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Universal Epic Universe: everything you need to know

As well as Nintendo, Epic Universe will be home to rides and attractions based on Harry Potter and Universal’s classic monsters

Universal Epic Universe, the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando, was announced in 2019. Universal’s biggest theme park in the US joins Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay in the Sunshine State. Situated on 750 acres, Epic Universe includes a theme park, as well as three hotels, shops and F&B.

“Our vision for Epic Universe is historic,” said Tom Williams, the former chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts, now Universal Destinations & Experiences. “It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created.”

Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation, said:

“Our new park represents the single largest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business and in Florida overall. It reflects the tremendous excitement we have for the future of our theme park business and for our entire company’s future in Florida.”

Opening date of Universal Epic Universe

Epic Universe is on track for a 2025 opening. Speaking at the UBS Global TMT Conference in December 2022, NBCUniversal’s former CEO Jeff Shell confirmed:

“We’re right on track, literally right on track. We expect to open it in 2025. I was down there a couple of weeks ago and everything is coming out of the ground. So all the infrastructure is in, a lot of the steel is in. Now it’s just a question of building [it] out.”

Originally, the plan was for the park to launch in 2023. However, work was paused in spring 2020 due to the pandemic. Construction resumed in March 2021. “The restart of construction of Epic Universe is a terrific moment for our employees and for our theme park business in Florida,” said Roberts.

universal epic universe

Shell also confirmed a summer 2025 opening in January 2022. “Epic is full steam ahead. I was down there a few weeks ago and the construction is going really well,” he said. In 2020, Orange County commissioners approved $5 million in credit for Universal Orlando. This will offset the construction costs of Universal Epic Universe.

Location of Universal’s Epic Universe

As above, Universal Epic Universe is located close to Universal Orlando’s three other gates. It will be on a plot of land near the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. “I think we have a unique opportunity to tap into the convention business,” Shell said. “For people who are going to the convention and want to have an event across the street at the park and do different things, I think that’s going to give us a unique opportunity to play with the pricing a little bit and get even more demand for people.”

In 2019, Orange County commissioners voted to approve funding of up to $125m. This is to help pay for an extension of Kirkman Road to Epic Universe. Universal is contributing $160m to the project, expected to cost $315m. It involves routing six lanes of traffic from Carrier Road to Universal Boulevard, where Universal’s Epic Universe will open. 

universal epic universe

Ken Leeming, Orange County highway construction manager said, via Spectrum News 13:

“One of the main features of the [Kirkman Road] project is an elevated traffic circle. That is going to be used to facilitate traffic distribution to the Universal property.” Leeming said the road is expected to be finished in late 2024.

New infrastructure

Universal also filed a street name petition with Orange County looking to name a new road leading to the park ‘Epic Boulevard’ (via Spectrum News 13). The road will connect to the Kirkman Road extension, which is now under construction.

Also, Universal Orlando and Orlando’s Right Rail coalition are developing a SunRail route. This will run between Orlando International Airport and the Orange County Convention Center. A new community development district will plan, finance, build, own and maintain the new rail station at the convention centre. Universal Orlando is pledging 13 acres of land to the new district for the station.

universal epic universe

“We are one step closer to creating a multi-directional commuter rail system that benefits our entire region,” said John Sprouls, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences. “The new SunRail corridor and convention center station will make it easier for residents to get to work, the airport and to the places they love. And it will enable business growth within the International Drive area and across the region.”

Maria Triscari, president of the International Drive Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors Orlando’s Right Rail, added:

“We’ve known for years that connectivity between the airport and International Drive area will be essential to our entire region’s future. This new station is great news for our entire community.”

Lands, rides and attractions

Epic Universe will house five themed lands with more than 50 attractions, entertainment experiences, and retail and F&B outlets. The new lands are: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.

The heart of Epic Universe is Celestial Park, home to gardens, waterways and pathways, as well as the Starfall Racers dual-launch racing coaster. This sends guests flying through the sky on comets at top speeds of 62 mph and heights of 133 feet across 5,000 feet of track.

