(NEXSTAR) – As Common Orlando Resort gears up for the extremely anticipated Might 22 opening of Epic Universe, it’s clear the resort is getting into a brand new period – one that might redefine what a theme park can provide households.
At the moment working in soft-opening take a look at phases, Epic Universe would be the first main theme park to debut in Central Florida since Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998.
Epic Universe is a set of 5 distinct, immersive worlds – every designed to move visitors deep into the tales they love.
The most effective Harry Potter-themed journey on the planet?
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic combines Nineteen Twenties Paris seen within the Improbable Beasts movies with the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter sequence.
The standout right here is Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry, a groundbreaking attraction the place you be a part of Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a mission via the Ministry to witness the trial of Dolores Umbridge. It’s the park’s crown jewel—full of next-gen know-how that rivals something presently working in a theme park.
Even the queue is a showstopper, with layered storytelling and visuals that construct anticipation. The journey’s omnidirectional elevator is a marvel, transporting riders via detailed units and fluid movement with out counting on 3D glasses.
The animatronics? A few of the finest Common has ever produced. Bodily units and display media are blended so seamlessly it’s laborious to know the place one ends and the opposite begins.
Simply across the nook, Le Cirque Arcanus is a stage present that includes magical beasts and performances impressed by the “Improbable Beasts” sequence. Even with out deep data of the franchise, I used to be completely impressed. It’s tight, dramatic, and visually putting—one thing many parks battle to execute persistently. It additionally options a couple of surprises that can go away you asking how they pulled it off.
They’ve … dragons
Step into How one can Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and also you’re immediately immersed in a vibrant, windswept Viking village full of dragons. This world may simply grow to be the fan-favorite for households—it is detailed, kinetic, and bursting with attraction at each flip.
The household coaster Hiccup’s Wing Gliders surprises with each its thrills and storytelling. The narrative follows Hiccup as he invents a brand new method for Vikings to fly—no dragon required. Onboard narration, rating, and animatronic characters full the expertise, leaving households grinning from ear to ear.
The world additionally options The Untrainable Dragon, arguably one of the best stage present presently operating in Orlando. Because the title suggests, it’s a few dragon that refuses to be tamed—till Hiccup steps in. The large second when Toothless takes flight over the viewers is pure theme park magic.
The world additionally options an interactive water attraction named Fyre Drill, a play space for youthful youngsters, and Dragon Racer’s Rally that encourages you to follow aerobatic maneuvers throughout managed barrel-rolls that permit you to resolve how a lot movement illness they wish to really feel (or not really feel).
It’s a world constructed with coronary heart and attraction however full of moments like assembly Toothless, encountering dragons all through the world, and perhaps … simply perhaps seeing a dragon fly overhead.
A Darkish, Darkish Universe of Monsters
In Darkish Universe, you get to discover the shadowy village of Darkmoor, residence to legendary Common monsters like Dracula, The Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster. An unique rating and wealthy world-building make this world really feel like a love letter to monster film followers.
On the heart of the world is the towering manor the place Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues her ancestors’ experiments. The story shortly spirals into chaos as her monstrous topics—together with The Mummy and the Creature from the Black Lagoon—revolt.
The pre-show alone is definitely worth the wait, because of a jaw-dropping, strolling Frankenstein animatronic that units the tone instantly.
The journey itself makes use of a KUKA robotic arm system (like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) to ship intense, sweeping movement via elaborate scenes. It’s full of scares and jaw-dropping results—although not solely shrouded in darkness, which barely undercuts the immersion in spots. Nonetheless, it hits the candy spot: thrilling however theme park-appropriate.
LET’S A GO!
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD invitations visitors to play alongside Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong—and it delivers on each stage (pun meant). After touring via a warp pipe and up an escalator, you emerge from Peach’s Citadel right into a residing Mario online game.
The world’s flagship journey, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem, is a high-tech AR darkish journey the place you race via iconic Nintendo programs, gather cash, and battle Staff Bowser. For one thing gentler, Yoshi’s Journey is a scenic journey via the Mushroom Kingdom at a mellow 1.1 mph, excellent for youthful visitors.
