 | |
 Universal Epic Universe entrance | |
 Interactive map of Universal Epic Universe | |
| Location | Universal Orlando,Orlando,Florida,United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 28°26′32″N81°26′56″W / 28.4422°N 81.449°W /28.4422; -81.449 |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | May 22, 2025 (2025-05-22) |
| Owner | NBCUniversal |
| Operated by | Universal Destinations & Experiences |
| Area | |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 16 |
| Roller coasters | 4 |
| Water rides | 1 |
| Website | Official website |
| Universal Orlando |
|---|
| Theme parks |
| Water parks |
| Resort hotels |
|
| Entertainment district |
Universal Epic Universe is atheme park located inOrlando, Florida, United States. It opened on May 22, 2025, as the third theme park and fourth park overall to open atUniversal Orlando.[3] The park was part of a larger 750-acre (300 ha) development and features five themed areas: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk,Super Nintendo World, andThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.[3]
Construction began as early as August 2019, and theCOVID-19 pandemic delayed the expected completion date. Details surrounding the park's themed areas and attractions were initially vague, and Super Nintendo World was the last themed land to be officially confirmed in early 2023. Headlining attractions include the motion-based dark ridesHarry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry andMonsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dual-tracked racing roller coaster calledStardust Racers, and an augmented reality dark ride calledMario Kart: Bowser's Challenge.
In 2016, Nintendo and Universal announced their partnership to build attractions based on Nintendo properties. The original concept (now Super Nintendo World) was set to go into a site that was formally Kidzone atUniversal Studios Florida. However, Universal managed to purchase land 4 miles south of the current Universal plot. This plot was east of Universal Blvd just north ofState Road 528 by theOrange County Convention Center. Universal felt the Nintendo attractions would be a perfect anchor for a new park on the new land.
On August 1, 2019,NBCUniversal announced that it was building a new theme park atUniversal Orlando named Universal's Epic Universe.[4] Chairman and CEO ofUniversal Parks & Resorts at the time, Tom Williams, released a statement labeling Epic Universe the "most immersive and innovative theme park" the company had ever created.[5]Comcast and NBCUniversal officials expected the new park to create 14,000 additional jobs, and GovernorRon DeSantis shared positive feedback in a public statement.[5]
Concept art released by Universal during the official announcement in August 2019 left details purposely vague.[5] Many franchises were rumored to appear in the park, including lands dedicated toHow to Train Your Dragon,Fantastic Beasts,Universal Classic Monsters, and theNintendo franchisesSuper Mario andDonkey Kong. In January 2020, the presence ofSuper Nintendo World in the park was confirmed by multiple Comcast executives.[6][7] Epic Universe's version of Super Nintendo World was officially announced in February 2023, with CEO Mark Woodbury calling it the "worst-kept secret in history".[8]
The initial opening was scheduled for 2023,[9] but it was delayed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[10] Construction, which had begun as early as August 2019,[11] was halted in July 2020.[10] It later resumed in March 2021,[12] andNBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell announced the following year that the park would open by mid-2025.[13] This was also confirmed by the resort's official Twitter account.[14] On May 5, 2022, Universal offered 13 acres (5.3 ha) of land near the site where Epic Universe was being built for aBrightline rail route commuter station.[15]
On March 8, 2023, Universal Parks & Resorts CEO Mark Woodbury announced the rebranding of the division to Universal Destinations & Experiences. The name for the park was slightly adjusted from Universal's Epic Universe to Universal Epic Universe.[16][17] A modified logo was unveiled, which removed the apostrophe and letter "s" from the design.[18] An official unveiling of Celestial Park and an overall layout of Epic Universe was released in a press release on January 30, 2024.[19]
Epic Universe experienced minor damage fromHurricane Milton in October 2024, and construction was only briefly paused in preparation for the storm.[20] On October 17, 2024, Universal revealed the park's grand opening date of May 22, 2025, approximately two weeks before Universal Orlando's 35th anniversary. Tickets for the park were initially only offered as part of a multiday ticket purchase or with the purchase of a vacation package, beginning on October 17, 2024.[21] Single-day tickets became available for annual passholders the following week, as well as reservations for the new Helios Grand Hotel.[21]
The first previews for employees began on March 1, 2025.[22] Early entry for passholders and Universal hotel guests began on April 17.[23] Also the same month, a 30-foot (9.1 m) replica of Epic Universe's portal Chronos was being featured in a national tour of select US cities to promote the park until June 2025.[24][25] On May 21, 2025, a celebrity and executive preview event was held at the park in celebration of opening day.[6] The park officially opened to all guests as planned the following day.[26]
