If you love theme parks then you already know about Universal Epic Universe. This will be Universal Orlando Resorts, 4th and largest theme park. Set to open sometime in 2025, Universal Epic Universe is already creating a buzz!
This theme park is a humungous addition to the Universal Orlando Resort. In fact, it will be almost double the size of the present Universal Orlando Resort! But, it’s not just a new theme park…it will include 3 new hotels (Stella Nova Resort, Terra Luna Resort, Helios Grand Hotel), new dining options, entertainment, and more!
Universal Epic Universe will be a few miles from the current parks (Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, Volcano Bay) and City Walk. Currently, guests visiting the Universal theme parks must enter through City Walk, but that will not be the case for this new property. Guests will need to drive to this new park or if you’re staying on property they will have their own complimentary bus transportation.
What’s unique about Universal Epic Universe, other than its size, is how innovative and immersive it will be! Making up this park is 5 very different worlds, each being accessible by “portals”. So you will really feel like you’re being transported into these different “worlds”. So what are these “worlds”??
The 5 Worlds at Universal Epic Universe
- 1. Celestial Park
- 2. Super Nintendo World
- 3. How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- 4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- 5. Dark Universe
CELESTIAL PARK
Celestial Park is the center piece of Universal Epic Universe and will give you access to the other worlds. This land gets its inspiration from up above….think of a star-filled night sky and outer space! Guests will experience a starry carousel, a comet-inspired thrill coaster, two fabulous restaurants, shopping, all with a stunning galactic vibe that takes you out-of-this-world.
Executive producer for Celestial Park, Adam Rivest explains, “In our story, Chronos is this giant machine used to harness the energy of the Universe that powers all of Celestial Park, allowing us to open the portals to other worlds.”
CELESTIAL PARK is also home to the first Orlando hotel that’s inside of a theme park! The Helios Grand Hotel.…how cool will that be?! Click here to read about that and be sure to watch the fly-through video!
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
If you love video games you’re gonna love this world. Actually, if you love having fun, you’re gonna love this Epic world! SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will take you into Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country and allow you to play alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and many more iconic characters from your favorite Nintendo video games.
So what can you expect in this world? This highly interactive world is always in motion. So many elements in this world will come to life, with something called KEY CHALLENGES, putting YOU inside these beloved video games!
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge:
On Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, you’ll put on special goggles and steer through iconic courses alongside Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. In this interactive ride, you’ll collect digital coins and throw shells to try to defeat Team Bowser and win the Golden Cup. With multiple outcomes, it’s a different experience each time you ride.
Yoshi’s Adventure:
Yoshi’s Adventure is for your little ones. “Take a ride with Yoshi and search for the glowing eggs in this enchanting, family-friendly attraction. On Yoshi’s Adventure™ you’ll weave your way through iconic Mushroom Kingdom landscapes, encountering many familiar characters and spotting hidden colored eggs along your journey.” UniversalOrlando.com
Toadstool Cafe: When hunger strikes, step into Chef Toad’s Toadstool Cafe.
Donkey Kong Country:
Make your way into DONKEY KONG COUNTRY. Here you’ll leave the bricks and hills of Super Mario Land and enter the tropical jungle feel of Donkey Kong Country. Prepare to ride MINE-CART MADNESS, a whirlwind roller coaster with cutting-edge technology, the flagship attraction of this area.
There will also be a family coaster and a thrill coaster in Donkey Kong Country….more details to come!
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – ISLE OF BERK
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk here you’ll discover an island where Vikings and fire-breathing dragons exist together in harmony!
Guests can meet Hiccup and Toothless in the Haddock Paddock. Also, keep an eye out for your other favorite Vikings and Dragons, as you take a stroll around the Isle of Berk. You can also expect a thrilling coaster, an epic show, dragon race training, and look up…you just may see flying dragons!!
MINISTRY OF MAGIC
Universal Orlando Resort already has two Harry Potter themed areas in its existing parks. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will take guests inside the Harry Potter franchise. Here you will experience the Fantastic Beasts of Paris in the 1920’s or maybe take the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry in the 1990s for new thrills with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
One of the stand-out experiences here will be a circus-level spectacular show. This production will be a combination of live performers, puppets and special effects! Making the guests feel like they are part of the action!
There will also be character interactions as well as environmental interactions throughout this world.
Hungry? Cafe L’air De La Serene takes you to a Parisian Cafe with delicious French inspired cuisine. This cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, giving you that Parisian Street Cafe feel! And since you’re in Paris be sure to get that delicious, Bièraubuerre (Butterbeer)!
The standout attraction in this “world” will be taking the Metro-Floo to the 1990’s British Ministry to meet Harry, Ron, and Hermione and journey deep into the Ministry’s many departments. This is a motion simulation thrill ride that’s sure to be a thrilling adventure!
DARK UNIVERSE
The last “world” is DARK UNIVERSE that takes guests into Darkmoor Village. This world brings us some of those classic Universal Monsters! From Frankenstein’s monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, Ygor, Werewolf and others of the monster sort.
Prepare yourself to experience two thrilling attractions: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment a thrilling dark coaster and Curse of the Werewolf, described as a family spinning coaster.
Two restaurants will be in this world: Das Stakehaus a fast-casual restaurant and The Burning Blade Tavern….you can’t miss this restaurant!…Just look for the burning wind mill above it!
“Get ready to encounter the unique residents of Darkmoor Village as you stroll the crumbling streets in a foreboding world of unearthly legends and monstrous experiments – a shadowy realm where myth and reality meet.” UniversalOrlando.com
There’s even a Darkmore Monster Makeup Experience, where you can let your inner monster out!
Thinking Of visiting Universal Epic Universe?
Although, we do not have an opening date for Universal Epic Universe, it is expected to open sometime in 2025. An Universal Orlando spokesperson did give us some info about tickets…
“We plan to offer a range of ticket products to help manage the expected demand for Epic Universe and to ensure all guests visiting have a great experience at this groundbreaking park. We are currently speaking exclusively to our sales partners to help them prepare for the sales effort to follow. We are introducing products in a phased approach starting with multi-day ticket packages that include an opportunity to visit Epic Universe in addition to the entire Universal Orlando Resort for those planning vacations further out. Additional ticket options including those for Annual Passholders will be made available in additional phases. Details will be shared at a later date.”
So, once Universal Epic Universe opens it seems a multi-day ticket will be the only way to get into this new park. And that multi-day ticket will only allow for one entry day to Epic Universe. Which is good and bad….good that this will keep crowd levels controllable, but bad because I’m gonna need more than one day!
Of course, this is a temporary period and Universal Epic Universe will eventually conform to a normal park experience. (I hope!)
As for the 3 new hotels, bookings will start early 2025: Click to Book
Stella Nova Resort: Jan. 21, 2025
Terra Luna Resort: Feb. 25, 2025
Helios Grand Hotel: Not yet released
Orlando is an exciting place to be! There’s always something new just around the corner. From innovative theme parks, Michelin dining, or a visit to a museum….there’s something for everyone! What will be on your list to here? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading! Xx Autumn