Donkey Kong Nation in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD introduces Mine-Cart Insanity, a groundbreaking curler coaster that simulates the expertise of leaping over gaps within the observe, paying homage to the basic Donkey Kong video video games. This revolutionary journey makes use of a singular “growth coaster” design to create the phantasm of leaping over damaged tracks. It’s a enjoyable journey — but it surely additionally provides kinetics to the world, making it simply as entertaining to observe family and friends zip across the observe as it’s to journey your self.
Whereas SUPER NINTENDO WORLD already exists in Hollywood, this would be the first time visitors visiting Common theme parks within the U.S. can journey Yoshi’s Journey and Mine-Cart Insanity, unique to Florida (each points of interest will also be discovered at Common Studios Japan).
Placing the “park” in theme park
Company first enter Epic Universe via the Chronos portal and into Celestial Park, a lush, garden-filled hub that hyperlinks the worlds and serves because the theme park’s connective tissue. Water options, open walkways, and meandering inexperienced areas make this space a welcome breather between portal adventures.
It’s additionally residence to 2 points of interest: Stardust Racers, a high-speed dual-launch coaster that hits over 60 mph and Constellation Carousel, a dreamy, elevated carousel excellent for households.
When the primary detailed have a look at Epic Universe was revealed final 12 months, Chairman and CEO of Common Locations & Experiences Mark Woodbury described Celestial Parokay as placing the “park” again in “theme park.”
Whereas a lot of the park’s landscaping is new and nonetheless filling in, the intent is evident—this can be a theme park that desires to provide you room to breathe and simply exist for a second.
A New Period for Common
Finally, Epic Universe seems like a daring experiment in park design—a portal-driven assortment of fandoms designed to ship deeply private experiences. This in the end marks a brand new period for Common, one which leans laborious into storytelling, immersion, and blockbuster IPs. Whereas theme park consultants estimate that the associated fee to construct Epic Universe exceeds $7 billion, Common has but to verify the precise price ticket for the park’s building.
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The How one can Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
An actor dressed as Astrid Hofferson, proper, with dragon Stormfly, performs within the How one can Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
Company journey the Hiccup’s Wing Gliders rollercoaster within the How one can Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
The Darkmoor Village within the Darkish Universe space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
The Darkmoor Village within the Darkish Universe space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
The Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry amusement journey within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
The Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry amusement journey within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
Company stroll previous the doorway to Donkey Kong Nation within the Tremendous Nintendo World space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
Company stroll via the Tremendous Nintendo World space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
A present store’s stained glass dome within the Tremendous Nintendo World space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
The Common Helios Grand Lodge on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
Company journey the Stardust Racers rollercoaster within the Celestial Park space, on the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos -
The doorway portal to the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Epic Universe, the $7 billion attraction from Comcast Corp.’s Common Resorts and Experiences division, gives 5 distinct lands and opens to the general public on Might 22. Photographer: Thomas Simonetti/Bloomberg through Getty Photos
Ticket costs for Epic Universe begin at $139 for adults and $134 for youngsters for a single-day go to. Nonetheless, throughout peak intervals, comparable to the vacation season, costs can climb to $199 for adults and $194 for youngsters, making probably the most in-demand days comparable in value to a single-day ticket at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
Common additionally sells Specific Passes, which permit visitors to skip the normal standby line – however these passes can value as much as $250 per day throughout busy seasons.
And this isn’t simply Common constructing a brand new park; it’s Common defining what it needs the way forward for its parks to be—world-class immersion, cutting-edge know-how, and fan service executed with precision. With tasks on the horizon in Texas and probably abroad, Epic Universe gives a preview of Common’s next-generation blueprint.
This can be a park constructed with followers in thoughts, and for many who uncover their favourite world behind one in every of its portals, it gained’t simply be a theme park day – it’ll be an epic day.
