Get ready to be blown away.
On May 22, 2025, Universal Orlando elevated the Central Florida theme park wars by opening the long-awaited Epic Universe theme park. Universal Orlando’s third theme park (fourth, if you count Universal Volcano Bay water park) has arguably set a new bar for theme park immersion, and it’s only getting started.
In one of several articles celebrating this fabulous new park, let’s take a look at the five worlds you can find within Epic Universe.
Celestial Park
Your Epic Universe adventure starts in Celestial Park. This cosmos-themed central area greets guests at the park’s front gate and serves as a hub for the park, and connects the other four worlds via uniquely-styled “portals.” But in addition to serving as a hub connecting the other worlds, Celestial Park boasts its own theming, attractions, and dining.
Celestial Park Attractions
Two attractions in Celestial Park whisk guests off-planet. The headliner is Stardust Racers – a high-intensity rollercoaster that pits two trains on parallel tracks on a race through the stars. This attraction may be the best in all of the park, especially when enjoyed at night among the twinkle and glow of Celestial Park and the recently-opened Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Stardust Racers just may challenge other local coasters for the best in the Orlando area. Despite steep competition like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World Velocicoaster, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind wowing guests at every turn, Stardust has quickly proven it belongs in the “best coaster” discussion.
For kids and guests not interested in the intensity of Stardust Racers, Celestial Park also offers quite the opposite experience – Constellation Carousel. A menagerie of earthly and otherworldly creatures roam beneath a glowing canopy, weaving in and out of each other’s paths in the process. While the aesthetic of this carousel is beautiful to experience, the complex design seems to have outsmarted itself. Guest loading is slow and the ride is short and unrewarding. Still, it’s a pretty space, especially at night.
Celestial Park Dining and Shopping
The menu in Celestial Park is surprisingly inspiring, with full-service dining venues, as well as quick service locations. Atlantis features a seafood-focused menu beneath a ceiling of illuminated fish. The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant serves authentic Asian cuisine as “dazzling neon dragons chase across the walls.” Both of these restaurants tickle taste buds while offering a much-needed relaxing break from the theme park bustle.
Quick-service options in Celestial Park include The Oak & Star Tavern – serving barbeque food and nice cold beer, and Meteor Astropub – serving traditional pub fare in a cosmically cool hangout.
Snack locations include Pizza Moon (which has earned rave reviews), Plastered Owl Bar, Frosty Moon, Comet Dog, and several others.
Celestial Park offers a broad selection of merchandise from all five Epic Universe worlds – the largest stores being Other Worlds Mercantile, Sensorium Emporium, and Nintendo Super Star Store (more on that in a moment).
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
“It’s a-me, Mario!”
Walk (and climb) through the iconic green pipe and into a colorful, boisterous, fully-alive video game world. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is the definition of themed immersion. The primary area here is Super Mario Land, and it is buzzing with classic characters from the Super Mario video game franchise – including Goomba Mushrooms, Koopa Troopas, Piranha Plants, and everything (and everyone) in between. Everything moves in this land, to the degree that – even if you stand still – you still feel the world moving around you.
Universal’s Power-Up Bands (available for purchase both inside Super Mario Land and elsewhere around Universal Orlando resort) enhance the experience in this land, inviting users to play adorable mini-games for a chance to take on Bowser’s son (appropriately named Bowser Jr.) for bragging rights on the land’s leader board.
The majority of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is ruled by Mario and Luigi, but there is in fact a bit of non-Mario fanfare here as well. Donkey Kong Country is another mini-land located within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, giving kids of the 80s like me a chance to geek out with our pixelated DK memories. This area is a total vibe, and I’m down for it anytime!
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Attractions
Two of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s three attractions are located in Super Mario Land. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge invites riders to race in their very own Mario Kart race. The attraction builds on the features of a classic dark ride, adding screen simulation and virtual reality augmentation to give the feel of racing out-of-control go-karts among a handful of your closest competitors (I mean, friends). The queue for Bowser’s Challenge is littered with giant, colorful nods to all walks of the Super Mario universe. Overall, Bowser’s Challenge embraces the future of what immersive dark rides can be, though this first iteration of the VR enhancement did prove a bit clunky at times.
