Amusement Park News

Universal's Epic Universe is the largest theme park at Universal Orlando. It features a 750-acre campus that, according to Universal Destinations and Experiences President and CEO Mark Woodbury, “represents a tremendous addition, almost doubling the size of Universal Orlando Resort.”

The park is the fourth to arrive in Florida from Universal in Orlando, which is already home to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Steve Tatham, executive creative director of Epic Universe describes it as a “whole new kind of theme park. We're creating these five immersive worlds, each one of them an amazing, compelling, storytelling experience.”




At the center of the Epic Universe is Celestial Park, where astronomy is the overall theme and the Starfall Races dual-launch racing coaster presents a thrilling ride that takes guests on as passengers on “comets” that travel 62 miles per hour, reaching as much as 133 feet in height as the coaster pursues a track that stretches 5,000-square-feet.



Also in this land are gardens and paths, the whimsical Constellation Carousel, and an interactive water play space called Astronimica. Food and Beverage options include the Oak & Star Tavern Atlantic, and Pizza Moon.

Celestial Park offers entrances to the other four lands in the park. These include Dark Universe, dedicated to the iconic monsters of Universal, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic which is based both around the films and upon the Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

Dark Universe features classic monsters like Frankenstein, the Mummy and the Wolf Man, with its entry point the spooky Darkmoor, a “town” that contains rides such as Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a cutting-edge dark ride that takes riders into the lair of one Dr. Victoria Frankenstein as she carries out her ghastly experiments.  

In a more lighthearted vein, Curse of the Werewolf is a spinning family coaster inspired by the 1941 classic film.

Throughout the land, Universal's monsters are able to interact with each other and guests. Parkgoers can also take part in a “monster makeover experience” that will show guests how tech and makeup brings these monsters to life. Dining options here include the Burning Blade Tavern and De Lacey's Cottage.

Wizarding World is home to the ride Battle at the Ministry, which Universal Creative has called “A game changer for the entire industry.” Anisha Vyas Burgos, assistant director of projects at Universal Creative relates that the ride will “redefine…what immersion really is.”

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry features multi-directional ride vehicles, a trackless ride system, and motion simulation, as well as interactive wands and wearables, plus AR.



Also a part of this land is Le Cirque Arcanus, a live theatrical experience with performers and aerialists, puppetry, and special effects, as well as the Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique shop, which sells interactive wands that work at different locations in the park. F&B options here include locations such as Café L'Air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir, Bar Moonshine, and of course, a butterbeer cart.

How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk presents a world based on the film franchise, inviting guests to take flight with the dragons; while Super Nintendo World is interactive gaming-based fun, and includes characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.

How to Train Your Dragon recreates the titular Isle of Berk, a rough and rocky world populated by Vikings and dragons. Attractions here include the family-friendly thrill coaster Hiccup's Wing Gliders, the Fyre Drill boat ride, the Dragon Racer's Rally ride, and the Viking Training Camp play area. The land is also home to a live show “The Untrainable Dragon.” Hungry guests can dine at the Spit Fyre Grill, or Hooligan's Grog & Gruel. Hiccup's Wing Gliders utilizes a motion-based ride system that simulates the experience of flying -- on a dragon.

Super Nintendo World includes Super Mario Land where the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge experience is located, a ride that combines AR and projection mapping for an intensely interactive experience.  In F&B, Super Nintendo World offers the Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi's Snack Island, and Turbo Boost Treats. Donkey Kong Country is another section of Super Nintendo World, where the family coaster Mine-Cart Madness offers a unique ride system that allows guests to feel just as if they are playing inside the Donkey Kong arcade game.



According to Thierry Coup, former senior VP at Universal Creative, guests should view Super Nintendo World itself as a “life-size, living video game where you become one of the characters. You're not just playing the game – you're living the game.”

And, Jeff Polk, exec VP and general manager at Epic Universe, relates that guests will feel as if they are actually “in the little mine carts on a very rickety track, jumping over gaps in the track across the fronts of waterfalls and splashing down into the water.”

Along with these lands and their “epic” attractions, Epic Universe also contains three new hotels: the Stella Nova Resort, Terra Luna Resort, and Helios Grand Hotel, the latter of which has its own entrance to the new theme park.

Ticket prices at the new park start at $139 for adults and $134 for kids. Pricing will vary depending upon the day of the week.