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Universal Epic Universe

Orlando, Florida, USA

“A truly Epic new adventure in the world’s theme park capital”

Some memories last a lifetime. And I’m pretty sure that one of those memories was made while sipping a cocktail in Bar Helios. I was being surrounded by lovely people, the drinks were tasting delicious and we were treated to awesome views of a brand-new theme park. Bar Helios is located on the 10th floor of the Helios Grand Hotel, the signature on-site accommodation of Universal Epic Universe. At dusk, we gazed at the duelling coaster trains of Stardust Racers, the dancing fountains of Celestial Park and the lively Viking town of Berk. It felt quite surreal to suddenly see all this with my own eyes, after having followed the park’s construction for over five years. And yet… on 22 May 2025, the gates of Epic Universe officially opened to the general public. And finally, it was our turn to discover the latest jewel in the crown of Universal Orlando Resort.

Unlike Walt Disney World, Universal is quite compact. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay are all close together, and all of these destinations are within walking distance from several on-site hotels. However, it seemed impossible to squeeze yet another theme park into the existing complex. That’s why Universal’s most recent expansion was built in a new location situated roughly four kilometres south-east of the ‘old’ parks. There you’ll find Epic Universe, the luxurious Helios Grand Hotel and a budget-friendly hotel duo called Terra Luna and Stella Nova. I’ve heard about plans for a high-tech underground transportation system to connect all of Universal’s parks, but for now, you’ll have to take a bus to travel between both parts of the resort. The journey takes just under 15 minutes, so I wouldn’t consider the current situation as a hassle.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Guests at Universal Epic Universe are addressed as travellers. And our travels begin at the foot of The Chronos, a tower of green and gold that might be considered the symbol of the park. According to its backstory, The Chronos harnesses all the energy needed to open the portals of Epic Universe. These portals are the entrances to the five themed lands at Epic Universe. The first portal is located directly beneath The Chronos and leads to Celestial Park, the vibrant heart of the park. The area features cascading waterfalls, impressive statues and a pleasant network of wide promenades. The designers opted for an eclectic architectural style that incorporates classical, modern and natural elements. Within this setting, our attention is immediately caught by the giant Helios Grand Hotel, the striking dome of Constellation Carousel and a number of large-scale water features.

To get straight to the point: Celestial Park is nothing short of amazing. It’s the only area at Epic Universe that isn’t based on well-known IPs or characters, and that feels refreshing in itself. Moreover, this isn’t just a Main Street that visitors traverse while entering or leaving the park. No, Celestial Park serves as some sort of tranquil haven where you can catch your breath regularly throughout the day. The other four zones all feel busy and intense, so these peaceful interludes at Celestial Park are certainly appreciated. Admittedly, the area could use more shaded spots, but I’m guessing that the growing vegetation will help with that over the coming years.

ROLLER COASTERS

Epic Universe opened with eleven mechanical rides. At first glance, that doesn’t seem a lot. Yet roller coaster enthusiasts can rest assured, as the park boasts no fewer than five credits. The standout attraction in this segment undoubtedly is Stardust Racers, a duelling launch coaster manufactured by Mack Rides. It is located in Celestial Park and tells a story about Celestials who travel between different worlds using comets. I love that idea, but don’t expect any highly immersive theming to go with it. Apart from a giant comet statue, a stylish name sign and those stunningly beautiful trains, there is little decoration to be seen. Still, I don’t mind a roller coaster looking like a roller coaster, especially when it’s as brilliant as this one.

Stardust Racers’ yellow-and-green steel structure takes a prominent place in the Epic Universe skyline, and the ride’s statistics are nothing short of impressive. Both coasters are 133 feet (40 metres) tall and nearly one mile long, and trains are launched to a top speed of 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). Speaking of those launches… Stardust Racers doesn’t seem to be a typical Mack product, as the accelerations turn out to be surprisingly powerful. The first launch in particular (which incorporates an extra acceleration near the end of the launch track) completely took me by surprise. Next, riders are treated to a fantastic layout, which is divided in two distinct parts. The first section focuses on intense airtime moments, whilst the second part is characterised by magnificent interaction with the other train. Thanks to that second section of the layout, Stardust Racers manages to claim a spot in my list of all-time favourite coasters. The timing of the race is unparalleled and the so-called Celestial Spin (two intertwined inversions) is one of the coolest coaster elements I’ve ever experienced. It makes me want to ride Stardust Racers again… and again… and again… And fortunately, lines are usually pretty manageable thanks to the attraction’s massive capacity.

