Disney's theme park business competitor Universal Orlando unveils first detailed look at Universal Epic Universe

Jan 30, 2024 in "Universal Orlando Resort"

Universal Epic Universe concept art
Posted: Tuesday January 30, 2024 8:51am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Universal Orlando Resort has unveiled its first official glimpse into its fourth Florida theme park - Universal Epic Universe, set to open in Summer 2025.

Today we get a first look at Celestial Park – the heart of Universal Epic Universe and the first world guests will encounter at the new theme park. More details about Universal Epic Universe – including the debut of an interactive preview center at Universal CityWalk later this year that will offer a sneak peek at the new theme park – will be revealed in the months ahead.

CELESTIAL PARK

As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they'll embark on a journey through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements. Here, guests can relax while taking in the sights and sounds around them, board a shooting comet for a roller coaster adventure, dine, shop, and more.

PORTALS TO OTHER EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS

Plus, Celestial Park will be the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe. Through a set of portals that capture the imagination and creativity of each world, guests will embark on a transformative experience as they journey from Celestial Park to:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, where guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures' Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, where guests will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as they step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, where guests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon film franchise.

Dark Universe, where guests encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.

CELESTIAL PARK ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES

 

Here are additional details about some of the other experiences at Celestial Park:

Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who's the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Starfall Racers will be Epic Universe's most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the "Celestial Spin," in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air – creating an "out-of-this-world" adrenaline rush.

Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.

Astronomica, an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests.

An array of unique dining experiences ranging from full-service restaurants to quick-service locations that offer something for every palate, including Atlantic – a full-service "surf and turf" restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium complete with captivating views of Celestial Park; and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – where diners take a culinary journey across Asia as they enjoy authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare in this full-service restaurant accented with neon dragons and ethereal lanterns. Additional "must-eat" locations within Celestial Park include The Oak & Star Tavern, where guests can enjoy savory barbecue, Pizza Moon, which will serve up a tasty menu featuring a variety of pizzas, and more.



Detailed retail locations, including the Nintendo Super Star Store, where guests can shop an assortment of merchandise themed to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, where guests can satisfy their cravings with a unique selection of sweet treats, and more.

Entertainment, including various fountain shows throughout Celestial Park's seven acres of water where a multitude of fountains sway, dance – and even reach heights up to 135 feet in the air – to music and interactive lighting from day to night.

And located inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite – complete with 500 rooms, one-of-a-kind views and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park.

Stay tuned for more Universal Epic Universe details in the coming months.

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Rich Brownn2 hours ago

Each land has a separate entrance and exit. The exits are the open areas to the side of the portals with the rectangular "guard shack"

J45468 hours ago

This park looks great but Im kinda iffy about each world having 1 entrance/exit. Im not a fan of dead ends and I really like how at DL the lands have multiple entrances and exits and loop around

WDWFREAK538 hours ago

To me, the more "quaint" feel of Universal vs. the expansive WDW is nicer for a "theme park-centric" vacation. When staying on property at WDW...if you're visiting all 4 parks and solely using Disney transportation, it's not convenient. If I'm at the Poly and want to go to Animal Kingdom, it's not exactly a short trip. From waiting for a bus to arrive, to the actual drive time, there is a reason Disney tells you to leave an hour of travel time to get to your ADR. Skyliner does help immensely for those resorts/parks that can utilize it. Universal seems like it's all right there no matter which resort you stay in (maybe less so with Endless Summer). I will definitely admit that when you enter the gates of WDW, it does feel like you're in a different place and you're not just at a resort filled with theme parks and hotels. While I'm at it...driving to Magic Kingdom could be the worst of them all. It could take an hour to get through the gates after you park!

JoeCamel8 hours ago

Which is not the point that was being discussed? It was nice 15 minute shady garden walk vs a "hike" and others started with the comparisons of shade to hot and open then others started with the transport options. Subject was walking vs hiking

OG Runner8 hours ago

They were mentioning a walk to the Magic Kingdom was hot with no shade and the response was there is the monorail or a boat. Just that.

JoeCamel8 hours ago

Nor does Universal but we were talking about walking

Centauri Space Station9 hours ago

That GF doesn’t just make you walk?

JoeCamel21 hours ago

Bus and boat options at Universal, what was the point?

Centauri Space Station22 hours ago

There’s a monorail and boat option there

MisterPenguin3 days ago

I said I take the path. I walk it. I know it. I'm not decrying it as too long or too burdensome for me. I don't know what you think you're arguing against, but it's not me or anything I said. Good day.

Andrew253 days ago

For those with children and mobility issues, Universal provides fantastic and quick bus service that gets you to the bus hub in ~8 minutes. The walk from the Grand Flo to MK is shorter yet a more miserable walk in the sun with no shade.

MisterPenguin3 days ago

🙄

JoeCamel3 days ago

If you are going to a theme park and can't walk 15 minutes outside........

Andrew253 days ago

Calling the garden walks at UOR a hike is hilarious. You do more walking in 30 minutes at the park than the garden walk. It's also heavily landscaped and mostly shaded. There are times you forget you are only a mere few feet away from the street. In terms of walkability at the Epic/south campus, I'd imagine a walking bridge is a phase 2 project whenever they finalize what to do long-term at the resort. Universal understand how crucial it is to have a "compact" resort that is easily walkable.