The official opening of Universal Epic Universe is merely days away, and the team at Kingdom and Cruise Travel has been busy hopping on flights down to Orlando to check it out in previews! Several agents have made their way down to see this new theme park firsthand (including this author), and I’m here to give you my first impressions!
It’s important to note that previews of Epic Universe are a technical rehearsal, meaning that not every attraction or show will be running at all times, and there may be hiccups that need to be worked out there on the fly. I experienced both of those minor disruptions, and I consider it an honor to have even been able to experience the park prior to official opening.
The Overall Feel of the Park
Epic Universe has been promising to put the “park” back in “theme park”, and they sure delivered. When you first enter the park, the first portal that you are entering is Celestial Park. There is an incredible amount of flowers, green space, and water features that isn’t typical of most theme parks.
The park has wide walkways and portal entrances, and I’m hopeful that as normal-sized crowds begin to enter, that it will lead to a more open feel where you would typically feel more hemmed-in in other theme parks.
Each portal feels incredibly immersive to the theme that it features, and the team at Universal Creative clearly put every ounce of their hearts (and money) into developing this park.
The Attractions
Super Nintendo World
The attractions at Epic Universe are all based upon the worlds where they are placed. In Super Nintendo World, I was able to ride all three attractions: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Yoshi’s Aventure, and Mine-Cart Madness. I had previously ridden Mario Kart at Universal Studios Hollywood, and it was pretty much identical to that ride. Mine-Cart Madness was the rollercoaster I’ve been waiting for since I played Donkey Kong on my Gameboy Color back in the 90s. Yoshi’s Adventure is a slow moving ride, perfect for the little ones in your family, and gives such nice views of Super Nintendo World.
Dark Universe
In Dark Universe, the home to classic Universal Monsters, the atmosphere is wonderfully creepy and spooky. I was able to experience Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and noticed that the ride vehicle and technology was pretty much identical (in my perspective) to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey over at Islands of Adventure. Admittedly, I’ve never seen the classic Universal Frankenstein film, so I had a difficult time following the story line of the attraction. However, the technology, animatronics, and queue of the ride were breathtaking.
Unfortunately Curse of the Werewolf, the other attraction in this world, was not operating that day, so I can’t give any feedback on that ride.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
One of the most highly anticipated portals of Epic Universe is definitely the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The one ride attraction in this world is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, and it was sadly not open during my preview date. I was able to self-tour the queue of this ride, and that was an attraction in and of itself. Universal Creative truly outdid themselves on the Ministry of Magic. It was so neat to enter the Ministry with “floo powder” and walk into the great expanse of the ministry.
The live show in world is called Le Cirque Arcanus, and if you’re a fan of ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, you’ll love it as much as I did. The set was technologically advanced and the storyline took an unexpected turn. I loved every minute of it.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Surprising to no one but myself, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk was my favorite world. I’ve never seen any of the films in their entirety, and I wasn’t sure how I would enjoy the portal given that fact. This area of the park was visually stunning, had beautiful sweeping music, and had the most to offer.
Fyre Drill, a ride where you have the potential to get absolutely drenched, was NOT on the list of attractions I wanted to experience. There’s not much worse to me than walking around a theme park soaked, so I avoided this one at all costs. My kids, however, would have loved it.
Viking Training Camp is a multi-level play area for the younger crowd, and would be an excellent place to let the kids get out some wiggles.
Dragon Racer’s Rally was a fun attraction to try, where you can attempt to roll your “dragon-riding trainer”. It was a unique ride.
My absolute favorite ride in all of Epic Universe was found in this world. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders was an unexpectedly fast coaster (similar to the intensity of Hagrid’s in Islands of Adventure). I absolutely loved every second of this rollercoaster, and I hopped in line again to ride it a second time. This will most definitely be a family favorite.
Overall Impressions
Overall, this is an impressive park. We’ve been waiting for it for quite some time, and I’m pleased that it’s making its debut so soon. I think it’s a wonderful addition to Universal Orlando Resort and the Orlando-area theme park-sphere. If you’re planning a Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World vacation, be sure to ask your Kingdom and Cruise Travel Advisor for more information about Universal Epic Universe!
-By Kingdom and Cruise Travel Advisor, Katie Gabbard