EPIC UNIVERSE - FIRST IMPRESSIONS & REVIEW

It’s official! We’ve been to Epic Universe, and we won’t burry the lead — the park lives up to its name. But, as Epic as the park truly is, no park is perfect. So we’re going to be diving into each portal to discuss what we loved, what needs improvement. 

Before we get into the review, we’d like to note that what we saw was a preview—meaning that things weren’t 100% completely finished. There was still a lot of painters tape, ladders, and scissor-lifts around the park with crews working hard to get the final touches in place. That being said, 85-90% of the park was up-and-running! So we’re going to talk about that 90% with a grain of salt, knowing that things might (and will) change before the grand opening on May 22, 2025. We also didn’t get the opportunity to take photos or videos, but rest assured, a video from INSIDE the park is already in the works, so stay tuned for an in-park vlog soon.

Celestial Park

Every park needs its statement piece—something that say’s “we’re here, and this is what we’re about.” And Celestial Park is Epic Universe’s opening argument in its court case of public opinion for reigning Orlando Theme Park Champion. 

After arriving at the park and proceeding through the ticketing and security checkpoints, you’re greeted by a massive portal adorned with the Chronos. Scribed around each portal is a quote that serves as an introduction for what lies beyond, and the grand entrance is no different. “Beyond this gate find gardens green and Epic Worlds to fill your dreams”

Celestial Park is the gateway to all the different worlds of Epic Universe. Universal Creative stated that one of their goals was to “put the park back in theme park.” And have they? It’s too early to tell. Celestial Park is a large sprawling centerpiece to the park, but due to the young age of all the foliage, nothing is very grown in yet. The space is large and open, which in the Florida sun, means that there’s not much escape from the brutal heat. That being said, it is very well themed, and the gardens look amazing. Giving it time, it’s not hard to assume that Celestial Park might live up to the goal it was designed with in mind. 

On the topic of theming, Celestial Park lives up to the hype. The original story of celestial travelers traversing the galaxy plays out across every attraction, dining location, and merchandise store. It feels like an evolution to Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure, but expanded across the length of the park. Celestial Park, with additions like Stardust Racers, CelesTiki, PizzaMoon, and so much more to name, will have a set of fans that love the land above the rest. I personally could imagine myself visiting the park in the future where Celestial Park is the only destination for the day. 

The question that every thrill seeker has: is Stardust Racers as good as VelociCoaster?

It’s hard to answer. Stardust Racers is an absolutely incredible coaster. It features multiple launches, and one of the best dual track racing layouts I’ve ever experienced. The thrills are top tier, and the elements create a unique experience unlike anything else at Universal Orlando. But why is it hard to compare to VelociCoaster? The answer is theming. VelociCoaster is truly a full package. Its story begins as soon as you see the raptor statues out front. The queue is meticulously themed with story plot. It’s not just a Jurassic themed ride, it's a wholly original story that can only be told through the medium of a rollercoaster. And as much as I love Stardust Racers, it’s simply not that. Stardust Racers has a story—it’s a transportation system where Celestials grab hold of shooting meteors and harness their energy to traverse the stars. However, that story is more of a thematic guide than an overt story. The theming of the queue is light, and the theming of the ride itself is sparse. Which means that it’s not quite the full package that VelociCoaster is. 

However, the thrills are amazing. It has the gut-punching launches and smoothness of modern steel coasters, with the airtime and element design of an old fashioned wooden coaster. It’s a true blend of classic design with modern technology that comes together to build a wholly unique and powerful experience. Stardust Racers did not disappoint. However, when compared to the detailed and immersive theming of the rest of the attractions across the park, it can feel somewhat out of place.

Super Nintendo World

Let’s go! Super Nintendo World was the first portal that we walked through after entering Celestial Park, and as we climbed the escalators (elevators are also available) and emerged out of Peach’s Castle to reveal the kinetically-alive, multilevel, immersive world I was overwhelmed. I had to stop my group to show them the goosebumps on my arms. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before, unless you live in Hollywood or Japan. In that case… It’s exactly like what you’ve experienced before. Super Nintendo World is the third iteration of this world. It first opened in Japan, with the Donkey Kong addition opening separately as an expansion. And it later opened in Hollywood, California as a smaller, sampler size, of the world. Orlando get’s the full package out of the gate. 

To be completely transparent up-front, this was easily the busiest of the lands the entire day, and it most likely will be for you as well when you visit. Because of that, we did not eat at any of the restaurants, or shop at any of the stores, and the only attraction we managed to do was Donkey Kong’s Minecart Madness, which was easily the longest wait of the day by a factor of two. Be prepared to wait.

