Inside Epic Universe: Our First Look at Universal’s Most Ambitious Park Yet
What happens when Universal goes all-in on immersion, storytelling, and next-gen attractions? You get Epic Universe—a theme park that’s as bold as its name suggests. In this episode of the Where We Roam Podcast, Dayna takes us behind the scenes of a passholder preview, sharing first impressions, pro tips, and why this park is unlike anything Universal has done before.
🌀 A Grand Entrance and Celestial Beginnings
Epic Universe opens with Celestial Park, a sprawling, wide-open hub that feels fresh, fantastical, and completely original. While this land doesn’t lean on intellectual property (IP) like the others, it dazzles with Jules Verne-inspired steampunk touches, shimmering fountains, and striking architecture.
Hot Take: It’s the Main Street of tomorrow—with a cosmic twist.
🎮 Super Nintendo World: A Power-Up in Nostalgia
Dayna’s family made a beeline for Super Nintendo World and the Donkey Kong Mine Cart ride. While the ride delivered thrills and impressive tech, it’s not without its bumps—literally. The jerky motion had Dayna seeing stars (and not just the Mario kind).
Yoshi’s Adventure charmed with its gentle pace, interactive elements, and elevated views of the land, while the mini-games and interactive bands added depth. For families and fans, this area is a major win.
Insider Tip: Rope drop Donkey Kong and consider using child swap to maximize your ride count.
🧟 Dark Universe: Classic Monsters, Modern Tech
If Diagon Alley had a goth cousin, it’d be Darkmoor. With roaming characters like The Invisible Man and a creepy violinist wandering the streets, this land is alive in the best way.
The standout? Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Think Forbidden Journey 2.0—improved screens, smooth motion, and jaw-dropping animatronics. It’s eerie but family-friendly, and the storytelling shines.
Ride Rating: 4 out of 5—groundbreaking execution that feels like a Universal game-changer.
🪄 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The portal to the Ministry of Magic is a showstopper. From immersive flume effects to an awe-inspiring reveal of 1920s Paris, Universal nails the theatricality. The ride itself, which combines elevator-style movement with arm-based tech, brings together both eras of the Wizarding World.
Yes, Harry, Hermione, and Umbridge are there—sort of. The magic is real, even if the actors aren’t.
Virtual Queue Pro Tip: Be in the park and ready to refresh like crazy at exactly 11:00 AM.
🍹 The Details Matter
Want a cocktail? You’ll have to venture back to Celestial Park. Beer and wine dominate most of the lands, but themed drinks await by the fountains—a perfect spot for watching the future nighttime show.
Foodies, rejoice: Toadstool Café is nearly identical to Hollywood’s version (in the best way), and every land has thoughtfully themed dining, even if time limits made Dayna skip a few.
🏨 The Helios Grand Hotel: Stay in the Action
Helios Grand isn’t just near the park—it’s practically in it. With Bellagio vibes and fountain views, this hotel promises one of the most immersive on-property experiences Universal has ever offered.
Final Thoughts:
Epic Universe is shaping up to be an industry-defining park, blending the immersive theming of Disney with the thrill and innovation of Universal. Whether you're a nostalgic gamer, a monster movie fan, or a wizard at heart—this park has a portal for you.
🎧 Want the full scoop, including ride ratings, behind-the-scenes insights, and Dayna’s hilarious Donkey Kong mishap?
👉 Listen to the episode now
📩 Ready to start planning your own Epic trip? Request a quote here