We just stepped into the future of theme parks—and you won’t believe what’s coming. Epic Universe officially opens May 22, 2025, but we got a sneak peek of the park during its technical rehearsal. What can you expect when the gates open?
Let’s look behind the curtain.
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Why Is Epic Universe a Big Deal?
It has been over two decades since a major new theme park opened from the ground up in the United States. Theme park enthusiasts and casual travelers are itching to explore the park’s themed worlds.
While the actual theme park is comparable to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in size, the entire property sits on a 750-acre site, making it Universal’s most ambitious park to date. The massive space gives Epic Universe room for future expansion, as well as on-site hotels, parking, and infrastructure. Aside from this future growth potential, Epic Universe opens with spacious themed lands, cutting-edge attractions, and immersive environments.
Epic Universe at a Glance
The new park sits 4 miles south of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It comprises five themed worlds, each with an entrance portal that figuratively and literally transports guests into the corresponding themed land. The fully self-contained worlds whisk you away from the outside world, delivering a level of immersion like never before.
Epic Universe has a hub-and-spoke layout, giving guests easy access to each world. Celestial Park functions as the central hub but is a park itself. Tranquil walkways guide guests around ponds, fountains, and gardens with cosmic theming elements.
The other four parks each revolve around popular intellectual properties:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- Super Nintendo World
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Dark Universe
Each world features immersive storytelling and cutting-edge attractions in mind-boggling scope and detail. Top-notch technology takes rides to a new level, and interactive elements provide guests with unique experiences beyond the park’s rides and shows.
The Most Immersive Theme Park
While Julie and I regularly explore national and state parks, we are also theme park enthusiasts. My childhood included many Cedar Point visits, and Julie spent much time in Kings Island. We have visited Disney World, Disneyland, and Universal Orlando often, with and without our kids.
Although we love all the aforementioned parks, Epic Universe is far and away the most immersive park we have ever seen. The size and scope of the worlds and the level of detail are off the charts. When you enter a portal, you are transported to another world, leaving the outside world behind.
I don’t know how they pulled it off, but you cannot see the outside world once inside a themed land. Every detail, even water fountains and restrooms, is themed to that specific world.
While lovely, pictures do not capture the magic you feel when you enter these new worlds. Looks of awe and dropped jaws surround you. Many people are moved to tears. I cannot adequately describe it, but the level of immersion will astound you.
Let’s look at the highlights of each park.
Celestial Park
Do not make the mistake of thinking the hub is merely a place to access the four primary parks. Celestial Park is a stunning world with many nods to astrology and mythology. The vast world teems with shops and eateries, yet it induces a feeling of serenity. Features like spraying fountains, mermaids, and the giant statues of Apollo, the god of the sun, and Luna, the goddess of the moon, bring a sense of wonder.
Hotel
It is difficult not to notice the Universal Helios Grand Hotel along Celestial Park’s edge. The majestic, Mediterranean-inspired luxury hotel features fine dining, a rooftop bar, and a dedicated entrance to Epic Universe for hotel guests with paid park admission. The gorgeous structure showcases mythological and cosmic theming elements throughout its accommodations.
Food and Drinks
Throughout Celestial Park, you will discover many places to grab a bite and a drink, including quick-service and full-service options. We enjoyed fresh pizza at Pizza Moon and a tasty cocktail at the Plastered Owl.
Frosty Moon offers ice cream treats, and the Oak & Star Tavern serves barbecue dishes. Atlantic offers a fine dining experience with a stunning view of the park’s fountains. You can even grab a drink at the world’s walk-up bars. These are just a sampling, and more options will be available when the park officially opens.
Rides
Stardust Racers is one of the best roller coasters we have ever ridden, comparable to Jurassic World VelociCoaster in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Twin coasters race like comets, reaching speeds of 62 miles per hour and heights of 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track as they crisscross many times, nearly wrapping around each other. An inverted crisscross called a “celestial spin” will undoubtedly draw a scream.
Constellation Carousel elevates a classic ride to a unique experience. Each celestial creature turns 360 degrees and rises 6 feet into the air. Four smaller turntables sit inside the primary turntable, mimicking planetary rotation and revolution. You may hear a different song on each ride or find yourself going backward for part of the ride.
While both of the Celestial Park rides are excellent during the day, they shine brighter at night. The dual Stardust Racers tracks are dark, but the coasters don bright lights and appear as streaking comets across the night sky. Constellation Carousel dazzles with glittering colors and swirling lights, transporting you into the Milky Way.
