Set to open this May, Epic Universe is the latest park to join the Universal attraction in Orlando, Florida. But ‘park’ doesn’t quite describe it. This is nothing like you’ve seen before – we’re talking a level of theme park immersion and innovation that is totally unmatched right now. More than 50 attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences across 5 mega worlds spun from the adventures of your fave films and games, only this time you get to play the hero in your own story.
To get you set up and ready to hit the park the second those gates open, we’ve put together a guide to Universal Epic Universe. From a deep dive into every world you can explore and the different type of attractions on offer in each, to what your dining options look like (spoiler: incredible) and where you can score alllll the merch, this is your one-stop shop for all things Epic Universe.
Check out our full Universal Hub for loads of info on the other parks, from Universal Islands of Adventure to Universal Volcano Bay, as well as all you need to know when it comes to the official Universal resorts.
Celestial Park
Where it all starts
It all starts with Celestial Park.
Set right at the centre of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the first world you’ll step into at Epic Universe. Think of it as like the staging ground for all the other worlds you can explore, each through their own dedicated portal (more on that later!) Although, really, it’s way more than just a staging ground – it’s a world in its own right.
Lush living gardens and shimmering waters surround some seriously stunning architecture inspired by both astronomy and mythology. There’s rides here, as well as some seriously stunning dining locations, plus merch shops. And presiding over it all like the grand dame she is, is Universal Helios Grand Hotel -a majestic, Mediterranean-inspired escape that is the jewel in Celestial Park’s crown.
Come on, let’s give you the lowdown on what’s what.
Attractions
at Celestial Park
Stardust Racers
This dual-launching coaster races you through the sky aboard comets to see who’s faster. It gets up to a zippy 62mph, and brings along for the ride some unique tricks, like the ‘Celestial Spin’ where the two coasters crisscross each through the air.
Constellation Carousel
The shining centrepiece of Epic Universe’s Celestial Park, this is where you’ll whirl around aboard constellations that glide forwards, backwards…even make 360-degree turns! All through a choreographed dance of music and starlight across the Milky Way. It’s basically a carousel, but on rocket fuel.
Dining & Shopping
at Celestial Park
Full Service Dining
Atlantic
One of only two ‘Full Service’ dining options in Epic Universe, this is a proper sit-down ‘surf and turf’ restaurant set inside a Victorian era aquarium with some top-notch views of Celestial Park itself, including across the shimmering waters of the Neptune pool. Serious seafood and steaks abound, and there’s cocktails galore to be had at the Aquaria Bar. Give the Northern Lights Martini a whirl – Limoncello and dry Curacao, topped with your own northern lights, a butterfly pea blossom ice sphere in gold lustre dust spray. Lovely.
Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant
Here, you’ll go on a right odyssey through Chinese, Japanese, and Thai nosh. Set in a bustling courtyard, you’ll dine under the glow of neon dragons and ethereal lanterns. Tonkotsu Ramen, Smashed Cucumbers, and Snowflake Potstickers. Plus there’s cocktails at The Tiger Bar, including the Chengdu Dream – baiju, blue curacao, and falernum syrup with zesty grapefruit and pineapple juices.
Quick Service Dining
Oak & Star Tavern is for barbeque around the fiery hearth of an ancient, starlight-filled oak tree. Also home to The Plastered Owl, where amazing ales and good times are on tap. Pizza Moon is where the moon is really made of cheese and pepperoni, set in a converted Victorian theatre. Unsurprisingly, it’s pizza galore here. Comet Dogs has out of this world hotdogs, close to the Constellation Carousel nearby. Meteor Astropub is a classic gastropub, but with a celestial twist – beers, cocktails and burgers in a meteor-themed space.
CelesTiki is for unique cocktails, from the Waturi Punch to the Frozen Mudslide. Bar Zenith is where you’ll find creations like the Meteor Strike and the Meridian Bramble.
Shopping
Nintendo Super Star Store
It’s exactly what it says on the tin – or, well, the shop sign – a shop full of Nintendo® toys and apparel, as well as other colourful keepsakes and souvenirs based on characters from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ – and it’s right by the portal to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ too.
Resorts
at Celestial Park
Overlooking all of that? That’s the Universal Helios Grand Hotel. You can’t miss it – it’s the majestic 500-room palace that comes with one-of-a-kind views and sits inside Celestial Park itself. That’s right, no shuttles to and from the park required, just wake up and roll straight into your adventure using your very own dedicated entrance. Swish.
You can find out more about Universal Helios Grand Hotel, as well as other resorts you can stay at in Epic Universe, including the new Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, over on our dedicated Resorts page.
Pick Your Portal
You’ve got 4 worlds to choose from
Celestial Park is the heart of Epic Universe for a reason – it’s where you’ll find the portals to four more worlds, waiting to be explored. And we’re talking literal portals to step through here, each unique to its adventure.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter™: Ministry of Magic™
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
How to Train your Dragon: Isle of Berk
Dark Universe
Ministry of Magic™
Wizarding World of Harry Potter™
“Yer a wizard, Harry.”
