The wait is finally over. Universal Epic Universe opened its gates in Orlando on May 22, 2025. This exciting milestone brings the first new theme park to Orlando in more than 20 years, and it will be epic.
Epic Universe will span 750 acres, making it Universal's largest park in the United States and the second-largest worldwide. The park features over 50 attractions across five unique worlds that will make your vacation unforgettable. Guests can explore The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic and Super Nintendo World through its innovative hub-and-spoke design. The park's size and isolated themed areas might initially feel overwhelming, but this guide will help you plan your Epic Universe adventure perfectly.
Universal's biggest project yet has finally come to life just south of its existing Orlando resort. The Universal Epic Universe opened its doors on May 22, 2025. This new addition expanded Universal's Florida presence. The fourth theme park—the third traditional park and fourth overall—represents the biggest investment Comcast has made in Universal's theme parks since buying the business in 2011.
Epic Universe uses a wheel-and-spoke design—an idea Disneyland made popular in 1955. Celestial Park sits at the heart of it all. This astronomy-themed hub connects to other worlds and stands as an attraction itself. Guests can explore four themed lands through beautiful portals from this central area. The design keeps each themed world completely separate from the others. You'll need to go back to Celestial Park to visit different worlds. This setup helps create a better experience because each world keeps its unique character without mixing with other areas.
Each portal features digital LED signs and special themes that give you a peek at what's ahead. Walking through takes you to a new world filled with rides, restaurants, and atmosphere.
Epic Universe takes immersion to a new level. Steve Tatham, executive creative director for Epic Universe, says, "It's transforming the nature of theme park design itself. When you think about theme parks, three-minute experiences have been built within themed lands for the last half century, but this is something entirely different; each one of these worlds can be a full-day experience."
The park pays attention to every detail in each land:
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On top of that, the five worlds offer something for everyone:
Epic Universe lives up to its name with more than 50 rides, shows, restaurants, and shops across these five worlds.
Your vacation experience at Universal Epic Universe depends heavily on where you stay. Three new hotels explicitly designed for Epic Universe visitors will open in 2025, dramatically expanding your lodging choices.
Universal Orlando Resort's three new hotels sit right next to Epic Universe. These hotels turn the resort into a destination perfect for weeklong vacations. Here's what you'll find:
Universal's official hotels give you several advantages that off-site places can't match:
You'll get free shuttle bus rides to all theme parks and Universal CityWalk. The hotels near Epic Universe connect to other Universal parks through dedicated bus routes. Your room key card lets you charge purchases anywhere in Universal Orlando Resort, so you won't need cash or cards while enjoying the parks.
On top of that, you can have your purchases from select stores in Universal's theme parks, and CityWalk delivered to your hotel at no cost. No more carrying bags around the park all day.
If you plan on staying off-site, booking direct with Vacation Central Florida, travelers enjoy exclusive savings, personalized service, and the unbeatable convenience of staying close to the action. No long commutes or complicated transfers—guests can spend more time exploring Epic Universe's five incredible worlds and less time on the road.
Epic Universe's five worlds give visitors completely different adventures. Each world stands separate from others to create the perfect theme and atmosphere. Let's see what makes each land special.
Celestial Park sits at the heart of the Universal Epic Universe as a cosmic gateway to amazing realms. This beautiful central hub features tree-lined walkways and dancing fountains that connect all other lands. The park does more than just connect spaces—it controls the "energy of the universe" to create portals to other worlds. Thanks to seven million LED lights embedded throughout the area, visitors can enjoy spectacular night shows.
A famous Warp Pipe portal leads to two exciting areas: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. This version stands out from Japan and Hollywood's parks. It has the innovative Mine-Cart Madness coaster in Donkey Kong Country that uses "Boom Coaster" technology to make carts look like they're jumping across gaps in the track. Power-Up Bands make the experience even better by letting guests collect digital coins in both areas.
The biggest IP-based land in Epic Universe brings a vibrant Viking village to life. Guests can fly with dragons on Hiccup's Wing Gliders coaster and enjoy Dragon Racer's Rally, a tilting spinner ride. They can also join water battles on Fyre Drill. Dragon drones soar through the sky while Hiccup and Toothless meet visitors.
Darkmoor Village welcomes visitors to watch Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, who comes from the original Dr. Frankenstein's family, work with Universal's classic monsters. The land features Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, an exciting dark ride using KUKA arm technology. The Curse of the Werewolf adds thrills as a launched spinning coaster. Detailed animatronics and rich theming create a monster experience that feels real.
This magical land combines 1920s wizarding Paris from Fantastic Beasts with the 1990s British Ministry of Magic. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry stars Imelda Staunton as she returns to play Dolores Umbridge. Le Cirque Arcanus brings magic to life with a theater show featuring live performers and puppets next to the Ministry's detailed main hall.
Your Universal Epic Universe adventure needs proper planning. This guide will help you make the most of your park visit with everything from digital tools to character encounters.
The Universal Orlando Resort App will be your best friend during your visit. Before you arrive, download it to access:
Create a Universal Account and link your tickets to set up a Travel Party in the app. You'll get faster checkout, special offers, and optimized access to Virtual Line return times.
The app or website lets you book tables at Epic Universe's popular restaurants. Some great choices include:
Mobile ordering helps you skip the lines at quick-service spots. Just place your order, tap "Prepare My Order" when you're close, and pick up your food. Many locations offer this service, including Toadstool Café, Pizza Moon, and Meteor Astropub.
Each themed world brings its special characters:
The Untrainable Dragon in Isle of Berk and Le Cirque Arcanus in the Wizarding World are must-see shows. The app shows all current showtimes.
Universal Epic Universe's massive size—750 acres with over 50 attractions—makes planning ahead vital for first-time visitors. Early ticket booking and choosing the right package based on your stay will help you get the most value for your money. Your overall experience will be affected by whether you decide to stay at the Helios Grand Hotel or pick off-site accommodations. The park's 2025 opening isn't just another attraction – it's a new chapter in theme park history. Start planning now and get ready for what will be, without a doubt, an epic adventure!
