In mid-May, right before Summer truly kicks off, Universal will openEpic Universe, the first major domestic theme park to debut in quite some time. I was lucky enough to visit Universal’s Epic Universe for a preview of all it has to offer, specifically the four portal lands and all the rides and attractions available within.
For those who might not be familiar, Epic Universe has a hub-and-spoke design, where the center of the park, dubbed Celestial Park, encircles a beautiful body of water, with the awe-inspiring Helios Grand Hotel looming in the background. You step through the first portal of Epic Universe and under the massive Chronos portal, a storytelling device used throughout the park.
Each of the four distinct lands within Epic Universe has its own portal, a pathway that transports you into the world of Nintendo, Harry Potter, Universal Monsters, orHow to Train Your Dragon. These portals split off from Celestial Park and can be seen in the distance, serving as waypoints for guests to draw them to their next adventure.
Celestial Park Serves as the Massive Hub of Epic Universe
Celestial Park is arresting all on its own, but it’s also the appetizer to the entrees that are thekey lands of Epic Universe. There are a lot of great sights, picture opportunities, and two rides as well. It may be a hub, but it’s one of the best hubs a theme park has ever offered.
Constellation Carousel
The Constellation Carousel is another opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of Celestial Park, on a familiar ride concept. Underneath a beautiful canopy, Constellation Carousel lets you hop on the backs of unique creatures and experience Epic Universe’s twist on the well-known ride concept.
It’s not so much the ride itself that will blow anyone away, but its design. The tweaks to the carousel’s “mechanic” and the view of it in the distance are what will make it special. It gives the park a specific personality, and it’s a pretty great backdrop for pictures too.
Stardust Racers
Stardust Racers is Epic Universe’s most intense ride, by a wide margin. It is a launch coaster with surprises you don’t often see in that type of design, and the amount of hang time you get (with only lap restraint, mind you) will have guests screaming. What makes Stardust Racers unique, however, is that it’s a dueling coaster, where two ride vehicles move in sync with each other, creating a dance that is as cool to see at a distance as it is to experience on-board.
When you see the partner coaster zooming next to you, or as it crosses paths with you, or even as one coaster twists upside down and “hangs” over the other, Stardust Racers is less about how many loops or drops it can pack into two minutes, but in taking a concept that has been attempted before and iterating and perfecting it in so many creative ways. And the best part is that each track has its own distinct path, so there are plenty of reasons for repeat rides.
How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
Walking through the portal intoHow to Train Your Dragon- Isle of Berk was the first thing I experienced at Epic Universe and it left a lasting impression. Stepping under each of the portals is a transportive moment, as Celestial Park transitions to the unique lands, but there is something special about Berk.
When the iconic John Powell score kicks in, and you see the hand-carved statues, the water feature, and the island behind it, it’s an emotional moment. No, there aren’t dragons flying around, but Isle of Berk feels like the most densely packed of the four lands, with three rides, a show, a meet and greet, several food options, and an interaction with a massive Snow Wraith.
You could easily spend several hours in theHow to Train Your Dragonland alone, finding new details in the design, jumping on rides, and saying “Hi” to Toothless and Hiccup. It may have just been because it was the first, but seeing Isle of Berk left a lasting impression on me and even though other rides and lands were more impressive overall or had “better” rides, the way this land broughtHow to Train Your Dragonto life typifies what makes Epic Universe special. It immerses you from the second you step through that portal and gives you the opportunity to explore at your own pace.
Fyre Drill
Fyre Drill puts you on a Viking ship and gives you a water cannon to shoot targets and trigger some animatronic elements. You will get wet.
It’s as simple as that, but Fyre Drill brings a unique interactive element to what seems to be Epic Universe’s biggest land. Shooting targets requires a little effort as you pump your cannon with water, not to mention aiming for each one. It’s the closest Epic Universe gets to offering a water ride and on a hot day it will be a nice reprieve from the Florida sun.
Dragon Racer’s Rally
Dragon Racer’s Rally seems like one of the more simplistic rides at Epic Universe - you sit inside a wing glider, with legs hanging free, and move around in a circle while sweeping up and down. But looks can be deceiving - each wing can tilt up and down by pulling a lever on either side, which then tilts your entire glider.
For the average rider, pulling on the levers will only tilt you from side to side, adding a little sideways swing as you spin around. Those who can get a rhythm, however, will actually be able to swing the glider completely around, performing a barrel roll in mid-air. No one in my group was able to pull off the barrel roll, but some got close. You have to assume that as more people ride Dragon Racer’s Rally, the tricks will become apparent, and the ride will take on a new dynamic.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a great introductory launch coaster - a setup for Stardust Racers, if you will. It has a little bit of story told through audio and animatronic, a fun gimmick halfway through that breaks up the momentum, and it takes you through a good portion of the Isle of Berk.
