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Joshua Goetz

Widely known for their high-speed raptor chase on the Veloci Coaster and adventures with Spiderman, Universal’s theme parks are highly well-liked. Offering multiple rides with different intensity levels, Universal has announced the upcoming release of their new park. On May 22, 2025, the Epic Universe Park will be open to the public.

After years of planning and construction, Universal is nearing the final touches of the theme park. Immersing its guests into five new realms, Epic Universe will consist of Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park. 

With peak architectural elements, Universal has tested the limits of physics and gravity with the construction of its newest rides. Replicating Universal Studios Japan, the Nintendo franchise has been brought to life in Orlando. With its various interactive features, such as a power-up band, guests can participate in games around the land, earn coins, and keep track of other opponents. Highly anticipated rides like Mario Kart: Bowsers Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure allow guests to delve into the virtual experience of Nintendo. But that’s not all, Universal has created Donkey Kong Country: a separate land. Following numerous rumors, Universal has announced that the Mine-Cart-Madness ride will have a skip in the tracks, generating immense excitement among the public for the new attraction.

Adding to the established Harry Potter worlds in Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, Epic Universe is topping it off with the Ministry of Magic. Expanding to depths greater than the wizarding world, innovators have introduced a new era of the Fantastic Beasts. Looking back to Paris in the 1920s, the Ministry of Magic offers Parisian dining options, show entertainment, various shops with whimsical merchandise, and more. Featuring the thrilling ride of Harry Potter and the battle of ministry, muggles must capture Umbridge and stop her from bringing back Voldemort.

Adventure with Vikings and soar with dragons in the Isle of Berk. In this new land, innovators were attentive to minor colorful details to truly capture the land of Berk. Katy Pacitti, assistant director and executive producer of Universal Creative expressed, “DreamWorks and the art directors were the ones who instilled in us the vision of this world of Berk.” The movie comes alive through the mead hall dining, as well as ride attractions such as Hiccups Wing Gliders, Dragon Racers Rally, and fire drill. 

Junior Lealia Taylor has been a lifelong fan of How to Train Your Dragon. She exclaimed, “I am so excited for the opening of the park, it has all my favorite characters in one park!” She continued, “I cannot wait to hear dragon noises while screaming down a hill or being upside down!” Through these exciting rides, How to Train Your Dragon is brought to life for guests.

Enter a realm of unearthly legends and experiences in the Dark Universe. Creating a higher maturity level style park, Universal has channeled dark energy and sinister vibes. Guests can immerse themselves in attractions which include the disguising of themselves as monsters through the power of makeup and dark magic. The Curse of the Werewolf and Monsters Unchained are thrilling rides that unveil the haunting stories of werewolves and Frankenstein.  

An original idea was transformed into an on-site attraction, resulting in Celestial Park. With whimsical decor and set design, Celestial Park is arguably one of Universal’s most grand parks. It consists of rides like Stardust Racers, where two carts on separate tracks will race against one another across the cosmos. Family-friendly aspects of the park consist of the Constellation Couresol, where guests can ride celestial dragons, lions, and bears. Divyyashree Sathiaseelan, a junior, expressed her excitement, “I really want to go to Celestial Park because they seem to be so much fun and I’ll have the best time when I go there!”

Whether it’s the dragons, Donkey Kong, Frankenstein, Hermione Granger, or celestial bears, Universal’s Epic Universe park will break records at the box office and set the bar incredibly high for other theme parks to compete with.