The delightful nighttime fountain and light shows bring a unique energy to the hub world, making it a perfect way to close a fun day.
The Ministry of Magic
From the moment you walk through the portal, the Ministry of Magic world takes your breath. The building facades reach 65 to 70 feet, twice as tall as those in Diagon Alley within Universal Studios Florida. When looking back toward the portal, you will discover a giant phoenix near the top of the massive ornate arch depicting many creatures and elements from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.
The world transports you to 1920s Paris, focusing on the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film. Relaxing music fills the air as cafes and shops line the streets.
Food and Drinks
Guests can enjoy a butterbeer or an adult beverage while enjoying the glorious Parisian vibe as time slows. You will discover many delicious bites to pair with your drink. Cafe L’Air De La Sirene serves the must-try butterbeer crepes. Bar Moonshine pours magical potions and colorful drinks that pack a punch. We also loved the darker vibe and food at Le Gobelet Noir.
Interactive Elements
The stunning Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique shop sells magic wands. Guests can use the interactive wands throughout the land to interact with fantastic beasts and enchanted objects.
While we did not purchase wands, we witnessed excited guests interacting with Nifflers and Bowtruckles, and making other magical things happen. The park’s app can track spellcasting achievements and discovered creatures, taking theme park interactive elements to a new level.
Rides
The world’s top highlight is the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry attraction, where you can experience Floo powder travel. You walk through a flash of green light and smoke, transporting you to the British Ministry of Magic. That is only the beginning!
The expansive grand atrium draws an emotional response from many visitors. Its scope and detail left our jaws dragging on the ground in awe. Unlike most park attractions, the atrium encourages guests to loiter and savor the views.
Walking through the queue is as rewarding an experience as the ride itself. You will revel in all the details and nods to the books and movies. It is a genuinely magical experience.
The ride takes you to the trial of Dolores Umbridge, where she tries to escape. You must dodge attacks from Umbridge and fearsome Death Eaters as you pursue Umbridge.
The ride combines screen-based animation with physical movement, including a few drops or bounces. It seamlessly incorporates animatronics and large screens, making it challenging to differentiate between the two. Due to the modern technology, ride mechanics, and level of immersion, the ride is one of the best we have ever experienced.
What to Watch When the Park Opens
During our technical rehearsal, the ride was only available by virtual queue. Times opened at 11:00, 3:00, and 6:00 when all guests frantically used the park’s app to secure open spots for the ride.
It was challenging to obtain the coveted entry due to thousands of guests competing for the limited seats. The ride closed several times during our two-day visit to make matters more stressful. On a positive note, the park permitted guests to walk through the morning queue when the ride was not running.
It will be interesting to see if the ride continues to operate with the virtual queue system when the park officially opens. Due to the ride’s sophisticated systems and many moving parts, it is a challenge to keep everything working correctly. Hopefully, there will be no ride delays or closings when the park opens.
Super Nintendo World
If you have ever played a Mario game, you can probably imagine what it would be like to enter a warp pipe into an imaginary video game world. Super Nintendo World gives you that experience when you ride up an escalator through the portal. Vivid green colors envelop you, and the familiar Mario game sounds fill the air. It is a dream come true for gamers.
Super Nintendo World harbors two lands: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. To reach Donkey Kong Country, you walk through a tunnel, essentially a sub-portal. Each land is fully themed and immersive.
Upon entering Super Mario World through the green pipe, you walk through Princess Peach’s Castle to an overlook where a chaotic arcade-like scene unfolds. Loud game music fills the air, bright colors dominate the setting, and things move everywhere. People excitedly scamper about, unsure where to go first. It is simultaneously chaotic and euphoric.
Interactive Elements
The world features interactive elements, where guests can tap blocks or bang drums to see how the environment reacts. Power-up bands are available for purchase for those who want to tackle five key challenges. When you earn three digital keys from completing the challenges, you confront Bowser Jr. in a special challenge.
Super Nintendo World features so many interactive elements, you can spend an entire day searching for objects, playing games, and collecting coins, stamps, and keys. Best of all, the app tracks everything for a customized and heightened experience.
Food and Drinks
Super Nintendo World features many cute food items that kids will love. Toadstool Cafe allows the family to rest between rides and interactive games. The restaurant windows are screens that play scenes from the Mushroom Kingdom. When clouds or smoke appear in the scene, the entire eatery grows dark.