Yoshi’s Adventure takes guests on a sky-high (but pleasantly calm) ride through Mushroom Kingdom atop their very own Yoshi vehicle. Guests are challenged to find three hidden Yoshi eggs, while enjoying views of Super Mario Land below (trust me, the eggs are not at all difficult to spy). Yoshi’s Adventure is adorable and worth riding at least once, but the slow pace, small footprint, and low re-rideability factor keeps this from being an every-visit type of attraction.
Over in Donkey Kong Country, Mine-Cart Madness takes guests on an indoor/outdoor wild family coaster cart ride. Along the way, riders are treated to zany interactions with Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and several others – all while appearing to “jump” sections of broken rail in an attempt to help Donkey Kong protect the Golden Banana. This wild ride is a blast, though a bit short. It’s also a little rough on the body, with a few jerky moments. The mostly outdoor queue has a subdued theme with a couple true gems – silhouetted murals of classic Donkey moments, and a stunning audio-animatronic of Cranky Kong, which makes the queue wait worth the time.
Outside of these attractions, guests can also meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad – and occasionally Donkey Kong. I was really hoping for a chance to meet Donkey Kong while I was visiting, but it wasn’t meant to be on the day of my visit.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Dining and Shopping
There are no full-service dining locations in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, but Toadstool Cafe comes close. This is one of the growing list of Universal Orlando dining options guiding guests to mobile order ahead (or while waiting in line for a table), and the food gets delivered to the guests’ table shortly after sitting down. The mobile order system works well enough, though it lacks a personal touch.
Toadstool Cafe is immaculately themed, with “windows” looking out into the adorable daily bustle of Mushroom Kingdom. The food here includes classic American options – all finished with a signature Mario touch. Sandwich picks boast the iconic Mario hats, or even the classic level-clearing flags. The chairs in Toadstool Cafe are ginormous, and must weigh at least 30 pounds each. The wait to dine at Toadstool Cafe is the biggest drawback – we waited about 45 minutes just to sit down. It’s a tough swallow (pardon the pun) for “quick-service” food.
Snack locations sprinkled around Super Nintendo World include Yoshi’s Snack Island, Turbo Boost Treats, and – over in Donkey Kong Country – The Bubbly Barrel (this is where you can find the super-popular DK Crush Float; served – if desired – in a fun souvenir DK Barrel Mug).
Merchandise is all the rage in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and it’s hard to resist! The 1-UP Factory is the largest and most popular shopping location, serving up nods to all the most popular Nintendo characters (and a few deeper dives as well). Mario Motors – located at the end of Bowser’s Challenge – specializes in Mario Kart-related merchandise. Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy – over in Donkey Kong Country – offers all things Kong, yellow, and banana-related!
Don’t overlook the Nintendo Super Star Store. This merchandise location is technically located in Celestial Park, but it sells most of the same merchandise as the 1-UP Factory, with a fraction of the crowds. I suggest doing more of your Nintendo shopping here.
Dark Universe
“It’s Alive!” (sort of).
In Dark Universe, guests enter the Village of Darkmoor to take a stroll through the crumbling streets of a mythic yesteryear. This foreboding world is home to unearthly legends and monstrous experiments – a shadowy realm where gothic fantasy meets reality. Speaking of legend – Darkmoor has been plagued for centuries by frightening monsters and mad scientists twisting the laws of nature and discarding the rules of science.
I’m just gonna say it here – Dark Universe is the sleeper hit world of Epic Universe. It is impeccably themed, yet sorely overlooked. I suspect that will change when the Halloween season sets in. Did I mention the Danny Elfman soundtrack? Chef’s kiss.
Dark Universe Attractions
Two “frightening” attractions call Darkmoor home. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment pits Dr. Victoria Frankenstein against Dracula and a who’s-who of Universal’s classic gothic horror monsters – including the Wolf Man, the Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, among others. This dark ride challenges Stardust Racers and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry for the title of best attraction in Epic Universe. It combines stellar audio-animatronics, well-placed screens, and the wild Kuka Arm ride system, giving guests a good shake! Monsters Unchained feels like a dead-man’s party wrapped in a battle for life!
