Universal Orlando Resorts is changing the theme park world with the opening of Epic Universe, its most ambitious theme park yet. After years of anticipation, construction delays, and enough speculation to fuel a theme park forum for a decade, Universal Orlando's Epic Universe finally opened its gates on May 22, 2025.
We braved the scorching Orlando heat and humidity in August to check out the newest park. And let's be honest—it was worth every minute of the wait. This sprawling new addition transports guests into worlds of fantasy, adventure, and beloved stories like never before. From cutting-edge rides to immersive lands, Epic Universe is shaping up to be a must-visit for families, thrill-seekers, and theme park lovers turning Universal Orlando into a multi-day destination vacation that is distinct from its cousin, the big mouse down the street.
We braved the scorching Orlando heat and humidity in August to check out the newest park. And let's be honest—it was worth every minute of the wait. This sprawling new addition transports guests into worlds of fantasy, adventure, and beloved stories like never before. From cutting-edge rides to immersive lands, Epic Universe is shaping up to be a must-visit for families, thrill-seekers, and theme park lovers turning Universal Orlando into a multi-day destination vacation that is distinct from its cousin, the big mouse down the street.
What’s Inside Epic Universe?
With five meticulously crafted worlds ranging from the wizarding wonders of Harry Potter to the pixelated perfection of Super Nintendo World, Epic Universe doesn't just raise the bar—it launches it into orbit!
With five meticulously crafted worlds ranging from the wizarding wonders of Harry Potter to the pixelated perfection of Super Nintendo World, Epic Universe doesn't just raise the bar—it launches it into orbit!
- Celestial Park – The hub of Epic Universe, with lush gardens, water features, and a mix of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
- Super Nintendo World – Step into your favourite video games with interactive power-up bands, thrilling attractions like Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, and themed dining straight out of the Mushroom Kingdom.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic – A brand-new Harry Potter land inspired by both the British Ministry of Magic and Paris’s Place Cachée (as seen in Fantastic Beasts).
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk – Soar with dragons, meet beloved characters, and explore a Viking village full of interactive play areas and rides.
- Dark Universe – A chillingly immersive land inspired by classic Universal Monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Wolfman, featuring a mix of thrills and atmosphere.
- Celestial Park – The hub of Epic Universe, with lush gardens, water features, and a mix of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
CELESTIAL PARK
Celestial Park
Celestial Park is the hub of Epic Universe. It's the central plaza that leads you to the portals to all the other lands. The main attraction of excitement here is Stardust Racers, a dual launch roller coaster that is fast, fun and pretty to watch!
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON - ISLE OF BERK
Hang with dragons as you enter a world where people and dragons exist in harmony together. The Viking village of Berk has been brought to life where dragons surround you and you can explore the bustling town
Hang with dragons as you enter a world where people and dragons exist in harmony together. The Viking village of Berk has been brought to life where dragons surround you and you can explore the bustling town
How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
DARK UNIVERSE
The classic monsters of the old Universal horror movies is where you find they live in Dark Universe. The land is intentionally strange and mysterious. It's hard to describe but it's dark, creepy and unknown.
The classic monsters of the old Universal horror movies is where you find they live in Dark Universe. The land is intentionally strange and mysterious. It's hard to describe but it's dark, creepy and unknown.
Frankenstein's Castle, Dark Universe
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
And then you head straight into a video game! With Super Nintendo World, the atmosphere is completely opposite with brights colours and oversized everything designed to make you feel like you stepped into the video games of Donkey Kong and Super Mario World and interact with the environment all around.
And then you head straight into a video game! With Super Nintendo World, the atmosphere is completely opposite with brights colours and oversized everything designed to make you feel like you stepped into the video games of Donkey Kong and Super Mario World and interact with the environment all around.
Donkey Kong Country, Super Nintendo World
Mario World, Super Nintendo World
Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
Stay Onsite for Early Access and Convenience
One of best ways to maximize your time at Universal Orlando Resort is staying onsite at a Universal Resort Hotel. Not only for the proximity to the parks, you can access complimentary transportation to and from the parks, as well as take advantage of early entry to the parks, one hour before the general public. This extra hour can give you a valuable head start on some of the more popular attraction reducing wait times.
We stayed at Universal's Stella Nova, one of three new Universal hotels that opened this year as a part of the new Epic Universe park opening. Stella Nova is a Prime Value family-friendly hotel that is located directly across the street from the Epic Universe entrance for a combination of both convenience and budget-friendly options. Its sister property, Terra Luna is located right beside it and offers similar theming, room layouts and price point but just with slightly different theming. While Stella Nova is inspired by the galaxy with cosmic theming surrounded by constellations, galaxies and celestial artwork, Terra Luna is more planetary-inspired, more greens and gold colours for a more earthy and futuristic vibe.