The Bubbly Barrel serves the popular DK Crush Float, a banana-pineapple soft-serve float with pineapple soda. You can also purchase the treat in a souvenir barrel mug. The park serves the drink in a plastic cup that lines the inside of the barrel, so your souvenir mug is clean. It is a nice touch that keeps the guest in mind.
Rides
Of course, the rides are the main draw. Yoshi’s Adventure is a slow-moving, kid-friendly ride that takes you through the Mushroom Kingdom in search of three colored eggs. Mine-Cart Madness is a herky jerky roller coaster that appears to jump broken track sections en route to helping Donkey Kong protect the Golden Banana.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is an interactive augmented reality and motion simulation ride where you team up with popular Mario Kart characters to race against Bowser and his Koopa Troopa. You wear a Mario hat and special goggles to make the augmented reality features work.
I was apprehensive about the ride but found it a lot of fun. You steer the car with your hands and tap buttons to throw shells at Bowser and his minions. It is essential to note that shells go in the direction you face. Young gamers will pick up on this immediately. It may take adults a little practice to catch on.
The vast Mario Kart ride queue takes you through Bowser’s Castle. Again, the queue is equally rewarding as the ride. It is brimming with details and characters like Bowser and Bullet Bill. Watch closely, and you will discover Boo popping up on bookshelves and in picture frames.
My kids are avid Mario Kart fans, and I am casual. Even as a casual fan, I could not help but feel emotional as we walked through the larger-than-life castle.
Isle of Berk
I like the How to Train Your Dragon movies but was not excited to see the Isle of Berk. It was a shocker. Epic Universe’s largest world showcases dragons and Vikings throughout and feels like the most expansive and complete world.
I was won over immediately upon entering the portal, gazing upon two 40-foot statues rising out of the water, one of a Viking and the other of a dragon. It was a precursor of what was to come.
Be sure to visit the Isle of Berk at night when the two statues transform into beacons, their mouths ablaze.
The park details are impressive. Bench seats look like someone carved dragons out of massive tree trunks, and giant decorative totems confetti the land. Swaying tails of sleeping dragons hang down from elevated houses. Sheep sit in the grass, and young dragons playfully fight over food.
Character meet-and-greets are the most unique I have seen, as you tentatively hold out your hand to earn the trust of a dragon. Friendly roaming Vikings are comical. Animatronic dragons occasionally put on a show with an accompanying Viking.
Food and Drinks
The Isle of Berk food is quite tasty whether you want a mac & cheese cone from Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel or dragon-seared meats over rice, greens, or gains from Spit Fyre Grill.
Mead Hall is an expansive dining chamber that feels like something from a Norse fairytale. Large tapestries line the walls, and massive columns rise from the floor to the ceiling. In Viking fashion, the eatery serves hearty food to pair with a delicious mead, cider, or beer.
Rides
The land features three unique rides. Dragon Racer’s Rally is a spinning ride where guests can execute barrel rolls while hurtling through the air. Although not on par with Spacedust Racers as a top-notch thrill ride, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a fun coaster that gives the feeling of flying on the back of a dragon.
I never thought that a park could take a water ride in a new and innovative direction. Fyre Drill does exactly that. The fun interactive boat ride allows you to blast water cannons at flame-like targets while competing with the other side of your boat.
We discovered a few surprises along the way. If you hit a mystery blue cross target, water blasts back at you. Also, guests can shoot you from other boats since the water cannons have an impressive range of 28 feet. If you need more incentive to hit your targets, the losing team gets an extra soaking. In short, be prepared to get wet and enjoy the ride.
Dark Universe
Although the Dark Universe is the smallest world, it is wonderful. Most parks feature fantasy worlds and dream scenarios. The Dark Universe embraces our nightmares, where we get thrills from fear. Some elements may be too intense for young kids, but the world delivers a unique experience unlike anything we have seen in a theme park. It is like a year-round Halloween celebration.
Upon crossing the portal, ominous music plays, spooky mist hovers above the ground, and everything looks darker. The world comprises a castle and structures of dark wood or weathered stone. You can even pose for a picture inside a propped-up coffin.
Characters like Ygor and the Invisible Man roam the land, and legendary figures like Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein are featured in meet-and-greet sessions.
