Epic Universe- Opening at Universal Orlando Resort

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Epic Universe will be the largest Universal park in the United States. The fourth theme park will feature The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon, and Universal Monsters franchises, plus it’s own unique concepts.

Epic Universe will bring a new level of theme park immersion that is unmatched – transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure.

Epic Universe Location

The all new theme park will be just down the road from the now main campus of Universal Orlando Resort. They are still working out all of the details- but I am certain it will be an easy ride to get to Epic Universe. There will also be three brand new onsite hotels as well.

Epic Universe Worlds

This theme park will feature five immersive worlds, each with their own distinct themes.

Celestial Park

Visitors will encounter is Celestial Park, as they first enter. With acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways, Celestial Park will put the “park” back in “theme park.” Celestial Park will also be the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe through a set of majestic portals.

• Starfall Racers– a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Starfall Racers will be Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the “Celestial Spin,” in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air – creating an “out-of-this-world” adrenaline rush.

• Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.

• Astronomica, an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests.

• Unique dining experiences ranging from full-service restaurants to quick-service locations that offer something for every palate, including Atlantic – a full-service restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium with captivating views of Celestial Park; and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – where diners take a culinary journey across Asia as they enjoy authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare in this full-service restaurant accented with neon dragons and ethereal lanterns. Additional “must-eat” locations within Celestial Park include The Oak & Star Tavern, where guests can enjoy savory barbecue, Pizza Moon, which will serve up a tasty menu featuring a variety of pizzas, and more.

• Incredibly detailed retail locations, including the Nintendo Super Star Store, where guests can shop an assortment of merchandise themed to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, where guests can satisfy their cravings with a unique selection of sweet treats, and more.

• Plenty of exciting entertainment, including various fountain shows throughout Celestial Park’s seven acres of water where a multitude of fountains sway, dance – and even reach heights up to 135 feet in the air – to music and interactive lighting from day to night.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series. 

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Here guests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the  How to Train Your Dragon film franchise.

Guests’ first sight of Berk will be reminiscent of the iconic sweeping vista straight from the films – featuring a vast sparkling lagoon that boasts two 40-foot-tall Viking statues set against an energetic village perched above churning seas. Here you will discover four attractions, one live show, and several character and dragon meet-and-greet experiences.

• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – On this family thrill coaster, Hiccup invites brave new Vikings to take a ride in his latest glider contraption – a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the sky for a dragon’s eye view of Berk. Guests will fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless and reach speeds up to 45 mph as they soar around the perimeter of Berk – and even through the lagoon – while experiencing firsthand what it’s like to fly on a dragon.

• The Untrainable Dragon – Inspired by Universal Beijing Resort’s wildly successful “Untrainable” show, this dragon-filled live spectacular takes guests on an unforgettable journey with beloved characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. This heartwarming story comes to life with captivating musical numbers, breathtaking sets and life-sized dragons soaring overhead.

• Fyre Drill – Mischievous Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut invite teams of Vikings to compete to outscore and out-soak each other on this wet-and-wild boat battle. Guests will board a colorful dragon-headed boat and blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires – a crucial skill to master when living with dragons.

• Dragon Racer’s Rally – Berk’s new Vikings racers can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on two Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet in the air. Guests can control how “wild” or “mild” their experience will be as they perform high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and soaring skills that are necessary to earn the accolades worthy of a true champion dragon racer.

• Viking Training Camp – Junior Vikings will learn everything they need to know about dragons as they climb, slide and explore their way through this sprawling interactive adventure play camp – featuring a Viking agility course, a Toothless-themed teeter-totter, baby Gronckle dragon climbers and so much more.

• Meet Hiccup and Toothless – Guests can visit the Haddock Paddock for an incredible meet-and-greet experience with heroic Dragon Rider, Hiccup, and pose for a photo with his friendly Night Fury, Toothless. Plus, throughout the day, guests may also encounter other familiar Vikings and dragons while exploring Berk.

Guests can also dine and shop like Vikings in the world’s variety of themed eateries and retail locations, including:

• Mead Hall — The beating heart of Berk and the village’s main gathering hall, Mead Hall is where guests 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 — Overlooking the action of the Fyre Drill water attraction, Spit Fyre Grill is a quick-service dining location featuring delicious, hearty meals flame-seared by a helpful (unseen) dragon fry cook.

• Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel — Guests can grab quick bites at this festive racing-themed food stand located in the Viking Camp.

• And after a day of dragon training, guests can commemorate their lessons with an array of merchandise available at highly-themed shops like Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop, and Toothless’ Treasures.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Here you will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as you step into the worlds of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong. The 80’s and 90’s kid in me might be most excited for this world!

Everything in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD feels alive — because so much of it is constantly in motion. You’ll pop into the land outside of Peach’s Castle. Around you, Thwomps thud down, shells spin, Koopas pace back-and-forth. You’ll be eager to punch a ? Block and hear the sound of earning a digital coin. Even Chris Bromby, the Senior Show Producer for the project, admits entering SUPER NINTENDO WORLD “kind of makes you a little teary, especially as a fan of the games.”

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Wind your way through Bowser’s Castle and join Team Mario on the racetrack to defeat Team Bowser in this interactive ride. Just like in the Mario Kart games, you’ll collect coins and throw shells, all while driving through courses underwater and in the clouds. The attraction employs special goggles— just look at your target, press the button on the steering to toss a shell, and BAM!

Yoshi’s Adventure: Orlando will host the first Yoshi’s Adventure attraction in North America. This family-focused ride, you’ll hop onto a Yoshi and embark on a search for glowing eggs. 

Key Challenges: These interactive experiences throughout the land, will test your quickness, skill, and timing in a variety of challenges. The challenges include: Thwomp Panel Panic, Goomba Crazy Crank, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, and the Bob-Omb Kaboom Room. (This’ll be the first Bob-Omb Kaboom Room in North America!) For each challenge you win, you receive a digital key. Collect three keys with a Power-Up Band and you can play Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, where you’ll battle to win the Golden Mushroom back from Bowser Jr.  

Toadstool Cafe: Chef Toad is bringing his delicious concoctions to his Cafe! More details to come.

Meet & Greets: It wouldn’t be Super Mario Land if you couldn’t have a selfie with your favorite characters! Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad will all be available for character meet-and-greets throughout the day. Plus, if you have a Power-Up Band, meeting these characters offers an enhanced experience.

Donkey Kong Country

Andrew Padua, Senior Art Director and Creative Lead for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD tells us that when you walk into the tunnel between the two lands, you’ll see the gradual change from the bricks of Super Mario Land to the more jungle atmosphere of Donkey Kong Country. “There’s rockwork and gems and flowers. Everything’s overgrown and tropical,” he says.

Surrounding guests in Donkey Kong Country will be its flagship attraction, Mine-Cart Madness, a whirlwind roller coaster. Its the cutting-edge technology is what will make Mine-Cart Madness a truly unique ride experience. The roller coaster uses a new ride system, developed in-house by Universal Creative, that recreates the thrilling maneuvers of the mine carts from the Donkey Kong Country video game series. 

Dark Universe

Here you will encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.

New Onsite Hotels

Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Located inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite – complete with 500 rooms, one-of-a-kind views and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park.

Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort

Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will each feature 750 guest rooms in the resort’s Prime Value category.

Stay tuned as I update everything Epic Universe– until it opens in 2025!