Home to the most ambitious ride Universal has ever created, Ministry of Magic™ has a got a lot of people very excited. And by people we mean us. A mixed zone, you’ll journey from a a Muggle™ park in Paris into gorgeous 1920’s Place Cachée – think Haussmannian buildings, shops, sidewalk cafés, and Parisian domes rising in the distance.
Experience interactive wand magic as you cast new spells and interact with fantastic beasts, plus, for the first time ever within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, you can travel across countries and time to 1990s London and the Ministry of Magic™ using the Métro-Floo. This is where you’ll find the ride that Universal is keeping very hush-hush about.
Attractions
at Ministry of Magic™
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry™
Combining mahoosive environments with first-of-its-kind ride tech, you’ll travel by Metro-Floo from Paris to the actual Ministry of Magic™ itself and chase Dolores Umbridge in omnidirectional lifts as she escapes from her trial.
And, in typical Universal fashion, the queue is half the fun. As your wait for the ride itself, you’ll make your way through the spectacular atrium where huge banners proclaim today’s trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge™, passing by the famous Fountain of Magical Brethren, before visiting Umbridge’s own office.
Le Cirque Arcanus™
In another first for the Wizarding World, enjoy a live, full-scale theatre experience in Le Cirque Arcanus – live performers, amazing puppetry, dazzling special effects and more. Look out for Demiguises, Diricawls, and Mooncalves galore.
Interactive Wand Experiences
Throughout Place Cachee, there’s enchanted objects in shop windows and on the streets that you can interact with using your wand. There’s also some familiar fantastic beasts, as well as encounter visitors, officials, and residents (including exchange students from Ilvermorny!) from the wizarding world. Don’t forget to chinwag with the chatty portraits.
Dining & Shopping
at Ministry of Magic™
Quick Service Dining
Café L’Air De La Sirène™
A wonder of French architecture, this place is all carved marble and details of fantastic beasts hidden in the tiles where you delight in French sandwiches, plats du jour and desserts. Dine inside or out on a Baguette de Dindy or a Butterbeer™ Crepe, and don’t miss the the towering dessert displays – almost 2,000 decorative individual cream puffs.
Bar Moonshine™
For a taste of home for American witches and wizards, try this place. It’s got beers, wines and cocktails (forget a French 75, here they serve up Fleur 75s!) set amongst wizarding Americana – look out for the US Quidditch™ team pennants!
Le Gobelet Noir™
A mysterious time-worn auberge (small inn) in the shadowy corners of Paris’s Place Cachée for hearty meals over hushed conversation in a fave haunt of international Dark witches and wizards. Try the Alchemist’s Platter – smoked sausage, potato and cheese pierogies and tangy pickled eggs, served with a warm pretzel and zesty German mustard and cheese fondue.
Shopping
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique™
This is where you’ll find some of the finest wands in the world, all designed by esteemed artisan wandmaker, Cosme Acajor. Not just wands, these are works of art. Don’t forget to look up – that chandelier above you is crafted with over eight hundred crystal wands and adorned with brass Pixies.
Les Galeries Mirifiques™
This is the place to be if you want t get your hands on allll the wizarding memorabilia you ever dreamed of – robes, hats, keychains and more.
Tour En Floo™
If it’s Ministry of Magic™ merch you’re specifically after, this is your place.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
It’s a me, Mario
Enter the iconic green pipe and discover a whoooole new way to play everyone’s fave game as you meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong. Think vibrant scenery and kinetic energy as the world you’ve only ever seen inside your console comes to life. Mt Beanpole. Peach’s Castle. Spinning coins. The lot!
Explore Super Mario Land, then check out Donkey Kong Country. Plus there’s loads of dining, shopping, and interactive experiences too.
Attractions
at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
You’ll join Team Mario and battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in a fancy fusion of augmented reality and projection mapping tech. Enter through Bowser’s Castle, hop in your kart, and head for the starting line – collect coins, toss shells, and dodge obstacles. There’s a different outcome each time you ride too, so you’ll never do it the same way twice.
Yoshi’s Adventure™
A family-friendly ride with breath-taking views of Super Mario Land as you join Yoshi to travel through iconic Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs.
Mine-Cart Madness™
Donkey Kong Country
Careen through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted Golden Banana. Enter the Golden Temple, board your mine cart and you’re off! You’ll experience loads of jaw-dropping manoeuvres that you’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts perform in the games.
Power-Up Bands
With a Power-Up Band, you can collect digital coins by punching ? Blocks, collect digital stamps on attractions, and earn digital keys to unlock a showdown with Bowser Jr.
