for the ride, with day and night photos & video to introduce each area of the new park.
Epic Universe joins the Universal Orlando Resort lineup alongside its two established theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. There’s also Volcano Bay Water Park and 11 resort hotels–the majority of which were built in the last decade in anticipation of this new park turning Universal Orlando into a destination resort.
For its part, Epic Universe features five themed lands: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The park is situated on a 750-acre site with ample expansion pads, making it the Universal site with the largest footprint in the United States. At opening, it features 11 rides and two major shows, plus a wide variety of atmospheric entertainment, play areas, and more.
Ahead of Epic Universe’s official opening on May 22, 2025, the park has been in previews for the last month-plus. This started with Team Member previews that ran for over a month, through mid-April 2025. For the first several weeks of these, there was a strict ban of photography and video. Mercifully so, for fans like me who like to avoid spoilers. That ban was lifted a couple weeks ago, and there’s been a surge of coverage since.
The dam will break and that’ll turn into a deluge going forward, as paid previews are now underway. These invite Annual Passholders, 2025 Military Freedom Pass Ticket Holders, Universal VISA Card members. and guests staying at any Universal Orlando hotel can purchase tickets to access Epic Universe during its preview period.
If you’re feeling left out, don’t worry! Additional audiences will be able to purchase tickets to preview the groundbreaking new theme park in the weeks ahead. (That probably means Florida residents. I somehow doubt they’re going to extend previews to guests staying on-site at Walt Disney World.)
Speaking of staying on-site, to get the full experience, I also booked a room at Universal Helios Grand Hotel. This in-park resort overlooks Epic Universe and is a great place to stay when visiting the new theme park. I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve my first night here, trying to get peeks of the park that I couldn’t yet visit. It was a fun tease!
See We’re Live from Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Epic Universe’s In-Park Resort (Photos & Video) for more.
To say theme park fans are anxiously awaiting Epic Universe would be a massive understatement. It’s the first new theme park opened by Disney or Universal in Central Florida in the 2000s (Islands of Adventure and Animal Kingdom debuted in the late 1990s), and in the entire United States since Disney California Adventure debuted back in 2001. Suffice to say, theme park fans are hopeful this will go a bit better than the boondoggle that was DCA 1.0!
Rest assured, Epic Universe is better than the OG Disney’s California Adventure. Or at least, it’s better than the version of DCA that we first experienced in 2010, which was already an improvement over the opening day iteration of the park. But this isn’t exactly breaking news. Anyone who has taken a cursory look at Epic Universe coverage thus far already knew it was better than that much-maligned park.
Both Disney and Universal learned a lot of lessons from the underbuilt parks of the early aughts, making the real question if Epic Universe lives up to its own hype and is better than the more recent parks that have opened in Asia. Specifically, whether Epic Universe is as good or better than Universal Studios Beijing, Shanghai Disneyland, or even Tokyo DisneySea?
Fair warning: I will not be answering any of those questions just yet. More accurately, I cannot answer them. While my first impression of Epic Universe is almost unequivocally positive, and this is the best Universal park I’ve ever experienced, I’m not even close to 100% confident in where I’d rank it among the world’s best theme parks.
Beyond that, a new theme park is a rare beast that’s best enjoyed, not nitpicked. If I spotted a Woolly Mammoth and Dodo Bird in the wild, I wouldn’t immediately think: “look at that dumb bird, no wonder it’s extinct. It has X, Y, and Z evolutionary faults! I hope that big furry elephant with mouth-horns eats it. And speaking of which, that pachyderm design seems woefully antiquated!”
Point being, I’m a theme park fan first and foremost, as opposed to a themed design critic. I’m entirely in hype mode for the first couple of days at Epic Universe, savoring this majestic beast and knowing the ‘new major theme park’ phenomenon is a rarity–something unlikely to repeat itself in Central Florida in my lifetime. I’ve been excited for this since 2019, thought it was dead in 2020, and have somehow managed to mostly meaningful avoid spoilers for the last couple weeks.
