This week, we were excited to be able to attend the media preview of Universal’s newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe. The park officially opened to the public on 5/22 but the media event took place from the 19th-21st. I’ve been excited about this park since it was first announced. I’ve always loved the Universal Theme Parks and couldn’t wait to see all this new park would have to offer.

They said the new park would change the game for theme parks and after being in the park for 2 days, I have to say I believe they have. Keeping up with the newest technology and designs gives other theme park brands something to compete against which benefits all the fans in the end. Now in saying this, everyone has their opinion, and some may agree and some may not, which is fine. I tried to write this from the perspective of a fan and even though I got to cover it as a reporter. I truly am a fan and was wowed by so much I saw and got to do while there. With the park there are 5 areas to talk about, they are:

• Celestial Park
• How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
• Super Nintendo World
• Dark Universe
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The itinerary of the media event seemed daunting on paper, but I was going to do my best to see everything and spend as much time as I could in the different areas. The first night of the event, we were to get a tour of the Universal Helios Grand Hotel their newest hotel which has its own entrance into the park. After the tour we had a small reception where the President and CEO of Loews Hotels Alex Tisch spoke, the Executive Chairman of Lowes Hotels Jonathan Tisch as well as the COO of Universal Studios Karen Irwin. They gave us a little backstory of their partnerships and how they have grown together to create all they have here in Central Florida. After the reception, all the media was bussed over to Universal Studios Orlando for a VIP experience of the parks and dinner. The night was great, but most were already thinking about the next 2 days and all that would be involved in covering the new park opening.

The schedule for the next day started bright and early. Day 1 we were going to be in the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk area in the morning, midday in Celestial Park and the afternoon in Super Nintendo World. The day would conclude with a dinner at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Before I go any further, unexpectantly, I had to leave mid-day as we had a family emergency, and I couldn’t really spend time in Celestial Park or even go into Super Nintendo World. I also missed the dinner that evening, but family always comes first.

Day 1 – First Up: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Full disclosure, I wasn’t excited about visiting the How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk area. I’ve never even watched any of those films. I’ve heard about the characters and of course the dragon Toothless, but had no idea what to expect with the world. Before entering the area, we had an official opening of the area in front of the portal and then we got to follow the Vikings in. This world to me was so well themed and after everything I believe was the most complete area for the entire family. There are things for every age, and you don’t have to know the films to really enjoy this space. The theming really makes you think you just stepped into a Viking village whereas they say, Vikings and Fire Breathing Dragons can live in harmony. From the water area, boats, and the statues and décor throughout, this area is just fun. There are dragons everywhere, so be sure to keep your eyes open while exploring. Also, be on the lookout for some of the Vikings and Dragons who will talk and do little shows. The dragons honestly steal these little pop-up encounters and if you have time, stop and watch. There is also a live show that takes place throughout the day called The Untrainable Dragon. While I didn’t have time to attend the show myself, others commented to me it’s good and worth taking the time to see it. There is also a very large play area for the little Vikings to go and play called Viking Training Camp. The area has 3 rides.

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Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – This is the coaster of the area and it’s a lot of fun. You get a dragon’s eye view as Hiccup’s latest flying contraption sends you swooping and soaring, above and around the Isle of Berk.
Dragon Racer’s Rally – This is a great fun ride, you sit in a seat, and you can move the wings of the “dragon” you are on and practice aerobatic maneuvers. You even control how intense your ride is by spinning as much or as little as you want.
Fyre Drill – This is a watery boat battle where teams of Vikings compete to outscore and out-soak each other while also shooting targets and getting water shot back at you. I didn’t get to ride this one, but it did look like a lot of fun.

There are a few different spots to get food. There is Mead Hall where you can sit down (in the A/C) and take time to rest a bit but still a quick service. They also have Spit-Fyre Grill which is a quick service with outdoor seating, also there is Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel which is a snack booth. Both Spit-Fyre and Hooligan’s have Mac & Cheese Cones (3 to choose from) and they are fantastic so I highly recommend those.

You will also find different locations to purchase merchandise here which are Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures.

This world I found to be a lot of fun and so much more than I expected. It,s not one to skip over and just go in with an open mind and have fun, at the end of the day, isn’t that the whole purpose of visiting a theme park is?

As I stated above, I didn’t get to spend time in Celestial Park or Super Nintendo Land on the first day, but I was able to get in there the 2nd day and will cover there below.