Curse of the Werewolf is a winding, swiveling coaster taking riders on a frantic run through the woods of Darkmoor. This family-friendly thrill coaster twists and turns for over two full minutes, reaching speeds up to 37 miles per hour. This coaster isn’t overly imaginative, but it’s a lot of fun. One downside – the line can grow long due to a slow loading process. This attraction is best done early in the day, or using Express Pass.
Outside of these headlining attractions, visitors to darkmoor can meet Frankenstein’s Monster (and his Bride) as well as Ygor. Guests wanting to live their best (and darkest) life can visit Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. Think of this as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for adults of the underworld.
Dark Universe Dining and Shopping
Darkmoor hosts three quick-service dining locations. Das Stakehaus is the primary location for a satisfying meal. Celebrating the vampire culture, Das Stakehaus is run by vampires’ “familiars” (human servants). Festive menu fare includes items like Bird on a Stake (chicken skewers) and “Blood Orange” Chicken Sandwich – served in a delightfully dark black bun. This is another mobile-order restaurant. In stark contrast to Toadstool Cafe, Das Stakehaus tends to be much less crowded, and the dark, subdued atmosphere lends to a more relaxing dining experience.
The Burning Blade Tavern features the instantly famous (and Instagram-friendly) burning blade, which bursts into flame on occasion. This is especially impactful in the evening. Inside, the tavern features comfort pub food and a fun assortment of alcoholic drinks (and a few non-alcoholic choices). De Lacey’s Cottage is a small walk-up counter location, serving pretzel bites and cinnamon bites, plus an assortment of basic beverages.
Guests looking to purchase morbid curiosities in Darkmoor can shop at Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities – a “wondrous emporium where his macabre items are on display (and for sale).” The Manor Storehouse features more conventional monster-themed souvenirs, apparel, jewelry, toys, candy, and collectibles. The Guild of Mystics offers a few more souvenirs like t-shirts, magical charms, and hand-crafted jewelry.
How to Train your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Of all the worlds of Epic Universe, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk was the one I was least excited about when it was announced. I happily ate my words (as well as a couple scrumptious mac and cheese cones). Overall, I was immensely impressed by the cheerful energy and positive vibes in Berk. The land captures the heart, humor, and scale of the How to Train Your Dragon film series, presenting an authentic re-creation of the rugged, rocky world where Vikings and dragons live together in amusing harmony.
Guests roaming around Berk will marvel at the sparkling lagoon which boasts two 40-foot-tall Viking statues. Set back towards the rear of Berk is Raven Point. This colorful mountain peak serves as the land’s icon, and nestles dragons in steep slopeside caves. The forced perspective used in crafting this peak didn’t quite pull off the desired scale, but it is still a fun sight to see. The music in Berk gives a sweeping, victorious feel – lending to the positive energy.
Isle of Berk Attractions
Berk boasts the most attractions in all of Epic Universe, with a total of five. The headliner attraction is Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – a fun family-friendly thrill coaster taking swoops and dips through Berk, paying a visit to Hiccup and Toothless along the way. This coaster has no inversions, but there are plenty of sharp turns to keep the thrill high. Unfortunately, Hiccups is also prone to breakdowns. We were foiled on two different occasions during our visit when the ride unexpectedly went down for an extended delay. During afternoon thunderstorms two days in a row when all outdoor rides closed, Hiccups was the last to reopen. Hopefully these are initial bugs that will be worked out over time.
Dragon Racer’s Rally is a swooping, circular spinner inviting new Vikings to practice aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a Viking-made dragon riding trainer – at heights up to 67 feet in the sky. Riders can make Dragon Racer’s Rally as challenging as they wish by manipulating a pair of (rather heavy) dragon wings. The right combination of wing angles can allow riders to spin around completely (sadly, we were not able to accomplish this when we rode).
Fyre Drill is a good old fashioned water ride. In this interactive boat battle, guests can blast water cannons at flame-like targets – and at the occupants of other boats. But watch out! The targets (and other riders) shoot back! Fyre Drill has the potential to be a very wet experience, so consider yourself warned.
