Epic Universe: A Comprehensive Review

From the moment I stepped into Celestial Park – the first of the five lands that make up Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe – there was an undeniable sense of wonder that enveloped me. Ahead lay four portals to fictional universes I’d long dreamed of exploring, each filled with magic, monsters, dragons, and even plumbers. While the journey to these realms isn't without its stumbles, Epic Universe truly lives up to its name, offering an immersive experience that surpasses expectations.

What I’ll remember most about my time at Epic Universe won’t be the attractions themselves – with the exception of the animatronics-filled graveyard smash, Monsters Unchained, which has firmly established itself as one of the best rides in the world – but the immersive moments that transported me from Orlando straight into the heart of these beloved stories. Where else could I gain the trust of How to Train Your Dragon’s Toothless, help Dr. Frankenstein capture Dracula, leap into the Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country, or travel back to the Wizarding Worlds of 1920s Paris and 1990s London? Only at Epic Universe, and that’s why it’s an absolute must-visit.

Super Nintendo World

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Super Nintendo World and its Donkey Kong Country area have already debuted in other Universal parks, so there isn’t much new in Epic Universe’s Mario and Donkey Kong-themed land. However, this doesn't detract from its impressiveness or excitement. As someone whose journey to writing for IGN began with countless cherished late nights finishing Super Mario World with my mom, stepping into a recreation of Mario’s world was nothing short of incredible.

Emerging from the portal from Celestial Park to Super Nintendo World – shaped, naturally, like a Warp Pipe (complete with sound effects) – felt like returning to a familiar place, rather than entering a new one. The flagpole atop Mount Beanpole with its spinning coins, menacing Thwomps, Koopas, and stack of Goombas; Peach’s Castle, with paintings beckoning me to jump into them just as in Super Mario 64; the K-O-N-G letters scattered around Donkey Kong Country that I could collect as in the games – all are masterfully translated from video game to real life.

And the Question Blocks! Guests can turn Super Nintendo World into a game by purchasing a Power-Up Band to collect digital coins, stamps, and keys across the land, but even without one, you can still interact with environmental elements like the Question Blocks. It felt as though I’ve been training my whole life to jump up and punch one of these immaculately designed, illuminated cubes – the epitome of the immersive moments I live for at theme parks.

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

I was struck by the meticulous details and Easter Eggs packed into every corner of Super Nintendo World. From Pikmin hiding in plain sight to a Yoshi’s Story book in a queue, there are countless nods to Nintendo’s rich history, especially while waiting for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. There’s even an underground-like area where you can use your Power-Up Band to make an 8-bit, Super Mario Bros.-style Mario pop up.

In a surprising twist, I found the land’s attractions to be its weakest part. They’re not bad, but Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure, and Mine-Cart Madness each left me wanting more. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge lacked the sense of speed I craved, and the AR glasses restricted my field of vision, detracting from the experience. Yoshi’s Adventure boasts the most adorable queue but is painfully slow, leaving me baking in the Orlando sun for too long. Mine-Cart Madness is a bit rough, and sitting in the back of the four-person cart makes the ride’s signature track jumping illusion less impactful.

The rides have their merits, but nothing compares to the joy of simply exploring Super Nintendo World. I also want to highlight the land’s accessibility, given the abundance of stairs. Thankfully, elevators are plentiful – a feature consistent throughout the park and its attractions.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Reaching out my hand, the life-size animatronic extended his head to meet me in an act of understanding. His eyes closed, and he made sounds of approval. It felt like I was actually petting a living, breathing dragon.

The Toothless meet and greet at Epic Universe’s How to Train Your Dragon-themed land, Isle of Berk, is undoubtedly the greatest character encounter I’ve ever had at a theme park. The animated figure responds in real time to guests' actions, displaying an astounding level of expressiveness. It’s some of the most impressive technology I’ve seen, and easily the highlight of my entire visit. To top it off, I was guided through it by a character actor delivering a spot-on rendition of Toothless’ companion and rider, the young Viking Hiccup. His fellow dragon riders Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Gobber are also present, adding humor and charm to the land.

