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 Universal Epic Universe entrance | |
 Interactive map of Universal Epic Universe | |
| Location | Universal Orlando,Orlando,Florida,United States |
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| 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 |
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| Theme parks |
| Water parks |
| Resort hotels |
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| Entertainment district |
Universal Epic Universe is atheme park located inOrlando, Florida, United States. It opened to the public on May 22, 2025. Epic Universe is the third theme park, and fourth overall, to open atUniversal Orlando Resort.[3] The park is part of a larger 750-acre (300 ha) development located a few miles south of the other parks. It 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.
Construction began as early as August 2019, and the expected completion date was later delayed by theCOVID-19 pandemic. Details surrounding the park's themed areas and attractions were initially vague, with Super Nintendo World as the last of the themed lands to be officially announced in 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.
On August 1, 2019,NBCUniversal announced that it was building a new theme park atUniversal Orlando named Universal's Epic Universe.[4][5] Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO ofUniversal Parks & Resorts at the time, released a statement labeling Epic Universe the "most immersive and innovative theme park" the company had ever created.[6] Officials anticipated the new park's state and local economic contribution would be significant, including the hiring of an additional 14,000 employees and nearly doubling tax revenue generated by the resort.[6] GovernorRon DeSantis shared positive feedback in a public statement.[6]
Concept art released by Universal during the official announcement left details purposely vague.[7] It was widely speculated that the various lands within Epic Universe would be based on franchises such asHow to Train Your Dragon,Fantastic Beasts,Universal Classic Monsters, and severalNintendo properties includingSuper Mario andDonkey Kong.[8] Comcast executives confirmed the addition ofSuper Nintendo World in January 2020,[9][10] although official confirmation didn't occur until February 2023.[11] CEO Mark Woodbury would later call it the "worst-kept secret in history".[11]
Construction began as early as August 2019,[7] and the park's scheduled opening was originally slated for 2023.[8] This timeframe was later pushed to 2025,[12] at least in part due to pauses in construction during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[13] Construction had halted from July 2020 to March 2021.[14] In May 2022, Universal donated 13 acres (5.3 ha) of land near Epic Universe toward theBrightline rail route corridor project that was underway.[15]
Universal Parks & Resorts was rebranded as Universal Destinations & Experiences in March 2023,[16][17] alongside the park’s name being changed fromUniversal's Epic Universe toUniversal Epic Universe – the possessive "s" in the name was removed.[18] A new logo was released concurrently, featuring a starry backdrop inside the compass, as well as larger text and a simplified golden compass design.[19] Celestial Park was unveiled in a press release on January 30, 2024, which is the first world guests encounter when entering the park.[3] The unveiling included a map detailing the overall layout of Epic Universe.[3][20]
There was a brief pause in construction after Epic Universe experienced minor damage fromHurricane Milton in October 2024.[21] Later that month, Universal confirmed the park's grand opening date of May 22, 2025, approximately two weeks before Universal Orlando's 35th anniversary.[22] Tickets went on sale following the announcement, but they were initially only offered as part of a multiday ticket purchase or with the purchase of a vacation package.[22] Single-day tickets became available for annual passholders the following week, as well as reservations for the new Helios Grand Hotel.[22]
The first previews for employees began on March 1, 2025.[23] Early entry for pass holders and Universal hotel guests began on April 17,[24] and eventually, this was extended to the general public.[25][26] During this time, there was limited availability of certain attractions and experiences.[27] 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 through June 2025.[28][29] A celebrity and executive preview event was held the day before the grand opening,[9] and the park officially opened to the public as planned on May 22, 2025.[30]
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.[31] 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.[32][33] Each themed area has its aesthetics reflected in the food and cutlery at restaurants, ambient music, staff uniforms, and infrastructure.[34] Entryways to each different land, featuring themed portals with digital LED signage, radiate out from Celestial Park.[34]
Epic Universe utilizes facial recognition technology instead of tickets for entry, lockers, and express lanes for rides.[34]
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.[34] Celestial Park is themed as 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)[34] and several notable dining locations, including an underwater-themed seafood restaurant encased in glass called Atlantic, and the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant.[35][36] 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.[34][37]
Seven million individually-controllable embedded LEDs are installed within the Celestial Park area, and Universal plans to operate fireworks and light shows.[34]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astronomica | 2025 | Kids' splash pad play area | ||
| Constellation Carousel | 2025 | Carousel |  | |
