At the end of January 2024, Universal Orlando Resort announced so much new information for Epic Universe, the new Universal theme park coming to Orlando in 2025. Here's a rundown of the announcements, with my own thoughts and questions scattered throughout.
Note: For the most up to date information, please visit the Universal Orlando Resort website. Any opinions will be clearly noted as such, and all factual information was obtained directly from Universal Orlando Resort's official announcement.
What's Inside Epic Universe?
From what information we have, we know Epic Universe will be comprised of five different areas, all entered through "portals." These are Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe.
We don't have much information on these areas besides Celestial Park, which looks to be the hub of the park. It will include two restaurants, one named The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, and the other Atlantic. We have two ride announcements, one a merry go round titled the Constellation Carousel and the second a roller coaster called Starfalls Racers. There is also one confirmed store, the "Nintendo Super Star Store." Opinion: I have mixed feelings on the Nintendo store being located outside of "Super Nintendo World." That seems odd to me. Maybe it was placed there so it wouldn't ruin the feel inside that area with a shop, maybe it was for crowd flow, I'm not sure.
A new hotel was also announced to be inside Celestial Park, the Universal Grand Helios Hotel. From the concept images, this seems like it may be a premier level hotel, as opposed to Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort which we already know will be prime level. Opinion: I hope Universal Grand Helios Hotel will offer express passes with the stay for Epic Universe! This would be a big factor for people when booking their vacation, and it's a big reason people choose to stay at the premier level hotels at Universal Orlando Resort.
What Am I Hoping For?
All information in this section is my own thoughts and opinions.
In Celestial Park, I'm hoping for a similar feel to the Forgotten Land in Islands of Adventure. Don't get me wrong here, I love this area in Islands of Adventure and in my opinion this section has the best food in the park. However, since the closure of Poseidon's Fury in 2023, it feels so empty. This would be a great opportunity for the Universal Creative team to show us what they can do! I'm excited for the new restaurants and I hope the theming will be on par with Mythos'.
For this next one, I know I'm controversial on this. I love the Harry Potter areas that are at Universal Orlando Resort already. The theming is incredible and when you walk in you really do feel transported to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I don't think The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic will be any different. I'm expecting grand structures and theming with great experiences and shows. That being said, I think this is the area I'm least excited for. All the other areas feel so new and they feel like something Universal hasn't done before for Orlando. To me, Harry Potter feels finished in Orlando. I was there for the summer of 2014 when Diagon Alley opened and I was so excited, the experience was incredible! With the addition of Diagon Alley, I felt like Universal Orlando Resort really had enough Harry Potter, and I love it, and I don't feel like they need more. I worry Universal is going to beat a dead horse at this point. Again, that's just my opinion, and I know it's not the majority.
Super Nintendo World! I grew up playing an Atari and a Nintendo 64 in the floor of my grandparents house. My grandpa taught me which clouds gave me coins and how to jump to the highest point on the flagpole. I know Hollywood and Japan already have a Super Nintendo World so this won't be entirely new, but I'm looking forward to this. Mario, Luigi, and the whole gang hold such a special place in my heart and I can't wait to see that come to life for my five-year-old self. Hopefully we'll get a Toadstool Cafe like Hollywood! There have been arial photos that show a possible Yoshi ride too.
I have high hopes for How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk. I love these movies so much (I recently rewatched the first film and I cried). I will buy every piece of Toothless merchandise unapologetically to wear all at once. I think a cool idea for this area would be a restaurant that recreates the dining hall shown in the movies, similar to the way The Three Broomsticks is in Hogsmeade. I want big, long tables with shared benches for seating. I want game meat options. It would be such a good fit for this area. Universal Creative, are you listening here?
Lastly, we have Dark Universe. This area is set to be themed to Universal Monsters, and if you've ever been to Halloween Horror Nights and been in a Universal Monsters house, you know they take these things very seriously. This is the area I'm most excited for! I don't want to be terrified walking around, but I want to have a little bit of baseline anxiety. I want to be a little jumpy and uneasy. I hope they bring back some version of the Monster Cafe like there used to be in Universal Studios Florida (may it rest in peace).
My Questions
I have a lot of questions, obviously we all do. Here are a few I keep thinking of.
What does this mean for passholders?
Will there be a new UOAP tier added to include Epic Universe, or will it be a completely separate ticket?
How many total rides will be at Epic Universe when it opens?
How much room is there for expansions?
How will the opening of Epic Universe affect attendance at the other parks?
I'm sure other people have questions too, and I can't wait to see how our questions shape the coming announcements and additions to Epic Universe.
What are your thoughts and opinions on the Epic Universe announcements? Let me know in the comments below!
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