After years of speculation and delays due to the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, more details have finally emerged about Universal Studios’ new Florida theme park known as Epic Universe.
As Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury stated in the announcement video from the official Universal Orlando YouTube page, the original mission of their theme parks was to allow their guests to ride the movies. Now thanks to the upcoming theme park (and what Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts calls “the single largest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business and in Florida overall”), the Walt Disney World rival will be able to get more immersive and creative than they ever have before, as the company will be bringing their guests over 50 new attractions based on some of the most beloved franchises in pop culture history.
With construction on NBCUniversal’s fourth park in the Sunshine State (which also includes Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, and the Volcano Bay waterpark) currently well underway, let’s take a look at the five immersive worlds that visitors will be able to explore when Epic Universe opens its doors in 2025.
Celestial Park
When you first arrive at Epic Universe, the Chronos (aka the front gate) will act as the first portal to a new world called Celestial Park. Similar to Disney Springs or Downtown Disney, this central hub will be a destination for shopping and dining. Dazzling water features and landscapes will adorn this area that is meant to emphasize the “park” part of “theme park.”
Celestial Park will also be the home of three attractions. First, there’s the Constellation Carousel, where you can hop on a cosmic twist on an old carnival classic ride. Then, guests can cool off on a warm Florida day in Astronomica, Celestial Park’s dancing fountains. And if you’re looking for more of a thrilling experience, then you can ride Starfall Racers, a dual-launch coaster where you “race through the sky upon a shooting star.”
Finally, one of the three new hotels coming to Universal Orlando Resort will be found in Celestial Park. Yes, the Universal Helios Hotel won’t just be attached to Epic Universe — it will be inside the theme park to offer an unprecedented experience for those who choose to stay there.
How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
If Celestial Park is the hub of a wheel, then the first spoke that guests can venture into and explore is the Isle of Berk. As seen in the acclaimed film series “How To Train Your Dragon” starring Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Kristen Wiig, and David Tennant, Berk is the “world’s first dragon-Viking utopia.”
Based on the description in the YouTube video, this world sounds like a more Viking-focused Renaissance fair, though it doesn’t provide too much information. There’s a good chance that axe throwing, turkey legs, and Viking ships will be plentiful in this area of the park. But the main event for fans of all ages will most definitely be the dragons. There’s talk of a ride that will let you soar with dragons, but there’s also word that flying dragons will be seen in the skies overhead. Considering the incredible technology that brings Baymax from “Big Hero 6” to life during Disney’s fireworks spectaculars, it’s likely that Universal could be employing a similar mechanism to allow Toothless, the Night Fury, and his dragon friends fly through the skies of Berk.
Dark Universe
Universal
Not to be confused with the failed film franchise that was meant to start with Tom Cruise’s 2017 movie “The Mummy,” the Dark Universe will be home to the Universal Monsters from the studio’s classic horror movies. However, rather than the versions made famous by Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, or Lon Chaney, these iconic characters will have a bit of a twist. According to Universal Orlando’s official Epic Universe page, it says that the story of this land will involve Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, her experiments, and “a shadowy landscape where monsters roam.”
Now, as we’ve seen with Halloween Horror Nights, Universal can hang when it comes to scary attractions. They’re even developing a year-round horror attraction as part of Las Vegas’ AREA15 to showcase the classic characters as well as more modern offerings from filmmakers such as Jason Blum, James Wan, and Jordan Peele. But just how frightening will Dark Universe be? Should parents use caution when bringing their younger children? Could it be on par with “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where guests encounter giant spiders and other mythical creatures? Or are we talking about the more fun side of these monsters that used to be seen in Universal’s Beetlejuice’s Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue? Currently, the least is known about the Dark Universe, but as construction continues, we’re sure to find out more information closer to the opening of the new park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
Universal
Speaking of The Boy Who Lived, a new corner of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to the Universal Orlando Resort. As part of Epic Universe, The Ministry of Magic will be joining Diagon Alley, the village of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Castle, and the Hogwarts Express as iconic film locations that are brought to life. But rather than simply representing the streets and buildings that Ron, Harry, and Hermione visited, the latest addition will also focus on Newt Scamander and the magical side of 1920s Paris and the British Ministry of Magic that he visited in the “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” series.
While no attractions were officially announced at the time of this writing, each Potter-related expansion in Universal Studios has included a thrill ride or two. For Universal Orlando, the main one is “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey,” which takes riders through the legendary school of witchcraft and wizardry and its surrounding grounds. In Diagon Alley, visitors board a cart to zoom through wizarding bank vaults in “Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts.” So what ride will inevitably end up in The Ministry of Magic? Many are speculating that it could involve the fireplaces of the Floo Powder Network, but Circus Arcanus or Newt’s case of creatures could be interesting settings for a ride as well. Either way, we’ll have to wait a little longer to see what Universal has up its sleeve.
Super Nintendo World
Universal
Finally, fans of Mario, Luigi, and all their friends will be happy to learn that Super Nintendo World is coming to the East Coast as part of Epic Universe. Previously only found in Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan (but with a new one also currently in the works in Singapore), guests at Universal Orlando will get their opportunity to go through a Warp Pipe and get behind the wheel of a go-cart to experience the fan-favorite video game “Mario Kart” in real life.
Though it was assumed that the new Super Nintendo World would be a copy of the West Coast’s version of the area, which excludes a Yoshi-inspired ride that is in Japan due to space issues, the announcement video for Epic Universe also mentions that Donkey Kong will be featured. It’s currently unclear if this will be a full Donkey Kong Country, like the iteration in Osaka that is presently under construction and aiming to open in 2024. The Japan expansion will feature an all-new roller coaster, even more interactive elements that the Nintendo land is known for, and additional food and merchandise opportunities themed after DK’s lush jungle home.
While there are surely many questions about the Super Mario Brothers and their pals at the moment, more details about the latest Super Nintendo World and the rest of Epic Universe are sure to be revealed in the coming months.