That being said, this land is a marvel to behold. However, the main attraction might be the power-up bands, and not the actual attractions. The land is filled with a real-life, Nintendo-style, quest that is accessed through a power-up band that interfaces with power-up blocks spread throughout the land, and will have you come face-to-face with characters and boss battles. This is easily something that I’m looking forward to sinking more time into during up-coming visits, and it brings a re-visit-able factor to the land.

Minecart Madness will be, without a doubt, the most divisive attraction at the park. I was fully expecting that title to fall on Mario kart, but after experiencing Donkey Kong’s Minecart Madness, I truly believe that this will wear the crown. That’s not to say it’s a bad attraction, it’s not. The queue definitely is a horrible queue, but the attraction itself has a unique charm to it, and I believe the one consistent thought across everyone’s mind when they depart the attraction will be “wow, that was not what I was expecting at all.” Why do I think that? Because that was the thought everyone I was with had, and upon talking to other friends that experienced the land, that was the same thought they had. Some will have that thought and mean it in a negative way, and some will express that thought with praise and accolade for the attraction. For me, I’m somewhat divided. 

Donkey Kong: Minecart Madness doesn’t feel like a roller coaster. It feels more like an extremely fast-paced Fantasyland-style dark ride. It has a roughness to it that, for some, will think it adds charm and character, and for others will ruin the experience. Its scene transitions oftentimes feel like a modern-day Fantasyland dark ride, and the way that animatronics and set design interact within the scene are reminiscent of that as well. However, there are a few select moments of speed and thrill thrown in the mix. For me, “wow, that’s not what I was expecting at all,” comes from the oddly Fantasyland vibe. I was expecting something that felt like a roller coaster, but instead we got something that only looks like a roller coaster. Which makes this ride hard to place. That being said, I had fun. I like the ride! I think. But will I be riding it anytime soon? Definitely not. The low capacity of the attraction means that it has the deadly combo of super long lines, and a line that moves extremely slowly. With other popular attractions like Hagrid’s or VelociCoaster, even when the lines are super long, with such a high capacity, it means that the line will move fairly quickly; however, with Donkey Kong, you will be stuck in a non-air-conditioned, cattle-pin box for an hour or more with hardly any movement at all. The queue line experience is so dreadful, that it means, especially in the Florida heat, this ride will need to be a 20 minute or less wait for me to get back on, which I fear will never actually happen.

How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk

We, my friends, have dragons! I won’t bury the lead, I believe that How to Train Your Dragon is the most slept on world at Epic Universe. This land comes to life the moment you step inside. Walking through the portal transports you to the Isle of Berk where you’ll be able to ride dragons, live like a viking, and meet your favorite characters from the beloved movies. This land has it all, from a state-of-the-art theater production, to family friendly rides, and big thrills—there truly is something for everyone here, which is why the Isle of Berk stands as my (current) all around favorite world at this park. It’s filled with animatronics, walk around characters, meet-and-greets, and rides that give a vibrant kinetic energy to the world.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is the headlining attraction for this world. It’s manufactured by Intamin, which is the same manufacturer as Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. This ride has the same fun, whipping through the land thrills that Hagrid’s does, but on a slightly more family-friendly level. Universal once again proves that they know how to tell a brilliant and fun story through a coaster. This coaster isn’t just there because they wanted to build a coaster. The ride vehicle is an integral part of the story, and when it all comes together, it makes a fun ride even more memorable. However, my only wish would be for the queue. The coaster has such a beautiful story, but I wish the queue line did a better job setting up the story. Hagrid’s has a great pre-show that introduces you to the plot of the coaster, but this queue line is just a long series of switchbacks outside. For a park that sets the bar so high in immersive theming, you would expect more, but unfortunately the queue line does not deliver. Thankfully though, the ride is so perfect that it more than makes up for the lackluster queue, albeit even with the short ride length.

The Untrainable Dragon is one of two headlining shows at Epic Universe, and so far, the only one that we’ve experienced. If live theater performances are your thing, you will love this show! It blends modern day technology, and the next level theming of this park, with the traditional arts of theater. It really is a spectacle to behold. However, if theater isn’t something that interests you, I’m not sure that there’s anything here that will convince you otherwise. This is Universal putting its flag in the ground, saying “anything Disney can do, we can do better.” And with Disney’s huge presence in the traditional theater scene, Universal leans very heavily into that category. It’s genuinely a special show, especially compared to Universal’s typical fair of stunt spectacular shows, this one stands out.