Dining & Shopping
at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™
Quick Service Dining
Toadstool Cafe™
Chow down on dishes straight outta Super Mario – think Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, and Fire Flower Spaghetti. All with playful scenes of the Mushroom Kingdom through the windows.
Shopping
1-UP Factory™
For a memento of the Mushroom Kingdom, including iconic character hats, plush toys, and apparel.
Mario Motors™
Clothing, toys, and more, all inspired by your fave Super Mario characters and adventures.
Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy
Donkey Kong Country
Funky Kong has turned an aeroplane into an open-air jungle market, where you can buy his selection of clothing, souvenirs and other goods and treasures.
Isle of Berk
How To Train Your Dragon
“This…is Berk.”
Soar with Toothless in a larger-than-life Viking adventure based on the wildly-popular How to Train Your Dragon films. Live amongst dragons in an authentic re-creation of the rugged, rocky world that is Berk, “twelve days north of Hopeless”, a “few degrees south of Freezing to Death” and “located solidly on the Meridian of Misery.”
This impressive little isle is an attraction in and of itself – think hand-carved details, a vast sparkling lagoon, and rolling hills surrounding vibrant dragon houses. Plus there’s 4 attractions and a live show to check out too.
Attractions
at Isle of Berk
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
A family thrill coaster for brave new Vikings. Get a dragon’s eye view of Berk as your soar on Hiccup’s latest glider contraption.
Fyre Drill
It’s soak or be soaked on this wet-and-wild boat battle where teams of Vikings try to outscore – and outsoak – each other. Dragon-headed boats and blast water cannons galore.
Dragon Racer’s Rally
You can practice aerobatic manoeuvres and barrel-rolls on a Viking-made dragon-riding trainer – choose between ‘wild’ or ‘mild’ mode.
The Untrainable Dragon
Straight from Universal Beijing is the wildly popular The Untrainable Dragon – complete with mega musical numbers, crazy good sets, and life-sized dragons soaring overheard. Forget Broadway, this is what we call a show!
The Haddock Paddock
This is where you can meet Hiccup and Toothless!
Dining & Shopping
at Isle of Berk
Quick Service Dining
The Mead Hall
The massive Mead Hall is Berk’s main gathering place, a grand chamber hewn from mountain rock and the beating heart of Berk where you can feast like a proper Viking on meats, fish, sandwiches and more – all washed down with mead and cider, of course. Try the Sullen Sea Sandwich or the Nordic Harvest Salad.
Spit Fyre Grill
For hearty, flame-seared meals in a bustling trader’s market. Drop anchor and try fare from across the seas, with greens, grains and rice topped with flame-seared meats.
Shopping
Hiccup’s Work Shop
Get geared up for your dragon flight here, where you’ll discover a variety of Viking gear and apparel.
Toothless’ Treasures
Plush dragons (we’re making a beeline for Toothless!) and other themed merch can be found here, next to the dragon hatchery.
Viking Traders
This rustic shop offers all the kit new dragon trainers might need on the Isle of Berk. Viking toys, helmets and shields, plush dragon toys and other fun bits.
Dark Universe
“It’s alive! It’s alive!”
From the pioneers of the horror genre, Universal brings shadowy landscapes where monsters roam to life in a world of myth and mystery.
Venture through Darkmoor in a first-of-its-kind theme park environment that blends the stories of unearthly legends like Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and Dr Victoria Frankenstein. It’s family-friendly fun that still pushes the boundaries on intensity.
Attractions
at Dark Universe
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
This is set up to be Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction yet. A state-of-the-art dark ride that takes you deeeeep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where one of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s twisted experiments goes wrong. Go on an intense ride, evading the grasps of famous fearsome faces.
Curse of the Werewolf
A spinning family coaster inspired by “The Wolf Man.” Enter The Guild of Mystics before boarding a wagon and venturing into the forest in a race to escape the werewolves – before you become one yourself.
Dining & Shopping
at Dark Universe
Quick Service Dining
Das Stakehaus
The most ominous restaurant in Darkmoor. Dig into kebabs, burgers, and more – all whilst surrounded by artwork and artefacts that detail the history of the village and its resident creatures.
The Burning Blade Tavern
For wings, bratwurst, pretzels and specialty bevs, and you’ll be dining under an impressive display of monster head trophies and a windmill that erupts into flames several times an hour. You know, just because.
De Lacey’s Cottage
For quick treats like cinnamon bread, ice cream, and twisted taters near Frankenstein Manor. This is where the original Frankenstein’s Monster once received sustenance and friendship.
Shopping
Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities
This is where to buy merch from the dark side, celebrating all of your favourite villains.
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
At Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, Dr Pretorius’ old lab has been converted into a parlour to continue the spirit of his demented experiments. Get transformed by skilful artisans into werewolves, vampires, mummies or something even more fashionably monstrous.
Experience Epic Universe for yourself with our Universal holidays