Day 2 – Dark Universe

When Dark Universe was announced I was more than excited to see what they could do with those iconic characters. For those that don’t know, Dark Universe is all about the Universal Monsters, my absolute favorite characters. In 2019, Universal Orlando finally had a full haunted house dedicated to the Monsters and to this day, it’s still one of my favorite attractions ever. The thought of them being in a world I could visit year-round was exciting to think about. What would they do and what characters would be involved in this new world? Every time some little details came out about Dark Universe, I couldn’t wait to read about it. When they showed video of the animatronic of Frankenstein, I couldn’t believe how great it looked. During the opening celebration of the world, Frankenstein, his Bride, the Invisible Man and Igor all came out to address the crowd, what a fun way to open the area. When they let us enter the area, there was a mad rush to get to Frankenstein Manor which houses the main attraction in Dark Universe. The Manor was amazing to see and everything I hoped it would be. The whole area looked like a set right out of a movie, and I was so impressed. While walking through the manor there is so much detail and things to see, it themed perfectly. I won’t get into the attraction yet but stay tuned. Leaving the manor, I went to explore more of the area. There are little things you can see in the greenery that add to the spookiness of the area. The Burning Blade windmill is worth waiting to see with flames coming out of it. I had to go back to the front of the area to see all I ran pass to go on the main attraction and wow there is a lot of detail up front. You see a cemetery and some of the graves have been dug up, there is a casket you can stand in for photos. There are roaming characters telling stories and playing music in the area. While back there, stay alert because you never know what characters may be out to meet with their new friends. Make sure to go back to this area after the sun goes down because it looks fantastic back there after dark. There are 2 attractions in Dark Universe.

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Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – Housed inside of Frankenstein Manor this is the signature attraction of the world and probably the best Dark Ride ever built. This is one you will want to ride multiple times because there is so much to see. Keep your eyes open also, you may see some easter eggs that point to Halloween Horror Nights!!
Curse of the Werewolf – This is a rollercoaster, which I didn’t get on due to the ride spinning. The premise of the ride is you are surrounded by glowing eyes and gnashing teeth, and you’ll spin and weave through the forest as you attempt to escape a pack of werewolves.

There are a few places to grab a bite in Dark Universe. Das Stakehaus offers hearty meals while you dine surrounded by Dracula Artifacts. The Burning Blade Tavern offers some pub style foods along with a full bar and some specialty cocktails. The last stop on the Dark Universe food tour takes you to De Lacey s Cottage where they have some beverages as well as a Frank & Friends Pretzel (which is very tasty) and some Warm-Hearted Cinnamon Bites.

Something fun to do back in Dark Universe is the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience. Here, they can transform you into any of your favorite monsters and even have packages that include accessories to help make you become a monster!! Want to pick up some spooky merchandise? Visit Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities, The Manor Storehouse or The Guild of Mystics in the woods.

If you like the scary side of things, Dark Universe is the place for you to go and visit. There is so much to see while back there and the perfect place to hang out while waiting for Halloween Horror Nights to begin!! This will be my favorite land to go and hang out in every time I visit Epic Universe. I’ll be curious to see if they do anything special in this land during the Halloween season.

Midday – Celestial Park

Celestial Park is the cosmic heart of Universal Epic Universe. This is the area that houses the portals to the other worlds but also has its own attractions and food options along with beautiful landscapes, dancing fountains and just so much more. I didn’t get to explore Celestial Park on day 1 so I was rushing around to see everything best I could during my limited time there. First off, the area is so well put together and very open. One thing about Epic Universe, the park is huge and there is a lot of room everywhere in Celestial Park. The fountain in this area is fantastic to just relax and watch the dancing water fountains. In the middle of the area you will notice a large building which houses one of their attractions and then you see a very large coaster track in the area. The attractions of Celestial Park are:

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Constellation Carousel – This is not your typical carousel, this is the future of carousels. You will go around and spin and even backwards at times. Unlike most carousels that only have horses, this one includes many different types of animals such as bears, lions and even dragons. The music can be different each time and an attraction to go on after the sun goes down as the lights make it even more cosmic.
Stardust Racers – On this coaster you will board a comet and race across to the furthest reaches of the stars. This coaster reaches speeds of 62 mph, has over 5,000 feet of track and heights of 133 feet. This ride is for the thrill seeker for sure!!

