Universal’s new park, Epic Universe, is projected to open in the summer of 2025!
Counting Volcano Bay, Epic Universe will be the fourth park in Florida for Universal, with Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. The park includes five new lands: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. It also encompasses three brand new hotels: Universal Helios Grand Hotel (with direct access to the theme park), Universal Terra Luna Resort, and Universal Stella Nova Resort. Together, there is a total of about 2,000 rooms. Universal Orlando describes Helios Grand Hotel as the “crown jewel” of Epic Universe.
Celestial Park is the first land guests will see upon entrance. Jeff Polk, executive vice president at Universal Orlando and Epic Universe’s General Manager, says the rolling gardens and chasing waterways will “put the park back in theme park.” The goal is to transfer guests to a world of fantastic views and architecture for the day with lush landscapes and fountain shows reaching 135 feet in the air. The architecture is heavily inspired by astronomical and mythological elements.
Stardust Racers features two side-by-side coasters for friends to race with the only light coming from the coaster themselves, so they look like meteors shooting across the sky. Constellation Carousel is a roundabout trip throughout the Milky Way in a whirl of music and starlight. Astronomica doubles as giant compass within the park to guide guests and a play area of clear blue fountains to cool them off. Atlantic, The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, The Oak & Star Tavern, Pizza Moon, and Moonships Chocolates & Celestial Sweets are all tempting food stops.
Super Nintendo World is a must for Epic Universe after the one in Universal Studios Hollywood gained so much popularity. The attractions for this land have yet to be confirmed, but there is strong belief that Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is in the works. The driving simulation through Bowser’s Castle is already a hit in Japan and Hollywood. Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly ride highlighting the views in Super Nintendo World while searching for Yoshi eggs. Donkey Kong Mine Cart Rollercoaster will create the illusion of coasters jumping gaps in the tracks. Bonus features in Super Nintendo World are available with the purchase of Power-Up Bands, and there will be plenty of merchandise available at the Nintendo Super Star Store.
Not much is known about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. However, the building permits approved by Orange County, Florida, reveal a large theater and a large ride where guests feel as if they’re entering the Ministry of Magic. “I still can’t believe what we’re building. Every day, I walk out there to something more amazing than the next,” Polk says in wonder. It combines the British world of Harry Potter with 1920s Paris from the Fantastic Beasts Films.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Birk furthers the DreamWorks partnership with its attractions, meet and greets, and stunning shows. Many attractions are family friendly, such as Viking Training Camp, teaching “Junior Vikings” all about dragons. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders allows guests to ride the dragon tamer’s innovative wing glider creations. Fyre Drill puts out spontaneous fires in a boating battle run by the twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut. At 67 feet high, guests can practice their aerobatic maneuvers on Dragon Racer’s Rally.
The long awaited land of legendary monsters, Dark Universe, is home to classic movie icons such as Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolfman, and Dracula. They are pillars of Universal Pictures and even kept the company from going under during some rocky years. The setting of Dark Universe is speculated to be a village living in fear of monsters, and Polk describes the Monsters Unchained ride as “one of the scariest rides we will have ever built.” It has been made with such incredible technology that guests will able to feel the monsters breathing around them.
“This is better than the renderings. It’s better than the model,” Polk continues, “We are, I would say, putting everything that we’ve learned to do well in one place at one time. And we have tried and tried and tried to make sure that what everybody’s going to experience next year just completely blows you away.”
Epic Universe is officially located at 4700 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando FL 32819, leaving about a 15 minute walk from CityWalk’s main parking garage to the new park. There are also other construction projects underway in the area such as a raised traffic circle connecting Kirkman Road to Epic Universe.
Some believe that Universal may pull ahead of schedule and open the park earlier than projected. While a great deal of jobs and affairs must be complete before the park can open next year, there’s still plenty to look forward to.
