New mega theme park with five themed lands reveals 2025 opening date
UNIVERSAL’S Epic Universe has finally revealed its opening date – and you won’t have to wait long.
The huge new theme park, opening in Florida, was first announced in 2019.
With five massive themed lands inside, the park confirmed that the resort is opening next year.
The official opening date of Epic Universe is May 22, 2025.
And tickets will go on sale before this, with them launching this month on October 22. 2024.
Brits will be able to choose from two pass types – The 2025 Explorer Ticket which includes 14 days at the Universal theme parks, and a one-day pass for the new Epic Universe.
Or there will be the All Parks Ticket with unlimited access for all parks, launching in 2026.
Tickets will start from £399.
The theme park will be one of the biggest in the US, stretching across 750 acres.
This will include more than 50 attractions, ranging from kids rides to terrifying rollercoasters.
The themed lands are as followed:
Celestial Park
Celestial Park, will be the central land, with guests travelling to the other lands by ‘portals’.
Dual-launch rollercoaster Starfall Racers will hit speeds up to 62mph, while other rides include the wet-play area Astronomica and the Constellation Carousel.
Food options will include Chinese and Italian, with restaurants and shacks including the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, Victorian-themed Atlantic and The Oak & Star Tavern, along with Pizza Moon for snacks.
The main hotel will also be found at Celestial Park.
The 500-room Universal Helios Grand Hotel will include a private entrance into the theme park as well as a huge swimming pool and rooftop lounge.
Super Nintendo World
Entering via the iconic green pipe, guests can enter the Mario-themed Super Nintendo World.
Similar to the one already open at Universal Studios Hollywood, the main ride will be the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an AR racing game
Yoshi’s Adventure, will let passengers collect eggs around the Mushroom Kingdom, where characters including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach will be roaming.
Themed snacks will be served at Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats.
How to Train Your Dragon
The How to Train Your Dragon land is based in the Isle of Berk.
Family coaster Hiccup’s Wing Gliders will let passengers fly through the air alongside Hiccup and Toothless, while Fyre Drill is a water cannon ride.
Other rides include Dragon Racer’s Rally, Biking Training Camp and live show The Untrainable Dragon.
Food and drink will be found at Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill and Grog & Gruel, while Viking Traders, Hiccups Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures will sell merchandise.
Dark Universe
Dark Universe will be the scariest of the Epic Universe lands, set around Frankenstein Manor.
Dark ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment will bethe ‘most terrifying yet’ along with rides such spinning family coaster Curse of the Werewolf.
Other activities include Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, with food served at Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern and De Lacey’s Cottage.
Why Epic Universe will be... epic
The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains what this new theme park means for the industry:
THE astonishing scale of Epic Universe – with five fabulous new lands – will see Universal Resort Orlando challenging its arch rival Walt Disney World like never before.
I’ve always adored Universal’s quirky sense of humour and total immersion. It’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter rewrote the rule book when it came to attention to detail when it launched in 2010 with the incredible Hogsmeade.
No one had done authentic, immersive theme park lands like them before and it saw even the likes of Disney rushing to catch up.
And since then, they have been on a roll with a raft of exciting openings from the thrills of the Velociraptor ride in Jurassic Park to the quite brilliant Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
With three parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and now Epic Universe as well as the Volcano Bay water park and eight onsite hotels, you could spend an entire trip just exploring the wonderful worlds.
I can’t wait to see what astonishing new experiences they will deliver with the new park. It’s going to be Epic.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The main attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is the Harry Potter and the Battle of Ministry, set in 1990s London.
Le Cirque Arcanus, will be a full-scale live theatre experience with aerialists, special affects and puppetry.
Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique will sell wands while food (along with butter beer) are served across stalls such as Café L’Air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir, Bar Moonshine for exclusive beers and the Bièraubeurre Cart.