Universal Epic Universe, the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando, is opening on 22 May 2025. 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 and three new hotels for Universal Orland Resort.
Epic Universe is billed as the most ambitious theme park ever created by Universal Destinations and Experiences, and a game changer for theme park entertainment.
Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation, said in 2019 when the park was announced:
“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 opening to the public on 22 May 2025, but has already been unveiled to the media.
“This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we’re thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year,” said Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Orlando, when the opening date was announced.
“With the addition of this spectacular new theme park, our guests will embark on an unforgettable vacation experience with a week’s worth of thrills that will be nothing short of epic! Our universe will never be the same.”
Epic Universe is located close to Universal Orlando’s three other gates. It is situated on a plot of land near the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
Lands, rides and attractions
Epic Universe houses 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.
Epic Universe executive creative director Steve Tatham said: “Epic Universe is a whole new kind of theme park. We’re creating these five immersive worlds, each one of them an amazing, compelling, storytelling experience.”
Universal Creative’s chief creative officer Brian Robinson said: “We’ve pushed every boundary possible [with Epic Universe].”
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, offering manoeuvres like 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 serves as the gateway to the park’s four additional lands, which can be accessed through magical portals. These are:
Dark Universe – a land 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 – a Harry Potter world 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 – a colourful, Vikings-themed world based on the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise where guests can soar with dragons.
Super Nintendo World – a gamified and interactive zone themed to video game characters including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe
Super Nintendo World made its debut 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 experience 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.
Guests at Epic Universe enter the land via the iconic green pipe before finding a vibrant and energetic space surrounded by Mount Beanpole, Peach’s Castle, Piranha Plants and Goombas.
Super Mario Land at Epic Universe includes Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a groundbreaking attraction located in Bowser’s Castle that merges augmented reality (AR), projection mapping technology, and elaborate environments. This is joined by Yoshi’s Adventure, a family-friendly ride where visitors search for Captain Toad in a treasure hunt.
As for F&B, Super Nintendo World includes Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi’s Snack Island, and Turbo Boost Treats. Guests can buy souvenirs, clothing and toys at 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors, and meet characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad across the zone.
Located at the edge of Super Mario Land is Donkey Kong Country, a tropical-themed area inspired by the Donkey Kong video games with tall trees, waterfalls and landmarks like the Golden Temple.
Donkey Kong Country includes Mine-Cart Madness, a unique family-friendly coaster using an unprecedented ride system and innovative technology. Visitors feel like they are playing inside the arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981. Since then, the franchise has sold more than 65 million units worldwide.
Many of Super Nintendo World’s attractions and experiences are interactive and gamified. Guests can jump and punch Question Blocks to collect virtual coins using the Power-Up Band wearable device. Visitors can also earn digital keys to unlock content, and compete with other guests.
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,” Thierry Coup, Universal Creative’s former senior VP and chief creative officer, said in 2020.
“We have developed some state-of-the-art technology to create the perfect fusion of the physical world with the world of video games.”
In a conference call in 2019, Comcast executives 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.”
Dark Universe at Epic Universe
Dark Universe is an immersive land dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters at the new Epic Universe theme park. It is themed to monsters such as Frankenstein, the Mummy and the Wolf Man.
The journey begins at the electrifying portal to Dark Universe, an eerie town called Darkmoor featuring fiendish F&B, thrilling rides, and menacing merchandise. Rides here are called Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf.
The former is Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction to date. This state-of-the-art dark ride takes guests into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr Victoria Frankenstein, a new character for Epic Universe, carries out her experiments. During an intense ride experience through the darkness, guests attempt to escape monsters like the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Curse of the Werewolf is a spinning family coaster inspired by The Wolf Man (1941). Guests board a wagon and venture into the forest to escape werewolves and avoid transforming into beasts themselves.
Additionally, a monster makeover experience is set in the old lab of Dr Pretorius (Bride of Frankenstein, 1935).
Universal’s monsters have been 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.
“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.”
F&B venues in Dark Universe are Das Stakehaus, the Burning Blade Tavern, and De Lacey’s Cottage. Monstrous merchandise can be found at Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities.
Isle of Berk at Epic Universe
Epic Universe contains a How to Train Your Dragon-themed land named Isle of Berk. Guests can soar with dragons in a colourful world of attractions, characters, and retail and dining experiences.
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”. Visitors at Isle of Berk can experience one of the most spectacular environments ever made by Universal. In this bustling village, there’s immense architecture, lush landscaping, vibrant dragon houses and local establishments.
Isle of Berk at Epic Universe offers four new attractions, a live show, character meet-and-greet experiences, and flying dragons.
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 is 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 is available in themed shops like Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures.
The How to Train Your Dragon film franchise consists of three movies. However, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at the new park 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 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.”
Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe
This Ministry of Magic destination is Universal Orlando’s third Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s based on 1920s Paris in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.
Rides and attractions in this world include Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. This is one of Universal’s most impressive attractions to date, with immersive environments, powerful storytelling, and unique ride technology.
Battle at the Ministry is “a game changer for the entire industry”, said Anisha Vyas Burgos, assistant director of projects at Universal Creative.
