Universal Epic Universe is the newest and most ambitious theme park within Universal Orlando Resort and officially opened in May 2025. It represents the first all-new major theme park in the Orlando area in roughly 25 years and encapsulates Universal’s intellectual property that hasn’t been seen elsewhere, in five immersive worlds.
It’s also located across International Drive, with its own trio of hotels, offering an expanded footprint to parkgoers. It has its own parking lot, but guests staying at the CityWalk-adjacent hotels can catch buses from there.
Ticket options are currently limited to single-day Epic Universe tickets and multi-day tickets in combination with Universal Studios and/or Islands of Adventure, but there is no park hopper option with Epic Universe.
Express passes are available for some rides, as are single rider lanes, but this isn’t always the better option. Before you get in line, find out what the seat arrangement is. If you can see the single rider lane closest to the entrance, it’s best to skip it.
Be sure to download the app in advance, as this is how you can track ride wait times. The majority of the restaurants also require mobile ordering using the app, so add your card in advance to save time.
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Celestial Park
Similar to Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure, Celestial Park is where you enter Epic Universe and are met with a series of gardens, shops, and dining. There are also seating areas around the artificial lake. This land is inspired by the stars.
Rides
There are only two rides in this land, so you can check them off quickly. The Constellation Carousel is a beautiful version of the classic fair ride, appropriate for all ages. Riders follow celestial patterns and astrological creatures.
Stardust Racers is the second and is a dual-launch coaster, well worth the wait. The two tracks race each other on different tracks, making no two experiences quite the same. It’s also lit up at night, which is a fun option.
Experiences
In terms of experiences, most of Celestial Park is shops, including ones selling holiday decor, chocolates, and Universal gear.
Food and Drink
If the other areas get too crowded, Celestial Park is actually a great option for dining, with both full-service and quick stops. Atlantic is a full-service seafood restaurant overlooking the lake, with upscale dishes like lobster and oysters.
The Blue Dragon is a full-service Pan Asian restaurant offering ramen, potstickers, and a cocktail menu highlighting soju and Japanese whiskey. Oak and Star Tavern and the Plastered Owl bar are a welcome respite from the overstimulating lands. The menu highlights regional American classics, including St. Louis ribs and buttermilk biscuits, and the bar offers live music.
Pizza Moon has quick service funky pizzas, and Italian favorites like meatballs and salads. Meteor Astropub is a play on the gastropub, with Florida craft beer and burgers. Star Sui Bao is the best for a snack, including the soup dumplings and the tteokbokki skewer with fried cheese wrapped around a hot dog on a skewer.
As you might guess from the names, Frosty Moon offers ice cream, and Comet Dogs has a variety of hot dogs and fountain drinks. Celestiki is an open-air tropical bar with frozen drinks, ideal for the sweltering Orlando summers. Bar Zenith offers creative themed cocktails.
Dark Universe
If you’re a classic Universal movie buff, this is the land you’re sure to love the most. The spooky village feels straight out of Frankenstein. Be sure to come by after dark for the full experience.
Rides
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is a motion ride that showcases all of your favorite monsters, including the Mummy and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Curse of the Werewolf is a thrilling coaster centered around being on the run from a hungry werewolf.
Experiences
The character experiences in Dark Universe really shine. You can see characters like the Invisible Man and Ygor wandering around, or you can wait in line to meet other favorites like Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein in Darkmoor Village.
The Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience is an optional upgrade for superfans looking to resemble their favorite characters. Do note that guests will not be able to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages at any of the Universal theme parks or CityWalk while in the makeup. There are also souvenir shops selling themed merchandise.
Food and Drink
All of the restaurants in Dark Universe are quick service, but it doesn’t hinder the experience. Das Stakehaus is vampire-themed, with a spooky castle aesthetic. Here you’ll find steaks (of course) and things on stakes (duh), along with a spin on the Bloody Mary.
The Burning Blades Tavern is tucked to the back and, therefore, my personal favorite. You can grab items like the loaded baked potato, charred cheese bites, and cocktails as you watch the windmill come alight. De Lacey’s Cottage has the Frankenstein-shaped pretzel and cinnamon bites.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
I was the least familiar with this DreamWorks-inspired land, inspired by Vikings and dragons, but it was the best place to start because of the calm atmosphere. Whether or not you’ve seen the movies, it’s worth checking out.
