Think of an event you’re excited about.A concert by your favorite artist. A big game for yourfavorite sports team. That’s how many theme park enthusiasts are feeling about Universal Epic Universe, the new theme park opening at Universal Orlando Resort next year.
“Epic Universe is built on an amazing concept: The idea that you can go into a world through some kind of portal and you come out in a world you could never dream of,” Steve Spielberg, a longtime partner with Universal, said in a video introducing the park.
But it’s not just one world. Universal is creating five incredibly detailed, fully immersive worlds at Epic Universe, which promise to make even casual park goers forget about the reality they left behind in the parking lot.
Bit by bit, we've been learning more about each world over the last seven months. With this week’s announcements onThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, we finally have the full picture.
Here’s everything you should know about Epic Universe.
What is confirmed for Epic Universe?
Universal says there will be more than 50 unique experiences across the park’s five worlds. Here are some highlights on each.
Celestial Park will be the first world guests encounter at Epic Universe as well as the gateway to the park’s other four worlds. “It’s where we put the park back into theme park,” Universal Destinations and Experiences President and CEO Mark Woodbury said in the same video as Spielberg. It will feature tranquil gardens, dancingfountains guests can splash in, a heavenly Constellation Carousel, and a dual-launch racing roller coaster boasting5,000 feet of track and speeds up to 62 miles per hour.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk will invite guests into the world of its namesake DreamWorks Animation franchise. Set between the events of the second and third films, “We call this the golden age of harmony between Vikings and dragons,” a Universal Creative team member said in a video introducing the world. Guests will be able to meet Toothless and ride three attractions, including high-flying Dragon Racer’s Rally, which lets guests control how wild they want their swooping and spinning ride to be. There will be aplay area for Junior Vikings and a highly anticipated live show called “The Untrainable Dragon,” inspired by the wildly popular “Untrainable” show at Universal Beijing Resort.
Super Nintendo World will not be a carbon copy of its sister land at Universal Studios Hollywood. In addition to the augmented reality-infused Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, its Super Mario Land will featurethe family ride Yoshi’s Adventure for the first time in the U.S. In another domestic first, there will also be aDonkey Kong Country with a roller coaster that appears to jump the track.
Dark Universe will lean into Universal’s legacy of classic monsters like Dracula, The Wolf Man and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.The are two rides planned for the land. Universal is calling Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment its “most terrifying attraction yet.” It will also be one of the most high tech. “We literally use every technology I could possibly think of, and then we realized we needed to invent new technology,” Gregory Hall, Assistant Director, Creative Design for Universal Creative said in a Dark Universe video.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will bridge 1920s wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts movie franchise and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter films. “You’re going to see what you saw in the films at full scale,” Anisha Vyas Burgos, Assistant Director, Projects for Universal Creative, said in a video on the Ministry of Magic. Guests can also see Universal's first full scale theater show within the Wizarding World, Le Cirque Arcanus, before riding Harrry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a cutting-edge attraction that pits Harry, Ron and Hermione against Dolores Umbridge and Death Eaters once again.
Where is Epic Universe located?
Epic Universe will be located off Sand Lake Road, which Universal describes as a 10 to 15-minute trip away from its existing theme parks. Free resort transportation will be provided between the parks. It will also be available between Epic Universe and Universal hotels.
Orlando vs. Hollywood:What's the difference between Universal theme parks?
Is Epic Universe bigger than Universal’s other parks?
Yes. At 750 acres, it will be largest theme park at Universal Orlando.
“Epic Universe represents a tremendous addition, almost doubling the size of Universal Orlando Resort,” Woodbury said. “This gives us the opportunity to bring people to Universal Orlando for an entire week of the most incredible experiences they can imagine.”
What month does Epic Universe open?
Universal hasn’t said when exactly the park will open, only that it will be sometime next year.
Guests who can’t wait can get a sneak peek at the Epic Universe Preview Center in Universal Orlando’s CityWalk shopping, dining and entertainment complex. It’s open to the public and doesn’t require a park ticket.
There’s a sprawling model of the park and accompanying augmented reality app that lets you interact with the model and learn more about the park through your smartphone. There are also a few photo opportunities and Epic Universe souvenirs available.
Epic Universe tickets
Universal has not yet revealed the pricing for Epic Universe tickets or what season passes will look like with the new park.
It’s possible that Epic Universe may be priced differently, much like Universal Volcano Bay water park has a different price from Universal’s existing theme parks.
Will there be a hotel at Epic Universe?
There will be three Universal hotels near the park, all part of Loews like the other hotels on property.
Universal Stella Nova Resort will open on Jan. 21. Its sister property Universal Terra Luna Resort will open on Feb. 25. They’ll both be Prime Value Hotels, like Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Aventura Hotel.
A third resort called Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be located inside Epic Universe, adjacent to Celestial Park. Opening details on the luxurious 500-room property have not been announced.