The Untrainable Dragon is the only indoor experience in Berk. This stage show stars Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid, as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. The loveable Toothless soars overhead in an awe-inspiring moment, making this show both entertaining and relaxing.
Berk boasts the only kids playground area in Epic Universe – Viking Training Camp. And there’s water here – sprinklers and misters. Score!
One last piece of entertainment in Berk that cannot go uncelebrated – meeting Toothless. The loveable Night Fury dragon – joined by his pal Hiccup – isn’t just a static figure; Toothless is a life-sized animatronic dragon. He moves his head, blinks, and even breathes. Toothless interacts with guests – reacting to them in real time. If there is one single character worth a long wait in line, Toothless is it!
Isle of Berk Dining and Shopping
Berk offers three quick-service dining locations, the largest of which is Mead Hall – located at the base of Raven Point. Mead Hall serves up the tasty Thawfest Platter – a mixed grill with fries and veggies. Other seafood items sprinkle the menu, including Stormfly’s Catch of the Day – a chocolate mousse fish nestled atop a bed of colorful crispy rice cereal. It’s like a giant goldfish floating in Fruity Pebbles! Best of all, Mead Hall is spacious and well-themed – a welcome respite from the Florida heat and afternoon thunderstorms.
Spit Fyre Grill and Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel are both walk-up counter-service locations. Spit Fyre Grill offers an assortment of healthy and tasty grain bowls, including Stoick’s Steak Bowl, Hiccup’s Salmon Bowl, and Meatlug’s Chicken Bowl, among others. Both locations serve Mac and Cheese Cones, which may be my favorite snack in all of Epic Universe. The mac and cheese comes in three varieties – classic, PB and J (Pork, Bacon and Jam), and Dragon Fire Chicken Spire (with Nashville-style pulled chicken, hot honey, Calabrian peppers, chimichurri, and crispy onions). The “cones” are actually freshly baked herbed bread. These mac and cheese cones are the perfect walk-around snack!
Viking souvenirs are available at Hiccup’s Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures. Sweet tooths can satisfy themselves at How to Treat Your Dragon.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
How can you go wrong with Harry Potter? The juggernaut fantasy book and film series is a surefire bet at Universal theme parks (can you believe Disney passed on the rights to use this IP back in 2004?). At Epic Universe, guests can visit Harry and some of their favorite wizards (and Death Eaters) at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic. But first, let’s clear up a bit of confusion. This world in Epic Universe is called Ministry of Magic, but the neighborhood in which the Ministry (and the entire world) are set is called Place Cachée – French for “Hidden place” or “hidden square.” This is appropriate, as the portal passing into this world winds around a giant stone, keeping the world itself out of view from the outside.
As a huge Potterhead – news of a new Harry Potter-themed world at Epic Universe was tops on my list. Then, seeing Universal’s plan for the world in 2024, my enthusiasm waned significantly. The Paris locale is featured heavily in the Fantastic Beasts film series, which I never found to be nearly as engaging as the core Harry Potter films. In my opinion, much of the childlike Harry Potter magic is missing, replaced with heavier, adult-oriented themes. It just wasn’t for me. I also wasn’t hugely interested in the whole downtown Paris cafe theme, despite Universal’s promises of the hidden magic within.
I must admit now, after exploring Place Cachée, that I have been gleefully proven wrong. The land is teeming with magical nods. Most of these are in French, but I had fun translating the signs and figuring out the meanings through context clues. The whole neighborhood feels like downtown Paris from the 1920s, and it’s a fun throwback. The building facades are colorful and expressive – almost alive. Not to mention, the taller buildings and narrower roads and alleys offer many shady areas throughout most of the day – something Epic Universe as a whole is sorely lacking.
