I Just Spent the Day Touring Epic Universe at Universal Orlando. Here’s How it Went.
Tour Epic Universe with me. You won’t believe what Universal Orlando has created here!
This is Universal’s Epic Universe.
A brand new theme park here in Orlando, Florida.
And today, I’m taking you with me as I walk through it all, one land at a time.
But this isn’t just a tour. I’ll show you exactly what it’s like to visit this theme park from
from soaring roller coasters to dark rides, immersive new lands, and a whole new era of theme park restaurants.
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the channel. I’m Darren from Orlando ParksGuy.com.
Epic Universe Entrance
See the video on YouTube now
INTRO: CELESTIAL PARK OPENING
I’m arriving at Universal's Epic Universe for Early Park Admission, a perk that I get for staying in a Universal Orlando hotel.[pause] Today, I have a digital ticket on my phone which will make thighs very easy. A big thank Universal for inviting me. So let's head straight over to the gate. Just like an airport, there’s a brief security check and I breeze right through.
Oh, and Universal is letting guests know that today is a filming day for the park, at first I thought that was just a prop.
Before me, the first portal that will lead us to the heart of Epic Universe - Celestial Park.
The water feature in the center is breathtaking. I mean, this is a theme park, but it’s absolutely unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Just beautiful - and in the background is Unviersal’s newest Signature hotel - the Helios Grand.
Here from here we can go to the left or to the right, this is like a gaint clock, and right now I’m standing at the park entrance, which is in the 6 o’clock position. But something tells me that I should head to the left. Each of the Portals, Like Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, are located around the figurative clock.
And look at this, here’s one of the featured restaurants at Epic Universe - Atlantic. I think it's ok to go in so let’s go in and have a look.
The ambiance is unlike anything I’ve experienced, with glowing aquatic colors that make the entire space feel like I’m beneath the sea. The ceiling and walls are adorned with intricate designs inspired by ancient Atlantis. The menu is filled with fresh seafood and steak options, or you can enjoy a drink at the Aquaria Bar. I can’t help but feel that is something right out of Las Vegas. Oh, and the fish hanging from the ceiling are made with iridescent metal tiles that shimmer when the lights hit them, giving the illusion that you’re underwater.
With Atlantic Restaurant and at least part of Celestial Park crossed off our list, it’s time to continue on.
As I continue to walk to my first portal, I find the Constellation Carousel. Guest carriages include celestial lions, dragons, and peacocks. Each carriage turns 360 degrees while lifting riders up to 6 feet in the air.
Continuing on, it’s a short walk along the water, and there it is - one that I think most people are looking forward to - Super Nintendo World.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD PORTAL
Of course, this portal is a green warp pipe, straight out of the game. And the escalator is a bit interesting, I mean, when have you entered a land in a theme park that requires you to go up an escalator? The portal bursts with digital sound effects you probably havn’y heard in years, but will recognize immediately. There’s also lighting effects. We finally get to see what it’s like inside an actual warp pipe. At the top, there’s a big reveal. A few more steps, and we’re suddenly in the Mushroom Kingdom.
The kinetic energy here is extraordinary. Every surface moves. Coins spin. Piranha Plants move just like in Super Mario Brothers. The cinematic skybox here is carefully crafted to remove any hint of the real world. And this is just incredible, it's something of an emotional moment for me, I mean this is my childhood right here.
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe - Orlando
Super Nintendo World is built for interaction. With a Power-Up Band on my wrist, mine is from my visit to Universal Hollywood in California but you can buy them here or at the Universal hotels. They link to the Universal app on your phone with a quick scan of a QR code.
With the Power-Up Band, I can punch blocks, collect digital coins, and trigger mini-games hidden across the land and keep track of my points in the Universal app.
There are two Headliner attractions here, Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge and Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness. While checking wait times on the Universal app, I see that the lines for these two attractions are the longest within the entire park, so I’m thinking it was a good idea to come here first thing in the morning. I wish we could get inside Toadstool Cafe, but there’s a long line to get in for this preview, and honestly, there’s much I want to explore here, let’s keep going.
My first stop today is Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness which isn’t a traditional coaster. It uses a boom system that makes it appear like the cart jumps over broken tracks, just like the game. There are near-hits with swinging logs, collapsing bridges, and moments where your cart seems to go off the rails entirely. It’s a rough ride and pretty wild to be honest but it’s blast.
The most technologically advanced ride to me is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. It’s a mixed-reality dark ride where you race against Team Bowser using AR goggles. It’s competitive, fast-paced. This is probably THE most popular ride in Epic Universe.
