I visited Universal's newest theme park Epic Universe in Florida ahead of its grand opening — it felt like stepping into a dream.
Epic Universe. Two words that will make any thrill-seeker squeal with excitement.
As Universal’s most ambitious project in Orlando, it’s the first new theme park to open in Central Florida in over two decades - and believe me, it was worth every moment of the wait.
Epic Universe. Two words that will make any thrill-seeker squeal with excitement.
As Universal’s most ambitious project in Orlando, it’s the first new theme park to open in Central Florida in over two decades - and believe me, it was worth every moment of the wait.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00As Universal's most ambitious project in Orlando, Epic Universe is the first new theme park to
00:05open in Central Florida in more than two decades and believe me it was worth every moment of the
00:10wait. At the centre of Epic Universe lies Celestial Park, a tranquil cosmic themed oasis that connects
00:17visitors to the four worlds. Scattered around are gift shops, tempting snack stands and restaurants
00:24including Atlantic, an elegant fine dining seafood restaurant by the water.
00:30The area also features two original attractions, Constellation Carousel and Stardust Races.
00:37For me Stardust Races was a true showstopper. This dual track roller coaster launches riders to an
00:42exhilarating 63 miles per hour and reaches heights of 133 feet. The first portal whisked me away to
00:52How to Train Your Dragons Isle of Berk, a rugged island where Vikings and fire breathing dragons coexist.
01:06Here I found Hiccup's Wing Gliders, a filling family coaster that launches aspiring dragon riders high
01:12into the sky, allowing them to join Hiccup and Toothless on an exhilarating adventure.
01:16I also tried Dragon Races Rally, where I had the chance to fly my own dragon, controlling its flight
01:23by flapping its wings. Then came Fire Drill, an interactive boat battle where you unleash water
01:29cannons to douse fiery targets. To say I got soaked is an understatement, but it was all part of the fun.
01:36The Broadway style show The Untrainable Dragon rounded out the visit with jaw-dropping special effects and
01:41a moment where Toothless sawed right over the audience, leaving everyone in awe.
02:05Riding an escalator through the iconic green walk pipe, I felt like I had stepped straight into my TV
02:10screen and emerged into the Mushroom Kingdom. From Peaches Castle to marching gumbers and spinning
02:16coins, this world is a visual feast, bringing the beloved video game world vividly to life.
02:21Of course, the highlight was Mario Kart Bowser's Challenge. As a lifelong fan, stepping inside this
02:27augmented reality ride felt like a dream come true. The ride blends projection mapping and immersive
02:33environments, delivering unforgettable experience that really feels like racing through the game.
02:40At the edge of the world, I ventured into Donkey Kong Country, where I discovered Mine Kart Madness,
02:54a ground-breaking family coaster like no other.
02:56As a Halloween fanatic, I was eager to explore Dark Universe. Stepping through the portal,
03:10I entered Darkmoor Village, a shadowy realm brimming with mystery and danger.
03:14The towering silhouette of Frankenstein Manor loomed ahead, its dark exterior hiding the horrors inside.
03:29It was there that I braved Monsters Unchained, the Frankenstein Experiment, a chilling dark ride featuring
03:43classic creatures like the Wolfman, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and many more.
03:57This is a catacombs navigation unit, a little labratin, a little labratin, a little labratin, a tori-eyed one.
04:26They were afraid of what he had done. But you will see, there is nothing to fear.
04:34The ride didn't just meet my expectations, it blew them away. With lifelike animatronics,
04:39practical sets and immersive screens, it creates a multi-sensory experience that thrills horror fans.
04:45It's a true love letter to classic horror and I loved every minute.
04:55Saving the best for last, I entered a new chapter in the wizarding world of Harry Potter,
04:59a magical recreation of 1920s wizarding parrots.
05:14As soon as I stepped onto the streets of 1920s Paris, I was swept away. It was breathtaking.
05:22Everywhere I looked, there were hidden details and unexpected surprises. Many of which could be
05:41uncovered by casting spells with your wands.
05:54Leaving Paris through the metro flue, a plume of green smoke transported me to the British
05:58Ministry of Magic in the 1990s. My jaw dropped at the iconic green atrium, a scale unlike anything
06:05I'd ever seen in a theme park. The ride itself is a true highlight for any Harry Potter fan.
06:11After boarding a magical lift, I found myself alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione, who enlisted
06:17our help to catch at Umbridge following her escape. We fell, spun and dodged magical threats
06:23as screens, animatronics and practical sets combined to bring the story to life. It was brilliant.
06:35Thanks you, Ron and him.
07:00Nice to see you.
07:05This park truly lives up to its name. Epic Universe reconnects you with your inner child,
07:26immersing you in worlds once only dreamed of. From casting spells to racing Mario, each
07:31realm pulls you fully into the story. It's hard to capture in words what Universal
07:36has created here, but it's an experience I'll never forget.