Ministry of Magic Attractions
The headliner attraction in the Ministry of Magic (and the undisputed headliner attraction of all of Epic Universe at the moment) is Battle at the Ministry. This dark ride takes groups of guests through the quirky old “lifts” which transport wizards throughout the Ministry. The mission is simply to attend the trial (and presumably applaud the conviction) of Delores Umbridge – the most hateable character in the whole Wizarding World. Of course, this is a theme-park attraction, and hijinks ensue, sending guests on a wild ride throughout the bowels of the Ministry. Battle at the Ministry is a little heavier on screens than the fan-favorite Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal Islands of Adventure – but it is an epic wizarding adventure just the same.
For me, the ride itself came in a close second to the attraction’s queue line. Guests enter the Métro-Floo to travel from the streets of Paris to the British Ministry of Magic. This smoke effect is a blast, as is the welcome burst of air conditioning. Once inside, the magnitude and detail of the Ministry atrium is truly jaw-dropping. The Fountain of Magical Brethren sits proudly at the center, surrounded by ornate columns and windows of the offices around. A moving message board heralds the trial about to commence, with alternative imagery of Umbridge herself and Kingsley Shacklebolt – the Minister of Magic following the defeat of Voldemort. As the queue winds beyond the atrium deeper into the Ministry, guests will catch glimpses of the wizarding locker room, Umbridge’s signature pink office, and many more magical details. I am not joking in the slightest when I say I would happily walk through the queue, even without riding the attraction – it’s that good.
Oh yeah, there’s a second attraction in Place Cachée! Le Cirque Arcanus (mysterious circus) takes place in the back streets of wizarding Paris, following the fate of the once-spectacular circus featured in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. This surprisingly large theater show is cleverly disguised behind a streetside circus tent. The show’s story revolves around Newt Scamander’s magical suitcase. Several of Newt’s most famous creatures find their way out of the suitcase and on-stage (or should I say, under-stage), and the ringmaster’s assistant Gwenlyn sorts through the chaos for a solution. This performance is part Cirque du Soleil, part drama, and part puppetry. It’s an easy attraction to pass by, but it’s well worth the time spent, for both the entertainment value as well as the break from Florida’s heat and sun.
In classic Wizarding World fashion, Place Cachée offers many opportunities to practice wandwork through interactive experiences. But be warned – several of the new experiences require the new second-generation wand to perform. These wands can be found at Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique (magic wands), as well as other Wizarding World shops and other locations around Universal Orlando.
Ministry of Magic Dining and Shopping
Dining in Place Cachée caters to the whole French cafe scene, but there’s plenty of grub for all tastes. Café L’air De La Sirène (air of the siren – a subgroup of merfolk) is a quick service location offering French cuisine like quiche, croissants, and crepes. The cafe’s signature item is the Bièraubeurre Crêpe (Butterbeer crêpe) – filled with shortbread cookie butter Bavarian cream, Bièraubeurre cream, accompanied by strawberries, Bièraubeurre drizzle, and a shortbread cookie garnish. This was easily my favorite sweet in all of Epic Universe. Le Gobelet Noir is a mysterious time-worn auberge (small inn) tucked in the shadowy corners of Place Cachée, and features a larger menu of European fare, from small bites to entrees and specialty drinks. Bar Moonshine offers a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including the famous Butterbeer (or should I say, Bièraubeurre).
In addition to purchasing wands at Cosme Acajor, guests can purchase many fun Wizarding World souvenirs at Les Galeries Mirifiques, and satisfy their sweet tooth at K. Rammelle – a tasty confectionery.
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That’s the skinny on the worlds of Epic Universe. Wanna know which attractions are the best? Here’s my take on the five best attractions in Epic Universe. And if you are looking for guidance on how to best tackle this new park, check out Epic Universe 101: Touring Strategies, Tips, and Tricks.
Are you planning to visit Epic Universe this year, or are you giving the park some time to work out the bugs? Whichever way you approach it, please reach out to Facts and Figment Vacation Planning to get started planning your Epic adventure! My travel planning services are absolutely FREE to you, and I can help you score the best, hardest-to-get deals to make your vacation more affordable and more enjoyable! Plus – I will stay involved every step of the way, giving you dining reservation support, touring strategies, and answering every question you have along the way.
If you’ve already been to Epic Universe, what was your experience? Share your thoughts with Facts and Figment on social: Instagram Facebook X
