—By Sarah Gilliland—
The public has highly anticipated Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe since its announcement on August 1, 2019. Universal initially scheduled the park for a 2023 opening, but they ultimately delayed construction due to the global pandemic. Epic Universe will be Universal Orlando’s fourth park, set to open its doors on May 22, 2025.
Epic Universe stands out among other Orlando area theme parks for several reasons. It contains five distinct lands, two of which are completely unique to Universal Orlando (Dark Universe and Celestial Park). Early previews of the new park have given it favorable reviews, save for some of the ride experiences that may not be fully operational ahead of the May opening.
Epic Universe’s Five Unique Lands
The new park has been described as “enormous” and immersive in a way no other theme parks have been to date. Jen Juneau, staff writer at People, said, “It can take a lot to drag a Disney adult from their beloved Most Magical Place on Earth, but Universal’s Epic Universe may challenge their loyalty.”
Featuring five uniquely themed lands each offering distinct experiences, guests have been clamoring for a theme park of this magnitude.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what visitors can expect before this new theme park opens. Welcome to Epic Universe!
Epic Universe / Photo courtesy of Universal Parks and Resorts
Celestial Park: The Center of Epic Universe
Upon entering Epic Universe, guests will find themselves in Celestial Park. This is Epic Universe’s central hub, inspired by the cosmos. This area serves as the gateway to the other themed lands, offering its own attractions and dining options.
Notable features include the Constellation Carousel, a celestial-themed ride, and Stardust Racers, a dual-tracked racing roller coaster. Dining establishments like The Atlantic and Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant provide diverse culinary experiences amidst the park’s cosmic ambiance.
Battle at the Ministry Rendering / Photo courtesy of Universal Parks and Resorts
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This land will enchant fans of the iconic wizarding universe, featuring a blend of elements from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” series. Visitors can explore 1920s Parisian streets from the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise, complete with interactive wand experiences and authentic architecture.
The main attraction, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, transports guests via the Metro-Floo from Paris to the 1990s British Ministry of Magic. There, they join Harry, Ron, and Hermione in a thrilling adventure to apprehend Dolores Umbridge. Additionally, the “Le Cirque Arcanus” stage show will offer live performances featuring magical creatures and more.
Super Nintendo World / Photo courtesy of Universal Parks and Resorts
Super Nintendo World
Gamers and fans of the most legendary Nintendo franchises will be excited to enjoy Super Nintendo World, a colorful land that brings beloved video games to life. Attractions include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an augmented reality ride that places guests in the midst of a high-speed race, and Yoshi’s Adventure, a family-friendly omnimover ride through the colorful landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom.
The “Donkey Kong Country” section features Mine Cart Madness, a groundbreaking roller coaster that simulates the thrilling mine cart levels from the games. Dining options like Toadstool Cafe and Yoshi’s Snack Land offer themed culinary treats from savory to sweet.
Isle of Berk / Courtesy of Universal Parks and Resorts
“How to Train Your Dragon” – Isle of Berk
Step into the viking village of Berk from the “How to Train Your Dragon” series in section of Epic Universe. This land offers attractions such as Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a launched roller coaster that simulates soaring with dragons, and Dragon Racer’s Rally, where guests can engage in aerobatic maneuvers.
The Untrainable Dragon live show features characters like Hiccup and Toothless in an engaging performance. For younger visitors, the Viking Training Camp provides an interactive play area. Dining venues like Mead Hall serve themed dishes and drinks, including the unique Yaknog, which will reportedly consist of malted chocolate, cinnamon, and whipped cream (unlike its movie counterpart which is made of milk, eggs, cottage cheese, shaving cream, doll hair, and grass).
Darkmoor Village Entrance / Photo courtesy of Universal Parks and Resorts
Dark Universe
Horror enthusiasts can delve into Dark Universe, a land dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters. Set in the eerie Darkmoor Village, guests can experience Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride that explores the consequences of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments. The area is populated with iconic creatures like Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Mummy. Dining and retail locations are themed to enhance the gothic atmosphere, and guests can transform into their favorite monster with the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.
Where to Stay at Epic Universe
Adjacent to the park is the Helios Grand Hotel, which will offer luxurious accommodations with exclusive access to Epic Universe. This proximity allows guests to maximize their time in the park and enjoy early entry benefits. Other new hotel options include the value resorts Terra Luna and Stella Nova, which opened earlier in 2025. Transportation and parking is available at the theme park and the new hotels, but only Helios Grand Hotel is within a reasonable walking distance from Epic Universe,
Tickets for Universal Epic Universe
Tickets for Epic Universe are available for purchase, with single-day passes to multi-day packages available for purchase. Given the park’s eanticipated popularity, anyone looking to attend is advised to secure tickets and accommodations well in advance. At the time of publication, single-day passes were only available for purchase starting June 11, 2025 and beyond. Annual pass holders can purchase a one-day ticket to access Epic Universe, but there have been no details made public about adding on the new theme park to existing pass holder accounts.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Gilliland
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About the Author: Sarah Gilliland is a freelance writer with decades of experience in the theme park and family travel sectors. Her work has appeared on Business Insider, YahooLife, Condé Nast Traveller, Thrillist, and MSN. Sarah has written a travel book about her home state titled “Perfect Day Alabama,” which was published in late 2024. She lives in the suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama with her husband and three kids.
You can find her at ontheroadwithsarah.com or on Instagram.