With this being the main area of the entire park, you have the most places to dine in one world. There are 11 food, snacks, and bars in Celestial Park. They are:

Atlantic – A full service Undersea Adventure, where everyone can enjoy exceptional seafood and steak while giant illuminated fish gracefully circle above you.
The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – At this full-service culinary journey across Asia. Step inside a bustling courtyard, where it’s always evening under the glow of ethereal lanterns.
The Oak & Star Tavern – A quick service where you feast on savory barbecue and cold beer around an ancient, starlight filled oak tree.
Pizza Moon – This snack & beverage stop proves the moon really IS made of cheese and pepperoni. The theme is a Victorian theater turned pizzeria, serving up applause worthy pizzas to hungry lunar visitors.
Meteor Astropub – A quick service where you can grab a quick bite and have a stellar time at this gastropub with a celestial twist.
Plastered Owl Bar – Amazing ales are on tap in this whimsical bar, named for a comical, celestial owl.
Star Sui Bao – Perched near Stardust Racers in Celestial Park, Star Sui Bao is an Asian food cart offering unique takes on the traditional steamed Asian bao bun.
Frosty Moon – Amid the pastoral pathways of Arcadia Garden in Celestial Park lies a bright and alluring ice cream stand known as Frosty Moon.
Comet Dogs – This quick service will let you treat your tastebuds to out-of-this world hot dogs with all the best toppings.
Celestiki – Another quick service which is the trendiest tiki bar in the cosmos! Glowing tiki faces greet explorers while they enjoy exotic drinks that can’t be found anywhere else in the universe.
Bar Zenith – The offbeat Bar Zenith serves up refreshingly curious beverages along with a view of Celestial Park’s extravagant fountain shows.

Want to do some shopping? There are many options in Celestial Park. The big store for the entire park is Other World’s Mercantile which is a collection of items from all the different worlds that make up Epic Universe. You also have Sensorium Emporium, Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, Lens Flare, and North Star Wintry Wonders.

I really enjoyed all of Celestial Park had to offer. If you want to ride things, they have them, if you are hungry there are plenty of food options and if you just want to sit and take a break for a bit there are lots of benches and areas to take a break, just try to find shade to escape the sun for a bit.

Afternoon – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

There was no doubt that when Universal announced Epic Universe there would be another area in their parks dedicated to Harry Potter. This one is set in 1920’s Paris. At the ceremony to open this world, fans were welcomed into the area by James and Oliver Phelps who played Fred and George Weasley in the films as well as Warrick Davis who has played 3 roles in the Harry Potter films. Once you pass through the portal and arrive in Paris you notice the large buildings, restaurants and store windows around the area. This area is so well themed it’s amazing. Everyone was making a dash for the main ride which is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. It’s so hard to explain how well the queue and attraction are done, so much to see you will find something new every time you get in line. You walk through a tunnel that transports you to the Ministry and it is astounding how big this building is. I couldn’t stop looking around with so much to see. The attraction is fantastic and not one to pass up. As with the other Harry Potter areas, you walk directly into the films and fully immerse yourself into it. There is only 1 ride in this area, and they also have a show to see. Don’t forget though, get your wand out as there are experiences all over for you to test your wizard skills.

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Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry – is probably the most technological ride I have ever seen. So much detail and an amazing attraction. You will ride it over and over and still see things you missed before.

The show, Le Cirque Arcanus, let’s you come face to face with fantastic beasts along with a spectacular mix of live performers, puppetry and special effects.

There are a few places to grab food while in this world. You can go to either of the 2 quick services which are Café L’air De La Sirène or Le Gobelet Noir. Just looking for a drink or snack, visit Bar Moonshine.

Need a new house robe, a wand or just a souvenir to bring back from this world? Visit Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique, Les Galeries Mirifiques, Tour En Floo and K. Rammelle.

This land is perfect for the biggest of Harry Potter fans. So much to see (like photos that talk to you) or trying to master your wizarding skills with your wand, you will find plenty of things to have fun with while visiting this world. I really enjoyed just walking around in this area and seeing all the detail that went into building it.

Evening – Super Nintendo World

Sadly, I couldn’t attend the opening of this portal, but I do know that Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong were all present to welcome guests. Here We Go! Upon entering the portal to travel to this world, you will take an escalator up and once up there you find yourself inside of the world of Mario. The world contains 2 lands within it. You have Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. There is honestly so much to see in this space and a lot for any fans no matter the age or if you played video games or not. You hear those familiar video game sounds play throughout the area and honestly amazing how much fun can be had in this world. I still can’t believe how all this was created so perfectly. You then see Bowsers Castle as you walk in the area and this building houses one of their attractions. There are 2 rides in Super Mario land and 1 in Donkey Kong Country.