While Stardust is a traditional coaster for older kids and adults, Hiccup’s Wing Glidersskews a little younger, but it doesn’t feel simple or boring. It is still plenty fast and thrilling and rounds out the package that the How to Train Your Dragon area has to offer.
The Untrainable Dragon
One of two shows at Epic Universe, The Untrainable Dragon is already at Universal Beijing Resort, but if you aren’t familiar with it, don’t look anything up. It’s not a retelling of theHow to Train Your Dragonmovies, but a new story where Hiccup helps the citizens of Berk with a problem at their Hatchery.
It has some musical elements, lots of visual flair, and at least two show-stopping moments that you have never seen in a theme park production. The whole show is great, with a fun story, but The Untrainable Dragon would be worth it just to see one of the most technically impressive theater productions.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
Stepping into each of the Wizarding Worlds is one of the singular highlights of any Universal theme park visit. For The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, you are transported to 1920s Paris for a stroll down a city street lined with magical shops and restaurants. There is a familiar design sensibility to the other Wizarding Worlds of Universal, Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, but it still feels distinct. You canpick up a mug of Butterbeer, shop for treats like Chocolate Frogs, and there are plenty of opportunities for photos.
The Ministry of Magic might be the biggest and most open of the Wizarding Worlds, even if it doesn’t have the same type of iconic imagery. There’s a blend of Potter andFantastic Beastshere, but it doesn’t lean too heavily in one direction or the other. Overall, it’s another fun slice of the Wizarding World.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry Queue
I could write about theHarry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry queuefor several paragraphs, and still not capture all the detail on display. The scope and scale of this queue, which starts by transporting you via Floo to the Ministry of Magic, has that singular, arresting moment that tops any sight at a theme park.
The queue just goes and goes, and when you think there can’t be more, there is even more. Obviously, Universal built the queue so long because they anticipate the ride to be popular, but you could have put Potter fans in a beige hallway and they would have waited hours to get on this ride. The fact that Universal went to this level in the design of just the ride’s queue speaks volumes about the experience it wants to deliver.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is the new pinnacle when it comes to theme park attractions. The use of animatronics, the ride vehicle movement, the storytelling, and the overall design of the space are on another level. Epic Universe has found a way to expand on the world of Potter with a story that’s easy to follow, features fan-favorite (and not-so-fan-favorite) characters, and features plenty of thrilling and unexpected moments.
While a familiarity with Harry Potter lore certainly enriches the experience, Battle at the Ministry is an enjoyable ride on its own terms as well. It’s not too intense that younger riders would be overwhelmed, but it isn’t dumbed down either. All of the Wizarding World rides are unique, playful, and creative in their own way, but this is currently the best theme park ride that exists. Epic Universe knew that its latest Harry Potter ride, with a queue that can sustain a multiple-hour wait, needed to be a showstopper and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is exactly that.
Le Cirque Arcanus
The other theater show on the Epic Universe property, Le Cirque Arcanus is part magic show, part circus performance, and part stage play. Its pre-show sets the stage for a story that builds off the world of Fantastic Beasts and features some really clever visual gags. Then you sit down in a theater for the main show, which surprised me in a lot of ways.
While the pre-show is somewhat small, the main show features a scope and scale that are jaw-dropping. The way the stage changes and the animatronic/puppetry work are stunning. The show is well worth sitting down for and further highlights the artistry and creativity of Epic Universe as a whole.
Dark Universe
Dark Universe brings the world of Universal Monsters to Epic Universein a big way. Stepping through the portal and into the town of Darkmoor is just as transportive as any of the other portals, made all the better by a soundtrack created by Danny Elfman. Cobblestone streets, haunting atmosphere, and gothic architecture create the sense that horrors are lurking around every corner. Fun theming like a windmill that periodically catches fire, a bar underneath called the Burning Blade Tavern that serves a garlic pretzel “stake,” and a restaurant called Das Stakehaus are just a few of the touches that bring the vibe of Universal’s classic monster films to life.
I am a big Universal Monsters fan and Dark Universe was everything I could have imagined and more. Getting to see The Invisible Man walking around heckling guests, stopping to listen to a resident play her violin and spin a tale, or just standing in awe of Victoria Frankenstein’s castle, Dark Universe has got the creepy atmosphere nailed. And that’s without even having experienced the land at night.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment was my most anticipated ride at Epic Universe, and it lived up to the hype. Using a ride system similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the ride carries you through an experiment gone array, as Victoria Frankenstein looks to capture Dracula. Even just in the ride’s queue, there is some impressive design work, but the ride itself is packed with some of the most lifelike animatronics I have ever seen. The way they move, the detail in their design, and the way they blend with the screens behind them create an immersion that is second to none.