Stardust Racers is by far the biggest thrill in Epic Universe’s current lineup. However, this doesn’t mean that the other roller coasters are boring. Quite the contrary! Despite its more family-friendly nature, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, for example, is also a gem. This is the most striking attraction in Isle of Berk, a portal dedicated to the How to Train Your Dragon animated films. The vehicles race past the wooden Viking houses and across the central lagoon, creating a particularly photogenic scene. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders also hits a home run with its pleasant, uncomplicated storyline. The attraction tells a clear story with the help of onboard audio and a couple of effective show scenes. Noteworthy eyecatchers in this experience are the super-cute Toothless animatronic and John Powell’s phenomenal film soundtrack. Despite strong competition, Wing Gliders may well be the most perfect family roller coaster in Orlando.

You may have noticed that I rated Epic Universe a maximum score of five stars at the top of this page. That’s because this park amazed me with its immersive portals and its high-quality attraction collection. But perfection doesn’t exist. On the west side of the park, there’s a rollercoaster that feels like it belongs in a cheap regional amusement park. Curse of the Werewolf is a spinning coaster by Mack Rides and it’s nearly impossible to tell positive things about it. The accelerations are tame and even the time-consuming swing launch fails to hide the fact that the ride is ridiculously short. To make matters worse, Curse of the Werewolf isn’t exactly a beauty. The entire layout is surrounded by black safety netting, and who on Earth placed that ugly mannequin next to the final brake run? I really can’t imagine that someone at Universal is proud of this ride.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Universal Orlando is the place with the most roller coaster launches in the world. Every thrill coaster at the resort features at least one launch. Epic Universe continues this tradition, as all the aforementioned rides feature magnetic accelerations. Mine-Cart Madness is the only ride in this park that uses regular lift hills, but this doesn’t imply that it’s a regular roller coaster. On this Donkey Kong-themed coaster, the vehicles can actually jump over ‘broken’ sections of track. This illusion is created by using visible (fake) tracks and hidden (real) tracks. The idea behind it is brilliant, so I’d like to give Mine-Cart Madness a 10/10 for its originality. The trick is particularly well-executed in the indoor sections. My heart is literally pounding during our first ride because it repeatedly feels as if we’re about to derail. Unfortunately, there’s also a downside to this innovative ride system and that’s the lack of comfort. Although the mine carts don’t reach particularly high speeds, passengers must endure a fair bit of rattling. So however cool the concept behind Mine-Cart Madness may be, the overall experience isn’t flawless.

DARK RIDES

A few paragraphs back, I mentioned that Celestial Park offers a calm moment after exploring portals brimming with action and energy. The latter is especially true in the case of Super Nintendo World. In Donkey Kong Country, a mine cart passes by every 15 seconds, whilst the adjacent Mario Bros area treats us to an explosion of colour and sound. There is movement in every corner and the land is filled with loud jingles and music. It’s a sensory overload of the highest order, but I’ll gladly admit that Mount Beanpole and its surroundings form a spectacular sight. By the way… I’m glad that Orlando’s Super Nintendo World is a replica of the Osaka version, rather than the one in Hollywood. This version has more attractions and it exudes a little more depth thanks to its different levels.

Just like in Japan and California, a large-scale dark ride is hidden behind the colourful facades. Mario Kart – Bowser’s Challenge brings the virtual worlds of the eponymous racing game to life. That game is world-famous, so it goes without saying that the accompanying attraction managed to become a crowd favourite. Consequently, the wait time rarely dropped under the 60-minute mark during our stay. Waiting guest may admire one of the most beautifully themed queues in the entire Universal Orlando Resort, but it’s still a long wait. And although it might be an unpopular opinion, I don’t think Bowser’s Challenge is worth those long lines. When I took my first ride in 2023, I appreciated the attraction because of its innovative concept. Over the years, however, I’ve become increasingly annoyed by the AR headsets, which add shaky images to the (otherwise fantastic) dark ride scenes. And as I’m trying to admire the scenery, I’m also expected to follow racing instructions while shooting shells at my opponents. It’s just too much. I actually find this ride more stressful than enjoyable. Mario Kart – Bowser’s Challenge may well be an impressive installation from a technical point of view, but the ride experience feels overstimulating and messy.