Since I’m in hype mode, I shouldn’t be offering commentary just yet. I’ve made that mistake in the past and, almost without fail, have gotten carried away by the excitement of the shiny new thing. That doesn’t do anyone any favors.
It can set unrealistic expectations that the thing cannot possibly live up to, leading to disproportionate disappointment (as opposed to zero expectations whatsoever). So all I’ll say at this point is that Universal Orlando’s third gate is better than DCA was in 2010 and that I’m pretty pleased with Epic Universe thus far. I’ll undoubtedly have slightly more comprehensive critique in the weeks to come, so stay tuned.
Speaking of spoilers, this post will be spoiler-free when it comes to the attractions themselves. Meaning no on-ride photos or video. Given how meticulously Epic Universe has otherwise been documented and promoted, everything else except on-ride Epic Universe content is fair game. (You’ve been warned.)
I’m not basing this decision on reader feedback; the vast majority of fans couldn’t care less about seeing spoilers. Nevertheless, spoiler-free is how I like to experience new lands, parks, and attractions. There’s also the selfish side of it, as I like to experience my first ride-through (or few) not through a viewfinder or screen. (It also helps that photos aren’t allowed on the vast majority of Epic Universe rides.)
The point of all this is to give you an idea of what to expect from Epic Universe, get a lay of the lands, and–frankly–help the hype train gain more steam for Epic Universe. Maybe convince a few of you fence-sitters to do previews too, as I believe this is a fantastic and rare opportunity. At least, so long as you go in with realistic expectations, understanding it’s still a technical rehearsal subject to delays and downtime, and know there’s a good chance you won’t get to experience Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
Oh and it also gives you a chance to ask questions about Epic Universe, let me know what you’d like to learn about the park, etc., while I’m still there so I can tailor my plans (at least to some extent) around that. I already have a pretty good idea of what readers likely want to learn (separate lists ranking the best bathrooms in each land), but it’s always good to solicit feedback. There are already a few comments on the Helios Grand hotel post asking about things I wouldn’t have thought to check or address. So I’m sure the same will be true with the park itself.
Enough with the preface, let’s head inside Universal Epic Universe! (Most of the text that follows is the official descriptions of these lands and attractions for the sake of expediency since time is limited.)
Celestial Park
At the heart of the park and the first world guests will encounter is Celestial Park, which has been dubbed the “Cosmic Nexus of Universal Epic Universe.” With acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways, Celestial Park aims to put the “park” back in “theme park.”
As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they’ll embark on a journey of discovery, thrills and excitement as they wander through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements. Here, guests can relax while taking in the sights and sounds around them, board a shooting comet for an exhilarating roller coaster adventure, dine on delectable cuisine, shop exclusive merchandise to commemorate their visit and more.
Celestial Park will be the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe – each bringing to life extraordinary adventures that go beyond guests’ wildest imaginations. Through a set of majestic portals that capture the imagination and creativity of each world, guests will embark on a transformative experience as they journey from Celestial Park to the rest of Epic Universe’s themed lands.
Here are additional details about some of the other wonders guests can enjoy while exploring Celestial Park:
Starfall Racers – a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Starfall Racers will be Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the “Celestial Spin,” in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air, creating an otherworldly adrenaline rush.
Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.
Astronomica – an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests.
Super Nintendo World
The portal to Super Nintendo World transports guests through the iconic green pipe into the immersive land. As guests emerge from the pipe, vibrant scenery and exciting kinetic energy surround them as they are greeted by the familiar sights and sounds that they’ve experienced on their Nintendo game consoles – from the towering Mt. Beanpole and majestic Peach’s Castle to swaying Piranha Plants, pacing Goombas, spinning coins, ? Blocks and more.
Inside Super Nintendo World, guests will be able to explore Super Mario Land – where they’ll enjoy adventures alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and other characters; and Donkey Kong Country – where they’ll encounter thrills featuring Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong and other members of the Kong family.