This world also has the most dining options throughout as well! Mead Hall is the star of the show; however, I haven’t had the opportunity to eat there yet. But on my most recent visit to the park, we stopped at Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel, which is the home of the famous Mac n Cheese cones! They definitely lived up to the hype. I don’t think there’s a single one that you could go wrong with, they were all amazing! But that comes from a connoisseur of the delicacies of the macaroni and cheese. 

Dark Universe

Wow. The end.

Honestly, I had high expectations for this land. I was worried that my expectations would be too high. But this land is everything that it was promised to be. If you’re a Halloween Horror Nights fan like I am, this land is for you. However, if you’re afraid of fear, don’t worry. This land has all the spooky vibes without that actual scares.

This is easily the land that feels the most lived in, at least during the previews. Darkmore is filled with walk around characters from the moment you enter the portal. “It’s Alive!” isn't just talking about the monster, it’s talking about the land as well. With Ygor meeting guests, musicians playing old shanties that warn of the monstrosities that live in Darkmore, and details of arrows stuck in the balconies of buildings, hinting at old wars that were waged against the monsters, this land is packed with storytelling. 

Dark Universe is the home of two attractions, two full service restaurants, a monster makeover-face-painting experience, as multiple unique merchandising locations, and all of it is done with the utmost love and care. You can really tell that the creative team poured everything into each project within this world. 

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is genuinely one of the best indoor dark rides ever created! I know that there’s been a lot of hype around this attraction, but it truly is Universal pushing the boundaries in every area of ride/show technology. This isn’t just an evolution on the Forbidden Journey ride system, it’s an evolution of ride technology full-stop. Photos and video really don’t do it justice. The animatronics are setting the bar higher for what is possible with audio-animatronic technology. The use of digital screens and projections are done tastefully, and genuinely enhance the experience opposed to subtracting from it. The implementation of screens in this attraction isn’t lazy, like some modern rides tend to be, but it’s smart and effective. And what’s so beautiful about this ride is that all of the elements culminate into a captivating story. Story is king, as the adage goes. Without a compelling and thrilling story, all the technology just becomes noise, but here, at Monsters Unchained, the all culminates into a masterpiece of immersive storytelling.

The Curse of the Werewolf is genuinely a fun coaster. The issue is that it’s surrounded by overwhelmingly excellent and next level attractions, that its commonplace ride system and layout stand out as feeling like a second-thought, opposed to an appetizer to the main course of Monsters Unchained. However, with that being said, there are plenty of thrills to have on this coaster! Due to its spinning nature, each ride is slightly different, and since Universal Orlando didn’t previously have a spinning coaster, the experience does feel unique within the small bubble of just the Orlando parks. However, the same as Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, I wish this attraction had a better implemented story. Like I said, story is king, and well, it’s just not here.

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter - Ministry Of Magic

I don’t think they were allowed to do this. Genuinely. Is this ok? I don’t think theme parks will ever be the same because of this land, and I’m not even specifically talking about the attraction, which as of writing this, I still haven’t experienced yet. The pure scale of this world is breathtaking. The buildings tower over you as you walk through the streets, and the storytelling around every corner immerses you every time you take a deeper look. Although Battle at the Ministry wasn’t operational on either of my visits so far, the queue line was open for walkthroughs, and even JUST the queue line had my jaw on the floor. Photos and videos don’t do this experience justice. It really is something that you will just have to experience for yourself, and for your sake, I hope you’re able to experience it with the least amount of spoilers possible. I was blown away, and I hope that the expectations the queue line sets up, doesn’t set the bar too high for the attraction. 

Final Thoughts

Epic Universe is well… Epic. I know it’s overplayed and over said, but it really is true. This park sets a new standard for themed entertainment. This park has something for everyone, which also means that it has something that’s not for everyone. I think it’s important to understand that not everything is meant for you. I don’t enjoy slow-moving water rides that drench you, so Fyre Drill is definitely not an attraction for me, but I do love big thrills, so Stardust Racers is definitely for me, where it might not be for you. This park is new and still growing. You can’t go into it expecting as many attractions as Magic Kingdom that has a 50+ year long history of building and expanding. However, for the small number of “E Ticket” attractions the park has, I think it fully makes up for it with its “D” or “C Ticket” attractions and experiences. This park is a full day park if you care more about just the pure thrill of an attraction. This park was not built to be a thrill seekers dream, it was built to be an immersive story that you could live for yourself. And if you take the time to slow down and experience that story, you will be just as blown away as I am, if not more. But like I said in our first look video, after waiting almost a decade for this park, there’s just one thing that I know… I can’t wait to go back!