Now is a good time to slow things down having done two major rides in a row. ror little ones and even adults, there’s Yoshi’s Adventure. Let’s hop on a Yoshi and go for a ride around Super Nintendo World. Ok, now we’re on the lookout for glowing eggs, which doesn’t make too much sense to me right now but I’m just enjoying the ride and checking out all the familiar Nintendo characters.
If you grew up playing Nintendo, just be ready to for the nostalgia to hit you. It’s pure Nintendo. And unlike anything else you’ll ever experience in a theme park!
DARK UNIVERSE PORTAL
I go back out to Celestial Park, and it’s a short walk over to the next Portal. But first, here’s an interesting restaurant called Pizza moon. The marque is pretty neat and draws me inside. It looks like an old theater that has been converted into a pizza restaurant. Reminds me of Johns Pizza in New York City.
A few steps away, is our portal. This is Dark Universe. Here the mood shifts completely from happy toads and Italian plumbers to dark and mysterious.
This portal is shrouded in mist. Gnarled stone arches, odd characters just roaming around. I hear high voltage electricity buzzing off in the distance. I can’t help but think that this must be amazing at night. This land pulls from Universal’s legacy of horror — Frankenstein, Dracula and The Wolf Man — but it’s not a kitschy haunted house park. This portal is a mood no cheap scares.
The centerpiece is Monsters Unchained, a dark ride that reimagines the Universal Monsters. But I’m not going to take you inside just yet.
The most amazing thing to me is the cast of characters here. Look how they are eerily summing us. They look friendly but something doesn’t feel right. They’re calling me over to that restaurant and I feel compelled to g.. One thing I’m looking forward to seeing the most today is Das Steakhouse, and I think this is it. Let’s go check it out. So, apparently it’s owned by Dracula, and we're supposed to look for paintings, and figures all depicting vampires as heroes rather than villains.
Das Steakhous is actually a quick-service restaurant featuring steak and pork options. I ordered the char siu pork. It comes with, mashed potatoes, roasted turnups and mushrooms. The char siu sauce, which is bright red by nature, not only tastes great, but ties in the vampire blood theme.
Quite full after that hearty meal, which was outstanding by the way, I want to check out the feature attraction here: Monsters Unchained. Now I’m a little nervous because I heard this attraction is similar to the ride system used at Harry Potter Forbidden Journey, which is one of the few rides that brought on a little motion sickness for me in the past.
Here, we board a mysterious contraption in Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. As the story unfolds, we find ourselves in a containment breach caused by Dracula himself that unleashes the monsters. The ride technology blends stunning visual effects with animatronic creatures. The ride vehicle reacts as you would react if you were on foot in here.
There, there’s no motion sickness on my end, and I’m going as to say this is one of the best attractions at Epic Universe.
Back outside in the fictional village of Darkmoore, I come across yet another attraction I wanted to see. Wait until you see what is about to happen. This is Burning Blade Tavern. The exterior draws inspiration from the fiery finale of the 1931 Universal Monsters film Frankenstein, where an angry mob surrounded the old mill, setting it on fire.
The windmill catches fire every 15 minutes.
This place is filled with detail inside and even a few Easter eggs for Universal monster lovers.
Next, we board the Curse of the Werewolf. This is a family-friendly coaster with some unexpected moves. It’s short and fast, and there’s even some light spinning involved. I won’t spoil the surprise, but just make sure you’re paying attention when you pass through the barn.
The land encourages you to slow down and take a look. Because this place isn’t about cheap scares. It’s about dark stories and secrets hiding in shadows.
Once again, I walk back into Celestial Park to seek out my portal, but there’s another restaurant. The Oak and Star Tavern is Epic’s Barbecue restaurant. I love barbecue, so let’s see inside.
This restaurant isn’t quite as busy as the others, but I love the atmosphere. It almost feels too sophisticated for a theme park, but that’s a good thing. Nothing is kitsch here, it’s all been designed to bring a little sophistication to the theme park world.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC PORTAL
It’s not long before I arrive at the the next portal. With this one, I immerse in France. I’m surrounded with spectacular architecture, a ride, shows and, yes, places to eat.
The world of Harry Potter has always been about discovering the extraordinary within the ordinary.
The headline attraction here is The Battle at the Ministry, a trackless dark ride that is like stepping into a film rather than boarding a ride. Guests are caught in a struggle between Aurors and rogue Death Eaters infiltrating the Ministry.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Epic Universe
Outside the ride, the land is a maze of alleyways. There’s a magical sweets shop.
