Everything You Need to Know About Epic Universe, Universal’s Newest Park
Orlando is already home to some of the most famous, most exhilarating theme parks in the world. Later this year, that level of excitement is about to take another step when Epic Universe, the latest theme park from Universal, opens its gates for the first time. Universal recently announced that the new attraction will open on May 22, 2025.
Universal’s Epic Universe has been the source of a lot of conversation since NBC Universal announced that it would be opening a new park. That announcement came on August 1, 2019. For more than five years, theme park enthusiasts and people who love to visit Orlando have been monitoring the development of the space, which is slated to cover some 750 acres.
Whether you’re just hearing about Epic Universe or you’ve been waiting anxiously for it to open, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about Universal’s newest park.
What is Universal’s Epic Universe?
Epic Universe is the fourth theme park that’s part of the Universal Studios family of parks in Orlando. It will join Universal Studios Florida, Volcano Bay, and Islands of Adventures.
However, Epic Universe is going to use a different structure than its predecessors. Universal thrilled fans when it announced that the new park would have a hub-and-spoke model, which sees different themed areas of the park branch off from a central hub that will include stores, entertainment, restaurants, and more.
The layout is designed to help you feel more immersed in each area that you visit. Instead of being “taken out” of the scene by moving from one area to the next, Teach spoke that you enter will be completely immersive.
Universal’s Epic Universe will be located just a few miles south of the existing Universal Orlando Resort, meaning that if you want to visit other Universal attractions, you’re not far removed from them. Epic Universe will offer state-of-the-art rides, immersive attractions, and lodging options that are unlike anything that Universal has done in the past.
The Immersive Lands of Epic Universe
People who visit Universal Studios do so because of the incredible visitor experience that has long been a staple of Universal’s parks. The new Epic Universe is currently expected to have five areas. Here’s a look at what you can expect based on the information Universal has already provided, though it’s almost a certainty that there will be some surprises for those who visit the mark on May 22, 2025.
Celestial Park
Celestial Park will serve as the hub of the entire experience. This area of the park, with its design based heavily on astrology, will include the Helios Grand Hotel, and a pair of rides. The Constellation Carousel is similar to the SeaGlass Carousel in New York while Stardust Racers is a dual-tracked launched roller coaster. The space will also have dining options and live entertainment.
Super Nintendo World
If you were a kid growing up in the 90s, you probably spent some time playing the Super Nintendo. While Super Nintendo World itself is not a new concept, as it already exists at Universal’s park in Japan, as well as Orlando, the Epic Universe version is slated to be the biggest version we’ve ever seen.
Visitors will be able to use Power-Up Bands to collect digital coins, solve puzzles, and interact with the world they’re visiting. There’s going to be a Yoshi’s Adventure attraction that allows families to take a scenic tour with the beloved green dinosaur.
The Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness attraction is a groundbreaking coaster that’s rumored to incorporate a track jump system that will mimic the famous mine levels of Donkey Kong Country.
Perhaps the most exciting element of this new world is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. This augmented reality racing ride will allow visitors to take part in a Mario Kart race alongside some of their favorite characters.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
Set in Paris in the 1920s, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic will largely be based on the Fantastic Beasts series of prequel films. Visitors have long loved the Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley attractions that allow them to take a step into the world of Harry Potter, but this newest attraction will ramp up the fun while giving parkgoers a new look at the magical world of Potter.
So far, we know that there is going to be an elevator-themed dark ride called Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, and it’s expected that there will be another experience called Le Cirque Arcanus. The latter is expected to be modeled after the circus in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is one of the most beloved Universal titles. The new attraction will be set between the second and third films, allowing users to experience something they’ve never seen before.
This part of the park will have five attractions. Viking Training Camp is a play area with loads of activities, while Dragon Racer’s Rally is a sky-flat ride themed around dragon racing. Other attractions include an interactive boat ride called Fyre Drill, a stage show called The Untrainable Dragon, and a launched family roller coaster called Hiccup’s Wing Gliders.
Dark Universe
Finally, Dark Universe is set in the dreary village of Darkmoor. The area is based on Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-great granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein. The area focuses on Victoria’s mission to bring monsters, including Dracula, under control before they destroy the village.
This area of the park will include three attractions, including a make-up shop where visitors can become their own monsters. Curse of the Werewolf is a spinning roller coaster based on the Wolf Man movie from 1941. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is a KUKA-arm dark ride featuring multiple Universal Monsters.
Get Ready for the Universal’s Newest Park
It’s safe to assume that Epic Universe will expand over time, which means this is just the beginning. Great ready to take the next step into the world of Universal Studios on May 22, 2025.