Universal Orlando Resort is renowned for its spectacular Halloween event. But the creepy creatures aren’t totally banished after 31 October, as they continue to roam the Dark Universe all year round. This portal consists of the gloomy village of Darkmoor, the Instagram-worthy Burning Blade Tavern and two rides. Curse of the Werewolf turned out to be a let-down, but the other attraction managed to live up to our high expectations. That’s why I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to Victoria Frankenstein, great-great-granddaughter of the legendary Henry Frankenstein and one of the main characters of Monsters Unchained – The Frankenstein Experiment.

We love the fact that Victoria lives in a huge mansion and that she’s personally welcoming us during a (spectacular) pre-show. We adore the fact that she then treats us to one of the most unique dark rides in recent theme park history. It’s taken a while, but Universal is finally starting to realise that an overdose of screens is usually detrimental to the dark ride experience. It’s a pleasure to see that this attraction has fully embraced real sets and advanced, smoothly-moving animatronics. I’m not saying that screens and projections are totally absent from Monsters Unchained, but these screens seem to be installed purely to support the physical sets. We also experience this ride in a very intense way, as the transportation system with robotic arms (as seen in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) brings us incredibly close to all the action. Despite the fact that I have absolutely no interest in Universal’s Classic Monsters, Monsters Unchained turns out to be a world-class dark ride. Universal has successfully upgraded the old-fashioned and dusty concept of a haunted house into a 21st-century attraction.

Harry Potter made his debut at Islands of Adventure in 2010, followed by an expansion at Universal Studios approximately four years later. As a result, most people would think that the British wizard is sufficiently represented in Orlando. However, Universal’s management didn’t seem to agree, as a third part of The Wizarding World emerged at Epic Universe. This portal transports guests to Paris of the 1920s. Visitors walk under a monumental arch and find themselves in a bustling Parisian quarter full of life-sized buildings. The climate is more pleasant and people are noticeably friendlier than they are in real Paris, but otherwise it literally feels like a walk through the French capital. Does it sound strange when I say that it perhaps looks a bit too realistic? Although this themed area is dazzlingly beautiful, I must admit that I have a slight preference for the fantasy realms of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

Universal Orlando has already established a whole range of top-class Harry Potter attractions, including Forbidden Journey, Escape From Gringotts and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. In 2025, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was added to that list. The ride is set in the British Ministry of Magic, but hey… weren’t we just walking through Paris? The geographical leap may feel somewhat bizarre, but it’s resolved in a visually appealing way. You make the journey using the so-called Floo Network, and that’s an element that’s shared on social media by tons of visitors. Behind it, we find the famous Ministry of Magic, a truly impressive sight full of grandeur and beauty. Rest assured: you’ll have plenty of time to admire it all. Battle at the Ministry is notorious for its long queues, so you’re likely to spend quite a while here.

Approximately 30, 60 or 150 minutes later, you reach the boarding platform. The arriving vehicles bear a striking resemblance to those in Disney’s Tower of Terror. That’s no coincidence, as this attraction’s backstory also involves lifts. We initially use that lift to make our way to the courtroom where villainous Dolores Umbridge stands trial. As you may expect in a theme park attraction, though, things don’t go according to plan. Umbridge escapes and passengers are swept up in a fierce battle between good and evil. In terms of storytelling, this ride doesn’t do anything we haven’t seen before. But when it comes to the special effects, Battle at the Ministry certainly doesn’t fail to impress. After all, the lift glides from one impressive scene to the other. By the way… I’d like to temper my earlier criticism of screen-based attractions. An estimated 75% of the ride’s scenes use screens, but they’re so incredibly sharp that you can barely tell the difference between the real and virtual worlds. Yet it is once again the real-life themed elements that truly elevate (see what I did there?) this attraction to the next level. Of the three classic Harry Potter dark rides, this is undoubtedly my favourite!

ENTERTAINMENT

Let’s stay in The Wizarding World just a little longer to enjoy some live entertainment at Le Cirque Arcanus. Despite this name, it immediately becomes clear that this is much more than ‘just another circus show’. Firstly, the atmosphere is mysterious and even a tad sinister. Secondly, the Demiguise and other characters from the Fantastic Beasts film series take centre stage. Thirdly, the show features special effects that you won’t see in any ordinary big top anywhere in the world. I don’t want to spoil the whole experience, but a sudden metamorphosis of the stage certainly counted as one of the most unexpected moments during our whole day at Epic Universe. So even if you’re not a fan of the circus… don’t skip Cirque Arcanus! This show really stole my heart thanks to the technology and the incredibly unique atmosphere.