Just getting to see the animatronics is amazing, but the way the ride system positions you to see them, or even be jump scared by them, makes Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment a genuinely scary ride. Universal has brought its monster lineup into the modern age with one of its best rides to date.
Curse of the Werewolf
At a glance, Curse of the Werewolf looks like an average medium-level coaster. There are a few drops and some twists and turns, but once you get on Curse of the Werewolf, you understand what makes it special. Each of the cars on the coaster spins with no rhyme or reason as to how fast they go or how many rotations they make. So, as the coaster is twisting and turning on the track, you are also rotating 360 degrees without a sense of which way is forward or backward.
There’s also a unique gimmick to the track that I won’t spoil, but it does catch you off guard. The spinning is disorienting enough, but Curse of the Werewolf has an additional trick up its sleeve.
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World is arguably the most familiar of the four portals, if only because it features rides that are currently available in some form around the world. Universal Studios Japan has all three of the attractions that Epic Universe does, whereasUniversal Studios Hollywood has the same Mario Kart ride, which opened a few years ago. Even so, Super Nintendo World is going to be the first video game-themed land for a lot of people, and Universal has gone the extra mile to immerse guests in a Mario wonderland.
First off, Super Nintendo World is an assault on the senses. It’s colorful and bursting with details, like a Piranha Plant chomping and coins twirling. you’re able to’t help but smile seeing the world of Mario brought to life with this level of craftmanship. It’s an experience that is sure to have guests of any age smiling and pointing at every little thing.
you’re able to stop by Toadstool Cafe for a bite to eat, or just walk around, and Super Nintendo World has something to do. Power Up Bands are a key interactive element at Epic Universe, similar to Hollywood and Japan, allowing you to game-ify your experience by earning coins, discovering secrets, and competing in games. Super Nintendo World wants to capture that feeling of play within its borders, and there are lots of opportunities to do so.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
The use ofAR in the Mario Kart rideat Universal Studios Hollywood is novel and a great way to allow guests to step into a real life representation of the game they know and love. The ride itself is plenty of fun, with a lot of playful nods to iconic Mario Kart moments like Rainbow Road. For more thoughts on Mario Kart ensure to read ourreview of Super Nintendo Worldin Universal Studios Hollywood.
Yoshi’s Adventure
This is arguably the most kid-friendly ride at Epic Universe, so it’s hard to critique. It’s an opportunity to see the land from a new vantage point, with an interactive element that’s simple enough that young kids can do it. You also get to see a lot of familiar Mario characters and enemies.
It does move slow and some will call it boring, but ultimately it’s nice to see Epic Universe incorporate a less-intense experience (brought over fromUniversal Studios Japan) into an area with so much brand recognition.
Donkey Kong Country
As an offshoot to Super Nintendo World,Donkey Kong Countryfeels like its own land within a land. There are so many Donkey Kong references scattered throughout the area, from the classic K-O-N-G letters to an interactive drum mini-game and a gift shop built into the side of a plane.
And looming over it all is the Golden Temple, which is an arresting sight. It’s also home to Mine-Cart Madness, Super Nintendo World’s Donkey Kong-themed ride.
Mine-Cart Madness
A medium-level coaster, Mine Cart Madness captures the chaos of Donkey Kong’s mine cart levels in the best way. It has unexpected twists and turns, boosts as you are “shot” out of barrels, and it wouldn’t be a mine cart ride without some jumps. The ride uses a unique gimmick where it looks like the cart track is destroyed or incomplete, but the coaster continues on its path. It’s a visual gag that gives Mine-Cart Madness a lot of character and will also have guests questioning if they are truly safe, if only for just a second.
There is a lot to see if you’re a Donkey Kong fan, but even if you are just looking for a fun coaster, Mine-Cart Madness delivers. It’s got a unique personality that separates it from similar medium coasters around Epic Universe, and for Nintendo fans it is a true highlight.
Epic Universe Preview: Final Thoughts
As our tour began, the guide explained that the goal with Epic Universe was to put the park back into theme park. But I would argue that Universal has put the theme into theme park in a big way. Epic Universe captures four distinct themes, finds a clever way to connect them, and immerses you in those properties in ways that surprise and delight.
There is a variety to the experiences available in each portal that ensures something for everyone, as well as enough detail in the design that even when you are just walking around, you’re able to’t help but be amazed. Epic Universe represents another major leap forward for the theme park industry, and it will be a must-visit theme park destination for a long time to come.
Universal’s Epic Universe opens Jun 28, 2025. Game Rant was provided lodging for this preview visit.
