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Universal Orlando Resort is gearing up to launch its highly anticipated, all-new theme park, Epic Universe, in just over a month. FASTNET provides an exclusive preview of this expansive destination, which will feature five immersive realms: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park.
Set to debut in May, Epic Universe will become the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando, joining Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay water park. This ambitious project aims to transform Universal into a premier “weeklong vacation destination,” directly competing with its major Florida rival, Walt Disney World, which boasts six theme parks including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, along with Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks.
Universal’s growth also includes the addition of three new hotels: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, and Universal Terra Luna Resort, bringing their total lodging options to 11. (For comparison, Disney World offers over 20 hotels.)
Refer to FASTNET’s comprehensive guide below for essential details about Epic Universe, such as ticket prices, groundbreaking rides, diverse dining options, and official opening dates. For further insights into Universal’s planned UK theme park, explore additional resources.
Epic Universe Opening Date
Mark your calendars for May 22, 2025, as the official opening day for Epic Universe.
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Tickets are currently available for purchase; however, initial access to the new theme park is exclusively offered as part of multi-day park ticket packages (three, four, or five-day options). Single-day tickets to Epic Universe may become available at a later date.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This expansion represents the third Harry Potter themed area at Universal Orlando, following the immensely popular Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida and Hogsmeade/Hogwarts in Islands of Adventure.
The Ministry of Magic realm will draw inspiration from both the “Fantastic Beasts” films and the original “Harry Potter” series. A significant portion of the land will be designed to replicate 1920s Paris, serving as a portal to the 1990s-era British Ministry of Magic via the Métro-Floo network.
The flagship attraction, “Battle at the Ministry,” will immerse guests in an adventure alongside the iconic trio as they confront Dolores Umbridge. Employing similar ride mechanics to the Hogwarts ride, this experience will feature an elevator-style compartment within the Ministry of Magic, enhanced with state-of-the-art technology for heightened immersion.
Guests can also enjoy “Le Cirque Arcanus,” a captivating live performance showcasing performers, puppets, and special effects, set within the “Fantastic Beasts” universe.
Numerous discoveries await within this new land, including “Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique,” a novel wand shop, expanded interactive wand locations, and “Café L’air De La Sirène,” a French-inspired restaurant.
Note that this Wizarding World area is not connected to the Hogwarts Express train, which links the other two Harry Potter lands in Orlando, owing to the park’s geographical separation from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Super Nintendo World Attractions
Universal Orlando joins Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood in introducing a dedicated Mario-themed land. Mirroring the Japan and Hollywood versions, the signature ride is “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,” where riders engage in a thrilling race, collecting coins and launching shells to vie for victory.
Additional highlights include “Mine Cart Madness,” a Donkey Kong-inspired roller coaster, and “Yoshi’s Adventure,” a gentle ride where guests aboard Yoshi embark on an egg-hunt through the Mushroom Kingdom.
Meet-and-greet opportunities with beloved characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad will be available, and guests can dine at the “Toadstool Cafe.”
Enhance your Super Nintendo World experience with a Power-Up Band, a wearable wristband that enables coin collection and interactive gameplay across all three Super Nintendo World locations.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk Experiences
After 15 years since the debut of the original critically acclaimed movie (holding a 99% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes), “How to Train Your Dragon” finally secures a prominent space within a Universal theme park.
The cherished DreamWorks franchise, centered on Hiccup, a young Viking who befriends a dragon named Toothless, has expanded into two sequels (both exceeding 90% on Rotten Tomatoes), multiple seasons of animated series, and a forthcoming live-action adaptation of the first film slated for release in 2025.
Now, guests can explore Berk (Florida edition). While lacking the chill of its cinematic counterpart, this vibrant land will be populated by Viking characters, impressive dragon animatronics, and soaring dragon figures amidst colorful wooden structures.
“Hiccup’s Wing Gliders” serves as the main attraction, a roller coaster simulating the sensation of dragon flight. “Dragon Racer’s Rally,” a second ride, features individual dragon-shaped seats on a pendulum arm, delivering upside-down thrills as it swings.