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Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – If you have ever played Mario Kart or hear others playing it, this is where you step into the game and become one of the racers. This ride was so much fun and the technology is fantastic!
Yoshi’s Adventure – Join Yoshis and search for the glowing eggs as you travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes.
Mine-Cart Madness – On this coaster you must help Kong protect the Golden Banana. Be on the lookout though, it appears Kong got upset at some point and broke parts of the track and now you must jump from track to track.

There are also different character meet and greets in this land, so keep your eyes open to see who you can go and get a picture with.

Hungry? There are a few different options in this world. Toadstool Café is the only quick service in this area and was very well themed. They also have 3 snack & beverage locations to visit. They are The Bubbly Barrel, Yoshi’s Snack Island, and Turbo Boost Treats.

There are a whole lot of great merchandise in the stores and you’re going to want to see it all. You can visit 1-UP Factory, Mario Motors and Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy. To make the area even more fun, stop by one of the shops to purchase a Power Up Band that makes your experience even better.

Mario and the other characters have been huge fan favorites for kids of all ages. There is so much detail in all this area, and you will spend a lot of time in awe of how great this all looks!

In Closing

That really sums up everything I got to see and do while visiting Epic Universe. To me, it was honestly a lot of fun. I went into this visit with no expectations. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but after being there just for a little bit, I realized how fantastic this park is. Like all theme parks there is always things to improve, but for the most part, Universal’s Epic Universe is a fantastic place to go. There is so much for all the family to enjoy together. For me, I honestly can’t pick a favorite world over the others. They are all wonderful in their own way. I know sometimes you may go to a park and skip an area just because it’s not that interesting, but that is not the case here. Whenever I go to Epic Universe, I will be visiting each world and getting the most of my time. Something I wanted to mention, often when you get on certain rides you will need to lock up your possessions. The park has a very good storage locker system for your use while on an attraction. Instead of having to remember your locker number, there is a small camera over the locker control panel where you have your photo taken and this if you key to open the lockers. They also are 2 sided so as you leave you get your items on the other side of the wall so that there is no traffic jams with people leaving and coming onto the attraction. As far as my favorite attraction, I love Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Just an amazing ride and I went on it 5 times. My second favorite would have to be Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and then next would be Mine-Cart Madness. All the food I did get to sample was great and much better than typical theme park food. If I had to change anything about the park would be maybe a bit more shade in place, but if you look there are areas to escape the sun. There is a lot of buildings to go into also and just take a break from the heat. One thing I thought may create issues is when the park is at high capacity everyone comes in and out of the world through the same entrance. I didn’t notice other worlds that have it, but Dark Universe did have a exit but it’s essentially right next to the portal area.

Epic Review

In closing, Universal Epic Universe is a fantastic addition to central Florida and a great place to go while visiting the area. There is plenty to do for everyone in the family and I honestly can’t wait to go back and explore more and show it to my own family.

You May Also Enjoy: Epic Universe! Our Epic day at Universal’s New Park!

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Scott

Co-Owner / Webmaster / Business Relations / Writer
As co-owner and co-creator of The Main Street Mouse.Working in a technical support position for 18 years, it was time for a change.As the Webmaster and Project Planner, I spend most of my time researching everything from the latest Disney News, technology advances and of course keeping up on all the Marvel news that comes out.I never considered myself a writer but I’ve come to like blogging and sharing news with all.I feel blessed everyday that I get to spend my days working with my best friend and love of my life while we continue to grow and expand what started as a hobby all those years ago.

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My Epic Review of Universal Epic Universe

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Day 1 – First Up: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

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Day 2 – Dark Universe

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Midday – Celestial Park

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Afternoon – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

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Evening – Super Nintendo World

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In Closing

Our Official Travel Partner of The Main Street Mouse is MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel

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My Epic Review of Universal Epic Universe

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Day 1 – First Up: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

**Click any image to enlarge and won’t blurry

Day 2 – Dark Universe

**Click any image to enlarge and won’t blurry

Midday – Celestial Park

**Click any image to enlarge and won’t blurry

Afternoon – The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

**Click any image to enlarge and won’t blurry

Evening – Super Nintendo World

**Click any image to enlarge and won’t blurry

In Closing

Our Official Travel Partner of The Main Street Mouse is MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel

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