Maura Brunt ‘27
EE Staff Writer
In August of 2019, Universal Studios announced their third new park for their Orlando resort. Before Epic Universe’s opening, Universal Studios Florida had 2 major parks: Universal Studios Florida and Island of Adventure. Along with those 2 parks, they also have other smaller parks and zones – like Volcano Bay, a waterpark, and their city walk which connects the two parks. Universal Studios has a global touch as they have 5 resorts around the world: Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Singapore, and Beijing. Their Florida Resort is one of the major theme parks in Orlando, along with the Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld, so this announcement was huge. Nearly 6 years after its announcement, Epic Universe opened its doors, on May 22, 2025.
Upon admission to Epic Universe, guests are transported to unique worlds and lives. Typically, when guests enter they are led into Celestial Park. From there, there are special portals people can take to visit the various areas and worlds of the park, which include Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, the Isle of Berk; from How To Train Your Dragon, and the Ministry of Magic; from Harry Potter. Each of these sections has its own rides, characters, dining, shops, and more.
To start, Celestial Park has 2 main attractions. If you are a thrill seeker, you should check out Stardust Racers, which is a dual-launch roller coaster trying to simulate a ride throughout the universe. This roller coaster is 5,000 feet long, going up to 133 feet in height, and reaching a maximum speed of 62 miles per hour. Along with that, another attraction in Celestial Park is their Constellation Carousel. Here, you can ride a colorful animal – like a dragon or a lion – while also enjoying the star patterns on the ceiling. Other than attractions, this world has over 10 dining options- including full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants or snack and beverage bars.
The Ministry of Magic marks the third Harry Potter themed land in Universal Florida’s parks- having 1 at each of the parks. In The Ministry of Magic, you have the opportunity to experience both 1920s Paris and the 1990s British Ministry. The main staple of this section is its thrill ride, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Throughout this ride, many common faces show up, like Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, as you look into Dolores Umbridge’s trial. While you are at this land, you also can see the show Le Cirque Arcanus, a wizard circus involving dances, magic creatures, and other acts. The Ministry of Magic is also home to two quick-service restaurants, and a snack bar. In addition, throughout this section of the park, there are particular places where you can use a wand and cast spells!
Another exciting land is Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World. This land was first brought to life in Universal Japan and later inspired both Universal Hollywood and Universal Florida’s additions. Super Nintendo World has three memorable rides. The first ride is a classic, bringing you into your own immersive Mario Kart ride, where you get to play as an actual character, racing, collecting coins, and throwing objects –experiencing different outcomes based on what you do. Additionally, another ride is Mine-Cart Madness, which is a thrill ride where you try to protect Donkey Kong’s Banana, jumping over tracks and having a fun time in the process. The third, and more kid-friendly ride, is Yoshi’s Adventure, where you have the opportunity to ride on a Yoshi and spot eggs and other scenery. Super Nintendo World has four dining opportunities, with a fan favorite being Toadstool Cafe – a quick-service dining experience with fun food and add-ons. Before walking through the portal and leaving this world, don’t forget to take a photo with Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Peach, who are all characters that roam this area.
When walking through the portal and entering the Isle of Berk, watch out for dragons! This section of the park is based on How To Train Your Dragon, and as such, has actual dragons flying through the air. There are many entertaining things to do in this world, including riding on its 3 rides. One major ride is Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which is a roller coaster designed by Hiccup himself to shoot people into the sky, encourage dragon riding, and test the bravery of guests and Vikings alike. While you are in this area of the park, don’t forget to ride Dragon Racer’s Rally, another thrill ride. Unlike the last rollercoaster, this ride is a pendulum ride, where you spin and fly through the air. If both of these rides seem too fast or dizzying, there is also Fyre Drill, which is a boat ride that takes you through a sea boat battle. Every rider has a water cannon to shoot at the flame targets they see. The Isle of Berk also includes a “training camp” playground, as well as dining options and character meeting spots.
The final world in Epic Universe is Dark Universe. If you are in this part of the park, make sure to be aware of your surroundings – monsters may sneak up behind your back. Dark Universe has 2 major rides: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein loses control of her monsters and they start rebelling, and Curse of the Werewolf – a thrill ride where you travel through the woods, trying to escape a werewolf.
Overall, across Epic Universe’s 750-acre land, there are many rides, characters, shops, dining, and possibilities to have a wonderful time. Epic Universe, as well as the other Universal Parks, have Express Passes – which allow you to skip the line and have a shorter wait time, also allowing you to get to experience more. While in the area, you can also visit Universal’s other parks, or check out a different resort – like Legoland, Disney World, or SeaWorld, as they are all relatively close to each other.