The streets of wizarding Paris are home to delightful cafes, including this one, where you can dine inside or outside as you enjoy French baked goods and sandwiches. And of course, you can quench your thirst with Butterbeer along with a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, including beer, cocktails, and French wines.
This was another mind-blowing experience. In my head, I’m trying to think about which land I like best, but they are all equally over the top, I can’t decide. So, back out of the Celestial Park in search of my next amazing portal adventure.
ISLE OF BERK PORTAL
Through the next portal, the noise dims — and I emerge into wind and stone.
This is the Isle of Berk, from How to Train Your Dragon.
Wooden pylons. Viking sails. The smell of smoked meat and sea salt. This land feels open and rustic.
And yes — there are dragons. Everywhere.
The signature attraction is Hiccups Wing Gliders. I think this is a great ride; it’s a family-friendly coaster, but it’s fast. I wouldn’t say it’s a kiddie coaster, but rather one that everyone can enjoy together. No big drops, and it doesn’t go upside down.
For little ones, there’s Dragon Training Camp, an interactive area with games.
The Shops are themed like blacksmith forges and fishmongers.
Isle of Berk in Epic Universe is designed to be a place where you can interact with various characters from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.
Berk’s Fyre Skool. Epic Universe
At Dragon Racer’s Rally, guests can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a Viking-made dragon-riding trainer in hopes of becoming champion dragon-racers.
This high-thrill flying attraction features a ride system new to Universal. It looks a lot more intimidating than it is. There’s a way to make your ride vehicle move back and forth, but I’m not sure how to do it, so I just enjoy the ride.
Isle of Burk is also home to a show called the Untrainable Dragon. This live show features beloved characters. and a highlight includes Toothless flying directly overhead.
Going a little further into Isle of Burke, we find Berk’s Fyre Skool. In a very wet ride, you’re in a boat battle where teams of Vikings compete to outsoak each other while trying to hit over 130 moving targets found throughout the attraction.
Now I have to admit, How to Train Your Dragon Land wasn’t on the top of my list - if you notice I went o it last, well almost last because the big moment hasn’t been covered yet. But this whole land was far better than I could have imagined and I spent a lot of time checking things out.
Back through the portal to Celestial Park and now it’s time for the one attraction I want to more than any other. I’m a coaster fan and this next attraction is going to be… uh, Epic.
It’s late in the afternoon and suprisg;y there isn’t a long line Maybe because Starfall Racers is one of the most intimidating coasters in Orlando.
I’m required to store everything in a locker. And I mean everything - glasses, phones, I’m not allowed to have anything in my pockets and I pass through a metal detector.
The highlight? The amount of airtime you get on this coaster! , The dualing coasters leap into the sky at the same time and then twist away from each other in perfect sync. For a second, it’s like I’m weightless. It’s the most thrilling ride in in Epic Universe - very similar to Velocicoaster if you are familiar with that coaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure park.
WOW!~ What a way to end the day at Epic Universe. And as I wander back toward the center of the park, I circle around, and see the portals in the distance — [build]
Each one glowing with its own adventure inside, starting with the magic of Nintendo World,
It’s then I realize — [soften] Epic Universe isn’t a theme park in the traditional sense. [pause]
It’s a constellation of worlds. [linger]
Each portal is a story.
A tone.
An emotion. [beat]
And Celestial Park… gives us room to breathe between them. [pause]
Thanks for joining me today on this tour of Epic Universe. And now, here comes another one of my videos that YouTube thinks you’ll really enjoy. I’ll see you over there.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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10 Epic Universe Attractions that Will Change Orlando
Epic Universe will be the main reason people visit Orlando in 2025.
While Disney World was busy injecting itself into politics in 2020, Universal Orlando was quietly working on a top-secret project - a massive new theme park called Epic Universe. I’m hearing that this will be Orlando’s most technologically advanced theme park and I think this has probably caught Disney off guard. This is going to be the new reason people come to vacation in Orlando!
Here's my list of 10 game-changing attractions that will raise the bar in the theme park capital of the world.
You can also watch the video here:
Everywhere I go in Orlando these days, Im met with major road construction projects and heavy traffic. This is all in preparation for Epic Universe, opening in the summer of 2025. I thought it was time to share with you some highlights of this new park. And get ready because it’s huge! It has 5 themed lands, like Super Nintendo World and Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic, over 50 rides and attractions, several themed restaurants, and 3 new hotels.