The colorful landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom come to life in Super Mario Land, where guests can experience:
Yoshi’s Adventure: The delightful Yoshi’s Adventure attraction will make its U.S. debut when SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Epic Universe. On this family-friendly ride, guests of all ages will enjoy breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs – encountering many familiar characters along the way.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Guests are invited to join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented reality, projection mapping technology and elaborate environments to bring the fun of the Mario Kart video game series to life in a compelling ride-through experience.
Guests up for the challenge will enter through Bowser’s Castle – where they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s deceptive plans to stack the odds in his favor – before boarding their kart and heading to the starting line. Then, guests steer through a variety of Mario Kart courses – collecting coins, tossing shells at Team Bowser, dodging obstacles, and more – as they join their favorite characters and compete to help Team Mario win the race.
Mine-Cart Madness: Guests will hop into a mine cart and careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind family coaster.
Utilizing an unprecedented ride system, innovative technology and a unique coaster design, Mine-Cart Madness will send riders on a thrilling adventure where they will experience the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the video games – including getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly jumping over gaps as they speed along a rickety track, and so much more.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Guests will first journey from a Muggle park in Paris into the breathtaking spectacle of 1920’s Place Cachée – a hidden, bustling shopping district in wizarding Paris lined with Haussmannian buildings, shops, sidewalk cafés, and historic Parisian domes rising in the distance.
Here, wizards and non-magiques alike will be enamored with the majestic grandeur and enchanting ambiance of the city as they cast dazzling spells throughout the magical streets using interactive wands, encounter fantastic beasts at a traveling circus, and – for the first time ever within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – travel across countries and time to 1990s London using the Métro-Floo for a thrilling adventure set inside the iconic British Ministry of Magic.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will feature the unmatched levels of immersion and attention to detail fans have come to expect from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Here are the exciting new wonders waiting to be discovered in Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic:
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – With its unique combination of massive environments, powerful storytelling and first-of-its-kind ride technology, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry builds upon the historic theme park innovation Universal is known for – and will be one of its most impressive attractions to date.
The adventure begins when guests travel by Métro-Floo – a unique mode of wizarding transit inspired by the iconic Floo Network seen in the films – to journey from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge. Upon arrival, guests will enter the Ministry’s jaw-dropping grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place…until Umbridge attempts to escape.
Guests then join Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and a house-elf named Higgledy in a thrilling chase that will propel them up, down, forward, backward, sideways and more throughout the Ministry as they try to capture Umbridge – all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures and more along the way.
Le Cirque Arcanus – For the first time ever in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, guests will enjoy a live, full-scale theatre experience in the heart of the land with Le Cirque Arcanus. This spectacular show features live performers and aerialists, amazing puppetry, brilliant special effects and more to take guests on a whirlwind journey where they’ll encounter fantastic beasts like never before.
The show follows Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase – where Demiguise, Diricawl, Mooncalves and more reside – to try and bring the failing Le Cirque Arcanus back to its former glory. It’s then up to circus employee Gwenlyn to rescue these creatures before they end up in Skender’s greedy hands forever.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique – Guests can shop some of the world’s finest wands designed by esteemed artisan wandmaker, Cosme Acajor, in the premier Parisian wand shop, Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique.
In addition to popular imports from Ollivanders, visitors will find a selection of exquisite wands packaged in unique three-sided boxes – each containing a list of locations throughout the wizarding world where guests can practice casting spells.
Inspiring Wand Magic – As guests explore the streets of wizarding Paris, they can use their interactive wands to create magical experiences as they cast spells at various locations, interact with fantastic beasts such as Nifflers, Bowtruckles and a Demiguise, and engage with enchanted objects in many of the storefront windows plus other areas throughout the marvelous Place Cachée.
