Epic Universe Preview: A First Look at Universal Orlando’s Newest Theme Park
- Kristin McCartney
- May 13
- 5 min read
Welcome to the Future of Theme Parks
Previewing Epic Universe: Honest Thoughts from a Mom of Three
Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is the most anticipated theme park opening in years, and after experiencing a technical rehearsal with my three kids (ages 11, 9, and 4), I can confidently say: this one’s a beauty!
This brand-new park features four highly themed lands (called portals) branching off a central hub known as Celestial Park. Each portal offers its own immersive universe, from dragon-riding adventures to monster-filled thrill zones. Here’s a look at what we saw, what worked (and what didn’t), and what families should know ahead of the official opening. Stay tuned for our portal-by-portal deep dives because we have opinions!
What Is Epic Universe?
Epic Universe is Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park, joining Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Designed as an expansion of storytelling, it’s built to rival the immersion of Disney’s best while offering edgier thrills and tech-forward experiences.
Current Status: Epic Universe is currently in technical rehearsals, meaning not everything is open, and operations are still being fine-tuned. We were lucky enough to explore most of the park during this soft-preview phase ahead of the public opening on May 22, 2025.
What We Experienced in Each Portal
Celestial Park (The Hub)
This lush, starlit hub is where you enter Epic Universe and honestly, it’s breathtaking. Think interactive fountains, living statues, cosmic gardens, and a nighttime glow that rivals Main Street USA at its best.
Best Moment: My 9 year old conquered Stardust Racers and loved it!
What the Kids Said: “It looks like space and candy!” (Autumn, age 9)
Fun Feature: At night, beacon lights from each portal converge in the sky like a theme park sundial made of stardust.
What’s Great About It: There are TONS of dining opportunities and options for drinks in Celestial Park!
Isle of Berk (How to Train Your Dragon)
This land is colorful, cheerful, and perfect for younger families. You’ll find Viking architecture, dragon meet-and-greets, a really cool stage show, and a gliding coaster.
Ride Highlight: Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (family coaster)
Best For: Elementary-aged kids and families who want a lighter thrill
Food Tip: The Dragon Fire Chicken Spire Mac & Cheese cone at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel - the bread cone is the standout! The cone is soft with what reminded us of everything bagel seasoning, and surprisingly filling.
Dark Universe (Classic Monsters)
I expected this land to be too intense for my kids, but it ended up being one of our favorites. The theming is rich, shadowy, and full of surprises.
Must-Do: Monsters Unchained ride—this is a visual masterpiece. The animatronics were incredible!
Kid Tip: Surprisingly NOT too scary for kids 9+, but younger ones might want to skip it
Extra Magic: Watch the castle just before park closing to see Victoria do an experiment. Make sure you see the windmill on the Burning Blade Tavern when it catches fire!
Super Nintendo World
This is the one everyone is talking about, and it’s a visual feast. You walk through a giant warp pipe into the Mushroom Kingdom, complete with punchable question blocks and interactive Power-Up Band games. If you were a 90s kid who grew up on Nintendo, it feels like stepping directly into your childhood cartridge…pixels, piranha plants, and all. Too bad you can’t take the cartridge out and blow on it when the wait times hit 90+ minutes, am I right?
Ride Highlights: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Mine-Cart Madness
Honest Take: Gorgeous, but crowded. Power-Up Bands are fun but are currently at a $45 price point. You CAN share the bands and do the challenges more than once, so if you have multiple kids and don’t want to spend your life savings, just get one and have them switch off!
Best Age Range: Any! There was a lot to do here that appeals to kids of all ages!
✨ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This brand-new Potter-themed land combines the Parisian Ministry from Fantastic Beasts with elements of the traditional Wizarding World aesthetic.
Highlight: The portal entrance is emotionally powerful if you're a long-time fan
Reality Check: Currently light on things to do; feels more atmospheric than interactive. The only ride in this land is currently on a Virtual Line and is very difficult to get. We tried all three times at 11am, 3pm and 6pm and were unsuccessful so we sadly didn’t get to ride! By the time we arrived in the Ministry of Magic portal, there were no more show times for Le Cirque Arcanus so we didn’t get to experience that either. That being said, there’s still plenty to soak in visually—magical architecture, atmospheric music, spell-casting (if you have an interactive wand) and costumed wizards roam the space. Plus, you can live your wizarding dreams of traveling by floo powder!
Our Family’s Favorites (By Age!)
4-Year-Old: Yoshi’s Adventure and meeting Princess Peach
9-Year-Old: Unexpectedly fell in love with Stardust Racers
11-Year-Old: EVERYTHING about Dark Universe
"I wish this creepy castle was my house. Can we move here?" - Mia, age 11
“Well, this settles it. I want to be a dragon trainer when I grow up.” - Autumn, age 9
“It’s everything I ever dreamed.” - Addie, age 4; in reference to Super Nintendo World
Tips for Visiting During or After Opening
See It at Night: The lighting transforms the park. Each land glows with its own personality.
Don’t Rush: The magic is in the details, and they’re everywhere.
Manage Expectations: During previews, not all rides, shows or shops may be operational. If visiting post-opening, prepare for long lines. Prioritize your must-sees for early in the day. If you’re not sure how to tackle this, our friends over at Willow + Wand can help you sort out a strategy.
Final (and Honest) Thoughts:
Epic Universe is visually a stunner, in a way that feels fresh and full of potential. While it’s still in its soft-open phase, what we saw was genuinely impressive and our kids are already asking when they can go back. All of that being said, as an avid and practical park enthusiast, Epic is not without its challenges. The most glaring (pun intended) of these challenges was my arch nemesis, the sun. There is very little shade in this park, so escaping the sun is extremely difficult and made for some very grumpy moments. From the kids or me, you ask? I’ll never tell. And if there’s no shade to shield you from the sun, it can’t shield you from the rain.
Another thing to mention as someone traveling with a stroller, there are stairs…everywhere. Super Nintendo World alone is two levels, and in order to get on Yoshi’s Adventure you need to take the elevator down to join the queue, then go up either the stairs or the elevator to get on the ride. For anyone with mobility issues, disabilities that require a wheelchair, or families with strollers, this creates what I describe as “flow stops” in your travels. While the elevators and ramps are present and functional, they aren’t always intuitive to find, and they can create bottlenecks or force you to detour from the main route, especially during crowded times. Just something to be aware of if your party needs a little extra navigation support.
While some portals offer more to do than others, with only 11 rides in the entire park I imagine that wait times will severely impact the guest experience. ExpressPass will be the best way to ride as many of those 11 attractions as possible, but coupled with the current ticket structure and cost of admission, this adds up to a VERY expensive day.
Would I recommend Epic Universe? Yes…with sunscreen and a strategy.
Ready to Plan Your Epic Trip?
Epic Universe officially opens on May 22, 2025!
Get in touch with one of our friends at Willow + Wand to start planning with a Universal expert!
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