#10 Super Nintendo World Interactive Key Challenges
I had an opportunity to visit Super Nintendo World in Hollywood, California last year and as a kid of the 90’s, it was totally rad! As soon as I entered through the tunnel, I had to press pause for a moment to take it all in. There are attractions, interactive challenges, character meets, and even a restaurant. But the Key Challenges in particular were especially fun. I am thrilled that we’re getting this in Orlando which i suspect will be nearly identical, only larger! The California version is actually kind of small.
Here’s the story: Bowser Jr. has stolen the Golden Mushroom! Using your Power-Up Band, you can retrieve the Golden Mushroom for Princess Peach by playing interactive games throughout the land and collecting digital keys. I think this means that Universal mobile app be how you keep track of yoru keys.
Once you obtain three keys, you’ll unlock a special game called Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. This is yet another technologically advanced attraction where you interact with Nintendo-themed shadows being projected on the wall. I did this in California and it was one of the highlights of our day.
You will need to purchase a PowerUp Band, I got mine at Universal Hollywood for about $45. But without it, Super Nintendo World won’t make very much sense. Even though it’s an additional cost, I think you get what you pay for here.
Now when I was invited to check this out in California I did notice that the lines for Key Challenges got pretty long - about 45 minutes per game. And you only play the game for about a minute. So I’m hoping Universal thinks of a better way to manage this for Epic Universe.
#9 Fyre Drill
In How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, one of the 5 themed lands at Epic Universe, you’ll find four attractions, a live show, and several character meet-and-greets. But I think the ride Fyre Drill really stands out as a unique attraction. You’ll head out to sea on a new boat ride where you’ll aim water cannons at targets and other objects (maybe even each other). Sounds to me like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom or Men in Black Alient Attack but with water!
Fyre Drill at Universal Epic Universe
From your boat you’ll blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires – a crucial skill to master when living with dragons, of course.
At Dragon Racer’s Rally, Berk’s new Vikings can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a massive swing ride. Universal says this swing will go upside down and that riders will be able to make it as wild or mild as they wish. This ride at its core is an off-the-shelf ride likely built by S&S but with some very unique modifications.
Universal says the Untrainable Dragon will be a Broadway-style production with spectacular music and a heartwarming story. I’m surprised at how big the theater looks. This is going to be a major attraction at Epic Universe.
#8 Das Steakhaus - Dark Universe
Dacula invites you to dine in his new restaurant: Das Steakhouse
I wasn’t going to include a restaurant on my list but this one looks exceptionally interesting. Inside the Dark Universe world, you’ll be able to dine in Dracula’s very own restaurant. I wonder if this is a play on words, I mean steaks and vampires don’t mix. Or are we supposed to picture a bloody steak perhaps - undercooked? I don’t know but it’s a great concept and I love it as a steakhouse. This fast-casual restaurant will have a castle theme and since this is Dracula’s restaurant, it will feature artwork that shows vampires as heroes for a change.
The Burning Blade Tavern will also be a major highlight in Dark Universe. The windmill at the top of this quick-service restaurant erupts into flames several times an hour. I’m told that two types of fuel are used, allowing for easy visibility during both day and night. But can you imagine how cool this will look especially at night? The exterior of The Burning Blade Tavern comes from the 1931 Universal film, Frankenstein where an angry mob surrounded the old mill, setting it on fire, and trapping Frankenstein inside.
#7 Mine Cart Madness - Super Nintendo World
Let’s go back to Super Nintendo World because there’s a coaster here that does the unthinkable. It leaps across a collapsed section of track - using special effects obviously. Mine Cart Madness is a Donkey Kong-themed coaster where you’ll hop into a mine cart and go on a thrilling ride through the jungle. I have seen some of this in testing and I can tell you that the carts are designed to move just like they do in the Nintendo video game. Are you thinking that we will be jumping over barrels and old rickety sections of track too?
#6 Monsters Unchained - Dark Universe
I think Dark Universe will be one of the most immersive worlds at Epic Universe. And the flagship attraction will be Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Universal says this will be the most terrifying attraction they have ever created - and after seeing what they can do during Halloween Horror Nights, I imagine this will really be something.
You’ll start out in Frankenstein Manor. There you’re invited by Dr Victoria Frankenstein to witness her experiment on how she can control monsters. But something goes wrong and you’ll be set off on a dark ride attraction encountering classic monsters like Dracula, The Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and others.
The ride system for this looks to be similar to the one used at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Dark Universe will also be home to Curse of the Werewolf, a thrilling dark ride attraction that will reach speeds up to 37 miles per hour, as you go racing through a dark forest encountering the glowing eyes and sharp teeth of the werewolf himself.