Captivating Entertainment – While exploring the streets of Place Cachée, guests will also encounter other visitors, officials and residents from the wizarding world, including exchange students from the Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry, an Auror from the Ministère des Affaires Magiques de la France who roams inquiring of suspicious characters, talking portraits of delightful wizards who engage with locals about the happenings in Place Cachée, and more.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Guests’ first sight of Berk will be reminiscent of the iconic sweeping vista straight from the How to Dragon Your Dragon films – featuring a vast sparkling lagoon that boasts two 40-foot-tall Viking statues set against an energetic village perched above churning seas.
Guests will discover four attractions, one live show, and several character and dragon meet-and-greet experiences that offer something for every member of the family, including:
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – On this family thrill coaster, Hiccup invites brave new Vikings to take a ride in his latest glider contraption – a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the sky for a dragon’s eye view of Berk. Guests will fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless and reach speeds up to 45 mph as they soar around the perimeter of Berk – and even through the lagoon – while experiencing firsthand what it’s like to fly on a dragon.
The Untrainable Dragon – Inspired by Universal Beijing Resort’s wildly successful “Untrainable” show, this dragon-filled live spectacular takes guests on an unforgettable journey with beloved characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon.
This heartwarming story comes to life with captivating musical numbers, breathtaking sets and life-sized dragons soaring overhead. (The above video is not of the show–it’s in-land entertainment near the theater and meet & greet.)
Dragon Racer’s Rally – Berk’s new Vikings racers can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on two Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet in the air. Guests can control how “wild” or “mild” their experience will be as they perform high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and soaring skills that are necessary to earn the accolades worthy of a true champion dragon racer.
Fyre Drill – Mischievous Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut invite teams of Vikings to compete to outscore and out-soak each other on this wet-and-wild boat battle. Guests will board a colorful dragon-headed boat and blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires – a crucial skill to master when living with dragons.
Viking Training Camp – Junior Vikings will learn everything they need to know about dragons as they climb, slide and explore their way through this sprawling interactive adventure play camp – featuring a Viking agility course, a Toothless-themed teeter-totter, baby Gronckle dragon climbers and so much more.
Meet Hiccup and Toothless – Guests can visit the Haddock Paddock for an incredible meet-and-greet experience with heroic Dragon Rider, Hiccup, and pose for a photo with his friendly Night Fury, Toothless. Plus, throughout the day, guests may also encounter other familiar Vikings and dragons while exploring Berk.
Dark Universe
The journey to Dark Universe begins the moment guests enter its electrifying portal, which harnesses the dark energy of Darkmoor. As guests step foot inside, that same energy will pulsate throughout the entire village and connect at the top of Frankenstein Manor – the towering focal point of Dark Universe.
Nestled within the blackened stone walls of the town, guests will embark on unique adventures where they can get made up to look like their favorite monsters, spin through the woods aboard a thrilling family coaster, enjoy unique dining establishments, enter Frankenstein Manor to brave Universal Orlando’s most chilling ride ever, and more.
Here’s more information about the thrilling yet unsettling attractions and entertainment experiences that await visitors to Dark Universe:
Curse of the Werewolf – Deep in the woods that sit on the edge of Darkmoor, guests will find Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by “The Wolf Man.”
Guests will enter the encampment of The Guild of Mystics where they’ll be greeted by the Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest – racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Saving the second-best for last, we have Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction ever, like a permanent Halloween Horror Nights with a monster budget. The Frankenstein Experiment is a state-of-the-art dark ride that takes guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments.
In a vain display of her genius, she invites guests into her laboratory to witness a demonstration of her ability to control monsters – but her plans go awry when her attempts to control the most dangerous of monsters, Dracula, fails, unleashing a horde of enraged monsters. Guests are then thrust into an intense ride through the darkness as they try to evade the grasps of The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of Universal’s Epic Universe? Which attraction are you most looking forward to experiencing? Excited for Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe/Classic Monsters, or the How to Train Your Dragon lands and/or attractions? Think Epic Universe will be a third gate that’s a worthy addition to Universal Orlando Resort…and potentially on par with Disney’s best lands? Any questions? Coverage you’d like to see from us regarding Epic Universe? Need to know strategy or info? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!