Something epic is happening down the road from Walt Disney World. While we normally stick to Disney coverage here on BlogMickey.com, a brand-new theme park is as exciting as it is unavoidable. While I try to figure out how I want to cover Epic Universe once it opens, I thought it would be useful to have a single location where you can come to read the latest news and official updates. This article will serve as our singular source for Epic Universe news, with other articles published as necessary. (Last updated June 20, 2024)

In 2025, Universal Orlando Resort will unveil its next game-changer for theme park entertainment with the debut of its most ambitious theme park yet: Universal Epic Universe. Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation that Universal Orlando calls unmatched – transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic. The addition of Universal Orlando’s third theme park will also transform the award-winning resort into a weeklong vacation destination filled with the most compelling experiences imaginable.

The central land in this hub-and-spoke design is called Celestial Park, and it is an original concept, surrounded by themed IP-driven lands and a resort hotel attached to the back of the theme park.

With acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways, and strolling pathways, Celestial Park puts the “park” back in “theme park.” As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they’ll embark on a journey of discovery, thrills, and excitement as they wander through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements.

Here, guests can relax while taking in the sights and sounds around them, board a shooting comet for an exhilarating roller coaster adventure, dine on delectable cuisine, shop exclusive merchandise to commemorate their visit, and more.

Plenty of exciting entertainment, including various fountain shows throughout Celestial Park’s seven acres of water where a multitude of fountains sway, dance – and even reach heights up to 135 feet in the air – to music and interactive lighting from day to night.

Within Celestial Park, there are a number of attractions and experiences that will be uniquely themed to the land. While there will be portals to IP-themed lands, Celestial Park will have original concepts.

Stardust Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Stardust Racers will be Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the “Celestial Spin,” in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air – creating an “out-of-this-world” adrenaline rush. With no external track lighting at night, the fully illuminated ride vehicles appear as comets shooting across the night sky above Celestial Park.

Stardust Racers will have a height requirement of 48″.

Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the Milky Way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.

The ceiling of Constellation Carousel is a Star Tracker featuring rotating celestial star patterns, with a center Mesmerizer creating a ribbon cone effect above you while riding.

Across the shimmering waters of the Neptune pool in Celestial Park, Atlantic is an undersea culinary fantasy. Inside glass walls reminiscent of an enormous Victorian aquarium, starfish dwell peacefully with serene, illuminated fish swimming above you. The decorative fish that line the ceiling are surrounded by metallic curtains that shimmer as they sway, creating the illusion of being underwater in a massive aquarium. Indulge in exceptional seafood and steaks or enjoy a cocktail at the lively Aquaria Bar. Atlantic will be a full-service restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium with captivating views of Celestial Park.

The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant

Take a culinary journey across Asia at The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant in Universal Epic Universe. Step inside a bustling courtyard, where it’s always evening under the glow of ethereal lanterns. Enjoy authentic Pan-Asian cuisine as dazzling neon dragons chase across the walls or curl up with a cocktail at The Tiger Bar.

Additional “must-eat” locations within Celestial Park include The Oak & Star Tavern, where guests can enjoy savory barbecue, Pizza Moon, which will serve up a tasty menu featuring a variety of pizzas, and more.

Celestial Park Shopping

Within Celestial Park, there will be multiple shopping opportunities. While more details are yet to come, Universal did give details for a location that is sure to be one of the more popular shops!

Gaming fans will find something to level up their fun at the Nintendo Super Star Store in Celestial Park. Step inside and discover toys, apparel and other colorful keepsakes and souvenirs based on characters from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and more. Located just outside the portal entrance to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, the Nintendo Super Star Store in Celestial Park is where you can level up your collection of toys, apparel and all things Nintendo^®.

Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, is another shopping location within Celestial Park where guests can satisfy their cravings with a unique selection of sweet treats, and more.

Guests will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as they step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong. At SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ you’ll experience a new way to play, from challenging Bowser on the Mario Kart™ ride to venturing through Donkey Kong Country™ and so much more.

Details Released for ‘Super Nintendo World’ at Universal’s Epic Universe

Universal Orlando Resort has released new details about the attractions and more found in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe

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Guests can meet, greet and interact with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad throughout various areas in Super Mario Land.

Created by the award-winning Universal Creative team in partnership with Universal Pictures, Dark Universe blends the iconic stories of unearthly legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more with a new generation of monsters and characters, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein – the great-great-granddaughter of the infamous Henry Frankenstein who has continued his misguided experiments.

As guests venture through Darkmoor – the ravaged village within Dark Universe – they’ll encounter the characters and subjects of those experiments within a first-of-its-kind theme park environment that offers family-friendly fun while also pushing the boundaries on intensity in a way that only Universal could achieve.

The journey to Dark Universe begins the moment guests enter its electrifying portal, which harnesses the dark energy of Darkmoor. As guests step foot inside, that same energy will pulsate throughout the entire village and connect at the top of Frankenstein Manor – the towering focal point of Dark Universe. 

Over 6,500 different lighting elements bring to life the rich stories of Darkmoor’s history. Many fixtures were custom-designed and fabricated to tell the Darkmoor stories of the vampires and scientists.

Dark Universe Attractions

Dark Universe has two attractions – a spinning roller coaster and an indoor dark ride. Here’s everything we know so far about Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf!

At the end of the village stands the towering manor where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues the misguided work of her ancestors. Brave the onslaught of legendary monsters deep below the Frankenstein estate. The crackle and hum of electricity sparking across laboratory transformers will make your skin crawl as you explore Frankenstein Manor.

