UNIVERSAL’S EPIC UNIVERSE: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ORLANDO’S NEWEST THEME PARK

Welcome to Beyond the Castle! Each week, we’re posting about vacations to destinations OTHER than Disney World, Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line. [WHAT?!? You mean there are OTHER vacation destinations? I had no idea!! LOL]

This week, we’re not going very far. I promise, we will go all around the world in coming weeks, but right now, we’re staying in the same neighborhood: Universal Orlando.

For the last few years, Universal Orlando has been building a new theme park, Epic Universe. At long last, Epic Universe is almost ready to open. It’s already in previews so I decided it was time to take a deep dive.

Opening May 22, 2025, this is Orlando’s first brand new theme park in 25+ years, and the previews are getting me SO excited I just HAD to tell you all about it! So far, we’ve mostly seen concept art for Epic Universe. However, they’ve released a lot of concept art and honestly, it’s all been dazzling.

While I haven’t visited Epic Universe yet (preview testing is currently underway for Universal team members and seemingly their friends and family–I haven’t made that list just yet), I’ve gathered ALL the details you need to know about this game-changing addition to Orlando’s theme park landscape. Let’s dive in!

What is Epic Universe?

Epic Universe will be Universal Orlando’s third theme park and fourth park overall (alongside Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water park). Located about 15 minutes from the main Universal resort area on a massive 750-acre site, this new park aims to “forever redefine theme park entertainment” according to Universal.

What makes Epic Universe unique is its layout. Unlike traditional theme parks where lands connect in a circle, Epic Universe uses a “hub-and-spoke” design with one central hub (Celestial Park) and individual “worlds” extending outward through five portals like spokes on a wheel. This means you’ll need to return to the central hub to access different lands! [Subtext: Lots more walking!]

The Five Worlds of Epic Universe

1. Celestial Park

Celestial Park serves as the main entry hub of Epic Universe, but it’s much more than just a pass-through area. This gorgeously themed area features astronomical and mythological-inspired architecture surrounded by gardens and water features.

Attractions in Celestial Park include:

• Constellation Carousel: A fantastical carousel where riders aboard constellations glide forward, backward, and even make 360-degree rotations through a choreographed dance of music and starlight.
• Stardust Racers: A dual-launch roller coaster that reaches speeds up to 62 mph with vehicles that criss-cross each other’s paths. (I’ve been hearing REALLY good things about this one from the previews.)
• Astronomica: Water-based attractions perfect for cooling off in the Florida heat.

Dining options include:

• The Atlantic: An underwater-themed seafood restaurant enclosed in glass, creating the illusion of dining beneath the sea.
• Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant: Offering diverse Asian cuisine options.

2. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

This is the THIRD Wizarding World at Universal Orlando, but with a completely different focus! Themed to the Fantastic Beasts franchise (a spinoff prequel to the Harry Potter series), this land will let you explore wizarding Paris of the 1920s, then take the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry in the 1990s.

In my opinion, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter “lands” at both Universal Orlando and Universal Islands of Adventure are the strongest, most highly themed areas in each of those two parks, so I have VERY high hopes for Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. The Fantastic Beast series films have a very different look and feel from the original Harry Potter films, and the preliminary concept art for Ministry of Magic seems to align with that.

Attractions include:

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry: The main attraction, this ride will likely utilize cutting-edge technology to immerse riders in spellcasting duels, featuring encounters with Death Eaters and a rescue mission to save Sirius Black.
• Le Cirque Arcanus: A full-scale theatre experience featuring live performers, puppetry, and special effects.

Dining options include:

• Le Gobelet Noir: Offering soups, salads, entrees and desserts.
• Cafe L’air De La Sirene: A French cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with baked goods, sandwiches, desserts, and of course, butterbeer!

3. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Based on the beloved DreamWorks animated trilogy, this land is set at a time in the franchise when Vikings and dragons coexist peacefully, specifically between the second and third films. It will be one of the largest areas in Epic Universe!

I am SO excited to visit Isle of Berk. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the “How to Train Your Dragon” movies. They are so cute, and I love the messaging. The timing of Epic Universe opening May 22 is really good too–there’s a live action “How to Train Your Dragon” movie coming out in June that I am really looking forward to. I think it will introduce a whole new audience to this franchise.

