After spending nearly five hours in the excitement of Universal’s new theme park, Epic Universe, I was about to kick things into overdrive. The park’s grand opening was still weeks away, but hotel guests like us had the opportunity to preview it during its “technical rehearsal” phase.
My family—my husband and our young children—had already taken a break back at the hotel, while I continued my mission to experience everything the park had to offer. As a Florida native and seasoned theme park enthusiast, I knew my body would soon be rattled by the thrill rides and roller coasters. Yet, despite my love-hate relationship with roller coasters, I was eager to embrace the new experience. After all, it had been over 25 years since Orlando welcomed a new major theme park.
Universal Epic Universe, which opens officially on May 22, boasts five immersive lands. These include Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe with classic monsters, the French-themed Wizarding World of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park—a central hub filled with fountains and eateries.
Though the park wasn’t perfect during this pre-opening phase, there were moments that made the day unforgettable. Watching my daughter conquer thrilling rides, sharing a frozen butterbeer with my husband, and enjoying a late-night ride home with new friends made it all worth it. Despite the hiccups with technical issues, the immersive experiences were nothing short of incredible.
Super Nintendo World wowed me even though I’m not a big video game fan. From jumping like Mario to racing through Mario Kart, the interactive experiences brought video games to life. However, not all the rides were a hit: I found Mario Kart to be underwhelming, but the Mine-Cart Madness coaster, themed after Donkey Kong, was a delightful surprise.
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How to Train Your Dragon was a highlight for my family, offering something for every age, including a kid-friendly coaster and a dragon flight ride. We didn’t have enough time to explore everything, but we loved the Mead Hall restaurant where we enjoyed a hearty kids’ meal of sausage and mac and cheese bites.
The Harry Potter area was another standout, although it came with frustrations. The ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was plagued by technical issues. Despite the setbacks, I enjoyed the ride’s impressive design and special effects. A nearby French café offered the perfect post-ride meal, including an indulgent crepe drenched in butterbeer flavor.
In addition to the thrilling rides, I used a strategy to maximize my time: single-rider lines. Though not always available, this trick allowed me to bypass lengthy queues. It made the experience much smoother, especially when riding the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment or Stardust Racers, a high-speed roller coaster that rekindled my love for thrill rides.
Of course, no theme park is without its frustrations. I found myself wishing for a paper map, as the app didn’t always reflect accurate wait times or provide enough details on ride statuses. The virtual queue for the Harry Potter ride, in particular, was a chaotic scramble. Additionally, more shaded areas would have been welcome, especially in the central section of the park where the fountains were no match for the Florida heat.
Overall, despite a few glitches, my day at Universal Epic Universe was a blast. I’m already planning my next visit to experience everything I missed, from the animatronic dragon to more food and rides.
