When first announcing the big expansion plan in 2019, Universal CEO Tom Williams insisted: “Our vision for Epic Universe is historic. It’s an investment in our company, our industry, our team members and our community. Then, with one eye fixed on the neighboring Mouse House, he added: “A Universe is bigger than a World. It will build on everything we’ve done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we’ve ever created.

This boast will be put to the test starting May 22, after the announcement on October 17 of the official opening date of Epic Universe, which put an end to several years of speculation about the launch of this galactic goliath and its much-vaunted features.

Originally planned for a 2023 opening, Universal was sidetracked by the global pandemic, which caused a complete shutdown of construction from March 2020 to April 2021 and left them hesitant to commit to a specific date. But that phase has also passed, and we only have a few months left to anticipate a heady mix of big-name franchises and original creations.

Here’s what’s in store:

Heavenly Park

By opting for a star layout, Universal insists that the entrance section of Epic Universe will place the “park” back into a theme park, with lush gardens and water features scattered throughout a central area that provides the gateways to the other four lands. But it won’t just be beautiful to look at, it will also feature two major attractions, including one that could well be the park’s star attraction: Stardust Racers, a side-by-side dual launch roller coaster that reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour. h and reaches 41 m in height. It will also be the venue for a grand culinary experience, with two ornately designed restaurants offering a choice of pan-Asian cuisine and dishes from sea and land.

Super Nintendo World

Turning clockwise after entering Cellestial Park, guests will first experience the vivid video game world of Super Mario, Donkey Kong and others. It’s the only land that features in another Universal park, with their Japan and Hollywood locations also offering the ability to race Mario Kart, Mine-Cart Madness, and Yoshi’s Adventure (the latter in Japan only). Nintendo World in Orlando, however, will be the largest of all Universal parks, while the Mario ride will feature the greatest use of technology by merging augmented reality, projection mapping and elaborate environments to give passengers a real wow! experience.

Dark universe

The park’s designers go all out for shock and thrill with this deep dive into the realm of Universal’s classic monsters, which means encounters with the Wolf Man, the Mummy, the Brides of Dracula, the Creature of black lagoon and much more. Located within the confines of the village of Darkmoor, it features the work of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein – the latest addition to the famous family’s famous offspring – and the key attraction of Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, another state-of-the-art attraction that makes experience visitors. the catacombs beneath the Manor for uncomfortable calls with all the monsters.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Universal calls it “the most ambitious and groundbreaking adventure we’ve ever created,” and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry promises to be the epicenter of an exhilarating mash-up between the Harry Potter stories and those of Fantastic Beasts series. Split between the 1920s Paris of the Beasts franchise and the site of London’s Ministry of Magic from Harry’s time, it’s built on a scale that should be incredible.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Not to be outdone by the young wizard, the Dragon trilogy will surround visitors with the mythical Viking homeland of Hiccup and Toothless and offer another variation on the roller coaster theme, with a track that crosses the central lagoon and rises for a dragon. stunning views of the island, where there will also be a full show featuring dragons, as well as three other rides.

While these are just the essentials, it’s fair to point out that Universal raised the bar considerably with the creation of its Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter expansions at its existing parks in 2010 and 2014, working with the filmmakers to create a real feeling of entering a cinema. Judging by the extremely detailed renderings of Epic Universe’s attractions, we can expect the bar to be set even higher for a truly magnificent immersive experience. The setting of Dark Universe’s Das Steakhouse alone is a beautiful dark and brooding exercise, and if you don’t think you’re actually in a Transylvanian castle, we’ll eat our Gryffindor hats.

And then there’s the lavish Helios Grand Hotel, the massive edifice that makes up the northern portion of the park and features a park entrance dedicated exclusively to hotel guests, as well as a rooftop bar with 360-degree views , three restaurants and an elaborate swimming pool. and How to Train Your Dragon Family Suites.

It all adds up to an experience that should please movie buffs and theme park fans alike, a larger-than-life full-screen panorama of the magic and delights of cinema, created with technological wizardry and know-how cutting edge that would even baffle Dumbledore.

Surprisingly, whatever they reveal next May, there will be even more later. With several acres still open, there is room for at least two more lands, as this man-made universe – like the real one – continues to grow.

Check-list

ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

GETTING THERE

Flying from Auckland to Orlando International Airport with a stopover with Delta and American Airlines in partnership with Qantas.

Orlando International Airport is a 20-minute drive (21.5 km) from Universal Epic Universe.

DETAILS

Universal Epic Universe will officially open on May 22, 2025.

universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/epic-universe