| Stardust Racers | 2025 | Mack Rides[38] | 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).[39] 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.[39] 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).[40]
In late 2021, patent applications were filed for a new motion-based dark ride, which features elements similar to the technology used onHarry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.[41] This was later revealed to beMonsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride usingKUKA arm technology.[42][34] Another featured ride is Curse of the Werewolf, a launched spinning coaster manufactured by Mack Rides themed after the gypsy 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.[36][34]
In June 2024, it was announced thatDanny Elfman was set to compose the music for the land.[43]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curse of the Werewolf | 2025 | Mack Rides[44] | 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,[45] 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.[45][34]
The area's notable dining options include Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill, and Hooligan's Grog & Gruel.[37] Mead Hall will serve "Yaknog", a themed drink made of malted chocolate, cinnamon, and whipped cream.[46][34]
| 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[47] | A launch family roller coaster themed to dragon training. |
| The Untrainable Dragon | 2025 | AHow to Train Your Dragon-themed stage show. Vikings in the dragon sanctuary are having problems with handling a specific dragon, so they call on Hiccup to deploy his training methods to get the dragon in line. | |
| 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.[34][48] 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.[34][49][50]
The land is divided into two sections: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.[51] Notable dining options include Toadstool Cafe, which serves American cuisine, and Yoshi's Snack Land.[36]
A "Power-Up Band" for sale allows guests to explore the area and collect digital coins.[34] Guests who complete 3 challenges and collect keys using their Power-Up Band can unlock Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. This virtual reality experience has guests physically dodging, jumping, and battling Bowser Jr. and his flying Clown Car to reclaim the Golden Mushroom.[52]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge | 2025 | Dynamic Attractions | AR Dark Ride |
| Mine-Cart Madness[34] | 2025 | Setpoint | A "boom coaster" based on the Donkey Kong Country series. |
| Yoshi's Adventure | 2025 | Sansei Technologies | Omnimover |
| Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown | 2025 | A "secret level" VR experience |
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][34] 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 Potter,Ron Weasley,Hermione Granger 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][34]
The second attraction in the Ministry of Magic themed area is a stage show based on Circus Arcanus, the name of a circus depicted inFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.[56] Le Cirque Arcanus is a full-scale theatre experience located in Place Cachée and features live performers, puppetry, and special effects.[55][57] English actorEddie Redmayne reprises his role asNewt Scamander, a character fromFantastic Beasts, in newly-filmed scenes for the stage show.
The land also features a variety of shops, dining, and other experiences to match the wizarding theme.[58] Wands sold at the park feature lights and haptic vibrations, and interact with items throughout the area.[34]
Eateries include Bar Moonshine, Café L'air De La Sirène, and Le Gobelet Noir.[37]
The Ministry of Magic themed area is set to receive Epic Universe's first expansion as permits have been filed with scope of 150,000 square feet. The permits include the code Project 905, which is the code assigned to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.[59]
| Attraction | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Cirque Arcanus | 2025 | Special effects show themed to a magical circus. While the circus experiences a decline of viewers, a ringmaster steals Newt’s suitcase and tries restore the circus to its former glory. |  | |
| 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.[60][61]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.[62][63]
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,[6] 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.[64][65] An elevated circular interchange was added at Sand Lake Road to facilitate traffic into Epic Universe,[65] and dedicated bus lanes along with "bicycle/pedestrian facilities" were among the changes.[64] The median for buses is reserved for Universal's fleet of electric buses to transport park guests.[66] Construction was expected to be completed by late 2024.[64][65]
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.[67] Permits suggested that a ground-level moving walkway would be built through the parking lot.[67]
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.[68] Universal sold several parcels of land to support convention center–related development. In 1999, it sold 230 acres to Orange County for $69 million for an expansion of the convention center. This was followed by the sale of 26 acres to Hilton for $26 million in 2000 and 44 acres to Hyatt Hotels in 2001.[69][70] In 2003, Universal sold the remaining 1,800 acres to real estate developer Stan Thomas for $70 million.[71]
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.
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| Celestial Park |
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| Dark Universe |
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| How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk |
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| Super Nintendo World |
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| The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic |
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