Food and Drinks
The eateries have a dark atmosphere and many nods to famous monsters like Dracula and the Wolf Man. You will discover monster-themed elements and memorabilia everywhere.
Restaurant chandeliers feature skulls or bats. Perfectly themed food items include a garlic stake, a coffin cake with maggots, and a brain in a pool of blood. Do not worry, the edible foods look disgusting but are tasty.
The Burning Blade is a dark tavern where you can grab a bite and a drink to escape the light and heat. Outside, you can watch the tavern’s spinning blades catch fire every 15 minutes.
While the flaming blades are a fan favorite any time of day, the spectacle is even better at night. For that matter, the entire world has a spookier and more energetic vibe at night. The buzzing noises and electricity flashes from the portal and the castle’s mad scientist lab are more spectacular against a black canvas.
Rides
Dark Universe has two rides. Curse of the Werewolf is a short, fun coaster that spins as you race back and forth on the track, attempting to escape a pack of werewolves.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is undoubtedly the feature attraction. Dr. Victoria Frankenstein is trying to control all the Dark Universe monsters, but Dracula leads a revolt. The wild ride takes you through the catacombs beneath Frankenstein Manor, where you see many iconic monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, the Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Ride mechanics are somewhat like the Ministry of Magic ride. It is a KUKA arm vehicle that features quick swings and knockbacks. You do not turn upside down, but you will be on your back looking up regularly. The ride seamlessly blends animatronics, immersive screens, and grand sets to create a multi-sensory experience that plays to our love of thrills from fear. It is one of our favorite Epic Universe experiences.
Our Overall Impressions of Epic Universe
Epic Universe has raised the bar for all theme parks. It is the most immersive park we have experienced, with each gorgeous world featuring themed details in the environments, food, drinks, ride queues, and nearly every nook and cranny. Each self-contained land whisks you away from all sights and sounds from the outside world.
The rides are excellent, featuring the latest and greatest in ride technology and guest experiences. Ride queues are rewarding as you wait your turn for the attractions. Many of the food and drink offerings are delicious. Although we did not see the park’s two stage shows, they sound like grand spectacles combining live action, puppetry, acrobatics, and special effects. You can watch The Untrainable Dragon in the Isle of Berk and Le Cirque Arcanus in the Ministry of Magic.
The worlds are so immersive, you will find happiness just walking around, basking in their glory. If you do not enjoy rides, there is plenty to enjoy between the scenery, shops, and eateries.
Things to Keep in Mind for Young Kids
Epic Universe’s main attractions have a minimum height requirement of 40 or 48 inches. Family rides include Celestial Park’s Cosmic Carousel and Super Nintendo World’s Yoshi’s Adventure.
Young kids have two primary play areas to explore. Celestial Park’s Astronomica is an interactive water play area with dancing fountains. Isle of Berk’s Viking Training Camp is an adventure playground, where kids can climb and slide.
Children will also enjoy the interactive elements in Super Nintendo World and the Ministry of Magic.
Thoughts and Insights Based on Our Preview Experience
While we loved nearly everything about Epic Universe, they were obviously in a technical rehearsal phase. Many rides, especially the biggest attractions, had delays or closings throughout the day.
We waited an hour for our food at Toadstool Cafe. About ten minutes into the show, the Le Cirque Arcanus music suddenly stopped, sending the confused actors offstage. The park subsequently canceled the show. What little we saw looked promising. To the park’s credit, they gave each attendee an express pass good at one of several attractions.
As great as these worlds are during the day, they shine at night, each offering a unique vibe. Unfortunately, the park closed at 9 pm during technical rehearsal, only giving us an hour to experience the illuminated lands. Hopefully, Epic Universe will expand its hours so guests can explore the parks after dusk.
It is essential to remember that the park was going through technical rehearsal during our visit. We did not expect everything to be perfect. All park employees were courteous and helpful, despite some rude guests.
What to Expect When You Visit
All five parks feel spacious, with room to accommodate more guests. However, approximately 10,000 people attended during our visit. Although a wide range, park employees and travel industry experts advise that the park’s maximum capacity is 30,000 to 60,000. How the park feels and functions at full capacity remains to be seen.
Based on our experience at the technical rehearsal and the projected crowd levels at the official opening, I expect long wait times for rides and food until the park adjusts to the higher number of visitors. Once they work out the kinks, I believe Epic Universe will live up to the hype. The future of theme parks is here, and it is epic!
Featured image credit: Miles with McConkey
