Epic Universe: Everything We Know About The New Park Coming To Universal Orlando

Epic Universe Chronos gate concept art
(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

While most of the attention in the theme park business goes to Disney, over the last several years Universal Parks and Resorts has spent a lot of time and money to build a strong theme park presence of its own. Universal has several different themed entertainment projects in various stages of development, but the biggest and most exciting of them is Epic Universe, the massive third theme park set to become part of the Universal Orlando Resort.

A lot about what Epic Universe will be is still a mystery, but between what Universal Experiences & Destinations have revealed, along with some very reliable rumors we can paint a pretty complete picture of what appears to be on the way. Here's everything we know about Epic Universe.

Epic Universe concept art

(Image credit: Universal Parks and Resorts)

When Will Epic Universe Open?

Building an entirely new theme park is no simple task. It was always going to take time. When a global pandemic hit just as construction got underway, things stalled out, and for a hot minute, we thought the entire Epic Universe project might get scrapped. Luckily construction did restart and Epic Universe is eyeing a 2025 opening.

When in 2025 Epic Universe will open is unknown, but we can make some educated assumptions. Both of the last two Universal Orlando park openings, the Volcano Bay water park and the lslands of Adventure theme park, opened in May, and the summer vacation season is something the new theme park won't want to miss. It seems likely that if Epic Universe opens any later than that, it will only be because of unavoidable delays. It's possible, if everything goes according to, or ahead of, schedule that the park could open earlier in 2025. Certainly Universal will want to open it as soon as possible in order to start recouping that investment.

Epic Universe concept art

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resortq)

Celestial Gardens

The most exciting part of Epic Universe may be the land that isn't part of a major movie franchise. Celestial Gardens will be the land all guests walk into as they enter Epic Universe. This park will use the classic hub and spoke design pioneered by Disneyland, with different portals leading off from Celestial Gardens into the other lands of the park.

But unlike most theme park entrances, Celestial Gardens won’t just be filled with snack and gift shops, it will also have attractions of its very own. Starfall Racers will be the park’s marquee thrill ride, a dual launch coaster that will fly at 62 mph down 5,000 feet of track. It will also include an inverted criss-cross of the two racing vehicles. 

A second attraction in this land called Constellation Carousel, will have guests flying and spinning through the air. It appears to be a traditional carousel taken to a new level by using multiple rotating platforms, as well as the ability to move vertically. Astronomica is a wet play area full of fountains that will help guests cool off in the heat.  

Celestial Gardens will also have plenty of places to eat. Atlantic will be a full-service restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium. The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant will combine Chinese, Japanese and Thai in a full-service restaurant. The Oak and Star Tavern will offer barbecue. Pizza Moon provides pizza, and Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets will offer confections to satisfy your sweet tooth. Finally, the Nintendo Super Star Store will offer additional merchandise from Super Nintendo World.

One very unique thing about Celestial Gardens that has been rumored, but not yet confirmed, is that the land might, either permanently or at certain times, see Celestial Gardens open to the general public, with only the other lands requiring tickets.

Pirahna Plant activity at Super Nintendo World

(Image credit: Universal Studios Hollywood)

Super Nintendo World

Before most of Epic Universe had ever been discussed, the one land that we knew was coming to the new park was Super Nintendo World. Nintendo and Universal signed a deal to bring Nintendo-themed attractions to Universal Parks several years ago and what was initially expected to be part of an expansion to one of the existing parks is instead going to be the centerpiece of the new one.

Japan’s Universal Studios was the first park to get the new land, followed by Super Nintendo World coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. While the list of attractions in the land are not confirmed it’s expected that the new land will include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, the same AR dark ride found at the other two parks, as well as Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness, the roller coaster currently under construction at Universal Studios Japan. An Omnimovier Yoshi attraction has also been spotted by Orlando ParkStop. The Toadstool Cafe is also expected to be included and the same Power Up Bands that allow guests to interact with the lands game elements will also be available.

Hiccup in How To Train Your Dragon.