The Phantom of the Opera’s organ within the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment features 14 individual flame points that shoot vertical flames over 3 feet in the air and dance in synchronicity with the organ music.

Height Requirement: 48″
Ride Type: Thrill, Motion Simulation

Deep in the woods that sit on the edge of Darkmoor, guests will find Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by “The Wolf Man.” Guests will enter the encampment of The Guild of Mystics where they’ll be greeted by the Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and leader, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Guests then board a wagon and venture into the forest – racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves.

Shrouded in mystery, Das Stakehaus is an old inn and dining hall built over the ruins of ancient catacombs. Here you can enjoy a meal surrounded by vampire artwork and artifacts. In fact, the restaurant is run by vampires’ “familiars”, or servants. Just don’t venture down to the catacombs below, or you might find yourself on the vampires’ menu.

Das Stakehaus’ many paintings depict the world of vampires from their point of view, painting them as heroes in their stories, while displaying some of Darkmoor’s history, and referencing its architecture.

The Burning Blade Tavern is the old mill which Darkmoor Village’s monster hunters have transformed into their hangout. Here guests will discover stories of some of the countryside’s most accomplished creature capturers along with a menu of burgers, wings, bratwursts, pretzels and beverages.

The windmill at the top of The Burning Blade Tavern erupts into flames several times an hour. Two types of fuel are used in different ratios, allowing for easy visibility to guests during both day and night.

Dark Universe Character Encounters

There’s always someone…or something…looming in the shadows of Dark Universe – including Monsters who are eager to meet and greet everyone from kids to adults, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the alluring Bride of Frankenstein.

Guests will also encounter other unusual inhabitants roaming the eerie village, including Victoria Frankenstein’s servant, Ygor, The Invisible Man, an eccentric monster hunter, and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales of the classic Universal Monsters stories.

At Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, Dr. Pretorius’ old lab has been converted into a parlor to continue the spirit of his demented experiments. Here, skilled artisans use their talents to experiment on customers and release their inner love of Universal Monsters – be they werewolves, vampires, mummies, or something even more fashionably monstrous.

The monsters of Darkmoor include original creations from industry-leading and award-winning makeup and special effects artists, bringing your favorite monsters to life with their extraordinary skills.

Guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

Attractions for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic will be announced soon.

Guests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon film franchise. 

The world of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk encompasses 15.5 acres with a total of 162,500 square feet of rockwork, making it a Viking village for dragon-sized adventures.

From Hiccup’s workshop comes his latest contraption: a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the air, swooping and soaring and encountering Hiccup and Toothless along the way. Get ready to board Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a fun coaster that invites Vikings to prove they’re brave enough to speed through the sky with dragons.

Height Requirement: 40″ (guests under 48″ must be accompanied by an adult)

The sport of dragon racing is a celebrated pastime on the Isle of Berk. At Dragon Racer’s Rally, Berk’s new Vikings can practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a Viking-made dragonriding trainer. You’ll need these high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and soaring skills if you hope to become a champion dragon racer.

This high-thrill flying attraction features a ride system new to Universal Destinations & Experiences and is themed after the worst dragon racer from the series, Snotlout, and the best dragon racer, Astrid.

Height Requirement: 48″

With fire-breathing dragons everywhere, villagers have to be prepared. Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut have transformed Berk’s Fyre Skööl into a watery, interactive boat battle at sea. Board your ship in Fyre Drill and blast your water cannons at flame-like targets – and the occupants of every other boat – to out-soak other Vikings. Located in the middle of the world within the lagoon, guests will be able to see the attraction from multiple different angles.

This watery sea adventure has water cannons that shoot over 28 feet through the air to reach the many targets throughout the ride, along with other Viking ships. There will be more than 130 moving targets (including other boats)!

Height Requirement: none

At Viking Training Camp, junior Vikings will discover all types of dragons in this sprawling, colorful, interactive play area. Adventures include multiple towers to climb and explore, a fun agility course, Viking drums and chimes to play, an interactive sheep launcher game, plus slides and activities for the youngest Vikings.

The Isle of Berk contains 119 buckets, 175 barrels, 168 crates, 151 feed sacks, 115 books and 120 baskets. Some of these can be spotted in the Viking Training Camp.

When a new dragon shows up on the Isle of Berk, the Vikings think they may have finally met their match. Hiccup and Toothless, with help from Gobber and Astrid, work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. Experience the wonder of dragons onstage and soaring overhead in this spectacular, music-filled, heart-warming live show.

While similar to the show at Universal Beijing Resort, The Untrainable Dragon at Universal Epic Universe is set in a different time period and features varied characters. 

Toothless soars above the audience, weighing in at 1,157 pounds, with a wingspan of nearly 27 feet.

Probably the most anticipated moment will be meeting and taking pictures with Toothless and Hiccup in a tranquil clearing created to honor the bond between dragon and Viking.

Here’s the place to eat and drink like a Viking! The massive Mead Hall is Berk’s main gathering place, a grand chamber hewn from mountain rock where Vikings feast on a hearty menu including meat, fish, sandwiches and desserts. Beverages include assorted meads, ciders and ales.

The village’s main gathering place has faux entrance doors standing an impressive 16 feet 7 inches tall.

Dining Style: Quick Service

And located inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite – complete with 500 rooms, one-of-a-kind views and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park.

With a dedicated and exclusive entrance into Universal Epic Universe theme park, you’ll be transported to a fantastical world where heavens and earth unite at this full-service hotel. Opening 2025. (Valid theme park admission is required for park entry.)

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