First Impressions of Universal Epic Universe
- Brian
- Sep 5, 2025
- 11 min read
Universal’s Epic Universe was officially announced in August 2019, turning up the heat in its long-standing rivalry with Disney. Billed as a game-changer in theme park design, the park promised five immersive lands, each accessed through shimmering portals that radiate out from a stunning celestial hub. It was a bold, innovative take on the traditional theme park layout—offering fully self-contained worlds, each with its own story, atmosphere, and adventures. On May 22, 2025, Epic Universe finally opened its gates to massive fanfare and eager crowds. Recently, I had the chance to experience it with my wife and a few of our friends. Join me for a quick dive into my first impressions of this extraordinary new park.
Through The Gates
We kicked off our day by arriving at the main parking lot about 20 minutes before the park opened to non-hotel guests—perfect timing to beat the bigger crowds. After a quick walk to the ticket will-call center, we picked up our passes with zero hassle. The staff were incredibly friendly and efficient, which set a great tone for the day.
Next up was the short security line leading into the park. Since we had also purchased the Express Pass, a team member scanned our tickets and snapped our photos for the park’s facial recognition system. The whole process was relatively smooth and straightforward, though we later discovered that the facial recognition tech only seemed to work for about three out of four of us. Although an annoyance, it didn’t slow us down much.
Sorcery tip: If you're planning to visit Epic Universe and only have one day to explore, I highly recommend springing for the Express Pass. It’s an extra cost, but absolutely worth it to skip the lines and make the most of your limited time. For us, it meant experiencing everything we wanted—without the stress of waiting around.
Celestial Park
This is the central area of the entire park. You begin here, enter the other lands from here, and will exit here at the end of the day. This area is impressive from the moment you step foot in it.
Once you get through the main portal and into the main portion of the park, it opens up to acommon area with shops and restaurants on either side. Directly ahead is a large statue of Luna that rises from a fountain that is just beyond view. In the distance, the Helios hotel stands as the tallest building in the park. It's an impressive first look at this new park.
To start our day, we arbitrarily decided to walk to the right and head toward How to Train Your Dragon. We walked past several shops and a Starbucks (of course) and on to the first portal.
How To Train Your Dragon
As you step through the portal into this land, you're greeted by an iconic quote from Hiccup: “We, my friends, have dragons!” It’s the perfect welcome to the world of How to Train Your Dragon. Just beyond the inscription, a curved screen swirls with abstract, dreamlike visuals inspired by the films—a mesmerizing, almost magical effect that makes you feel like you're being transported straight into Berk. Fair warning, though: this spot is prime for selfies and videos, so expect a bit of a bottleneck as guests stop to capture the moment. Patience (and maybe a little weaving) is key!
Out of all the themed lands in Epic Universe, this one stood out as the most unique—and the most fun. Maybe it’s because it had the fewest “new park” hiccups, or maybe it’s because everything here just works. From the rugged stone paths underfoot to the Viking-inspired costumes worn by every team member, the attention to detail is phenomenal. Every building, every corner, every interaction feels like it was pulled straight from the movies. Character encounters are lively and engaging, and the land as a whole radiates a sense of wonder and adventure that’s impossible not to enjoy. Simply put: it’s pure magic for fans and newcomers alike.
Even if you aren't aren't super into How to Train Your Dragon, this land is more than worth your time.
This land contains several rides, shows, and character encounters, all of which I suggest you take the time to do. These include:
Hiccup's Wing Gliders – This is a fun, albeit smaller, roller coaster. Like many spots throughout Universal parks, be ready to store any larger or loose items in a locker before entering.
Dragon Racer's Rally – While we didn't get to ride this one this trip, I'm looking forward to trying it next time. Here, you get to race on a dragon as a dragon rider (or flier), and practice various maneuvers.
Fyre Drill – Out of everything throughout the entire park (not just this land), this was the most fun ride and experience. On this, you board a Viking ship with 8 seats and 8 water guns. The goal is to hit as many targets as possible, but the fun element comes in the fact that some targets get you back with streams of water, while other ships hit you with their water guns as you each turn corners. We came out drenched, but laughing as if we were all children again.
Untrainable Dragon Live – This is a dragon show with a wildly elaborate set, characters, and musical numbers. While we didn't get to see it on the trip, the stage and theater area looked incredible.