Berk is brought to life with its vibrant colors, mischievous dragons, and hilariously adorable sheep. The presence of water adds to the aesthetic and plays an integral part in the star attraction, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which was my second-favorite ride of the trip and my pick for the best family coaster in the park.

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders takes you on a tour of Berk via a winged flying machine designed by Hiccup. It’s a thrilling and smooth ride, never overwhelming or inducing motion sickness. John Powell’s masterful How to Train Your Dragon score kicks in at the perfect moment, adding to the sense of soaring through the sky and filling my heart with joy.

By comparison, Isle of Berk’s other two attractions, Dragon Racer’s Rally and Fyre Drill, are more laid-back. Dragon Racer’s Rally allows you to control the ride vehicle with levers, but it didn’t feel like flying, and there was a noticeable lack of music, which I hope was just a glitch. Fyre Drill, with its cutouts of dragons and humans from the movies, is adorable but slow, with water guns that could use more power. These will likely be more enjoyable for younger guests, but they lack the qualities that might appeal to all ages.

For those younger guests, Isle of Berk also features a fantastic multilevel playground, offering the best view of the entire land. Theme parks often lack open areas for kids to play, but not here – I can imagine stopping by the playground during a long day to let my kids expend some energy.

Some of the wonder from the Toothless meet-and-greet is replicated in Isle of Berk’s big live show, The Untrainable Dragon, featuring colorful, expressive, massive dragons. The craft and technique on display are breathtaking, though the story itself left something to be desired. Still, it’s worth the time to see these dragons come to life.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Much of the early buzz about Epic Universe’s Harry Potter land focused on the Battle at the Ministry and its jaw-dropping queue, but it was the glimpses of 1920s Paris’ Wizarding World that surprised me in the best ways.

The land is stunning. It truly felt as though I’d traveled back in time and across the Atlantic – a sensation best captured by my lunch at Café L’air De La Sirène. As I sat at an outdoor table enjoying French onion soup and a butterbeer crepe, I was in Paris. I could have spent all day there, watching the people go by and listening to the fantastic live band accompanied by Plume, the adorable Puffskein.

The ambience, towering buildings, and character actors in their 1920s finery were all so transporting. This extended into the best show in all of Epic Universe, Le Cirque Arcanus. Without spoiling too much, this show is filled with fantastic beasts, supremely talented live performers, and various Potterverse flourishes that had me laughing, amazed, and even tearing up at moments. A must-see.

What didn’t work as well, sadly, were the interactive wand experiences that had me casting spells, making instruments perform, or shutting suitcases. In theory, at least: I may just be a weak wizard, but it took me at least two to three tries to get my spells to work each time, which was a bit frustrating! Oh well, back to Hogwarts for me!

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

I’ll also gladly add to the ever-growing chorus praising the queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Its scale, lighting, and detail are unmatched by any other attraction. The only thing that might compare is stepping aboard the Star Destroyer in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – but, despite my massive Star Wars fandom, I have to give the slight edge to Battle at the Ministry.

Leaving Paris behind through the Métro-Floo, a plume of green smoke transports you to the hub of magical governance in 1990s London. Beyond the sheer scale of the place, I was disarmed by the actual offices adorning the atrium, the reception booths where visitors check in, the Daily Prophet newspapers to read, and even moving wanted posters that set the scene for the ride’s centerpiece event, the trial of Voldemort’s stooge and despised Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Dolores Umbridge.

It’s also important to note that the queue itself is very long. IGN’s Casey DeFreitas had a chance to check out Battle at the Ministry at a preview event and noted that it took her about 1,300 steps – roughly 20 minutes – to get from the ride entrance area to the boarding area. Universal is clearly expecting big lines for this ride, and it has built the space to accommodate that.

Perhaps there’s a reason so much attention is being paid to the queue: While the ride itself is impressive and pulls off similar illusions of scale, it’s very jerky and relies heavily on video screens that sometimes don’t look great. There are some memorable moments, and fans of Harry Potter will have a lot to look forward to, but I tend to prefer more practical effects-driven rides that guide you through a space. The Tower of Terror-like mechanics of Battle at the Ministry pull off some remarkable spectacle, but there are better rides to be found in Epic Universe.

