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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drew8119 hours ago

That’s true.

sedati19 hours ago

Would a show-building be any worse than the view half that hotel will have anyway?

Disneyhead'7122 hours ago

I don't think many of the rooms will have a view of the show building. Only those on the far left side of the back side of the hotel.

drew8123 hours ago

Still wondering about the room view from Helios and seeing that big Potter show building.

Disneyhead'7123 hours ago

Well, since the park entrance is between HTTYD and SNW, a connection there is out. Hellos Grand Hotel is between Potter and Monsters, a connection there is out. And between SNW and Monsters, and between HTTYD and Potter there are large expansion plots. I really just don't see how it would even be possible.

mkt1 day ago

Good idea from a logistics perspective, but it goes against the entire concept of the park.

Rich Brownn1 day ago

The whole idea is that these are separate worlds. Celestial Park works as a buffer to allow the themes not to bleed into each other.

J45461 day ago

park looks great though I wish the lands were more connected with pathways and connections between them instead of single entry/exits

djlaosc1 day ago

It's going to be interesting to see how they do the early entry. It seems that the journey from Helios (the hotel connected to the hotel) is further to Super Nintendo World, than from the entrance to Super Nintendo World (where other non-connected hotel guests will be coming from). If everyone enters at the same time from both entrances, then although it may be quicker to make your way through the Helios entrance, you could be at a disadvantage for the extra distance to travel compared to those arriving from the entrance (although if you are at the back of the entrance queue, then you would arrive at SNW after Helios guests). I wonder if they will do like Disneyland/California Adventure where they will allow you into the park early, and hold people at either the entrance to SNW/Stardust Racers, or whether they will allow Helios guests in earlier than the entrance guests, to allow them to be in front of the entrance guests.

djlaosc1 day ago

They weren't the attractions that I was expecting, but I'll take it! I was expecting Harry Potter and Celestial Park to be the ones open, to be similar to IOA Ministry of Magic = Forbidden Journey Stardust Racers 1 = Hagrids Stardust Racers 2 = Velocicoaster Carousel = Flight of the Hippogriff (not exact, but something that younger guests could ride).

trr12 days ago

bioreconstruct @bioreconstruct Aerial video overview of current construction in Epic Universe. Aerial look at construction of the raised traffic circle near Epic Universe.1 Road sign recently added for Epic Blvd WB to Kirkman Rd NB. Also to Helios Grand Hotel and I-4.2 Bridge construction to Universal's electric bus service area.3 Electric bus service area. Aerial look at road signs being raised at Epic Blvd WB to Kirkman Rd NB. Near Epic Universe.Arrow at a crate with directions to the other Universal parks

Andrew252 days ago

A way to spread crowds a bit. Prioritize EPA at Islands/USF for Potter, Nintendo for Epic.

ToTBellHop2 days ago

Universal hotels and, perhaps, (they haven’t said) some tiers of UOAP on some dates. No different than the existing parks just opening WWoHP plus one more ride.

Sorcerer Mickey2 days ago

Do you have to stay in any particular hotel? And why so Nintendo-heavy?