Everything We Know About Universal Epic Universe, Universal's Newest Theme Park

Editor's note: This article was originally published on January 30, 2024. It will be updated as new details are released.

Beginning in 2025, there will be a brand-new theme park for visitors to Orlando: Universal Epic Universe.

Today, Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) announced the five themed worlds within the theme park, which also includes more than 50 attractions, entertainment options, dining venues and shopping experiences and is set to open in 2025.

“The idea was to bring you to these worlds that you couldn’t otherwise possibly imagine,” said Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of UDX, in a YouTube video announcing the park. “And to do that, we wanted to create a mechanism that allowed you to be transported into another world, and it starts at the very entrance to the park itself.”

Additionally, three new Universal hotels will be available for booking, including Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort (sister properties) and Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which will be located within the theme park.

 Read on to see what visitors can expect from each of the theme park’s five “worlds.” 

Celestial Park

Visitors to the new park — the fourth for Universal Orlando — will enter underneath the “Cronos,” the first portal that brings visitors into Celestial Park, a multi-acre complex of rolling gardens, waterways and paths that will be home to Stardust Racers. It will also serve as a “gateway” to explore the other additional worlds of Epic Universe. 

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Universal Epic Universe will offer a dash of Harry Potter Magic. The new world at Universal Epic Universe will incorporate elements of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Fantastic Beasts” films to blend 1920s Paris with the U.K.-based Ministry of Magic from Harry Potter.

The idea was to bring you to these worlds that you couldn’t otherwise possibly imagine.

Super Nintendo World

East Coast theme park-goers will also have the opportunity to visit Super Nintendo World (on the opposite coast of Universal Studio Hollywood's iteration) at Universal Epic Universe, where clients will come face to face with characters such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong. It will be the third — and largest — Super Nintendo World, with the first one opening at Universal Studios Japan in 2021. The Orlando location will include Super Mario Land and the first Donkey Kong Country in the U.S.

“Our primary goal was to make sure this was the ultimate Nintendo experience,” said Andrew Padua, creative director with Universal. “When I see Super Nintendo World, I see the future of immersive experiences, where the gaming world and the real world join together all around you.”

After entering the iconic Green Pipe, guests will be immersed in the vibrant colors and kinetic energy of Nintendo games in two distinct lands.

Super Mario Land

In Super Mario Land, clients can expect the following:

- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: Park guests will join Team Mario in a race for the Golden Cup in this groundbreaking augmented reality (AR) attraction, which uses projection mapping technology and real-life environments to bring Mario Kart video games to life.

- Yoshi’s Adventure: The charming, family-friendly attraction makes its U.S. debut as clients join Yoshi on an adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom to find three glowing eggs.

- Toadstool Cafe: This highly themed dining experience features a menu inspired by the world of Super Mario, including Mario and Luigi-themed burgers, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese and spicy Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs. Super Mario Land will also feature Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats for snacks and beverages.

- 1-Up Factory and Mario Motors: The land’s two retail locations will offer souvenirs, apparel, toys, and more inspired by Super Mario characters.

- Meet-and-Greet Experiences: Clients can meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad in Super Mario Land.

Donkey Kong Country

The first-ever Donkey Kong Country will be home to Mine-Cart Madness, a first-of-its-kind family coaster. The ride combines innovative technology and unique coaster design to take clients on a jungle adventure to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted golden banana, all while being blasted out of a barrel and “jumping” over gaps in the rickety track.

“There are zero screens,” Padua said. “It is all real show, [and] it is all real thrill."

Food and merchandise inspired by the Donkey Kong Country video games and characters will also be offered. More details will be shared in the coming months.

Power-Up Bands

Wearable Power-Up Bands will allow clients to enhance their play throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country by punching Question Blocks, playing interactive games, collecting digital coins and stamps, finding hidden elements in the land and earning digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Fans of the How to Train Your Dragon film franchise will be immersed in a world filled with Viking adventures, including the opportunity to soar with dragons.

The immersive area recreates the Viking- and dragon-filled world of the Academy Award-nominated “How to Train Your Dragon” movies, with four attractions and one live show, plus character (and dragon) meet-and-greet experiences.

- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: A family thrill coaster that takes riders on an adventure in a winged flying machine as they soar around the perimeter of Berk — and through the lagoon — alongside Hiccup and Toothless

- Fyre Drill: Teams compete to outscore (and out-soak) each other on a water-filled battle onboard dragon-headed boats equipped with water cannons.

- Dragon Racer’s Rally: Clients can practice their aerobatic maneuvers on two dragon-riding trainers that reach heights of up to 67 feet in the air. 

- Viking Training Camp: Junior Vikings can climb, slide, and explore this interactive adventure play camp featuring a Viking agility course, a Toothless-themed teeter-totter, and baby Gronckle dragon climbers.

- The Untrainable Dragon: A live musical spectacular featuring Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid and life-sized dragons soaring overhead.

- Meet Hiccup and Toothless: Clients can meet the Dragon Rider and his friendly Night Fury (as well as other familiar Vikings and dragons).

How to Train Your Dragon -Isle of Berk will also offer themed eateries, including Mead Hall, with a menu featuring meats, fish, sandwiches, and a collection of meads and ciders; Spit Fyre Grill, a quick-service location featuring meals flame-seared by a dragon cook; and Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel racing-themed food stand in the Viking Camp.

The land’s shops include Viking Traders, How to Treat Your Dragon, Hiccup’s Work Shop, and Toothless’ Treasures.
Details about the park’s other three themed areas — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe (themed to Universal monsters), and Super Nintendo World — will be announced later this year.

New training modules for Universal Epic Universe are available on the dedicated Universal Destinations & Experiences travel agent website.

Dark Universe

Guests who pass through the portal into the Dark Universe will be immersed in a monster-filled world featuring the dark energy of the village of Darkmoor.

The first-of-its-kind theme park environment is inspired by classic Universal monsters such as Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein's Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. It also features a new generation of monsters and characters, including Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, who has continued the experiments of her great-great-grandfather.

The land’s signature state-of-the-art dark ride (and Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction ever), Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, takes guests into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her mysterious experiments.

Guests are invited into the laboratory for a demonstration, but the doctor’s plans go awry when her failed attempt to control Dracula unleashes a horde of monsters, forcing guests to evade The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.

"Monsters Unchained has the most technologically advanced animated figures that have ever been built,” said Peter Carsillo, senior creative director for Universal Creative. “They are visceral, they are powerful and they are intense.”

Other attractions and experiences in Dark Universe include:
- Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning family coaster inspired by “The Wolf Man”

- Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, a parlor where skilled artisans transform guests of all ages into their favorite Universal Monsters

- Meet the Monsters, where guests will meet Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and others

- Das Stakehaus dining hall, featuring a menu of kebabs, burgers and sandwiches, run by “vampires”

- The Burning Blade Tavern, serving burgers, wings, bratwurst, pretzels and specialty beverages

- De Lacey’s Cottage, featuring treats such as cinnamon bread, ice cream and twisted taters

- Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities, which offers commemorative merchandise and mementos.

Accommodations at Universal Epic Universe

Universal Epic Universe will add 1,500 new guest rooms to Universal Orlando Resort, with the opening of Universal Stella Nova Resort on Jan. 21, 2025 and Universal Terra Luna Resort on Feb. 25, 2025. Both will be operated by Loews Hotels.

The sister properties will feature “otherworldly” theming, according to Universal. Stella Nova will represent “the infinite vastness of the universe” with decor in cool teals and purples, while Terra Luna will invite clients to “step onto planets that have yet to be discovered” with a color palette of greens and golds. Each hotel will have 750 rooms with two queen beds (that sleep up to four guests). No family suites will be available.

In addition, quick-service onsite restaurants (Cosmos Cafe and Market at Stella Nova and Omega Cafe and Market at Terra Luna) will offer made-to-order American classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus grab-and-go items. Each hotel will also have a poolside bar and grill and a lobby bar pouring specialty cocktails.

Clients can also expect resort-style pools with activities like poolside movies and outdoor games, fitness centers, game rooms and benefits of staying onsite at Universal Orlando Resort, including early park admission to Universal Volcano Bay and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida or The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade at Universal Islands of Adventure and complimentary shuttle bus transportation to all four theme parks and Universal CityWalk.

Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort are available for booking now. Universal Epic Universe will also feature the Mediterranean-inspired, in-park Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which will also open in 2025. More details about this property are coming soon.