Universal Orlando’s game-changing park is finally here! It’s the first theme park to open in Orlando in over 25 years, making this highly-anticipated park something everyone is talking about–and with good reason! Now that we have gotten to experience the park, we can genuinely say it’s one of the best theme parks we’ve ever visited. The theming is next level, the attractions can be experienced by guests of all ages, and the attention to detail is incredible. Epic Universe has raised the standards for Universal Parks and other theme parks in the area. Now that the park is open, we have a complete grasp of all there is to experience. As a Universal Studios vacation planner, we want to ensure you know what to expect when you visit this exceptional park. This guide deep dives into Epic Universe’s “portals,” highlighting each land’s attractions and can’t-miss experiences!
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Celestial Park
The grand entrance of Epic Universe is more than an outdoor lobby that you move through on your way to visit the other portals—it’s a land on its own. Celestial Park is inspired by the great constellations in the sky, blending Greek and Roman mythology, space, and cosmic designs with gardens and greenery.
Attractions
There are two attractions in this land. Star Dust Racers is a duel-launch thrill coaster that propels you through space like a shooting star. Constellation Carousel puts a cosmic twist on a traditional carousel, featuring animals from the largest constellations in the sky while spinning in several directions under the canopy of a cosmic mural. The carousel’s unique dome is one of the park’s defining features.
Entertainment
Every night, the water fountains in Celestial Park (in front of Grand Helios Hotel) sway and dance under colored lights to techno-renditions of melodies from Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, and Super Mario Bros.
Dining
Celestial Park features two table-service restaurants. The Atlantic is an upscale restaurant serving steak and seafood with ocean-inspired scenery in honor of Neptune, the Greek god of the sea. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows with gorgeous views of the rest of the park. The Blue Dragon is another sit-down restaurant in the land that features Pan-Asian cuisine. There are also several celestial-inspired eateries for quick bites, like Pizza Moon, Star Sui Boa, and Meteor Astropub.
Don’t Miss:
- Staying at Helios Grand Hotel (located next to the park)
- Details on portal entrances
- Nightly fountain show
Super Nintendo World
This land is two worlds in one, featuring both the iconic greenscape scenes from Super Mario Bros. and the jungle refuge of Donkey Kong Country™. This is one of the most awe-inspiring lands, with larger-than-life elements that bring the nostalgic video games of your childhood to life.
Attractions
There are many family-friendly attractions in this land! Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge brings the iconic video game to life. While you wait in line, you can explore Bowser’s castle. If you have young kids or aren’t into thrill rides, take a calming tour around Super Nintendo World aboard your very own Yoshi at Yoshi’s Adventure. At Mine-Cart Madness™, go on a quest to protect the sacred golden banana while you attempt to avoid hurdles, jumps, and a ride vehicle that seems to disregard its track.
Entertainment
Character meet and greets with characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong are the highlight of entertainment here.
Dining
There are several snack and treat kiosks in the land, serving themed dishes that immerse you in the experience in every bite. Get a hamburger topped with a bun with a Mario or Luigi mustache, or chow down on the Bowser’s Fireball Challenge, which is a one-pound meatball topped with mozzarella cheese and a Bowser-shaped puff pastry.
Don’t Miss
Get the complete video game experience when you purchase a Power Up Band™. These bands allow you to interact with hidden elements throughout Super Nintendo World and gain rewards for completing challenges. Battle Goombas, make a Piranha Plant fall asleep, hit a POW block, and more. Complete at least three challenges and unlock the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, where you confront Bowser to recover the Golden Mushroom.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This third iteration of Harry Potter-themed land at Universal expands the wizarding world to include theming from the Fantastic Beasts franchise and the 1990s British Ministry of Magic profiled in the book and film series. Explore Place Cahée, a local hangout for witches and wizards set in Paris in the 1920s. Then, you are transported (via Floo Powder) to the 1990s British Ministry of Magic in the queue line for the land’s main attraction: Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry™.
Attractions
Harry Potter and the Battle of Ministry is one of the largest rides at Epic Universe, but our favorite part may just be the queue line! Explore the British Ministry of Magic profiled in the Harry Potter book and film series, which is filled with amazing detail book and film lovers will appreciate. It’s something you just have to see to believe!
