Epic Universe Opens May 22!

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.

Epic Universe opens May 22 — Concept Art: Universal Orlando

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!

Epic Universe opens May 22! Universal Orlando — Concept Art: Universal Resorts

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.

Concept Art: Universal Orlando

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.

Concept Art: Universal Orlando

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.

Concept Art: Universal Orlando

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!

Concept Art: Universal Orlando

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.

Concept Art: Universal Orlando

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!

P.S. I’d love to help your next travel adventure. Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com for a free quote!

FREE DINING for Disney Visa Cardmembers

The good news? Disney has released a new limited time offer featuring free dining for Disney Visa Cardholders. The not-as-good news? It is an EXTREMELY limited promotion, and features a very short travel window. However, if you are a Disney Visa Cardmember, and you are available to travel August 1 – 21, 2019, you might want to JUMP on this new free dining promotion.

A couple of things to be aware of: Any time Disney offers a big promotion, they are offering it to stimulate travel to the parks during a certain period. This USUALLY means projected park attendance and resort reservation bookings are lower than Disney wants them to be for that time period. While this doesn’t necessarily mean light crowds, it most likely means LIGHTER crowds. Of course, if tons of people take advantage of the promotion, crowds could be CRAZY by the dates of travel. But generally speaking, Disney offers promotions for periods where they are projecting attendance to be down.

This particular travel window closes before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29, 2019. However, there are still a lot of great reasons to visit Disney World this year. Click here to check out my top five reasons to visit Disney World in 2019.

Free Dining for Disney Cardmembers

You can get free dining when you purchase a four-night/five-day Walt Disney resort and theme park ticket package that includes the Park Hopper option. If you book your package at a Value or Moderate resort, you will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan. If you book your package for a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort, you will receive the regular Dining Plan.

You MUST book your vacation by June 16, 2019 to take advantage of this offer.

Your vacation must begin between August 1 and August 21, 2019.

You MUST book your vacation using your Disney Visa card.

Theme park tickets purchased with this package are valid for admission beginning the day of check-in, and must be used within a limited period of time, depending on length of stay and ticket.

Here are the resorts that are eligible for this promotion, along with which Dining Plan you would get if you booked your vacation at that resort.

Disney's Art of Animation Family Suite — Disney’s Art of Animation Family Suite (Photo: Disney Parks)

Select Disney Value Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites Only
Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Select Disney Moderate Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Disney Contemporary Resort California Grill — The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

Select Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Dining Plan

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels – FREE Disney Dining Plan

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

Quick Service Dining Plan vs. Dining Plan

If you book your package at a Value or Moderate Resort hotel, you will receive the Quick Service Dining Plan for free with your package. The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two quick service meals and two snacks per person in your room, for each night of your stay. Several beverage options are available–including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and beer, wine and cocktails for those guests who are 21 or older.

If you book your package at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive the Disney Dining plan with your package for free. The Disney Dining Plan includes one quick service meal, one table service meal and two snacks per person in your room, for each night of your stay. You can use table service credits for Character Dining and other special dining experiences. Several beverage options are available–including non-alcoholic specialty beverages and beer, wine and cocktails for those guests who are 21 or older.

The Fine Print

This offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.

An additional charge may apply if you have more than two adults per room (any one over the age of 9) in a Disney Value, Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resorts.

This offer excludes the following room types: 3 bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creed Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, and The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Children ages 3 -9 MUST order from the Children’s Menu, if there is a Children’s Menu available.

Everyone in the same room must be on the same package.

Must use a valid Disney Visa Card or a Disney Rewards Redemption Card to pay the deposit. The Disney Visa Cardmember must stay in the room.

Availability at table service restaurants is not guaranteed. Advance reservations are recommended and availability is not guaranteed.

Gratuities are not included.

Food For Thought

Many Disney vacationers LOVE the Disney Dining Plan. They love being able to budget and essentially “prepay” for the majority of their meals before their trip, and know that they won’t need to spend a whole lot of money

Disney Character Breakfast Crystal Palace — Character Breakfast at the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

on food during their vacation. If you fall into this category, and are already a fan of the Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, and are already accustomed to making Advanced Dining Reservations 180 days before your trip, you are likely a good candidate for the Free Dining Promotion.

Conversely, if you tend to order in groceries, and eat a lot of meals in your room, or pack picnic lunches for your family to enjoy at the parks, you are most likely NOT a good candidate for the Free Dining Promotion.

It’s important to think about how your family dines on a Disney vacation. Do you eat in table service (sit down) restaurants for most meals? Or, do you eat primarily quick service meals? Do you do many character meals? What about sharing meals? Does your family like to snack? Are you big Mickey Bar or Popcorn fans? Are you comfortable planning your meals in advance?

Disney's Chef Mickey Character Breakfast — Chef Mickey Character Breakfast at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (Photo: Brooke Hudson)

While the promotion is called “Free” Dining, it’s also important to recognize that by getting the dining package for “free”, you are paying full price for your room and park tickets. You are saving a LOT of money on meals, so it is a substantial savings in many, many cases–but again, it’s really important to evaluate how YOU and YOUR family vacations.

If you tend to eat more meals in the room, or pack picnic lunches, you likely will get a bigger savings from a room or package discount that does NOT include free dining.

I Can Help Make Planning Your Trip Easier!

One of the advantages of working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner is that we have access to ALL the available discounts out there at any one time, whether Disney is actively promoting them or not. We can run comparisons for you to determine what you’ll save by booking your trip with one promotion or another. There is no cost to you to work with an authorized Disney Vacation planner to plan your vacation, and often, we have access to discounts or resort information that is not available to the general public. Working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner will always save you headaches and aggravation, and will usually save you money as well!

In addition, we have the ability to monitor our reservations and as new promotions are released, update those reservations when it will save our customers money. For example, for all my clients that have reservations booked with me for later this year, we’ve already looked at the free dining promotion to see if it makes sense for them–and where it did, we’ve made the changes.

I don’t just love planning Disney vacations, I am obsessed with making every vacation the best it can possibly be. Planning a great Disney vacation takes time and energy and PLANNING. For a lot of busy people, that sounds like too much work. If that’s you, let me do it for you! Email me today to learn more.

To get more information, please reach out today: brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.

Happy Dreaming!

Brooke

Tag: #summervacationfun

Epic Universe Opens May 22!

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

What is Epic Universe?