For water-based fun, “Fyre Drill” invites guests to board a Viking longboat and engage in water cannon battles against dragon targets and fellow boats, promising a soaking good time.
Younger visitors can explore “Viking Training Camp,” an interactive play area offering climbing structures, slides, and engaging elements.
Completing the Berk experience is a live show starring Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid, and Gobber, and “Mead Hall,” a dining venue offering Scandinavian-inspired cuisine such as fish, meats, ale, and mead.
Dark Universe Attractions
This ominously named land pays tribute to iconic Universal monsters, with classic figures like Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon inhabiting Darkmoor Village.
“Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment” is a chilling ride set within a Victorian manor, challenging guests to escape the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. “Curse of the Werewolf,” a second ride, is a coaster that plunges through a forest pursued by werewolves.
Guests can additionally partake in the “Monster Makeup Experience,” undergoing theatrical makeup transformations into werewolves, vampires, or mummies.
Dining choices within Dark Universe include:
Celestial Park Features
Celestial Park adopts a cosmic theme, presenting a getaway experience where visitors can accelerate to 62mph on the “Stardust Racers” dual-launch roller coaster. For a more relaxed pace, the “Constellation Carousel” provides a gentler ride.
Dining options include “Atlantic” and “The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant,” with retail offerings available at the “Nintendo Super Star Store.”
Serving as the central hub of the new theme park, Celestial Park is the entry point to Epic Universe, providing access to the four other realms via dedicated portals.
Epic Universe Ticket Pricing
Ticket costs vary based on the desired number of days at Universal Studios Florida, the selection of parks to visit, and the option for park-to-park access within a day. Below are the starting prices; note that pricing may fluctuate depending on the day of the week and time of year.
Currently, Epic Universe access is limited to multi-day park tickets, excluding single-day passes, except for Universal passholders. Single-day tickets for the new park may be introduced in the future.
3-Day Ticket Options
- 3-Day, 4-Park Hopper: $452/adult, $442/child (Allows one day at Epic Universe, with park-hopping between Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay on the other two days).
- 3-Day, 3-Park Hopper: $412/adult, $402/child (Allows one day at Epic Universe, with park-hopping between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the other two days).
- 3-Day, 3 Parks, One Park Per Day: $352/adult, $342/child (One day at Epic Universe, one day at Universal Studios, and one day at Islands of Adventure).
4-Day Ticket Options
- 4-Day, 4-Park Hopper: $486/adult, $476/child (Allows one day at Epic Universe, with park-hopping between Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay on the other three days).
- 4-Day, 3-Park Hopper: $436/adult, $426/child (Allows one day at Epic Universe, with park-hopping between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the other two days).
- 4-Day, 4 Parks, One Park Per Day: $421/adult, $411/child (One day at Epic Universe, one day at Universal Studios, one day at Islands of Adventure, and one day at Volcano Bay).
- 4-Day, 3 Parks, One Park Per Day: $371/adult, $361/child (One day at Epic Universe, one day at Universal Studios, and one day at Islands of Adventure).
5-Day Ticket Options
- 5-Day, 4-Park Hopper: $522/adult, $512/child (Allows one day at Epic Universe, with park-hopping between Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay on the other four days).
- 5-Day, 3-Park Hopper: $462/adult, $452/child (Allows one day at Epic Universe, with park-hopping between Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on the other four days).
- 5-Day, 4 Parks, One Park Per Day: $452/adult, $442/child (One day at Epic Universe, with the remaining days to be allocated amongst Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay).
- 5-Day, 3 Parks, One Park Per Day: $392/adult, $382/child (One day at Epic Universe, with the remaining days to be allocated amongst Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure).
Epic Universe Express Pass and VIP Tours
Guests can now purchase a 1-Day Express Pass for Epic Universe, enabling them to expedite wait times at each attraction once. Prices range from $130 to $310 per person (in addition to standard park admission), conditional on the chosen date.
For an elevated experience, VIP guided walking tours of the new park are available, priced between $390 and $650 per person (also separate from park tickets) for a 4-hour duration. VIP packages include priority ride access, merchandise discounts, complimentary valet parking, and other premium perks.