Starfall Racers is Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster with manoeuvres such as the ‘celestial spin’, where the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross in the air.

Also in this astronomical-themed land are the Constellation Carousel, and the interactive Astronomica water play area.

As for F&B, restaurants include Atlantic, the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian restaurant, the Oak & Star Tavern, and Pizza Moon. Retail outlets include Nintendo Super Star Store and Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets.

Celestial Park: a gateway with magical portals

Celestial Park will serve as the gateway to the park’s four additional lands, which can be accessed through magical portals. Universal has confirmed the following so far:

Dark Universe – this land is themed to Universal’s classic monsters and described as a “shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery”.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic – this new Harry Potter land is inspired by 1920s Paris in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando is already home to Diagon Alley, and Islands of Adventure houses a Hogsmeade area.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk – here, guests can soar with dragons in a colourful and Vikings-themed world based on the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise. 

Super Nintendo World – guests enter via the iconic green pipe and discover a gamified and interactive land themed to characters including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.

Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe

Super Nintendo World opened at Universal Studios Japan in 2021. It was followed in 2023 by the first Nintendo land in the US at Universal Studios Hollywood. The interactive land is home to exhilarating entertainment and innovative technology based on Nintendo’s video games and characters. It features groundbreaking rides, interactive areas, and themed retail and dining. Rides and attractions in Japan include Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. 

Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly ride, with visitors searching for Captain Toad in a treasure hunt. Guests enjoy spectacular views of the Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole.

mario kart ride universal studios hollywood super nintendo world

In California, the signature attraction is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. The state-of-the-art ride takes inspiration from the Mario Kart video game series. Bowser’s Challenge uses cutting-edge augmented reality (AR), projection mapping technology and set pieces. It is one of the most complex rides ever created within the theme park industry. 

Many of Super Nintendo World’s attractions and experiences are interactive. Guests can jump and punch Question Blocks to collect virtual coins. They can also purchase a Power Up Band in order to compete with other visitors. The Power-Up Band is a wearable wristband that enhances and gamifies the visitor experience. 

A life-size, living video game

“Think of Super Nintendo World 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, you’re living the adventure,” said Thierry Coup, Universal Creative’s former senior VP and chief creative officer.

“We have developed some state-of-the-art technology to create the perfect fusion of the physical world with the world of video games.”

donkey kong super nintendo world universal studios japan new coasters 2024

Like Universal Studios Japan, Epic Universe will boast a Donkey Kong-themed area. In Japan, this will house a roller coaster, interactive experiences, and themed retail and F&B. Visitors will feel like they are playing inside the arcade game, released by Nintendo in 1981. Since then, the video game franchise has sold more than 65 million units worldwide.

In a conference call in 2019, Comcast execs said: “Nintendo – based on our research – is the biggest potential driver in attendance you can have in terms of intellectual properties. It’s up there with Harry Potter. In some of our parks, Harry Potter drives an incremental attendance of two million people.”

Isle of Berk at Epic Universe

Universal Orlando has officially unveiled the new How to Train Your Dragon-themed land opening as part of Universal Epic Universe. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk is the full name of the new land. Guests will soar with dragons in a colourful world of attractions, characters, and retail and dining experiences.

universal epic universe how to train your dragon

Universal said the land “captures the heart, humor and scale of the films within an authentic re-creation of the rugged, rocky world where raucous Vikings and rambunctious dragons live together in hilarious harmony”. Guests visiting the Isle of Berk will see one of the most spectacular environments ever made by Universal. In this bustling village, there will be immense architecture, lush landscaping, vibrant dragon houses and local establishments.

Isle of Berk at Epic Universe will offer four new attractions, a live show, and character meet-and-greet experiences. Attractions here are a family-friendly thrill coaster named Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, the Fyre Drill boat ride, the Dragon Racer’s Rally ride, and the Viking Training Camp play area. Additionally, there will be a live show called The Untrainable Dragon, and guests can meet Hiccup and Toothless in the Haddock Paddock.

