Everything You Want to Know About Epic Universe — Universal Orlando’s Game-Changing New Theme Park by Colleen

There’s a brand-new theme park on the block—and it’s epic in every sense of the word. Universal Orlando Resort has expanded in a big way with the opening of Epic Universe, a next-level theme park. Whether you’re a theme park thrill-seeker, a foodie, a Harry Potter fan, or traveling with a Nintendo-obsessed family, Epic Universe is shaping up to be a must-visit destination.

As your trusted travel advisors, we’re already deep into the details. Here’s our insider info and details all about this brand new theme park:

What Is Epic Universe?

Epic Universe is Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park, built on an entirely new property just a few miles south of the existing parks. It’s not just an extension—it’s an entirely new universe of immersive lands, groundbreaking rides, and imaginative experiences.

The Lands of Epic Universe

One of the most incredible parts of Epic Universe is how each land feels like its own fully realized world. With seamless theming, unforgettable rides, and immersive details around every corner, exploring these lands truly feels like stepping into different universes—and we’ve experienced them all!

Celestial Park: Serving as the grand entrance to the park, Celestial Park sets the tone with lush gardens, shimmering fountains, and futuristic architecture. It’s absolutely stunning during the day and positively magical at night thanks to a nightly spectacular that lights up the sky with water, music, and pyrotechnics. It’s also home to Constellation Carousel, a breathtaking kinetic sculpture of a ride, and Starfall Racers, a dual-launch coaster that’s smooth, fast, and beautifully themed.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: This brand-new Harry Potter land is completely different from Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade—and it’s breathtaking. Set inside the Ministry of Magic, it blends the iconic British setting with the elegant, mysterious aesthetic of the French wizarding world seen in Fantastic Beasts. The marquee attraction is a one-of-a-kind dark ride that takes you deep into the magical underworld, with groundbreaking effects and storytelling that left us completely spellbound. Every corner is filled with magical details, from enchanted elevators to wizard duels happening around you.

Super Nintendo World: This land is pure joy! From the moment you walk through the giant green Warp Pipe, you’re transported into a living video game. The sound effects, music, and interactive elements make it feel like you’re inside a Nintendo adventure. We raced through Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, rode with Yoshi across colorful landscapes, and braved the Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness coaster, which features some of the coolest track effects we’ve ever seen. With themed snacks, a wildly fun shop, and Toadstool Café serving fan-favorite dishes, this land is a blast for all ages.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Families will absolutely love Berk. It feels like you’ve stepped into the Viking village from the films, complete with wooden walkways, dragon statues, and playful details everywhere. The multi-launch coaster, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, is thrilling yet smooth enough for tweens and up, and there’s a fantastic splash pad and interactive dragon-themed playground for little ones. Throughout the day, you can meet dragons and Vikings, and the food at Mead Hall is hearty, fun, and totally on-theme.

Dark Universe: Dark Universe is unlike anything else in the park—it’s eerie, atmospheric, and beautifully macabre. Inspired by Universal’s classic monsters, this land blends horror, history, and style. We were totally immersed in its haunted village vibe, complete with foggy pathways, flickering lanterns, and looming castles. The flagship dark ride puts you face-to-face with Frankenstein’s monster in a high-tech, heart-pounding experience you won’t forget. We also loved dining at Das Stakehaus, where the gothic setting, incredible steak, and theatrical vampire servers created one of the most memorable meals of our visit.

Where to Stay: Universal is launching three new hotels in connection with Epic Universe, including the Universal Helios Grand Hotel—which has an exclusive entrance access into Celestial Park! This is our top pick for a vacation stay where your focus is Epic Universe, or consider a split stay with this hotel for just the days you will be going to Epic.

Stella Luna and Terra Luna are twin, celestial themed resorts that are also brand new and located very close to Epic Universe. Stella Luna also has a walking path that leads right to the entrance of the theme park, but it is a longer walk.

Transportation Between Parks:

Because Epic Universe is located a few miles from the current resort, Universal will offer shuttle transportation between properties. If you’re staying at a Universal hotel, we’ll make sure your itinerary flows seamlessly between parks.

Dining at Epic Universe: Dining at Epic Universe is a full-on experience—each land offers immersive, imaginative cuisine that goes far beyond typical theme park fare. You can sit down for a glowing sake flight and miso ramen at the sleek Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant in Celestial Park, enjoy themed burgers and Princess Peach cupcakes at Toadstool Café in Super Nintendo World, or indulge in garlic herb-crusted ribeye at the vampire-run Das Stakehaus in Dark Universe (yes, it’s as theatrical as it sounds). These table-service restaurants offer incredible theming and flavor, and we highly recommend making reservations in advance through the Universal app.

If you’re more of a snack-and-stroll traveler, you’ll still eat well. Favorites include the spicy chicken sandwich and flatbreads at Meteor Astropub, Viking-style meats and mead in Isle of Berk, and fun themed snacks like Power-Up Popcorn, Dragon Flame Funnel Cake, and Celestial Soft Serve. From savory to sweet, the food here is as epic as the rides—and we can help you plan your visit around the best dining experiences the park has to offer.

Pro Tips for Planning Your Epic Universe Vacation: Planning a trip to a brand-new theme park like Epic Universe is exciting—but it can also feel a little overwhelming. Here are our top tips to help you make the most of your visit:

• Book Early: Epic Universe is already wildly popular, especially during peak seasons and holidays. Book your hotel and park tickets as early as possible to secure the best availability and rates.
• Stay at a Universal Hotel: For the best perks and convenience, stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel—especially one of the new properties located near Epic Universe, like the luxurious Universal Helios Grand Hotel with direct park access.
• Plan for Two Days: There’s so much to see and do here. We recommend at least two full days to experience everything Epic Universe has to offer—especially if you want to enjoy shows, dining, and rides without rushing.
• Consider Express Pass: If available for Epic Universe, Express Pass will help you skip regular lines at popular attractions—totally worth it during busier travel dates.
• Use a Travel Advisor (like us!): Booking with a travel advisor means you get expert guidance, personalized recommendations, and support before, during, and after your trip—at no extra cost to you.

Ready to Plan Your Epic Adventure? We’ve been there, we know the best tips, and we’re here to make your Epic Universe vacation truly unforgettable. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or as a couple, we’ll help you create a seamless itinerary packed with magic, thrills, and VIP-level fun.

Ready to start planning your next adventure?