Entertainment
The other featured attraction in the land is Le Cirque Arcanus™, a Cirque du Soleil-style show featuring unique and fantastic beasts directly from Newt Scamander’s suitcase. You can view even more creatures from the wizarding world while waiting for the show. Be on the lookout for wizarding world residents who stroll down the streets of Paris. You may see exchange students from the world’s famous wizarding schools like Beauxbatons, Hogwarts, and Ilvermorny (the US wizarding school, which is brought to life for the first time). You may even catch a glimpse of an undercover Auror ensuring the Parisian streets are safe from dark magic.
Dining
There are several hole-in-the-wall cafes and eateries throughout Place Cahée, where you can stumble across Parisian delicacies and familiar favorites. There’s even an Americana-themed wizarding bar where you can view memorabilia from the American Quidditch teams. Café L’air de la Siréne™ combines French specialties with wizarding-world treats, like the Butterbeer™ crepe.
Don’t Miss
Get a Parisian-designed wand at Cosme Acajor, the Parisian equivalent of Ollivanders. The wands are simply beautiful. If an interactive wand chooses you, you can use it throughout the land to cast spells and interact with fantastic beasts hidden in plain sight.
Isle of Berk
The world of Vikings and dragons comes to life from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise through this portal.
Attractions
The land features three distinct attractions that are great for Vikings of all ages:
- Hiccup Wing Gliders — an outdoor family coaster where you’ll hop aboard Hiccup’s latest flying invention that simulates a dragon ride.
- Fyre Drill — an interactive water boat ride where you shoot water pistols at various targets and other riders.
- Dragon Racer’s Rally — train just like the Vikings on how to ride a dragon with this dragon riding simulator, where you barrel roll, swoop, and soar over the Isle of Berk.
Entertainment
The Untrainable Dragon is a live show featuring puppetry, live performers, and music. You may even see Toothless soar above the audience! Speaking of Toothless, one of Epic’s most popular meet and greets is with Toothless and Hiccup. Toothless is so lifelike you’ll think you just met a dragon. You can get up close and personal with him, touching his nose, petting him, and taking pictures. You also don’t want to miss Vikings like Astrid, Tuffnut, and Ruffnut roaming throughout the land, along with their dragons. There is also an outdoor playground where littles can play and explore.
Dining
There are three quick-service eateries in the land featuring feasts worthy of Vikings—and little Vikings in training, too.
Don’t Miss
There are over 30 dragons featured throughout the land, combining live puppets and animatronics. Can you find them all?
Dark Universe
The first land dedicated entirely to monsters and villains is one of the most anticipated places to visit at Epic Universe. Enter the town of Darkmoor, where legends of classic Universal monsters like Frankenstein’s monster, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, and The Wolf Man come to life.
Attractions
Monsters: Unchained is the land’s anchor attraction, located inside the Frankenstein family mansion. There, you’ll see Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-granddaughter of Dr. Frankenstein, who is committed to continuing her family’s legacy. However, can you escape when the monsters unleash their power? There is also a family-friendly outdoor coaster, Curse of the Werewolf, that achieves the right balance of spooky thrills and fun for younger kids.
Entertainment
You don’t want to miss your chance to snap a pic with Frankenstein and his bride, along with several residents of Darkmoor who roam the streets. Ygor, Victoria Frankenstein’s assistant, adds some comedic relief to the dark-themed land.
Dining
Dine in a mansion dedicated to vampire folklore at Das Stakehaus, the land’s table service restaurant. The most intriguing eatery at Dark Universe is the Burning Blade Tavern, which has quickly become an iconic landmark of Dark Universe. Dine in the bottom of a flaming windmill for beer, wine, and bratwurst. The windmill erupts into flames several times an hour, day and night. There are a few bars and snack carts in the land as well.
Don’t Miss
You’ll definitely want to stop by this land after dark; it truly comes to life with eerie lighting and shocks of electricity that pulse through the various buildings and structures. If you’ve always wanted to transform into a Universal monster, you finally can at the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. The best part? It’s offered for ages 5 and up, so adults can participate, too!
Book Your EPIC Vacation with Our Universal Studios Vacation Planners
Wishing On A Star Travel is an authorized Universal Travel Professional. We’re highly experienced in booking Universal travel and receive regular training directly from Universal. However, our true experience lies with our agents, who visit the parks regularly and use their knowledge and expertise to plan unforgettable vacations for you and your family. Now’s the perfect time to plan your next vacation to Epic Universe and be a part of the opening of this amazing park. Call us today at 1-888-678-TRIP, or get a free quote here to start planning your epic vacation!
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