The team behind Epic Universe have shared more details about the new theme park at Universal Orlando, which opens in May of next year.
Speaking at New York Comic-Con 2024 last week, members of the Universal Destinations & Experiences team revealed the lands dedicated to How to Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter and Universal’s classic monsters will serve as immersive sequels to the movies, NBC reports.
“We’ve really gone from a short storytelling business into the feature-length storytelling business, and in Epic Universe, this is the first theme park in the entire world that is going to be comprised of exclusively these feature-length stories,” said Steve Tatham, executive creative director of Epic Universe.
Starting with the new Harry Potter-themed land and its ‘Battle at the Ministry’ ride, which will be “a game changer for the entire industry”, said Anisha Vyas Burgos, assistant director of projects at Universal Creative.
Harry Potter ride “a game changer”
“It will redefine, in my mind, what immersion really is,” she added. “It’s so fun, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s reactions because I think everyone is going to not even really know what they just experienced and I can’t wait to see what that look is on everyone!”
Over at Dark Universe, guests will meet Universal monsters like the Bride of Frankenstein, the Phantom of the Opera, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
“You are watching where the movies went. The land itself could be considered a sequel to the original films. We took everything from the original films and used that as the basis for all of the continued storytelling,” said Patrick Braillard, senior show writer at Universal Creative.
“We’re listening to the guests and we’re giving them exactly what they’ve been asking for and we’re doing it in a way that we could only do in Universal parks.”
Universal’s monsters will be let loose on the Dark Universe land. “They’re unchained and we’re seeing how they interact with each other, how they interact with us and there’s just something that’s never been done even in the movies,” said Gregory Hall, assistant director of creative design at Universal Creative.
“How to Train Your Dragon 2.5“
“We can’t wait to show you guys how that’s done and all the new technology and innovations that we brought to make it come to life.”
The How to Train Your Dragon film franchise consists of three movies. However, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe is described as film “2.5”.
Tatham said: “Without getting too deep into our design process, what’s important for you to keep in mind is that we decided to enter that story at a certain point and it was really important for us and we call it How to Train Your Dragon 2.5 because over the course of that saga, dragons and Vikings come to coexist peacefully and so at that peak moment of harmony is when we enter the story.”
Epic Universe opens to the public on 22 May 2025. It boasts five themed lands with more than 50 attractions, entertainment experiences, and retail and F&B outlets.
Images courtesy of Universal
