Universal Orlando Resort has officially opened its fourth and most anticipated theme park: Epic Universe. Launched on May 22, the park is an entirely new destination that promises to redefine childlike wonders, making unforgettable memories and spreading excitement. From soaring with dragons in How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk to battling Bowser in Super Nintendo World and touring the magic of the Ministry of Magic, Epic Universe delivers on its promise of thrill.
“Epic Universe is more unique than the other Universal theme parks, including lands in which you are able to immerse yourself and become one of the characters. There are more things to do like themed restaurants and rides based on books and movies concerning the parks. It is worth it to go, but there are not that many rides to go on which is the whole point of the park. If you put behind the rides, the food is actually good and unique and it is a thrilling experience,” sophomore Dominic Barrera said.
Epic is a collection of multiple books, themes and movie franchises. It covers the video game Mario Kart, the storyline of Frankenstein, the books and movies of Harry Potter and the movie franchise of How to Train Your Dragon. But at the center of it all, opening the portal of imagination, is Celestial Park, the heart of Epic Universe, designed as a garden-filled world that connects to all the other lands.
The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant draws crowds with its vibrant and Asian menu, enjoyed beneath dragons and a starry sky. One of the most liked desserts is the Passion Fruit Mooncake, a bite-sized tart that perfectly complements the vibrant experience of the Restaurant.
“Epic Universe is the most fun I have had in a while at a theme park. The launches from Stardust had me speechless, at the end of the day I had ridden it at least four times. The twists had me amazed every single time and so many turns which leave you with wind knocked out of your stomach. The Ube slice from Pizza Moon was my favorite food the entire time I was there,” freshman Aiden Sierra said.
As the highlight attraction, Stardust Racers features a dueling roller coaster that lets riders “race comets” through a space-themed course, featuring high speeds, smooth inversions and a signature intertwining “Celestial Spin.” Reviewers said its smoothness and visuals, especially at night, were beautiful.
The Isle of Berk immerses guests in the world of How to Train Your Dragon with rich detail and a strong sense of place. Visitors enter through a portal filled with large Viking statues and are greeted by a lagoon, carved dragon totems and what reviewers describe as “one of the best reveals in all of Epic Universe.” The environment uses water, landscaping and hand‑carved details to imitate a real Viking‑dragon village.
“My favorite world was the Isle of Berk because of the pond with all the Viking boats which were beautiful, especially at nighttime. For lunch, I ate the mac and cheese cones which, to my surprise, were actually good. The pasta was creamy and the Nashville hot chicken was juicy and paired well with the cheese from the pasta. The land was full of experiences such as baby dragons, workers dressed as Vikings and themed food,” freshman Ivana Gonzalez said.
The land offers a variety of rides allowing different ages to ride them. Hiccups Wing Gliders is a family-friendly coaster imitating flight alongside dragons over the lagoon and village. Dragon Racers Rally is a more thrilling ride where guests can control their seats to “take flight”. For younger or less of age visitors, Fyre Drill provides a water-based interactive adventure where guests “combat” fire-breathing dragons. Additional attractions include a theatrical show called The Untrainable Dragon Show, character meet-and-greets, with Toothless and Hiccup and a childrens’ play area called Viking Training Camp. The ride lineup provides a balance of thrills and gentle experiences, allowing families with mixed ages to enjoy the land together.
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe transports guests directly into the world of Nintendo through a giant green “warp pipe” that takes them to Mushroom Kingdom, styled with classic elements like coin blocks, Goombas and Piranha Plants. Every corner of the land is filled with game elements and playful sounds, making it feel as though the games have come to life in the park. A separate Donkey Kong Country area continues the immersion, replacing the bright Mushroom Kingdom with jungle theming, golden temples and mine-cart tracks.
Dining in Super Nintendo World continues the theme with character-inspired dishes at Toadstool Café. The menu includes Mario and Luigi Burgers, Super Mushroom Soup and themed desserts. In the Donkey Kong Country section, snack stands sell themed treats and specialty drinks that match the jungle vibe.
A feature of Super Nintendo World is its interactive layer, powered by Power-Up Bands. These wristbands allow visitors to punch “?” blocks and collect digital coins, just like the game. Players who earn three digital keys can access a special mini-attraction, Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown, an interactive battle. The bands come in various character designs allowing fans to personalize their experience. However, the bands are optional and reusable.
The rides have a balance between interactive family experiences and more thrilling attractions. Mario Kart: Bowsers Challenge uses three dimension reality to place riders in a race through Bowsers Castle.
Yoshi’s Adventure offers a slower-paced journey through Mushroom Kingdom scenes, perfect for younger children or those who prefer a calmer experience while Mine-Cart Madness and the Donkey Kong coaster both add a rush with its fast pace and unique track illusion that makes riders feel as if they are leaping over gaps in the track. With its innovative rides, Super Nintendo World stands out as a celebration of gaming culture and a must-see destination within Epic.
Dark Universe invites guests into the eerie world of Darkmoor Village, a gothic‑inspired realm where science has gone bad and monsters roam the shadows. Visitors pass through a dark portal, complete with an eerie cemetery, before entering the village itself.
“Amongst every ride at Epic Universe, the Frankenstein Experiment was my favorite because of the animatronics and the storyline. It included monsters, such as mummies, Dracula and werewolves. I felt truly immersed into the story, feeling like a monster myself and it felt like a movie too. The seats rock side to side and front and back making it really thrilling and fun,” sophomore Julian Amaro said.
Dining in Dark Universe continues the monster theme with restaurants and seating. Guests can visit Das Stakehaus, a vampire‑themed steakhouse, The Burning Blade Tavern, with a burning windmill and De Lacey’s Cottage, a cottage‑style snack spot tied to the Frankenstein lore.
Dark Universe has several headline attractions that span from rides to immersive experiences. One major ride, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, immerses guests into the catacombs beneath Frankenstein Manor, confronting monsters such as Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and more, all through animatronics and ride systems.
Another ride, Curse of the Werewolf, is a spinning coaster themed to escaping the werewolf in a forested area, designed to provide thrills without it being too intense. Beyond the rides, there is the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, where guests can get monster‑themed makeovers and meet‑and‑greet opportunities with characters.
The Ministry of Magic is a richly themed land, built to transport guests into the world of Harry Potter and sorcery. From the first moment guests enter through a carved grand portal, the environment shows that magic is very much alive. The architecture, such as soaring towers and hidden entrances, all contribute to an atmosphere filled with magic. While the name suggests lavish, the styling leans more toward mysterious, blending elements of fantasy with a Gothic touch.
One feature ride takes visitors into the center of a wizards tower, where they must harness magic to overcome sinister forces. The ride uses motion and effects to bring spells and sorcery to life. Meanwhile, gentler experiences are available, like the floating “magical broom” flight simulator or the wand‑guided interactive dark ride, giving younger children or riders who prefer it a way to participate.
Overall, Epic Universe met the expectations of its arrival, concluding it to be a huge hit amongst fans of Universal’s franchises.