Epic Universe uses ahub-and-spoke layout, consisting of four themed lands branching off a central hub called Celestial Park, with each land featuring a uniquely-themed gateway.[27] The themed lands, in clockwise order from entry, areSuper Nintendo World, Dark Universe (themed toUniversal Classic Monsters),The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, andHow to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk.[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][excessive citations] Each themed area has its aesthetics reflected in the food and cutlery at restaurants, ambient music, staff uniforms, and infrastructure.[35] Entryways to each different land, featuring themed portals with digital LED signage, radiate out from Celestial Park.[35]
Epic Universe utilizes facial recognition technology instead of tickets for entry, lockers, and express lanes for rides.[35]
The hub of the park is Celestial Park, a garden with walkways, fountains, and ponds featuring design motifs based on astrology, which connects the other four areas together.[35] Celestial Park is a crossroads for interdimensional travel powered by the Chronos, a tower that serves as the park's icon and entrance gateway. The area features two rides: the Constellation Carousel, a celestial-themedcarousel flat ride similar to theSeaGlass Carousel in New York, andStardust Racers, a dual-trackedlaunched roller coaster manufactured byMack Rides. Celestial Park also contains the Helios Grand Hotel (operated byLoews)[35] and several notable dining locations, including an underwater-themed seafood restaurant encased in glass called Atlantic, and the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant.[36][37] There are also four walk-up bars and concierge booths in this area, as well as smaller restaurants including Frosty Moon, Meteor Astropub, The Oak & Star Tavern, and Pizza Moon.[35][38]
Seven million individually-controllable embedded LEDs are installed within the Celestial Park area, and Universal plans to operate fireworks and light shows.[35]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astronomica | 2025 | Kids' splash pad play area | ||
| Constellation Carousel | 2025 | Carousel |  | |
| Stardust Racers | 2025 | Mack Rides[39] | Dueling launch coaster |  |
Home to the Universal Classic Monsters and intended as a modern-day follow-up to the classic era of the films, Dark Universe is set in the dreary Darkmoor Village. The area's backstory focuses on Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-great granddaughter ofHenry Frankenstein, a character that appeared inFrankenstein (1931) andBride of Frankenstein (1935).[40] Victoria has assembled together various creatures for experimentation, includingFrankenstein's monster andCount Dracula, but they break free and terrorize the brave volunteers inside the catacombs underneath Frankenstein's manor.[40] The "Dark Universe" name is revival ofUniversal's canceled franchise of the same name that had been intended to serve as a reboot of Universal Monsters, but was abandoned following the poor box office performance ofThe Mummy (2017).[41]
In late 2021, patents were filed for a new motion-based dark ride, which features elements similar to the technology used onHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.[42] This was later revealed to be Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride usingKUKA arm technology.[43][35] Another featured ride is Curse of the Werewolf, a launched spinning coaster manufactured by Mack Rides themed after the character Maleva and her Guild of Mystics from the filmThe Wolf Man (1941). Notable dining options include Das Stakehaus, a vampire-themed steakhouse; The Burning Blade Tavern, a themed bar; and De Lacey's Cottage.[37][35]
In June 2024, it was announced thatDanny Elfman was set to compose the music for the land.[44]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curse of the Werewolf | 2025 | Mack Rides[45] | A spinning roller coaster based on the filmThe Wolf Man (1941). |
| Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience | 2025 | A makeup shop in the former lab ofDr. Pretorius that gives guests an opportunity to become their own monster. | |
| Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment | 2025 | AKUKA arm dark ride featuring the Universal Monsters. |
How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk is themed to theHow to Train Your Dragon franchise, and is set between thesecond andthird films. The area is the largest of the four IP-based lands in the park,[46] and it features three rides: Hiccup's Wing Gliders, a launched roller coaster manufactured byIntamin, Dragon Racer's Rally, a pair ofGerstlauer Sky Fly rides, and Fyre Drill, an interactive boat ride manufactured byMack Rides. There is also a children's play area called the Viking Training camp, as well as large free-flying dragon drones.[46][35]
The area's notable dining options include Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill, and Hooligan's Grog & Gruel.[38] Mead Hall will serve "Yaknog", a themed drink made of malted chocolate, cinnamon, and whipped cream.[47][35]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Racer's Rally | 2025 | Gerstlauer | A Sky Fly flat ride themed to dragon racing. |
| Fyre Drill | 2025 | Mack Rides | Interactive Boat Ride |
| Hiccup's Wing Gliders | 2025 | Intamin[48] | A launch family roller coaster themed to dragon training. |
| The Untrainable Dragon | 2025 | AHow to Train Your Dragon-themed stage show. | |
| Viking Training Camp | 2025 | Play area with a variety of activities. |
Super Nintendo World is themed to variousNintendo-owned franchises, with a primary focus on theMario franchise. Its entrance from Celestial Park is themed as aWarp Pipe that appears in many of theMario series video games. Unlike the ones in Hollywood and Japan, it includes escalators. Like the version of the land constructed inUniversal Studios Japan, it includesMario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, anaugmented reality racing simulator based on theMario Kart series, as well asYoshi's Adventure, anomnimover attraction themed to the characterYoshi from theMario franchise.[35][49] The area also features an additional section themed to theDonkey Kong Country franchise, which includes Mine-Cart Madness, a new type ofroller coaster patented as the "Boom Coaster". The coaster is designed with a false track that trains move over while being attached to a hidden track underneath, allowing the track's design to implement gaps that create the illusion the trains are jumping over missing portions of track.[35][50][51]
