First Look: Universal Epic Universe – 5 Worlds, 1 Unforgettable Experience

The author visited as an invited guest of Universal Orlando Resort. All opinions are the author’s own, and Universal Orlando Resort had no input in any part of this review.

After almost 5 years of construction, Orlando’s newest park is almost ready for its debut.

Universal Epic Universe is scheduled to open on May 22, 2025, but Upgraded Points was invited to experience the game-changing park before it opens.

I’ve visited my fair share of theme parks, but none have left me as awestruck at first glance as Epic Universe. This is a world-class destination that absolutely belongs on every theme park fan’s bucket list.

Let’s take an up-close look at all 5 immersive worlds, what you should expect, and how this park is destined to forever change the theme park landscape in Orlando and beyond.

Celestial Park

After passing through the massive Chronos portal, guests will find themselves inside the (relatively) peaceful Celestial Park with acres of rolling gardens, water features, shopping, dining, and portals to the other 4 immersive worlds.

Celestial Park is anchored on one end by the Chronos portal, which is the main entrance for guests, and on the other end by the Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel.

Around the edges of the park, you will find the portals to the 4 immersive worlds, so Celestial Park acts almost as a palate cleanser as you move from one world to another.

Although the 4 worlds are the main attraction for many visitors, Celestial Park has attractions of its own.

Constellation Carousel

For fans of a good carousel, the Constellation Carousel in the center of Celestial Park is as good as it gets.

The park’s centerpiece features celestial carriages that rotate 360 degrees and rise up to 6 feet in the air.

Stardust Racers

While many visitors may skip over Celestial Park in favor of their favorite world, 1 attraction will have them all coming back — Stardust Racers.

Fans of rollercoasters may have a new favorite as this thrill ride shoots dueling coasters 133 feet in the air at speeds up to 62 miles per hour.

With 5,000 feet of track, this coaster is long, fast, and intense. As a (huge) fan of Jurassic World VelociCoaster over at Universal Islands of Adventure, there is a chance that Stardust Racers creeps or launches into my top spot.

Hot Tip:

Ask to sit in the front row; it’s worth it!

Dark Universe

Fans of the dark and mysterious should make Dark Universe their first stop when they get to Epic Universe.

This family-friendly (but intense) area is a must-visit, with classic characters like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, and more throughout.

There are top-tier rides, good eats, and endless photo ops around every stone wall.

Darkmoor Village

Guests enter Darkmoor Village after passing through an electrifying portal and are transported to the village of dark energy.

No details are spared here, and there was plenty of fire, smoke, and characters, so take your time and take it all in … if you dare.

Curse of the Werewolf

Board a wagon and race into the forest as you try to escape the werewolves on Curse of the Werewolf.

This family-friendly thrill ride will have you spinning through Darkmoor Village in all directions. For those who get motion sickness, this may be a challenging ride.

For those who enjoy a challenge, sit in the last wagon for some extra spins.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

The centerpiece of Dark Universe is, without a doubt, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

This state-of-the-art dark ride takes guests through Frankenstein Manor as Dr. Victoria Frankenstein runs her experiments on some of the most infamous monsters, including The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula, and more.

Fans of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure will instantly recognize the ride style and seating but will be pleasantly surprised by the improved smoothness and quality of the animatronics.

The Burning Blade Tavern

If all of the dark energy has you parched, pop into The Burning Blade Tavern for a drink and a snack.

With a long menu including wings, pretzels, beer, and more, you will want to hang around for more than just a photo by the smoldering windmill.

Plus, you may run into some monsters while inside.

Meet the Monsters

A good land isn’t complete without a proper meet and greet. And in Dark Universe that means meeting monsters and more.

During my visit, I got to meet the famous Bride of Frankenstein.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

The biggest surprise during my visit was how much I enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.

The theming here was so good, with handcrafted wooden structures throughout, Vikings and dragons seemingly everywhere, and what turned out to be one of my favorite rides.

After passing through the portal, guests are transported to the vast lagoon — which is filled with Viking ships, statues, and more — before moving on to explore the world.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is guaranteed to be my family’s new favorite rollercoaster — and they weren’t even with me to ride it. That is how confident I am they will love it as much as I did.

Guests will board a winged flying machine and fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless through the Isle of Berk at speeds up to 45 miles per hour.