Character Encounters – Some characters, like Toothless, were stationed in a specific area, while others, like Astrid and random Vikings, we saw roaming around. The cast members playing them were fully in-character and incredibly friendly. I watched them go up to people and, in their most friendly Viking way, strike up some good conversation. They also were attentive to any kids around and really helped complete the immersion into the Dragon world.
Viking Training Camp – This is an interactive play area really meant for kids. It has climbing towers, a launcher game, an agility course, and more. We didn't enter it this trip since we left our kids at home — I highly recommend at least 1 adult trip to the parks. It's a totally different experience!
The Ministry of Magic
This land is a great addition to the Harry Potter universe that is represented at Universal's other two Florida parks. Walking through the portal opens up into a world straight out of the books (and movies). You step into the streets of France, bustling with people, sights, and smells of exactly what you'd expect.
This land only has 1 ride (which is slightly disappointing) and 1 show. Definately check them out. Most of the land is dedicated to shops and restaurants and just being inside the Wizarding World.
Primary Attractions include:
Harry Potter & The Battle at the Ministry – This is a ride based roughly on scenes from The Order of the Phoenix, but contains new story elements. The ride is fun—assuming it's operating. It was down about 9 of the 12 hours we were at the park. After 3 tries, we managed to finaly get on it right as the park was closing. The best part is the queue line and being able to walk through the fireplace into the ministry. Read my detailed assessment here.
Le Cirque Arcanus – This is a circus show that brings in the world of the Fantasic Beasts. It's very well done and a creative way to bring in the story elements. The only part that could have been better is the opening act of the show. They pack everyone extremely tightly into a standing theather for at least 15 - 20 minutes. The opening act was good, but standing that close would never have been acceptable during COVID.
If you're a true "potterhead," don't forget to bring your magical wand. There are multiple places throughout the area for interactive experiences. One of the most unqiue I found to be was a large statue near the entrance to the Battle at the Ministry. Wave your wand right, and a magical creature pops his head out but, be warned: if you don't move fast you'll be squirted with water.
This land has so much to see beyond the attractions. Be sure to take some time and explore all the nooks-and-crannys to see details of the Wizarding World that you can easily miss if you don't stop and look.
Dark Universe
Dark Universe was, hands down, the most unexpectedly cool area in the entire park. I’ve never been a huge horror fan, but the moment I stepped into this land, I was hooked. During the day, it’s delightfully eerie—think spooky ambiance with fog drifting through the air and ominous music echoing in the distance. But at night? It transforms into something genuinely terrifying… in the best possible way. Every detail feels pulled straight from the pages of a Frankenstein or Dracula novel. From flickering lanterns and fog machines to distant caws of hidden crows, the immersion is next-level. Even the food matched the creepy theme—and in a twist I didn’t expect—it actually tasted amazing.
Our first stop was Frankenstein’s Castle for the featured attraction, Monsters Unchained. From the outside, the towering gothic structure sets the tone perfectly, and once inside, it feels like you’ve stepped into a living horror novel. Just a heads-up: if you’re visiting with young kids or anyone who startles easily, you might want to skip this one—it leans into the horror. The ride system itself uses a mechanical arm setup similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, but with a darker twist. You’re pulled into a gripping storyline where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein attempts to control Dracula to do her bidding… and let’s just say things go very wrong. It’s thrilling, intense, and absolutely worth the ride.
Next, we hit up Curse of the Werewolf, a unique spinning coaster that took us completely by surprise. The ride vehicles rotate as they speed through the track, creating a disorienting and exhilarating experience—somewhat reminiscent of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. This one is an absolute must-do. Fast, fun, and completely different from anything else in the park.
Just past the exit of Curse of the Werewolf, we stumbled upon a hidden gem: The Burning Blade Tavern. With its flickering torches and medieval-horror vibes, it looked like a place Dracula might stop for a drink—and honestly, we were sold. The menu was fairly limited, but the food surprised us in the best way. Everything we tried was flavorful, fresh, and far above typical theme park fare. Add in a well-crafted drink menu, and it made for the perfect break between rides.
Super Nintendo World
Ever wondered what it would be like to step inside one of the most iconic video games of all time? Of course you have! Whether you’ve played Super Mario games religiously or just dabbled once or twice, you’ll be blown away by the incredible level of detail the designers put into bringing Mario, Luigi, Peach, and the rest of the gang to life. This land is pure nostalgia wrapped in color, sound, and interactive fun.