#5 Stardust Racers - Celestial Park
With speeds reaching 62 mph and soaring to heights of 133 feet on a 4,800-foot track, Stardust Racers will be a dueling coaster that simulates comets sailing through the skies. It’s also going to be the longest coaster ever created by Universal. But what impresses me the most is that both coasters will perform an inverted crisscross at the same time.
Universal will not have any illuminated sections of track at night - and will only illuminate the coaster vehicles. This effect will make it look like comets are shooting across the sky above you.
#4 Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry - Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter and The Battle at the Ministry will be a dark ride attraction where you’ll travel by Métro-Floo – a unique mode of wizarding transit inspired by the iconic Floo Network seen in the films. On this ride, you’re on a journey from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge.
Upon arrival, you will enter the Ministry’s jaw-dropping grand atrium and venture through other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place…until Umbridge attempts to escape. Guests then join Harry Potter friends in a thrilling chase that will propel you up, down, forward, backward, and sideways throughout the Ministry as they try to capture Umbridge – all while dodging attacks from Death Eaters, rampaging creatures, and more along the way.
#3 Mario Cart Bowsers Challenge - Super Nintendo World
Mario Cart Bowser’s Challenge was the single best ride experience I had when I visited Universal Hollywood. And I think this is going to be a favorite here in Florida too. Like Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness, this ride is also a huge hit in Universal Japan. Mario Cart Bower’s Challenge is rich in attention to detail. The queue is exactly like Bowser's Castle. As you walk along, the the queue gradually reveals that the ride's plot involves "Team Bowser" challenging "Team Mario."
I expect Orlando’s version to very similar as Japan and Hollywood. In the first Preshow room, you’ll are given augmented reality visors and then it’s off to the second room. When you get to the ride, your visor will connect to your ride vehicle where you set out on a track that is a very realistic version of the video game, Mario Cart.
If riders collectively earn 100 points, the ride ends with "Team Mario" winning the race. However, if riders don't accumulate enough points, they'll see an alternate ending where "Team Bowser" wins.
Without a doubt, this is the most technologically advanced ride I have ever been on.
#2 Terra Luna / Stella Nova Hotels
Epic Universe will include 2 brand-new value hotels: Stella Nova and Terra Luna. Both are located just outside Epic Universe, a few blocks away from Icon Park and The Weel in Orlando. You can’t miss either of them with their reflective iridescent exterior and futurist windows.
Terra Luna Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort
Stella Luna Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort
Stella Nova and Terra Luna will each have 750 rooms and will include Exclusive Theme Park Benefits and complimentary transportation. Terra Luna Opens on February 25, 2025, and Stella Nova opens on January 21, 2025.
Both hotels will be opened several months ahead of Epic Universe. I suspect Universal is opening them early to carry out a test and adjust period and to compete with the current Orlando Convention Center area hotels.
Stella Nova will be themed to reflect the infinite vastness of the universe while Terra Luna will place guests in an awe-inspiring solar system – accented with fresh surroundings and terrestrial greens and golds. Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna will be priced at around $147 per night. And I already have my reservation so stay tuned for a review.
#1 Helios Grand Hotel
Universal Helios Grand Hotel is inspired by the Astronomical and Mythological Themes of Celestial Park inside Epic Universe. But the feature that I like most about this resort, and I think for many of you too, is that it will have its own dedicated theme park entrance. So you’ll be able to walk out of the hotel and go right into Epic Universe!
This will give Universal Orlando 11 hotels, and 11,000 guest rooms total. About one-third of what Disney World has.
Now we don’t yet have an opening date for the Helios Grand or a price point. But something that it’s interesting is that Universal isn’t calling this a Premier hotel like Hard Rock, Portofino or Royal Pacific - this one is labeled as a Signature Hotel. So this has me wondering if it will be it’s own hotel class or if Premier Hotels will now be known as Signature Hotels. I suspect there will be some additional theme park perks as well for guests staying here.
Which of these ten attractions are you looking forward to the most when Epic Universe Opens? Let’s get the conversation started below in the comments. For me, it has to be Dark Universe i mean that flaming windmill looks amazing and Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness looks like so much fun. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to see a roller coaster somehow jump the track.
Last Year I made a video based on my visit to Super Nintendo World in Universal Hollywood. It will give you some idea of what we can expect here in Orlando. You can watch that below:
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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Explore Universal Orlando’s new Helios Grand Hotel near Epic Universe. Get a full tour, review, and travel tips for your next family vacation.