This family rollercoaster was so smooth, fun, and just fast enough to make it thrilling but not scary.

For comparison, it felt like a mix of some of my favorite coasters, including Slinky Dog Dash, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and even Jurassic World VelociCoaster, thanks to its twisting drop over the water. I can’t wait to ride this one again.

Dragon Racer’s Rally

Dragon Racer’s Rally is where Viking racers can practice maneuvers in the sky and even perform high-speed barrel rolls.

However, on my only ride, I was unable to even come close to a barrel roll. So, this ride can be as chill or as thrilling as you want it to be.

Fyre Drill

If the weather in Orlando gets a little too hot, cool off at Fyre Drill.

This boat ride competition has guests blast their water cannons at targets (and even at other boats) to see who has the best accuracy.

No matter who wins, 1 thing is certain: You will get wet!

The Untrainable Dragon

Fans of a good theme park show cannot miss The Untrainable Dragon, a show so popular at Universal Beijing Resort that it was recreated at Epic Universe.

Help solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon, and sit in awe as Toothless soars over the crowd.

Viking Training Camp

If you have a little Viking in your clan, bring them to Viking Training Camp to burn off some energy.

This fun playground is a great place to jump, climb, and explore.

Meet Toothless

A visit to How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk is not complete without meeting a dragon.

I was fortunate to see a few and even meet Toothless!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Enter through the iconic green pipe and exit into a world that feels like a video game.

The energy, sights, and sounds are unmistakable — but they can be overwhelming and overstimulating for some.

However, for many video game fans, this will be a world you can’t miss.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge

If you have ever wanted to jump into the game while playing Mario Kart, head over to Super Mario Land and enter Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

Hop into your kart, put on your augmented reality glasses, and race against Team Bowser in the Golden Cup.

This ride/game takes some skill, so first-timers may find it challenging to get the hang of. But even if you don’t get a high score, fun is guaranteed.

Mine-Cart Madness

Jump over to Donkey Kong Country, which is a lush, tropical landscape full of waterfalls, trees, and The Golden Temple.

In Mine-Cart Madness, guests will help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana.

This is a fun, family-friendly cart ride along a rickety track riddled with gaps you will need to jump to survive. Just beware that it can be a bit of a rough ride!

Yoshi’s Adventure

Whether you need a quick break or you have a young kid with you, grabbing a seat on Yoshi’s Adventure in Super Mario Land will provide you with some much-needed relaxation and nice views.

While you enjoy the ride, your little companion can play along and select the colors of the missing eggs along the way.

Hot Tip:

Be sure to hit the power-ups that are scattered throughout the world.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Step through the portal and find yourself in 1920s Paris with bustling streets filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, wizards, and more.

From a theme perspective, this world is absolutely incredible and is a great place to spend an afternoon poking around and casting spells with your wand.

Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

For me, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is far and away the most impressive attraction at Epic Universe from start to finish.

The entire experience starts as you are transported from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic by Métro-Floo and then enter the stunning grand atrium as you make your way to the trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge.

The entire queue is massive and an experience in itself. And that is for a good reason: Universal is expecting epically long wait times for this attraction. But the ride is so good that it likely will be worth it.

Guests join Harry Potter and friends in a chase that has them propelled up, down, forward, backward, and sideways as they try to avoid the Death Eaters.

If that sounds like it might trigger some motion sickness, you are not wrong. This ride is intense, but it is smooth, has incredible storytelling, and has a great mix of screens and animatronics.

Le Cirque Arcanus

Why not catch a show in Paris at Le Cirque Arcanus?

This live-action experience features artists, special effects, incredible puppetry, and more.

Visiting Universal Epic Universe

From the opening date of May 22 until June 1, the only guests allowed in will be those who have purchased a package or multi-day pass that includes park admission. A quick online ticket search shows availability in May for 3-day pass holders (starting at $174 for adults and $171 for kids 3 to 9), with June currently unavailable.

Single-day passes, starting at $139 for adults and $134 for kids 3 to 9, will be allowed after June 1; however, no June single tickets are currently available for sale online.

Final Thoughts

With its immersive lands, groundbreaking attractions, and seamless theming, Epic Universe feels like the future of theme parks. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a superfan, or visiting with kids, there’s something here for everyone — and I have a feeling it’s going to raise the bar for the entire industry.