Credit: Inside The MagicEpic Universe, Universal Orlando’s much-anticipated new theme park, is set to officially open its gates on May 22, 2025. Featuring five incredible lands—SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park—the park promises to be the next big thing in Orlando’s theme park scene. But before the grand opening, we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek during the park’s preview days.
Our first experience at Epic Universe was nothing short of thrilling, but it came with a surprising discovery about the new ride Stardust Racers that we never expected!
Related: “Influencer” Slammed For Breaking Epic Universe Filming Rules
The Journey Begins: Entering the Park
We arrived at the security entrance of Epic Universe and were immediately impressed by the beauty of the parking area, which was surrounded by lush florals and greenery.
The security check was smooth and efficient, situated right before the ticketing area, which was a pleasant surprise compared to the bottlenecking common in other parks. After a quick scan of our tickets, we were in! The Universal app proved to be a game-changer as we checked wait times, reviewed attraction closures, and planned our route.
Celestial Park: The Heart of Epic Universe
Our first stop was Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe, designed to be the grand entrance to the park. The massive tower of Chronos, with its intricate design and grand symbolism for each land, immediately drew our attention.
The land’s main attraction, Stardust Racers, is a dual-launch racing coaster that takes guests on a high-speed journey through the sky on comets, racing against friends and strangers alike. The ride instantly reminded us of Dueling Dragons, but with a smoother, more thrilling edge, comparable to VelociCoaster.
However, as we eagerly approached the ride, we were met with an unexpected rule: No pins or buttons allowed on Stardust Racers. Now, it’s not every day that you find out that your favorite pins—whether it’s a quirky Universal pin or a special button—have to be locked away in a locker before riding.
This rule isn’t something that is immediately explained by the team members during the initial spiel, and it took us a moment to realize that even those tiny, seemingly harmless accessories—like birthday buttons or souvenir pins—would have to be stashed away.
A Locker Surprise: No Pins, No Buttons!
It was a minor detail that threw us for a loop. As we walked towards the metal detectors, ready for the thrill of the coaster, a team member noticed the buttons pinned to our t-shirts and informed us that they would have to be stored in a locker before boarding.
We were a bit surprised, as this wasn’t something we’d encountered before. Though it wasn’t a huge inconvenience, it did mean heading back down the stairs to the lockers before rejoining the queue. If you’re a collector of pins or just love sporting a fun button, make sure to remove them ahead of time or be prepared for a quick trip back to the locker area.
Once we secured our pins in the lockers, we were able to enjoy Stardust Racers without any further issues. The ride itself did not disappoint! We rocketed through the skies on our comets, navigating sharp twists and thrilling launches.
It was easily one of the most exhilarating attractions we’ve experienced in recent years, and the discovery of the pin rule didn’t take away from the fun once we were settled in for the ride.
Exploring Celestial Park: More than Just Rides
After our coaster experience, we explored more of Celestial Park. One of the standout features here is the Constellation Carousel, a spinning ride that glides through the “Milky Way” in a dazzling display of lights and music. We were enchanted by its beauty and the way it blended storytelling with motion.
While the ride is a bit gentler than Stardust Racers, it’s perfect for those looking for a more relaxed experience while still soaking in the celestial wonder of the land.
We also took some time to check out Astronomica, an interactive wet-play area that doubles as a giant compass, pointing visitors toward the wonders of the park. The crystal blue fountains were a refreshing sight, and it was fun to watch guests interact with the water displays.
For a quick bite, we visited Atlantic, a full-service restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium with stunning views of Celestial Park. The ambiance was perfect for a mid-day break, offering a chance to sit down and unwind after the excitement of the attractions.
Dark Universe: A Spooky Adventure Awaits
After our adventure in Celestial Park, we made our way to Dark Universe, where the thrill factor ramped up even more. Entering through an electrifying portal, we were immediately immersed in a world of dark energy and classic Universal Monsters.
The main attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, was as terrifying as it was captivating, with advanced special effects and an eerie storyline that kept us on edge the entire time. We also enjoyed Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning coaster that provided a surprising level of excitement.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
Next, we made our way to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. This land is a fusion of the wizarding world from Fantastic Beasts and the Harry Potter series, offering an immersive experience for fans.
While we didn’t get to experience the main ride, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, we did walk through the attraction queue, which was detailed and full of magical surprises and is easily the best queue in Orlando, however when at capacity, this queue looks like it might be 8 hours long!
We also enjoyed the new live theater show, Le Cirque Arcanus, featuring aerialists, puppetry, and fantastic beasts. The show was dazzling and a unique addition to the park’s entertainment lineup.
Super Nintendo World
Of course, we couldn’t skip Super Nintendo World! Entering through the iconic green pipe, we were immediately transported to the colorful worlds of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong. The land is divided into two main areas: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country.
We absolutely loved the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a thrilling ride that uses augmented reality to immerse riders in a high-speed chase against Bowser. The mix of practical sets and digital projections was incredibly well done.
For those seeking a less intense experience, the Yoshi’s Adventure ride is a slow-moving omnimover that takes you on a relaxing journey above the land. While it’s not as thrilling as Mario Kart, it offers a fun way to view the world and adds to the overall experience.
How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk
Finally, we explored How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk. The Viking village and its dragons come to life in this colorful land. Highlights include Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a family-friendly coaster that offers thrilling twists and turns, and Fyre Drill, a water-based attraction where guests compete to put out fires with water cannons.
Both attractions were great fun, with Hiccup’s Wing Gliders being a standout for its smooth, enjoyable ride with stunning animatronic show scenes that will make it an unexpected hit among guests.
With so much to see and do, it’s clear that Epic Universe will offer something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of high-speed coasters, interactive play areas, or immersive themed environments. Our first trip to the park was filled with surprises, both big and small. And now that we’ve had a sneak peek, we can’t wait to return to explore even more of what this incredible park has to offer when it officially opens.