This week, I embarked on a journey to sunny Orlando, Florida, for the long-awaited debut of Universal Epic Universe, the latest creation from Universal Studios. Before the gates were flung open to the general public, I was granted exclusive access to traverse all five of its immersive districts. I hopped on rides, savored novel eats, and soaked up the vibrant atmosphere. It was a remarkable theme park adventure, one that showcased a meticulous eye for detail and prioritized guest satisfaction.
Epic Universe consists of four diverse realms: Super Nintendo Land, Isle of Berk (From How to Train Your Dragon), Ministry of Magic (Harry Potter), and the enigmatic Dark Universe. These distinct areas can be explored via Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe, which offers exclusive dining options and activities. Upon entering, visitors pass through portals – circular passages designed according to each world’s theme. The walls of these portals are adorned with vibrant digital displays, and welcoming phrases from their respective universes greet guests as they step inside. For instance, the portal to Dark Universe echoes Dr. Frankenstein’s famous phrase, “It’s alive!
The initial park we explored was Island of Berk, modeled after the town from Dreamworks’ popular How to Train Your Dragon series where our main character Hiccup resides. This park is unique among Universal parks as it boasts the greatest number of animatronics, with dragons positioned throughout the area. Shaped like an O, it has a vast expanse of water in its center.
In the heart of Berk lies my preferred attraction in the whole park – Hiccup’s Wing Glider, a roller coaster that offers a breathtaking flight simulation over dragons and the town of Berk. The ride gives you a magnificent panorama of Berk and Epic Universe, along with a moderate dose of excitement. For those seeking adrenaline-pumping experiences, it may not have inversions or steep plunges, but for someone like me who enjoys theme parks casually, it was truly exhilarating.
Among Berk’s other offerings, you’ll find Dragon Racer’s Rally, an exhilarating experience where riders soar high into the sky, able to twist and flip their carriages for added thrill. Another option is Fyre Drill, a leisurely water ride featuring water guns that passengers can use to hit targets. Despite it being my least preferred ride across all parks, it’s evident that this one is geared towards younger visitors who will undoubtedly enjoy it.
Additionally, this park offers a unique dish – macaroni and cheese in a crispy bread cone, garnished with golden fish crackers. Believe it or not, it’s a genuine experience I’ve had, all for the sake of knowledge. To my surprise, it wasn’t that bad at all. The bread, surprisingly, was quite delicious.
The second theme park I explored was Super Nintendo World, a highly anticipated part of Epic Universe. This expansive area encompasses both the Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country. Upon arrival, I noticed that it was considerably larger than its counterpart in Hollywood. There was ample room to move around, and the rides were evenly distributed. We hopped on the Mario Kart and Yoshi attractions, which provided enjoyable experiences though they didn’t leave a lasting impression.
In the game Donkey Kong Country, I experienced the thrilling new Mine-Cart Madness ride. This roller coaster stars various characters from the DK team (even lesser-known ones like Dixie Kong) and allows players to assist Donkey Kong in safeguarding the valuable Golden Banana. It’s an enjoyable and adrenaline-pumping ride, but it lacks comfort. Upon disembarking, Greg instantly voiced his discomfort from the ride, as it certainly jolts you around. I must admit, there were moments where my back ached too. Nevertheless, for any Donkey Kong enthusiast, the experience is well worth it, and the queue line showcases an animatronic of Cranky Kong, which is a bonus.
The genuine pleasure I experienced at Super Nintendo World lay primarily in its atmosphere. Immersing myself within an expansive replica of two legendary video game realms, while enjoying remixes of some timeless video game tunes, was a truly enjoyable experience. During my stay, I had the chance to spot Mario, Luigi, Toad, and even Princess Peach moving around the park.
After that, I’m eagerly looking forward to exploring Dark Universe! Inspired by Universal Monsters, this place is humorously dubbed after the previous cinematic universe with the same name. Dark Universe transports guests to the eerie town of Darkmoor, where iconic creatures like Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon reside. In this gothic setting, I indulged in a refreshing green soda served in a potion bottle and savored some spicy cheese-filled balls coated in dark breadcrumbs.
The “Dark Universe” hosts Monsters Unchained, one of the most thrilling attractions at Epic Universe. This rollercoaster immerses guests in Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s menacing mansion, where her confined monsters rise up against their captor. The ride showcases remarkable practical effects, featuring lifelike animatronics of Dracula, the Wolf Man, and The Creature from the Black Lagoon, along with intriguing heat, water, and motion effects that heighten the sense of disorder. What’s more, even waiting in line for the ride is a treat, as you traverse Frankenstein’s ominous castle, which boasts haunting decorations and trophies from various monstrous creatures.
Man, let me tell you about an unforgettable ride queue experience I had at Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Located in Universal’s third Potter-themed park, this ride immerses guests into the heart of the Ministry of Magic, a film-accurate indoor replica that left me speechless. The sheer size of it was mind-blowing, and it had everyone in Orlando reacting strongly. People couldn’t help but scream when they first stepped into that massive room – one guy even teared up! It was absolutely epic, and Greg and I paused for a moment to snap some photos and videos.
As a die-hard fan, I must say the experience was truly exceptional! It masterfully combined real-life and virtual elements, making it challenging at times to distinguish between them. Without a doubt, this ride will be the hottest ticket at the park, as it was the only one that reached capacity during the grand opening event.
The rest of the park, themed after the wizarding world’s 1920’s Parisian version, was generally okay. The recreation of the famous French city was quite impressive, yet I found myself pondering over its suitability for a Harry Potter-themed park. After all, even though Paris is featured in the Fantastic Beasts films, it seems an unusual choice given that Harry Potter is not typically associated with Paris. It’s interesting to note that the Ministry of Magic ride is set in a different location and time period than the one it’s situated in.
However, the park offers the chance to wave your wand and activate magical effects, as well as indulge in some authentic French cuisine – if you’re into that sort of thing!
Everything combines beautifully for a truly delightful theme park adventure. Each realm has its own distinct charm, and there’s an obvious care taken in every aspect of the park. The effort poured into it by designers, architects, and culinary artists is evident, and you can trace the progression from past park experiences. The excitement of the grand opening at Epic Universe undeniably enhanced my visit, and it’s tough to envision theme park enthusiasts leaving unsatisfied. I can hardly wait to return!
These opinions stem from my recent experience at the Epic Universe media event held in Orlando, Florida. During this period, Universal Studios graciously offered accommodation and free meals and drinks.
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2025-05-24 00:28