Rides
You may get wet, but Fyre Drill is one of the most fun experiences in this area. You’ll board a boat and use your water gun to hit various targets along the way. There are also boxes where you can put your belongings so they don’t get soaked.
Dragon Racer’s Rally is a thrill ride with rotating arms that also turn. It’s not a coaster, but it does reach a decent height, so keep that in mind. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a beginner-friendly coaster, following the dragons as they soar in the air.
Experiences
If your kids need a place to run around in between waiting in lines, the Viking Training Camp is just the place, a sprawling playground with plenty of slides and activities.
The Untrainable Dragon is a popular show, where Hiccup and Toothless, with help from Gobber and Astrid, must solve a mystery, complete with jokes and songs.
Food and Drink
Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel has the viral “mac and cheese cone,” which is a quick snack for the peckish. At Spit Fyre Grill, you can find these same cones, along with protein bowls with chicken, shrimp, steak, and veggies.
For something more substantial, Mead Hall is your best bet, not only because of its abundant seating, but also the extensive menu. The Nordic-style menu has turkey wings, meatballs, and sausages with Scandinavian beer and mead.
Super Nintendo World
A vibrant world based on Nintendo franchises, this area has themed rides and interactive experiences inspired by your favorite games, including Mario Kart and Donkey Kong. If you’re easily overstimulated, be prepared, as this area can get very congested.
Rides
Yoshi’s Adventure is a kid-friendly moving cart ride through Mushroom Kingdom landmarks. Mine-Cart Madness is on the lower level, and easy to miss, but this coaster takes you through the world of Donkey Kong.
Perhaps the favorite import from the other Universal parks is Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, where you don goggles and navigate a course alongside your favorite characters in search of the Golden Cup and defeat Team Bowser.
Experiences
Much of the experience in Super Nintendo World centers around the Power Up Bands, which must be purchased separately. It allows you to win points and take part in challenges. They include Goomba Crazy Crank, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Bob-omb Kaboom Room, Thwomp Panel Panic.
The character meetings include photo ops with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong.
Food and Drink
Toadstool Cafe is the only sit-down restaurant in this area, but it has many of the dishes you’ve seen online, like the red and green Mario and Luigi burgers and mushroom soup.
When it comes to snacks, The Bubbly Barrel has soft serve floats while Yoshi’s Snack Island offers red and green calzones and smoothies. At Turbo-Boost Treats, you’ll find popcorn in the novelty buckets.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The third major Harry Potter land at Universal Orlando is the Ministry of Magic, set in 1920s wizarding Paris and London . It brings in the characters from both the original Harry Potter films and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Rides
The only ride here is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, which has long waits even as soon as the park opens. But if you want to experience it, there’s no way around it. The motion simulation ride takes riders behind the scenes of Umbridge’s trial. Note that you can walk inside to see the Ministry building without waiting in line.
Experiences
Le Cirque Arcanus is a playful show based on the Fantastic Beasts series, with performers and puppets of magical creatures. Several characters walk around the area, but not the ones you’d recognize from the films. You’ll also find plenty of spots to use your interactive wand and specialty shops like the Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique wand shop.
Food and Drink
Café L’air De La Sirène resembles a traditional Parisian brasserie, with classic dishes like quiche Lorraine, steak au poivre, and Salad Niçoise. For a special treat, try the Butterbeer crepe. It’s also one of the few restaurants with breakfast offerings.
Le Gobelet Noir is ideal for a quick bite and drink, like the beef sandwich and lentil stew. Bar Moonshine is small, so there’s little to no seating, but it has the best drinks, including the Fleur 75, a spin on a French 75, and the Philosopher’s Old Fashioned.
Epic Universe Hotels
The opening of Epic Universe also included the expansion of Universal Orlando’s hotel offerings. Universal Helios Grand Hotel is the most grand, literally on the Epic Universe campus. Guests can enter Epic Universe via the dedicated entrance with valid theme park admission. The hotel also has How to Train Your Dragon suites and a rooftop bar.
Stella Nova and Terra Luna are the value-level hotels accessible to the park by walking path or complimentary shuttle, similar in amenities to Cabana Bay. Both have pools and quick-service restaurants on-site.
Be sure to get your Universal 2-Day Park-to-Park Ticket – Plus Extra Day before you leave for your trip.
For more on ticket prices and cost-saving methods, see our guide to Universal Orlando Resort.
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