Thirty-five years after Universal Studios opened the Florida version of its Los Angeles theme park, additional details have been revealed about their most ambitious project to date- Epic Universe.
Following two decades of success with Universal’s second theme park in Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe is currently being developed across 750 acres of land located just south of the Orange County Convention Center. It is scheduled to open in 2025. During the past five years, industry analysts and theme park fans predicted a Nintendo-based section of the park that would mirror similar additions to Universal’s Parks in Hollywood and Japan.
Earlier today, Universal confirmed that a section of EPIC Universe will be Super Nintendo World. The themed land will be accessed through a physical replica of an iconic green pipe. Rides have yet to be officially confirmed, but the EPIC Universe video released today shows a sign that reads “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge“, identical to the one in Hollywood.
Epic Universe will also have a store devoted to Nintendo, called the Nintendo Super Star Store. It will be located in Celestial Park.
Other sections of the park include a franchise that already has a presence in the other parks: Harry Potter. EPIC Universe’s Harry Potter section will be named The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Universal describes the Ministry of Magic as “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.”
Other sections of EPIC Universe unveiled today were:
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. See the portal to Dark Universe below.
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. See the portal to Isle of Berk, below.
CELESTIAL PARK: Universal describes this section as acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways. “Celestial Park puts the ‘park’ back in ‘theme park.’ As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they’ll embark on a journey of discovery, thrills and excitement as they wander through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by stunning 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 an exhilarating roller coaster adventure, dine on delectable cuisine, shop exclusive merchandise to commemorate their visit and more.”
ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS AND RESTAURANTS COMING TO EPIC UNIVERSE:
Starfall Racers
Starfall Racers – located in Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe – is 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
Constellation Carousel is the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe. 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.
HELIOS Grand Hotel
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.
Atlantic
Atlantic will be a full-service “surf and turf” restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium complete with captivating views of Celestial Park.
The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant
the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant will be a full service restaurant offering authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare accented with neon dragons and ethereal lanterns.
