Universal Epic Universe is the newest (and most exciting) theme park coming to Orlando, and trust us, it’s going to be epic in every sense of the word. Opening on May 22, 2025, this new addition to Universal Orlando Resort is filled with groundbreaking lands, immersive rides, and family-friendly magic.
Our family had the chance to visit for an exclusive preview, and we stayed at the brand-new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which has a private entrance into Epic Universe. It was such a cool experience to walk straight from our hotel into the heart of the park—highly recommend!
What Is Universal Epic Universe?
If you haven’t been bombarded with TikToks about Universal Epic Universe just yet, don’t worry—I can break it down for you. It is the new fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort, and it’s their most ambitious one yet. Designed as a fully immersive experience, the park is centered around a celestial-themed hub (called Celestial Park) that connects five unique lands.
This park is all about exploration, with each “universe” transporting you into a completely different world—from flying with dragons to racing through Super Nintendo World.
One of the coolest features? Each land has a themed portal that you walk through to enter, which makes the transitions feel seamless and the park easy to navigate.
What Lands Are Inside Epic Universe?
Here’s what you can expect from each of the five immersive worlds inside Universal Epic Universe:
1. Celestial Park
The entry point to the park, Celestial Park is full of stargazing vibes, interactive fountains, and lush greenery. It’s also home to the new Starfall Racers coaster—a dual-launch thrill ride that’s already a family favorite.
Starfall Racers is a smooth, high-speed thrill coaster that feels like you’re chasing a shooting star. Olivia loved it so much she rode it twice in a row—which I still can’t believe! It’s especially magical at night with the lights, and the ride is long and packed with airtime and fun twists.
Don’t miss the Celestial Carousel either. It’s a beautifully designed, whimsical ride that looks especially magical at night and makes the perfect end to your park day.
2. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
A brand-new addition to the Harry Potter franchise, this area combines scenes from Fantastic Beasts and the British Ministry of Magic. Expect immersive shops, magical food, and a groundbreaking new ride.
We’re all very excited about this one! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was already incredibly immersive as it was, so I am sure this addition will be mind-blowing. Liv has been loving Harry Potter, so it couldn’t have opened at a better time.
That said, there has been some backlash about the queue system for the main attraction. Currently, you’ll need to join a virtual queue via the Universal app. We’ve heard a few helpful tips: try refreshing frequently during your return time window, arrive early in the day to increase your chances, and make sure everyone in your group has the app ready to go. We’ll keep updating as we hear more.
Make sure to check out the interactive wands, especially if you have a Harry Potter fan in the group. There are eight exclusive wands only available at the wand shop inside Epic Universe.
Even younger kids like Jack enjoyed playing with the wands throughout the land.
3. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
This whimsical land is perfect for kids, featuring Viking-themed rides, splash zones, animatronics, and interactive dragon experiences. It’s visually stunning and packed with hands-on fun. Plus, have you seen how cute Toothless is walking around?
Honestly, this might be the best “land” I’ve seen in any theme park. I might be biased—my kids adore the movie and Toothless reminds me of our dog Boujee—but the entire area truly feels like you’ve stepped onto the Island of Berk. The theming is so well done and the rides are incredible.
The coaster here is super fun, and there’s a moment where Toothless hits a big red button to send your train off—it’s adorable and had our whole crew cheering. Jack also loved the dragon-themed playground, the splash zones, and just walking around meeting dragons and spotting animatronics. Don’t skip the water ride (you will get wet!) and the stage show. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime and close about 10 minutes before, so plan ahead!
4. Dark Universe
Universal’s classic monsters get a modern twist in this eerie, atmospheric land. Frankenstein, Dracula, and other legends come to life in this thrilling section of the park.
The land is super cool and atmospheric—but heads up, it’s spooky for littles. The main ride (Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment) is intense. If you have young kids, skip the queue altogether. Even the pre-show has a giant Frankenstein crashing through a wall—it’s just not age-appropriate. You do have to go through part of the queue to get to the family room, so it’s best to let a team member know upfront if your child is too scared.
That said, older kids and teens will probably love it!
5. Super Nintendo World
Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds! Step into the world of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach with interactive games, Power-Up Bands, and the wildly popular Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride.
Jack had a blast running around hitting blocks with his Power-Up Band and riding Yoshi’s Adventure, which is perfect for younger guests. The interactivity in this land is off the charts.
A Look at the Universal Epic Universe Map
- Celestial Park (Main hub with gardens, fountains & Starfall Racers coaster)
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Dark Universe
- Super Nintendo World
Each land is accessed via themed portals from Celestial Park, creating a hub-and-spoke layout similar to Islands of Adventure. It’s incredibly intuitive and makes exploring the park feel seamless.
Is Epic Universe Fun for the Whole Family?
Absolutely! From toddlers splashing around in Isle of Berk to teens racing through Super Nintendo World, there’s something for every age group here. Even if you don’t know all the backstories or characters, the lands are so immersive and detailed that you’ll feel swept up in the magic regardless.
Highlights for younger kids:
- Toothless meet-and-greet and animatronics in Isle of Berk
- Dragon-themed playground and splash areas
- Yoshi ride and interactive games in Super Nintendo World
- Wand play in the Harry Potter land
- Celestial Carousel for a magical ride
Pro Tip: Family rooms are available in most areas for rider switch opportunities, which is super helpful if you have kids of mixed ages.
Where to Stay: Universal Helios Grand Hotel
If you want to stay as close to the action as possible, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is the ultimate choice. We stayed here during our trip, and it’s already one of our favorite Universal hotels ever.
What makes it special?
- Walkability—no shuttle buses or long commutes!
- Private entrance into Universal Epic Universe
- Celestial-themed rooms and dreamy views of the park
- Early park admission and exclusive perks for hotel guests
What Will Universal Epic Universe Tickets Cost?
Here’s what we know currently about ticket pricing:
Heads up—Universal Helios Grand Hotel is already sold out for May 22–25, 2025, and ticket options are changing quickly around opening week.
Important note about Express Passes: They can be a great time-saver, but they do not work for the Harry Potter attraction. Also, even if you use Express for popular rides like Starfall Racers or the Mine Train, the post-Express queue can still be long. Just something to be aware of since Express Passes can be pricey.
How to Book Your Epic Universe Trip
Planning a trip to a brand-new theme park can be overwhelming—but that’s what we’re here for. Our team at Best Day Ever Vacations specializes in family travel, and we’ve helped thousands of families plan magical, stress-free trips to Universal Orlando.
Let us help you book your Universal Epic Universe vacation with:
- Expert hotel recommendations (yes to Helios Grand!)
- Customized itineraries
- Tips for navigating the park
- Early access to promos and packages
If you want to be among the first to experience the park, you’ll want to visit in late spring or summer 2025. However, if you’re hoping to avoid peak crowds, we recommend planning your trip for fall 2025 or early 2026.
Emily is an editor for Global Munchkins, the ultimate guide to family travel, fun, and bonding—founded by her sister, a well-loved influencer who knows how to sprinkle a little magic into everything. With years of collaboration under their belts, Emily adds her own dash of humor and heart to every article, because who knows you better than your sister?