Dark Universe

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Before my trip to Epic Universe, Dark Universe was the land I felt least attached to – the classic Universal Monsters just haven’t been a part of my life the way Mario and How to Train Your Dragon have. Yet, it ended up making the biggest impression on me, because the land’s marquee attraction is one of the greatest rides I’ve ever experienced, hands down.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment gives Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and their creepy cohorts a moment in the spotlight, and it’s a thrilling ride that isn’t too scary. Sure, there’s plenty of intensity and exhilaration, but this isn’t a ride with a high barrier to entry fear-wise – it’s more entertaining, through and through.

I had the biggest smile on my face for the entire ride: Though there are some video screens, they transition seamlessly into some marvelous animatronics of Drac and the gang. I was able to ride it four times in a row without feeling sick or jostled. This is the undisputed champion of Epic Universe’s opening-day attractions.

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Monsters Unchained is joined by Curse of the Werewolf, a very fun spinning roller coaster that sends riders fleeing from werewolves in a forest. My favorite part is that you sit back to back with two other guests, allowing me to see other guests’ reactions and laughter (and vice versa). It’s a distinct feature that adds to the thrill of the ride. It’s a bit more aggressive and bumpy than Monsters Unchained, but still manageable for most people.

However, Dark Universe is the one land where the attractions overshadow their surroundings. There’s still some great atmosphere in the village of Darkmoor – the imposing Frankenstein Manor façade of Monsters Unchained, the Burning Blade Tavern with its windmill that actually catches fire – but it’s hard to be spooked in the middle of a blistering hot Orlando day with a ton of theme park guests around you. That changes a little after the sun goes down, but being around so many people still takes some of the dread out of walking the village streets.

I didn’t mind running into so many great meet-and-greets, though. Come prepared to be roasted by mad scientist’s assistant Ygor, pay your respects to Frankenstein’s Monster and his bride, or be serenaded by a haunting violin player. Kudos to Universal Parks and Resorts casting: They’ve populated Epic Universe with top-notch character actors who contribute as much to the immersion as any flaming windmill blade or winding Ministry of Magic corridor.

Celestial Park

Image Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

Celestial Park is more than just a stopover on the way to the more familiar lands of Epic Universe.

As the name suggests, it has a cosmic feel all its own, which informs its shops, restaurants, and rides like the phenomenal Stardust Racers. This dueling coaster sends you soaring upside down and rightside up across Celestial Park, inducing free-fall feelings and thrills that give Islands of Adventure’s VelociCoaster a run for its money. The twin-track system lends a sense of competition and coordination to Stardust Racers, a chaotic element that leads to surprises like seeing your fellow riders speeding overhead or matching your speed around a loop.

IGN’s Casey DeFreitas also picked Stardust Racers as a highlight of her pre-opening trip to Epic Universe. You can read about the 12 coolest things she saw at Epic Universe, including the Donkey Kong-themed float and mug, how fragrant Gardenias contribute to the atmosphere, and why she didn’t mind being spit on by The Wolf Man.

While it’s great at any time of day, Stardust Racers really shines at night. Even from afar, the dueling coasters look like shooting stars in the sky; being on one of those shooting stars in the dark adds a whole new layer to the ride. Nighttime is also the best time to ride the other attraction in this land, Constellation Carousel. It’s a slow ride, as merry-go-rounds usually are, but it’s still a fun dance amongst the stars and a good way to cool down for a moment or take a break from the more intense rides. My one gripe is that the abundant pillars and beams of the ride building block what could’ve been a gorgeous panoramic view of Celestial Park.

Beyond massive fountains and giant sculptures and the themed portals to the other lands, Celestial Park is also a place with a ton of open space for kids to run around. There’s very little shade in these areas, though, and that’s a problem with Epic Universe as a whole. Temperatures were in the 90s the whole time I was at Epic Universe, and there are very few places in the park to escape the sun. Make sure to pack a lot of sunscreen and map out some indoor spots where you can take a break – or plan your trip for the cooler months of the year.