What’s especially cool is that this area is basically two lands in one: the front half is all things Super Mario, while the back features the world of Donkey Kong. The entrance to Donkey Kong is cleverly tucked away on the lower level, so keep your eyes peeled or you might just walk right past it.
Like the other lands in Epic Universe, you enter through a themed portal—this one topped with Mario’s signature catchphrase: “Here we go!” But instead of just walking through, you ride an escalator up through a vibrant green warp pipe, which builds the anticipation perfectly. When you emerge, you're inside a glowing, pixel-perfect version of Peach’s Castle, instantly recognizable to fans of Super Mario 64. It’s an epic entrance.
You’ll arrive on the second level of the land, which offers great views of the action below. If you’ve picked up a Power-Up Band, this is your chance to start collecting coins by tapping the interactive blocks scattered around. Head straight ahead and you’ll find a staircase that leads down to the shops, dining area, Yoshi’s Adventure, and the entrance to the hidden Donkey Kong Country.
We hit all the major attractions, starting with Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. While it’s a fun ride, I have to admit it didn’t quite deliver the big “wow” I was hoping for. Think Toy Story Mania! meets Mario Kart with an AR twist. You wear a visor with an attached AR screen, but for younger or smaller riders, the headset can feel a bit heavy. Plus, the AR field of view is pretty limited, which slightly dulls the experience. Personally, I was hoping for something more along the lines of Radiator Springs Racers at Disney’s Cars Land—fast-paced, immersive, and thrilling.
Next, we ventured into Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness. The queue and theming? Absolutely spot-on. The animatronics and design really captured the chaotic charm of the classic game. Unfortunately, the ride itself was a bit of a mixed bag. It aims to simulate the feeling of a runaway mine cart, but the jerky motions in certain sections made it feel more like the ride was coming apart than thrilling us with near-misses. That said, it’s definitely worth riding once, if only for the theming.
Last up was Yoshi’s Adventure. Unless you’re visiting with young kids or you’re a huge Yoshi fan, this one’s probably a skip. It’s cute and mellow, but very tame compared to the rest of the offerings in the land.
Sorcery tip: If you love desserts, there's a really awesome ice cream sundae in the Donkey Kong area, but the line is usually very long.
Technology
Not surprisingly, the park heavily utilized technology in almost every area and aspect. From the app (which really eats up your battery life on your phone), to the facial recognition for the Express Pass lanes, technology was everywhere.
Throughout the day, the facial recognition technology in conjunction with people trying to skip the regular lines, caused problems for how smooth the Express Pass was supposed to work. Express was meant to be walking up, the facial recognition technology clears you, and you walk in. Instead, our experience was that the technology failed for about 1 out of 4 people. Additionally, instead of being right at the first entry point of each ride, the Express Pass checks were curiously far back in the lines. This meant that park employees were standing at the front asking to check tickets. The whole point of the facial recognition was to avoid having the paper pass or from having to get out your phone each time. I'm sure they will improve this over time, but at the onset, it's only 50% of the way there.
I highly recommend you bring a battery pack for your phone, especially if you're on the app frequently. Here's a link to the one I used.
Express Pass
The Express Pass was a savior for us. Since we only had 1 day at the park, I figured it would be worth it to be able to experience as much as possible. With all the ride breakdowns, and so many people wanting to ride Battle at the Ministry, there's no way we would have gotten to ride it without the Express Pass.
Although certainly not required, getting the Express Pass is something I always recommend if you are limited on time, have a lot of rides you want to make sure you do, or just simply want more time to experience all the shops, restaurants, and other attractions without spending a large portion of your day in line. To save money, I bought the Universal Express pass and skipped the Unlimited this time.
Lots of Breakdowns
The biggest let-down of Epic Universe was the constant breakdowns. Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry was down probably 9 of the 12 hours the park was open. I'm attributing this to the park being new and all of the kinks being worked out, but it was still annoying. Several other rides, including the Stardust Racers, were down multiple times throughout the day as well, but seemed to get running again within an hour.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Universal's Epic theme park is impressive in many ways. It brings a new spin to the lands, dazzling buildings and lighting, and plenty of fun. However, due to the number of ride breakdowns and technological hiccups we observed, the park certainly needs some time to mature. I think in a year or so this will be in a much better spot after they work through all the kinks. Despite those set backs, the park was still fun and it was great to experience each of the different "universes."