(Image credit: DreamWorks Pictures)

How To Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk

Nintendo will be a huge addition to Universal's new park, but Universal has a lot of its own brands and franchises that you can be sure it's going to want to spotlight inside the parks, the synergy between theme parks and movies, and one's ability to promote the other, is one of the main reasons these places even exist. As such, one of the new lands coming to Epic Universe is reported to be one based on the popular Dreamworks Animation franchise How to Train Your Dragon.

Permits taken out for the construction and revealed by Orlando Park Stop indicate several potential attractions that are on the way for the new land. A Sky Fly flat ride and a “dragon riding” family roller coaster are two of the rumored attractions. A play area of some kind is planned and there's also a water area that is expected to include a Viking boat ride where riders will attack other ride vehicles with water cannons. A live stage show is expected to go inside one show building and a Great Hall restaurant location is also planned.

Dark Universe concept art, Epic Universe trailer

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

Dark Universe

Long before the MCU, Universal basically invented the cinematic universe concept with its roster of classic monsters, like Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, The Mummy, and The Wolfman. And while the attempt to make a Dark Universe failed in theaters, that name is being reused for the home of Universal’s Monsters at Epic Universe

As with the other lands, nothing official has been revealed about what will be inside Dark Universe, but rumors indicate the Burning Blade Tavern, inside a windmill covered in fire effects, will be located near the land’s entrance. The land will also include the Curse of the Werewolf spinning roller coaster, as seen by Orlando ParkStop, and a dark ride that will include all of Universal’s monster characters, expected to be called Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. One interesting item that has been confirmed by Universal is that the Dr. Frankenstein in this land is not named Victor, but Victoria.

Eddie Redmayne in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has lands in both of the other Universal theme parks, so it would be conspicuous by its absence if it wasn't here too. This version of the Wizarding World will be a bit different, as it will take combined inspiration from both the original Harry Potter films and the more recent Fantastic Beasts series.

Reportedly originally planned as a Fantastic Beasts-themed land, later reports indicated it might just go with more Harry Potter inspiration, though construction indicated Fantastic Beasts elements were still at play. Universal Orlando has now confirmed the new land will blend a 1920s Paris aesthetic from Fantastic Beasts, with the Ministry of Magic from the main franchise. Currently, there are two major attractions rumored for the land. Battle of the Ministry of Magic is expected to be a large-scale dark ride, the largest in Epic Universe, that sees guests traveling through the British Ministry in a story set following the events of the Deathly Hallows films. The second is a large theater hosting the Circus Arcanus, the Wizarding circus as seen in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Universal Stella Nova Resort Concept Art

(Image credit: Loews Hotels)

Epic Universe Hotels

But if you’re going to Epic Universe, you’ll need a place to stay. There are already some great Universal Orlando Resort hotels, the Endless Summer Dockside Inn and Suites opened most recently, but with the new theme park will come at least three new hotels, and one of them is looking quite special.

The names of two new Universal Orlando hotels were leaked in 2023 but have since been confirmed. The Universal Stella Nova and Universal Terra Luna Resorts are currently under construction adjacent to the Epic Universe park. Stella Nova is set to open in January 2025 and Terra Luna will follow in February. Both locations will have restaurants, pools, and other traditional amenities, and offer early admission to the theme parks. Both are also fairly affordable, with rates in Universal’s “Value” category.

The marquee hotel, however, will be the Universal Helios Grand Hotel. The resort will be located inside Epic Universe, giving guests amazing views of the park, and a dedicated entrance for guests into the Celestial Gardens area.. 

It’s been years since the U.S. has seen a major new theme park opening, so Epic Universe is very exciting for a lot of reasons. We’ll keep updating you on what’s new with Epic Universe as details are revealed. 

Dirk Libbey
Content Producer/Theme Park Beat

CinemaBlend’s resident theme park junkie and amateur Disney historian, Dirk began writing for CinemaBlend as a freelancer in 2015 before joining the site full-time in 2018. He has previously held positions as a Staff Writer and Games Editor, but has more recently transformed his true passion into his job as the head of the site's Theme Park section. He has previously done freelance work for various gaming and technology sites. Prior to starting his second career as a writer he worked for 12 years in sales for various companies within the consumer electronics industry. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Davis.  Is an armchair Imagineer, Epcot Stan, Future Club 33 Member.