Florida news: What to expect from Epic Universe - Universal’s most ambitious project
Epic Universe opens its doors to the public on May 22, making it America’s first major park opening in 25 years.
This park caters to all ages with groundbreaking rides, world-class animations, and a handful of rides and activities for the kids to enjoy.
Epic Universe will become America’s largest Universal Park and second largest worldwide.
Here, Florida News Blitz writer Joseph Hannen takes a detailed look into Epic Universe’s five immersive worlds that you must explore.
Celestial Park
Beginning with the central hub, Celestial Park connects all the worlds together and covers a huge amount of space.
The design allows for a plethora of dining options, a visually stunning carousel ride named Constellation Carousel, and Astronomica, an interactive water play area with dancing fountains.
Celestial Park is home to Stardust Racers, a world-class, dual-launching roller coaster with speeds up to 62mph and 5,000 feet of track.
Rivalling Velocicoaster as Universal’s best rollercoaster, this dazzling ride keeps you neck and neck with the other car as you intensely twist and turn and enjoy plenty of airtime.
Food options include Atlantic, a Victorian aquarium-themed table service restaurant focusing on seafood dishes; Blue Dragon Pan-Asian restaurant; and Pizza Moon, a more casual dining option with an impressive atmosphere.
Celestial Park is also the perfect spot for drinks, home to the Plastered Owl Bar and Celestiki, with both providing themed drinks. You can also find two Starbucks.
Other Worlds Mercantile is the park's biggest shop, located next to the park’s entrance, perfect for gifts to begin and end your visiting day.
Although Celestial Park is not one of Epic Universe's main attractions, it plays a vital role in bringing the park to life by featuring portals that lead to each of the four other worlds.
Super Nintendo World
The Mushroom Kingdom awaits in a world entirely inspired by Nintendo games, with one section on Super Mario Brothers and the other on Donkey Kong.
Super Mario World is home to three attractions, including Donkey Kong’s Mine-Cart Madness, a fascinating rollercoaster that utilises unique technology to create an illusion of jumping over areas of track, just like the video games.
You will also find Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, located inside Bowser’s iconic castle. This interactive dark ride allows riders to collect digital coins, compete against family members, and hit enemies with shells.
While both attractions are suitable for kids, Yoshi’s Adventure is a family-friendly attraction that takes riders on an enchanting journey through familiar Mushroom Kingdom landscapes.
Interactive Power-Up Band activities are scattered around the land with multiple missions and challenges to enjoy.
Yoshi’s Snack Island, Toadstool Cafe, and Turbo-Boost Treats all provide quick and easy snacks and drinks to refresh and refuel.
Super Mario World wouldn't be complete without shops; this land has a handful of shops and stands.
The standout shop is the 1-UP Factory, where you can find merchandise of all your favourite characters.
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Dark Universe
Enter Dark Universe, a land inspired by Universal Monsters and home of Frankenstein’s Manor.
Inside you will find Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a thrilling motion simulation that takes you through the catacombs underneath the manor.
The queue and ride are full of immersion and incredible animatronics, as well as brilliant storytelling.
Dark Universe is where you will find Curse of the Werewolf, a free-spinning roller coaster similar to Busch Gardens Tampa’s Cobra’s Curse.
Based on The Wolf Man, this ride unpredictably twists and turns at 37mph as you attempt to escape a hungry pack of werewolves.
Sink your teeth into the Das Stakehouse menu, where you will be surrounded by impressive vampire artwork and artifacts.
Strong alternatives are The Burning Blade Tavern, where the windmill does actually burn, and De Lacey’s Cottage, with both providing alcoholic drinks and tasty snacks.
Monstrous merchandise can be found in The Manor Storehouse and The Guild of Mystics.
The unique Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience allows guests to get their faces transformed into werewolves, vampires and more by skilled artisans; fees do apply.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
1920s Paris and the 1990s British Ministry await as you come through the portal, a land packed with dining and shopping options and arguably Epic Universe’s best attraction.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry takes you to Dolores Umbridge’s trial through the Metro-Floo as you join Harry, Hermoine, and Ron for an unforgettable adventure.
This ride takes you on a journey deep into the ministry’s many departments, where you will come face-to-face with Umbridge, Death Eaters and more.
You must be aware that this attraction can only be experienced by getting a virtual line reservation through the Universal app.
This land also includes Le Cirque Arcanus, a stage show including mind-blowing special effects, live performers, and some recognisable features from Fantastic Beasts.
Similar to Universal’s other parks, this land has interactive wand experiences to test your magical skills.
Cafe L’air De La Sirene is the biggest food spot in this area, providing French-inspired cuisine, and is home to the Butterbeer Crepe.
The German-themed Le Gobelet Noir provides another restaurant option, while Bar Moonshine is an American-themed bar serving butterbeer, cocktails, beer, and wine.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique is the best spot to find your wizarding merchandise, although both Les Galeries Mirifiques and Tour en Floo are full of souvenirs, uniforms, and memorabilia.
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How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
Our final destination is the Isle of Berk, a land inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon films.
This area gives off a medieval vibe and is home to the park’s only water ride, Fyre Drill, where two Viking twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, go against each other in an interactive boat battle.
Riders have water guns to shoot at targets and enemy boats, providing the potential to leave the ride soaked.
Dragon Racer’s Rally is also found here; Berk’s new Vikings can practice aerobatic moves and barrel rolls during flight. The rider is in control of movement and can tilt themselves upside down if done correctly.
Epic Universe’s second-best roller coaster lies here too, as Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a family coaster that has brilliant theming, speeds up to 45 mph, and many twists and turns around the Isle of Berk.
The Viking Training Camp is perfect for your kids, who can run, climb, slide, and more in this fun and interactive play area.
Two of the park’s major stage shows can be found here too, with The Untrainable Dragon live show taking you on a journey with Hiccup, Toothless, and Astrid as they solve the mystery of the Untrainable Dragon.
You can also meet and get a picture with Toothless and friends at the Haddock Paddock; the interactive creature can respond to your voice and twitch its ears.
The Scandinavian-inspired Mead Hall is the land’s biggest place to dine, serving meat, fish, sandwiches, and more.
The Spit Fyre Grill and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel are both solid options for a lighter choice of food in this area.
How to Train Your Dragon souvenirs can be found in both Hiccup’s Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures.
Summary
So there we have it, five worlds all so different but, more importantly, all providing thrilling rides and fun activities for everyone.
Epic Universe will be a game-changer in the theme-park industry and may change the way companies plan their next big projects.
With the opening of Epic Universe next week, Universal is now offering new tickets and packages so you can get the best deals possible.
If you are planning to visit Epic Universe, I would advise that you wait a minimum of three months so that you can dodge some of the busiest days, outside of seasonal events, that the park will ever see.
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