Epic Universe Unveils the Future of Theme Parks with a Time-Traveling Portal

(NEXSTAR) — With the eagerly awaited grand opening of Epic Universe set for May 22, Universal Orlando Resort appears ready to embark on a new chapter. This development has the potential to reshape the theme park experience for family visitors.

Epic Universe is currently undergoing soft opening tests and will be the inaugural major theme park to open in Central Florida since Disney’s Animal Kingdom launched in 1998.

The Epic Universe consists of five unique, engaging realms—each crafted to immerse visitors deeply within their favorite tales.

Is the top-notch Harry Potter-themed attraction on Earth perhaps this one?

TheWizardingWorldofHarryPotter–MinistryofMagic merges 1920s Paris as depicted in the Fantastic Beasts movies featuring the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

The standout here is Harry Potter and the Fight at the Ministry , an innovative attraction where you team up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione on a quest through the Ministry to attend the trial of Dolores Umbridge. This exhibit stands as the pinnacle of the park, featuring cutting-edge technology that surpasses most current attractions in theme parks.

The line itself is impressive, featuring intricate narratives and visual elements that create excitement. The attraction’s all-directions lift takes visitors through elaborate scenes and seamless movements without needing 3D eyewear.

The animatronics? Among the finest creations from Universal Studios. The physical sets and digital screens integrate so flawlessly that it becomes challenging to distinguish between them.

Just around the corner, Le Cirque Arcanus It's a theatrical production showcasing magical creatures along with acts inspired by the "Fantastic Beasts" series. Despite not being deeply familiar with the franchise, I found myself highly entertained. The show is well-executed, full of drama, and has stunning visuals—a combination that numerous theme parks often find challenging to maintain uniformly. Additionally, it includes several unexpected elements that might make you wonder about their execution methods.

They have … dragons

Step into How to Train Your Dragon: The Isle of Berk As soon as you enter, you find yourself in a lively, wind-swept Viking village teeming with dragons. It could easily capture the hearts of families—this world is richly detailed, full of dynamic energy, and brimming with appeal around each corner.

The family coaster Hiccup’s Wing Gliders The story delights with its excitement and narrative prowess. It tracks Hiccup’s journey as he devises a novel method for Vikings to take flight without dragons. Through onboard narration, musical score, and animated characters, the tale culminates in an enjoyable adventure that leaves audiences beaming widely.

The world also features The Untrainable Dragon , widely regarded as the top live performance currently showing in Orlando. The production revolves around a dragon that resists domestication until Hiccup intervenes. The spectacular scene where Toothless soars overhead creates an enchanting experience reminiscent of the magic found in theme parks.

The world also includes an interactive water feature called Fyre Drill, a play area for younger children, and Dragon Racer’s Rally that encourages you to practice aerobatic maneuvers during controlled barrel-rolls that allow you to decide how much motion sickness they want to feel (or not feel).

It’s a world built with heart and charm but filled with moments like meeting Toothless, encountering dragons throughout the world, and maybe … just maybe seeing a dragon fly overhead.

A Deep, Deep Cosmos of Creatures

In Dark Universe , you have the opportunity to delve into the mysterious town of Darkmoor, which is inhabited by iconic Universal Monsters such as Dracula, The Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster. A custom soundtrack and immersive world-building transform this universe into a heartfelt tribute for aficionados of monster movies.

In the heart of everything stands the immense mansion where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein carries on with her forefathers' experiments. Soon, the narrative plunges into turmoil when her grotesque creations—a mummified being and the beast from the Black Lagoon among them—rise up against her.

The preshow experience alone makes the wait worthwhile, largely due to an astonishing, walk-by Frankenstein animatronic that establishes the mood right from the start.

The attraction utilizes a KUKA robotic arm system similar to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ) to create dramatic, wide-ranging movements across intricate settings. The film is brimming with frights and spectacular visual effects—although it doesn’t remain completely dark, which somewhat diminishes the sense of being fully immersed at times. Nonetheless, it strikes the perfect balance: exciting yet suitable for a theme park attraction.

LET’S A GO!

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD welcomes players to join forces with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong—and excels at doing so across all levels (quite fittingly). Upon traversing through a warp pipe and ascending via an escalator, you exit out of Peach’s Castle directly into a vibrant, interactive Mario universe.

The world’s flagship ride, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is an advanced augmented reality attraction where you speed through famous Nintendo tracks, gather coins, and clash with Team Bowser. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, Yoshi’s Adventure It's a picturesque journey through the Mushroom Kingdom at a leisurely pace of 1.1 mph, ideal for our younger visitors.

Donkey Kong Country in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD introduces Mine-Cart Madness This revolutionary roller coaster offers an exhilarating experience akin to navigating jumps across gaps, much like scenes from the iconic "Donkey Kong" video games. The attraction employs a distinctive 'boom coaster' mechanism to craft the appearance of soaring over missing sections of the track. Not only does this provide an exciting journey for riders, but it transforms spectators into eager observers too, equally thrilled watching their loved ones race along the course.

While SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Already present in Hollywood, this will mark the initial opportunity for visitors exploring Universal theme parks within the U.S. to experience these rides. Yoshi’s Adventure and Mine-Cart Madness , exclusive to Florida (these attractions can also be found at Universal Studios Japan).

Including the "Park" in Theme Park

Visitors initially access Epic Universe through the Chronos portal and into Celestial Park , an abundant oasis brimming with gardens that serve as a central nexus connecting different realms and acting as the thematic backbone of the attraction. Features such as water elements, expansive pathways, and winding green spaces transform this zone into a refreshing respite amidst thrilling dimensional journeys.

It also houses two attractions: Stardust Racers , a high-speed dual-launch roller coaster that accelerates to more than 60 mph and Constellation Carousel , a dreamy, elevated carousel perfect for families.

When the initial comprehensive glimpse into Epic Universe was unveiled last year, Mark Woodbury, who serves as both the Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, provided his insights. Celestial Par K, as in restoring the "park" element in "theme park."

Although most of the park's landscaping is recent and continues to grow in, the purpose is evident—it aims to be a theme park where you can have space to relax and simply be for a bit.

A New Chapter for Global Advancement

In essence, Epic Universe seems like an ambitious venture in amusement park creation—an ensemble of fan-favorite franchises connected through portals aimed at crafting highly personalized encounters. This initiative essentially signals a fresh chapter for Universal, emphasizing narrative, immersive environments, and major intellectual properties. Although industry insiders approximate the development costs for Epic Universe to surpass $7 billion, Universal hasn’t officially disclosed the precise financial investment required for this project.

The cost of tickets for Epic Universe begins at $139 for adults and $134 for children for a one-day entry. During high seasons like holidays, however, these prices may rise up to $199 for adults and $194 for children, putting the busiest days' pricing on par with a single-day admission to Magic Kingdom within Walt Disney World.

Universal also sells Express Passes, which allow guests to skip the traditional standby line – but those passes can cost up to $250 per day during busy seasons.

This goes beyond simply constructing a new theme park for Universal; it represents their vision for the future direction of all their parks, emphasizing world-class immersion, advanced technology, and meticulously delivered fan service. Given upcoming developments planned for locations like Texas and possibly international sites, Epic Universe serves as an early glimpse into Universal’s innovative template for amusement parks ahead.

This park was designed with enthusiasts in mind, and for those who uncover their beloved universe through one of its gateways, it won't merely be a day at a theme park—it will be an unforgettable adventure.

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