The land is divided into two sections: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.[52] Notable dining options include Toadstool Cafe, which serves American cuisine, and Yoshi's Snack Land.[37]
A "Power-Up Band" for sale allows customers to explore the area and collect digital coins.[35]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge | 2025 | Dynamic Attractions | AR Dark Ride |
| Mine-Cart Madness[35] | 2025 | Setpoint | A "boom coaster" based on the Donkey Kong Country series. |
| Yoshi's Adventure | 2025 | Sansei Technologies | Omnimover |
The Ministry of Magic themed area is set inParis during the 1920s, primarily drawing inspiration from theFantastic Beasts prequel film series with scenes, characters, and creatures from the film franchise.[53][35] The area's main attraction,Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, is an elevator-themeddark ride that features a simulation ofFloo Network fireplaces transporting park guests further forward in time to theBritish Ministry of Magic in 1990s London, as depicted in theHarry Potter film series.[53] The ride is set shortly after Voldemort's defeat in thefinal film, asDolores Umbridge (played byImelda Staunton) is put on trial and attempts to escape.[54][53]Harry,Ron,Hermione and a house-elf named Higgledy join the chase to capture Umbridge, while guests riding on "omnidirectional lifts" are dodgingDeath Eaters and other creatures along the way.[53][55][35]
Early speculation surfaced that a stage show attraction based on Circus Arcanus, the name of a circus depicted inFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, as well as a dark ride were both under construction for Ministry of Magic.[56] A marketing teaser onTwitter in late July 2024 indicated that further details about the themed land would be released on July 31, 2024.[56][57] Additional promotional details were released as anticipated, confirming the earlier speculation.[53] The stage show attraction was revealed as Le Cirque Arcanus, which is a full-scale theatre experience located in Place Cachée and features live performers, puppetry, and special effects.[55][58] There are also a variety of shops, dining, and other experiences to match the wizarding theme.[59] Wands sold at the park feature lights and haptic vibrations, and interact with items throughout the area.[35]
Eateries include Bar Moonshine, Café L'air De La Sirène, and Le Gobelet Noir.[38]
English actorEddie Redmayne reprised his role asNewt Scamander, a character fromFantastic Beasts, in newly-filmed scenes that are featured throughout the Ministry of Magic area.[60]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Cirque Arcanus | 2025 | Special effects show themed to a magical circus |  | |
| Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry | 2025 | Simtec | Elevator-themeddark ride |
Industry insiders have suggested that phase two of the park's expansion would begin soon after Epic Universe debuted, with potential attractions for Super Nintendo World revolving around theLuigi's Mansion franchise, as well as aThe Legend of Zelda-themed land.[61][62]Universal Destinations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury stated in aNew York Times interview that they are also considering the addition of attractions themed to Universal's successfultwo-part film adaptation of the musicalWicked.[63][64]
The Universal Epic Universe theme park campus is located several miles southeast of the existingUniversal Orlando Resort. The larger 750-acre (300 ha) site, situated south ofSand Lake Road and east ofUniversal Boulevard,[5] began construction in 2021 that added new infrastructure including a $315-million, 1.7-mile (2.7 km) extension ofKirkman Road to connect with Universal Boulevard.[65][66] An elevated circular interchange was added at Sand Lake Road to facilitate traffic into Epic Universe,[66] and dedicated bus lanes along with "bicycle/pedestrian facilities" were among the changes.[65] The median for buses is reserved for Universal's fleet of electric buses to transport park guests.[67] Construction was expected to be completed by late 2024.[65][66]
While the other Universal Orlando parks have parking garages, Epic Universe features an open-air parking lot which is located on the southeast end of the site.[68] Permits suggested that a ground-level moving walkway would be built through the parking lot.[68]
In 1998, Universal purchased 2,100 acres near the Orange County Convention Center. Universal paid $63 million to purchase the land from Lockheed Martin and intended to build a theme park, hotels, and a sports complex.[69] Universal sold some small parcels for convention center-related development: 230 acres to Orange County for an expansion of the convention center $69 million in 1999, 26 acres to Hilton for $26 million in 2000, and 44 acres to Hyatt Hotels in 2001.[70][71] In 2003, Universal sold the remaining 1,800 acres to real estate developer Stan Thomas for $70 million.[72]
Starting in 2015, Universal slowly began reacquiring the land:
Following these acquisitions, Universal owns 750 acres of prime Orlando real estate only part of which is developed into the Epic Universe theme park.
| Celestial Park |
|
|---|---|
| Dark Universe |
|
| How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk |
|
| Super Nintendo World |
|
| The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic |
|