Universal Orlando Resort has long neglected its entertainment programme. The theatres at Islands of Adventure stand empty and The Bourne Stuntacular is the only truly spectacular show at Universal Studios. Epic Universe, however, initiated a new era. Here, you’ll find not one, but two high-quality theatre shows. And it’s probably a coincidence, but fantasy creatures play big roles in both of these performances. Isle of Berk is home to The Untrainable Dragon, a show we recognise from Universal Studios Beijing. Even with dialogues and songs in Mandarin, we found this spectacle brilliant, so it goes without saying that we like this English-language version even more. The greatest moment is the introduction of Hiccup and Toothless, but that’s not the only reason to visit this theatre. The show remains entertaining until the end thanks to impressive sets and excellent live singing. By the way: if you’re interested in meeting Toothless and the Vikings, you can do so in the same corner of the park. But keep in mind that queues of over an hour aren’t uncommon for this meet & greet.

Thanks to Le Cirque Arcanus and The Untrainable Dragon, I really ought to give Epic Universe’s show department a perfect score. However, I’m currently only able to rate it an 8 out of 10, just because of the nighttime entertainment. Around closing time, The Cosmos Fountain Show is presented at the water feature near the Helios Grand Hotel. The location is absolutely stunning and it’s lovely to see how all the lights in Celestial Park sway to the music. But… that’s about it. Epic Universe doesn’t go all out with projections, and they haven’t added any fireworks or drones. As a result, the whole thing feels rather simple, which is a shame for America’s most modern theme park. Tourists travel to Orlando to be blown away, not to stare at a few synchronised fountains.

OTHER EXPERIENCES

An American might describe the aforementioned show as ‘slightly underwhelming’. Yet that same American would happily queue for 40 minutes for a carousel. Admittedly… Constellation Carousel is anything but an ordinary merry-go-round. It’s been given a prime location right in the middle of Celestial Park and it immediately catches the attention with its iconic domed roof. Beneath it unfolds a dreamy scene in which colourful creatures seem to float past one another. Not only does it make for an enjoyable ride, but above all, Constellation Carousel is an attraction that is extremely Instagrammable. The same applies more or less to Yoshi’s Adventure in the Mario Bros area. Don’t do this ride for the interactive game (which isn’t challenging at all) or for the ride duration (which turns out to be too short), but just enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Super Nintendo World.

Epic Universe’s attraction lineup is rounded off by Dragon Racer’s Rally and Fyre Drill, both of which are located in Isle of Berk. We’re talking about a double Sky Fly (like Pixarus at Toverland) and a splash battle with cartoon-style scenery. I wouldn’t label either of them as a highlight, but these rides certainly give Isle of Berk more kinetic energy and substance. Still, I find it a shame that Universal chose an old-fashioned splash battle as the park’s only water ride. Orlando’s weather conditions are ideal for water-based fun, but this feels like the easy way out. If Mack Rides is given the opportunity to build a Rocking Boat in Orlando in the coming years, I sincerely hope it ends up at Epic Universe.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Many people associate theme parks with burgers, hotdogs and mediocre chips. And although you can still find such snacks in plenty of parks, a whole range of excellent alternatives have emerged over the past decade. Universal Orlando Resort has embraced this revolution and now offers a huge variety of high-quality restaurants. It’s particularly striking that classic fastfood stalls have almost completely disappeared. Themed dining is the new standard, and Universal has also made the experience a lot more enjoyable. Table assignments are now standard at most quick-service locations. You then place your order via the smartphone app, after which the meal is brought to your table. Do you know that awful feeling of walking through a dining area with a full tray of food, but not finding a free seat anywhere? Well… that’s no longer an issue in the majority of Universal’s restaurants.

The Victorian-style theatre of Pizza Moon is our place to go for a quick bite, and we enjoy a delicious chicken salad at the Meteor Astropub. We also sip a cocktail at Bar Helios and we enjoy a fancier meal at the Atlantic Restaurant, which is designed to look like a giant aquarium. The interior features almost every shade of blue and there’s a sort of fish parade flying through the air. The huge windows offer breathtaking views of Celestial Park, so I think Atlantic is a magnificent place to dine. It’ll set you back quite a few dollars, but in my opinion, the experience is worth every penny.

