Incident Sends Guests Fleeing at Epic Universe, Is the Park Actually Ready To Open?

Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is nearly ready for liftoff. The sprawling new theme park—billed as a game-changer for Central Florida tourism—is scheduled to open to the public on May 22. But as preview events continue for select guests, a few early warning signs have made it clear: the countdown may need a little more time.

A test of the park’s signature fountain show in Celestial Park erupted into something less than magical when a water jet misfired and sent a powerful stream into the crowd. Videos captured the soaked aftermath and quickly spread across social media, prompting speculation over the park’s readiness.

A Splash of Criticism for Epic Universe

“A rogue fountain fired into the crowd tonight in Celestial Park. It was worse before this and the guests in this area scattered 😂,” one guest posted, summarizing a chaotic moment during the Cosmos Fountain Show. The spectacle—meant to showcase Epic Universe’s kinetic centerpiece—ended with drenched guests and some hasty retreats.

The incident, while seemingly harmless, sparked debate over whether Universal has ironed out enough issues to launch a full public debut. “I’m sorry but this park is not ready for grand opening next week lol,” said one user on X, formerly known as Twitter. (For the record, the official opening isn’t next week—it’s May 22.)

Still, comparisons to past openings offered a bit of levity. “Let us all remember the condition Disneyland was in on opening day,” one commenter said. “Epic is just carrying on tradition.” Others pointed out that Disney’s own World of Color show at California Adventure has a history of misfiring fountains as well: “World of Color at Disneyland has a couple of ones that go rogue. It’s fun being in the wet zone.”

A rogue fountain fired into the crowd tonight in Celestial Park. It was worse before this and the guests in this area scattered 😂

A rogue fountain fired into the crowd tonight in Celestial Park. It was worse before this and the guests in this area scattered 😂 pic.twitter.com/evpvk8lInb

— Universal Parks News Today (@UniNewsToday) May 10, 2025

Big Bets and Bigger Expectations at Epic Universe

The stakes are high for Epic Universe, which represents Universal’s boldest investment in decades. The park adds a fourth gate to the Orlando resort and introduces five immersive lands, each linked by a central hub—Celestial Park—designed as both an orientation point and attraction showcase.

Guests enter through Celestial Park, where they’ll find the dual-track racing coaster Stardust Racers and the whimsical Constellation Carousel. This open garden-like space leads to four distinct worlds, accessed through themed portals that echo the layout of Universal Studios Japan.

In SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, guests step into the pixelated world of Mario, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. The land features Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an AR-enhanced dark ride; Mine-Cart Madness, a Donkey Kong-themed coaster; and Yoshi’s Adventure, a slower-moving omnimover ideal for younger visitors.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic draws from both the original Potter films and the “Fantastic Beasts” series, centering on a flagship attraction called Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Guests can also experience a live magical performance at Le Cirque Arcanus.

The Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon brings a Viking coastal village to life, complete with rides like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and the splash-filled Fyre Drill. A puppet-filled live show called The Untrainable Dragon offers another draw for families.

Dark Universe, meanwhile, takes a sharp turn into horror. Featuring monsters from Universal’s classic vault, the land includes the groundbreaking Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a high-tech KUKA-arm dark ride, and Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning coaster through dark forest terrain. Dining locations like Das Stakehaus and The Burning Blade Tavern reinforce the land’s eerie aesthetic.

As technical rehearsals continue, Universal appears committed to resolving issues on the fly. With less than two weeks to go, the pressure is mounting to deliver a seamless opening. If early glitches like the fountain misfire are any indication, guests should come prepared—for both thrills and the occasional splash.

Are you excited for Epic Universe?