“It will redefine, in my mind, what immersion really is,” she said. “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.”
The ride experience begins with guests travelling by Métro-Floo, based on the Floo Network in the films, to the trial of Dolores Umbridge. Riders enter the ministry’s grand atrium and see other departments before boarding magical, omnidirectional lifts to watch the trial take place.
When Umbridge attempts to escape, guests join Harry, Ron, Hermione and a house-elf named Higgledy in a thrilling chase through the building as they dodge attacks from Death Eaters and other creatures.
Also in this land is Le Cirque Arcanus, a live theatrical experience with performers and aerialists, puppetry, special effects and more. Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique is a shop selling interactive wands that guests can use to create magical experiences by casting spells at different locations. Visitors can also interact with fantastic beasts like Nifflers, and enchanted objects around the land.
Universal Orlando’s third Harry Potter land
F&B locations in the new land are Café L’Air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir, Bar Moonshine, and a butterbeer (or bièraubeurre) cart. Merchandise is on offer at Les Galeries Mirifiques, K. Rammelle and Tour En Floo.
State-of-the-art technology
“[Epic Universe is] the most technologically advanced park we’ve ever done,” said Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, in 2023. “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.”
One example is the Monsters Unchained ride in Dark Universe, which boasts state-of-the-art animatronics of Universal monsters. These are Universal’s “most technologically advanced animated figures”, said Universal Creative’s senior creative director Peter Carsillo.
“They are visceral, they are powerful, they are intense and, from a technical standpoint, they exceed beyond everyone’s wildest expectations for what an animated figure can do,” he said.
Universal Creative production designer Frances Franceschi said: “These animated figures are moving faster than any figures we have built and we have so many of them.”
Another high-tech attraction at Epic Universe is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. This includes omnidirectional ride vehicles, a trackless ride system, high-resolution projections and media screens, smoke effects, motion simulation, interactive elements such as wands and wearables, real-time control systems, spatial audio technology, and AR.
In Donkey Kong Country, Mine Cart Madness features advanced coaster engineering including dynamic track elements like gaps and splash effects.
“You will feel as if you’re 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,” said Jeff Polk, executive VP and general manager of Epic Universe at Universal Orlando.
As for the How to Train Your Dragon land, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders has a ride system that simulates flying on a dragon through motion-based technology.
Hotels at Epic Universe
Epic Universe has three new Universal hotels – Stella Nova Resort, Terra Luna Resort, and Helios Grand Hotel, which includes its own dedicated entrance to the park.
Universal Stella Nova Resort opened on 21 January 2025. This was followed by Universal Terra Luna Resort, which launched on 25 February. Both new hotels are co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels, and located adjacent to Epic Universe. Each hotel has 750 guest rooms.
Stella Nova is inspired by the “infinite vastness of the unknown universe”, says the Universal Orlando website. It provides various F&B options, a huge spa pool, an interactive splash pad and lake views. Terra Luna is themed to “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 are accessible from the new hotels via free shuttles.
The third and final Epic Universe hotel, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, opened in April 2025. Described as the crown jewel of Universal Orlando’s hotel collection, the Helios Grand Hotel is also co-owned and operated by Loews Hotels.
Universal Orlando’s hotel expansion
It overlooks Epic Universe and includes 500 rooms. It even features a dedicated entrance to the new theme park.
Highlights in the Helios Grand Hotel include How to Train Your Dragon-themed suites, new dining options, a resort-style pool, and a rooftop bar. Also on offer are a fitness centre, a game room and the Universal Studios Store.
Epic Universe tickets
Single-day tickets to Epic Universe allow entry to the park for one day. For adults, they start at $139, while tickets for children start at $134. Of course, the cost all depends on when guests plan to visit.
Other options currently include two-day resort tickets with access to Epic Universe and a separate day of admission to Universal Studios Florida and/or Universal Islands of Adventure.
Economic impact of Epic Universe
The creation of Epic Universe has stimulated economic growth and generated thousands of jobs across the US, according to a report commissioned by Comcast.
Universal’s direct investment in Epic Universe has resulted in $11 billion of economic impact across the US, and in its first year of operation, the park is expected to generate $2bn for the state of Florida alone.
As for jobs, 65,000 roles were created in the US by the construction of Epic Universe. Also, the park is projected to create more than 17,500 new jobs across the country in its first year of opening.
Universal Destinations & Experiences has been extremely busy of late. Beyond Epic Universe, the company is building new parks and attractions in Nevada, Texas and even the UK. Between 2018 and 2024, Comcast has invested more than $10bn in new and existing Universal destinations.
Universal Orlando Resort
With the introduction of Epic Universe and the development of the surrounding area, Universal Orlando has grown significantly. The Florida resort now includes three theme parks, a water park, the CityWalk shopping district, and 11 hotels.
“Over the past 35 years we’ve grown to a fully developed, integrated resort destination comprised of multiple theme parks, hotels, CityWalk; everything you could possibly imagine to spend your entire week to create a full vacation destination,” said Woodbury.
Irwin said: “Epic Universe is going to be a game changer in terms of how much time that people are going to want to spend here. They don’t have to think about anything, but they get to feel everything.”