UNIVERSAL EXPRESS & EARLY PARK ADMISSION

Queues are an integral part of the experience at every amusement park across the globe. Orlando’s newest theme park is no exception to this rule, but there are two different ways to significantly reduce wait times. The easiest solution is buying a Universal Express Pass. This pass guarantees one-time priority access to all attractions (except Dragon Racer’s Rally) and the two theatre shows. And I must say that wait times are indeed minimal for Express users. At Battle at the Ministry and Mine-Cart Madness, for example, we were able to shorten the displayed standby wait times of 180 and 120 minutes to a considerably more comfortable 15 minutes. The only significant drawback I must mention regarding the Express Pass is the investment it requires. We bought ours for around $170 per person, but I also noticed some days on the calendar where prices rise to a whopping $330. Just to be clear: this is the price without tax and excluding park admission. Consider the Express Pass as a sort of business class ticket. You’re buying peace of mind and the (relative) certainty that you’re able to explore all of Epic Universe’s operational attractions in a single day, but you do pay a premium price for this stress-free experience.

An Express Pass for Epic Universe is extremely expensive. Fortunately, there’s another way to enjoy shorter queues without splurging. This requires good planning, though. Standby queues start to become noticeably shorter in the late afternoon, but your best bet is probably Early Park Admission. This is a bonus for guests staying at the Universal hotels. They are granted one hour of early access to Epic Universe. During those 60 minutes, two or three portals are usually open for business. The exact lineup of operational attractions changes regularly and can be checked on the Universal Orlando Resort website. It goes without saying that you should prioritise Epic Universe’s most popular rides during Early Park Admission. These include Battle at the Ministry, Mine-Cart Madness and Bowser’s Challenge. To get the most out of Early Park Admission, I recommend arriving at least half an hour before the start of it. That means getting up early, but it gives you a head start that regular park visitors can only dream of.

WORTH A VISIT?

The novelty factor is almost certainly playing a part in my final verdict, but I find Epic Universe nothing short of sensational. The park boasts a number of world-class attractions, captivating shows and highly-themed portals. Although Universal’s designers had already proved that they’re able to create immersive themed worlds well before 2025, that concept has been taken to entirely new heights at Epic Universe. In my view, the finest results have been achieved in Isle of Berk and Celestial Park. The How To Train Your Dragon zone draws its strength from its large size and kinetics. The area is literally built around the rides, meaning that there’s action to be seen everywhere you look. My love for Celestial Park is mostly due to its dazzling landscaping and subtle thematic touches. I could walk around this beautiful area all day long; I promise you I won’t get bored for a single second.

Despite all these positive words, I won’t deny that there’s room for improvement at Epic Universe. Could Celestial Park benefit from the addition of more full-grown trees? Absolutely. Do I find it a shame that riders are confronted with rather unattractive backstage areas while riding Stardust Racers and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders? Of course. Is it somewhat disappointing to notice that several effects of Mine-Cart Madness are already broken or switched off? Definitely. Besides, Epic Universe needs some additional family attractions. A peaceful boat ride (such as Merlin’s Quest and Voyage to the Crystal Grotto), for example, would have been a perfect fit for Celestial Park. And what about a nice Omnimover themed to Fantastic Beasts or a dark ride based on How To Train Your Dragon?

Epic Universe isn’t perfect, but the same is true for just about every other theme park on Earth. Tokyo DisneySea has a disappointing collection of roller coasters, Disneyland Anaheim urgently needs to update the eastern half of the park, Islands of Adventure suffers from a lack of entertainment, and Europa-Park sometimes presents new attractions of substandard quality. Nevertheless, these are all wonderful destinations that create a true holiday feeling everytime I visit them. In my view, Epic Universe performs at the same level. However, at the time of writing, the park has a below-average rating of 2.3/5 on TripAdvisor. By comparison, Islands of Adventure scores 4.6/5 and Magic Kingdom gets a perfecty fine 4.4/5. A glance at the comments reveals that many reviewers are put off by Epic Universe’s extreme crowds and frequent breakdowns on the attractions. I understand that such things can ruin your day, so I’m glad that we seem to have visited Epic Universe on two ‘good days’. We didn’t experience any extended closures and, even during our Express-free visit, we manage to visit all the major attractions within one day.

We had to be patient for five long years, and my expectations for this park soared to astronomical heights. High expectations often lead to disappointment, but not in this case. This truly is a 5-star park and I even dare to say that Epic Universe currently counts as the best theme park in Florida. But what do you think? Is this new theme park the best thing that could have happened to Orlando? What is your favourite attraction? And is Stardust Racers the best roller coaster in the whole resort? Be sure to share your opinion in the comments section at the bottom of this page.