F&B outlets in Isle of Berk are Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill, and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, and merchandise will be available in themed shops like Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures.

State-of-the-art technology

Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said Epic Universe is the “most technologically advanced park we’ve ever done”. Universal Orlando’s fourth gate will use “facial recognition, photo validation technology” to provide a “frictionless experience”.

“It’s the most technologically advanced park we’ve ever done,” Woodbury said. “And that speaks to both the attractions themselves, the next generation of robotics drone technology, all the way through to the guest experience. The full guest journey is really being taken to a whole new level.”

Woodbury added, “We have the benefit of new technology that we’re deploying in terms of managing ticketing, revenue and revenue management across each of those platforms.”

Hotels at Epic Universe

Epic Universe will have three new Universal hotels – Stella Nova Resort, Terra Luna Resort, and Helios Grand Hotel, which is located inside the park.

Universal Stella Nova Resort opens on 21 January 2025. This will be followed by Universal Terra Luna Resort, which launches on 25 February 2025. Both new hotels are co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels. Each hotel will have 750 guest rooms. They are both located adjacent to Epic Universe.

universal stella nova resort

Stella Nova is inspired by the “infinite vastness of the unknown universe”, says the Universal Orlando website. It will offer various F&B options, a huge spa pool, an interactive splash pad and lake views. Terra Luna is inspired by “the thrill of exploring the unknown, pushing the limits of discovery and stepping into new landscapes”, Universal Orlando says.

Universal Orlando’s current theme parks and Universal CityWalk will be accessible from the new hotels via free shuttles.

Universal’s family park in Texas

In addition to Universal Epic Universe, the company has several other sites planned. One of these is a new family-friendly theme park resort in Frisco, Texas. The attraction, called Universal Kids Resort, sits on 97 acres of land and includes a 300-room hotel and a theme park.

The park will feature lands inspired by Universal’s brands, characters and stories. There will be family-friendly attractions, interactive entertainment, unique merchandise, F&B outlets and character experiences. Per a press release, the theme park will have a “completely different look, feel and scale than Universal’s existing parks and will appeal to a new audience for the brand”.

universal kids resort

“Universal Kids Resort will inspire the unbridled creativity of kids through imagination, discovery and most importantly – play,” said Molly Murphy, president of Universal Creative. “We’re designing the resort so kids and families can feel the thrill of being physically immersed in their most beloved stories and characters.”

Work on the new resort is well underway after a groundbreaking in November 2023. “We’re excited to welcome Universal to our community and look forward to Frisco families making unforgettable park memories right here at home,” said Jeff Cheney, the mayor of Frisco.

Page Thompson, president of new ventures for Universal Destinations & Experiences, said the park will be created “specifically for a younger generation of Universal fans”. It will be smaller than Universal’s other resort destinations, although there’s room to expand.

Universal’s new horror attraction

Universal is also developing a new year-round horror attraction at Area15 in Las Vegas. In an interview with blooloop, Area15’s CEO Winston Fisher said the experience is going to be “badass”. He also said it will have guests “smiling and screaming”. Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, he said, is a “30-year concept that has incredible brand awareness”.

The venue will bring to life Universal’s huge library of classic horror films and characters. For example, Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy and the Wolf Man. It will also be home to attractions based on its modern horror stories through collaborations with filmmakers including Jason BlumJames Wan and Jordan Peele.

universal horror attraction las vegas

Universal Horror Unleashed is Universal’s first permanent horror experience outside of its parks. It will offer eerie experiences, frightening F&B spaces, scary seasonal events and menacing merchandise.

Thompson said the decision to launch the attraction is due to a “huge and growing demand for immersive experiences”, particularly horror-themed ones.

Universal Destinations & Experiences

epic universe portal

Considering these new developments, Universal Parks & Resorts – a division of Comcast NBCUniversal – rebranded in 2023 to become Universal Destinations & Experiences.

“We are thrilled to expand how we bring the Universal brand to life in new, immersive and compelling ways for fans around the world using our rich collection of stories, characters and franchises,” said Woodbury.

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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