One of best ways to maximize your time at Universal Orlando Resort is staying onsite at a Universal Resort Hotel. Not only for the proximity to the parks, you can access complimentary transportation to and from the parks, as well as take advantage of early entry to the parks, one hour before the general public. This extra hour can give you a valuable head start on some of the more popular attraction reducing wait times.
We stayed at Universal's Stella Nova, one of three new Universal hotels that opened this year as a part of the new Epic Universe park opening. Stella Nova is a Prime Value family-friendly hotel that is located directly across the street from the Epic Universe entrance for a combination of both convenience and budget-friendly options. Its sister property, Terra Luna is located right beside it and offers similar theming, room layouts and price point but just with slightly different theming. While Stella Nova is inspired by the galaxy with cosmic theming surrounded by constellations, galaxies and celestial artwork, Terra Luna is more planetary-inspired, more greens and gold colours for a more earthy and futuristic vibe.
 |  |
 |  |
(When deciding between the two properties, Stella Nova and Terra Luna, and trying to decide which one to stay at, the proximity to the Epic Universe entrance from Stella Nova was the ultimate tie-breaker. There is a walking path from Stella Nova to Epic Universe so if we didn't want to wait for the shuttle bus, you can walk to Epic Universe from Stella Nova, or walk to Stella Nova from Epic Universe.)
For the most luxurious stay, consider Helios Grand Orlando Hotel, the flagship hotel of Epic Universe with grandiose sweeping views of Celestial Park, and a dedicated park entrance exclusive for Helios guests.
Universal Park-to-Park Tickets
With the addition of Epic Universe to the Universal Orlando Resort roster, there are four theme parks to visit during your stay - Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay Water Park and Epic Universe. To maximize opportunity, flexibility is key and having access to multiple parks in one day allows you to easily change plans if one park becomes too busy or if you would like to visit another park on the same day.
The Hogwarts Express between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida is more than just a transportation option to get from one park to another. It is an experience each way that takes you from Hogsmeade Village to Hogwarts Castle and vice versa. It is a different experience each way, and you must have a Park-to-Park ticket in order to experience this attraction.
Though Epic Universe is located in a different area from Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios Florida/CityWalk Entertainment area, there are plenty of shuttle busses that will take you from each park and onsite hotel so that you can visit each park as you would like.
With the addition of Epic Universe to the Universal Orlando Resort roster, there are four theme parks to visit during your stay - Universal Studios Florida, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay Water Park and Epic Universe. To maximize opportunity, flexibility is key and having access to multiple parks in one day allows you to easily change plans if one park becomes too busy or if you would like to visit another park on the same day.
The Hogwarts Express between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida is more than just a transportation option to get from one park to another. It is an experience each way that takes you from Hogsmeade Village to Hogwarts Castle and vice versa. It is a different experience each way, and you must have a Park-to-Park ticket in order to experience this attraction.
Though Epic Universe is located in a different area from Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios Florida/CityWalk Entertainment area, there are plenty of shuttle busses that will take you from each park and onsite hotel so that you can visit each park as you would like.
For the Harry Potter Fans!
Universal Orlando Resort is THE place to visit for Harry Potter fans and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expands with a third area to explore. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic brings together the fantastical world of J.K. Rowling, blending the universes of 1990's London (from the original Harry Potter series) with 1920's wizarding Paris (from the Fantastic Beasts series).
Universal Orlando Resort is THE place to visit for Harry Potter fans and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter expands with a third area to explore. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic brings together the fantastical world of J.K. Rowling, blending the universes of 1990's London (from the original Harry Potter series) with 1920's wizarding Paris (from the Fantastic Beasts series).
And the flagship attraction of the land has you helping Harry, Hermione and Ron stop Dolores Umbridge from escaping her trial and brings you into an "epic" Battle at the Ministry! (See what I did there??!). What bridges the magical wizardry world of 1920's Paris is Metro Floo......and you are transported secretly into the Ministry in 1990's London for the trial of Dolores Umbridge.
 |  |
Epic Universe is one the most exciting theme parks to open and elevates Universal Orlando Resort into a multi-day vacation destination adventure. It's a multi-park theme park with thrills for all ages, though many are designed more for thrill seekers, and older kids (-ish), there is a lot to see and you will want to spend 4-5 days there at least.
And don't forget about Volcano Bay! Though we had a short visit, we did take a small break from Epic to enjoy some time at Volcano Bay for a change in scenery as the lazy river, and water coasters provide a different type of thrill!
And don't forget about Volcano Bay! Though we had a short visit, we did take a small break from Epic to enjoy some time at Volcano Bay for a change in scenery as the lazy river, and water coasters provide a different type of thrill!
Universal Orlando Resort has really elevated their theme park experience and there are so many moving parks that it can be very overwhelming at first when you don't know what to expect. Work with a trusted travel advisor with personal experience at the Orlando theme parks can make all the difference in making your trip a memorable one. Let us help you make it stress-free so you can simply enjoy all that Universal Orlando can offer!
RSS Feed