Attractions include:

• • • Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: A multi-launch roller coaster that simulates flying with dragons, offering breathtaking views and heart-pounding drops.
    • Dragon Racer’s Rally: A dual sky fly attraction that puts guests in control of their dragon, challenging riders to outmaneuver each other in aerial combat.
    • Fyre Drill: An interactive boat ride where you’ll encounter dragons and experience Viking life.
    • The Untrainable Dragon: A Broadway-style live show.
    • Viking Training Camp: A children’s play area.

Dining options include:

• Mead Hall: The central gathering hall where you can feast like a Viking and enjoy a savory menu featuring a variety of meats, fish, sandwiches and more along with a collection of meads and ciders.
• Spit Fyre Grill: A quick-service restaurant overlooking the Fyre Drill attraction.
• Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel: A festive racing-themed food stand.

4. Super Nintendo World

Nintendo fans, rejoice! After successful launches at Universal Studios Japan and Hollywood, Super Nintendo World comes to Orlando with even MORE attractions than its counterparts!

Attractions include:

• • • Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: The world’s first interactive Mario Kart theme park ride, where you can hit your enemies with shells, race around the tracks, and experience so much more with special vehicle glasses.
    • Yoshi’s Adventure: A family-friendly ride aboard Yoshi.
    • Mine-Cart Madness: A Donkey Kong-themed roller coaster exclusive to the Orlando location at opening.
    • Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown: An interactive gaming experience.

Dining options include:

• • • Toadstool Cafe: Serving American cuisine with Nintendo-themed twists.
    • Yoshi’s Snack Land: Quick-service treats.

5. Dark Universe

Horror fans will love this land dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters! The coolest dining option seems to be The Burning Blade Tavern, which is topped with a windmill that smolders and flames. Inside, monster hunters have hung their trophy heads on the wall.

 

Attractions include:

• • • Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: A cutting-edge dark ride experience.
    • Additional horror-themed attractions and experiences featuring iconic Universal monsters like Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the other land that I am most excited to visit at Epic Universe once it opens. I was really surprised when I read about Dark Universe, but I love that Universal is doing something with these classic properties. Frankenstein? The Wolfman? Dracula? YES, PLEASE. I think the concept art for Dark Universe is the most interesting of all the concept art released so far for Epic Universe.

Dining options include:

• • • The Burning Blade Tavern: A themed dining experience for monster hunters.
    • Das Stakehaus: A vampire-themed restaurant (get the pun?).
    • De Lacey’s Cottage: A food stand for quick bites.

Current Preview Status

As of early April 2025, Universal is conducting previews of Epic Universe with select Team Members, with construction largely shifted to overnight hours in areas where previews are occurring.  According to reports, the first phase of Team Member previews has been extended multiple times, suggesting the park is getting valuable feedback to refine the experience before opening.

Universal has restricted team members from posting their own photos or reviews during these previews, though professional park photographers are capturing some images. This suggests Universal is being extremely careful about managing first impressions of this potentially groundbreaking park.

Restricted or not, I have watched a LOT of videos from guests that have had a chance to preview the park and I’ve read a lot of reviews. They don’t show the park, and they don’t give a lot of details, but they are talking about their impressions. So far, everything I have watched or read have been VERY EXCITING. It really sounds like Epic Universe may actually live up to the gorgeous concept art and all the promotional rhetoric.

I, of course, will reserve judgement until I go for myself–but I am cautiously optimistic, based on what I’ve seen so far.

What Makes Epic Universe Special?

Beyond just the impressive lands and attractions, Epic Universe is setting new standards for theme park experiences. Universal Destinations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury has described it as “the most technologically advanced park we’ve ever done,” featuring “next generation of robotics, drone technology, all the way through to the guest experience.”

The park will also utilize facial recognition technology to create what Universal calls a “frictionless experience” throughout the resort. I’m really curious to learn more about what this will mean for the guest experience. I’ll be sure to keep you posted as we learn more!

Next Week: Tickets, Hotels, and Planning Tips!

In next week’s Beyond the Castle blog post, I’ll dive deep into all the ticket options, hotel packages, and planning tips you need to know to make the most of your Epic Universe visit! I’ll cover single-day tickets, multi-day options, annual pass information, express passes, and the brand new hotels opening as part of this expansion.

Who else is SUPER excited to experience Epic Universe? Let me know in the comments which land you’re most looking forward to exploring!