Universal Orlando Resort celebrated the grand opening of its newest theme park, Epic Universe, Florida on 22 May 2025, marking the occasion with character appearances, fireworks, a fountain display, and celebrity and special guest arrivals on a “Celestial Carpet” as well as a ceremony narrated by entertainment guru, Steven Spielberg.
Hailed in a press release “as one of the most innovative and immersive theme parks ever created”, Epic Universe is the first major theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years and took over a decade in the making. It features five worlds entered through “portals” that deliver “extraordinary adventures that go beyond guests’ wildest imaginations,” Universal says, namely: 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.
Celestial Park
The heart of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the first world guests encounter at the new theme park. With gardens, waterways and pathways, Celestial Park aims to put the “park” back into a “theme park.” Here, guests can find dozens of dining and shopping venues and three attractions:
- Stardust Racers – a dual-racing launch coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies at speeds up to 62 mph;
- Constellation Carousel – a first-of-its-kind carousel that glides forward, backwards – and even makes 360-degree rotations – in a “choreographed dance of music and starlight”;
- Astronomica – an interactive wet play area that doubles as a giant compass rose.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The destination’s third instalment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set in a 1920s wizarding Paris that fans will recognise from Warner Bros’ Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter film series.
Here, guests can cast spells with interactive wands; encounter a travelling circus of fantastic creatures in the “full-scale theatre experience” dubbed Le Cirque Arcanus; sample Butterbeer crepe at Café L’Air De La Sirène; and experience the thrills of Harry’s Battle at the Ministry in what is described as “Universal’s most technologically advanced attraction yet.”
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Entering the video game realm of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests will discover Super Mario Land and – for the first time in the US – Donkey Kong Country. Designed as a “colourful and kinetic world,” this is where visitors take part in Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge; search the Mushroom Kingdom for glowing eggs on Yoshi’s Adventure – also making its US debut; and careen through the jungle aboard the Donkey Kong-inspired Mine-Cart Madness.
Refreshments are provided by Chef Toad in Toadstool Cafe and beloved characters such as Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong will all be meeting and greeting guests.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
This “larger-than-life world” captures the How to Train Your Dragon films and Viking adventures. These include: a family-friendly rollercoaster, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders; aerobatic dragon-riding moves up to 20 metres high on Dragon Racer’s Rally; and a live show. Energy top-ups come in the form of Mac & Cheese cones at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel.
Dark Universe
“Unearthly legends” like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more lurk here, in the “ravaged village of Darkmoor.” Not for the faint-hearted, “Orlando’s most terrifying attraction” takes place in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
Guests will also need to escape becoming undead themselves in Curse of the Werewolf but face paint and tattoos will nonetheless turn visitors into monsters, so there may be some unusual diners at Das Stakehaus.
Accommodation
At the edge of Epic Universe is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, a 500-room Mediterranean-inspired escape that features a variety of dining options, a resort-style pool with cabanas, a rooftop bar overlooking Epic Universe, and a dedicated entrance to the theme park from the lobby for hotel guests (valid theme park admission required).
