All lands and hotels revealed for Universal Epic Universe

The Universal Orlando Resort team has unveiled all of the lands and hotels for Universal Epic Universe. Arriving in 2025, Universal Epic Universe will add 700 acres to the current Universal Orlando experience. It seems obvious, but this place is gonna be EPIC.

Universal has been hard at work for years and years, even pre-pandemic, working on Universal Epic Universe. In that time we have seen leaks and rumors, but tons of new details were finally revealed. This 2025 park will offer five lands and three hotels – one of which will actually be a part of the park.

I want to take this time to congratulate the Universal Epic Universe team. This has been a monstrous project. They have kept the secrets, worked on the grand reveals, built through a pandemic and are now just a year away from showcasing the next realm of theme parks. Good job Universal team!

Stella Nova & Terra Luna

Universal Epic Universe will feature three hotels, two of which will feature a vibrant and intricate tile design. Stella Nova and Terra Luna are already shimmering in the Florida sun. With an expected opening date of Jan. 2025, these should be the very first parts of Universal Epic Universe to open to the public.

These hotels are on the edge of the new Universal Epic Universe land. They will have views of the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando’s ICON Park and of course – Universal Epic Universe.

Celestial Park

Welcome to Universal Epic Universe. Celestial Park welcomes you into this incredible new theme park. Universal describes this area as such, “Step into a lush, green world where thrills, entertainment, dining and shopping lead all who enter on an exhilarating journey of discovery.”

This main hub, or heart, of the park will lead guests to the other four lands and the Helios Grand Hotel. I was so happy to hear Universal state a quote I say often, “putting the park in theme park.” Winding walkways go around parks, waterways and foliage. This land will have a quintessential theme park offering, a carousel.

Constellation Carousel is a modern taken on the classic amusement park ride. Surrounded by a beautiful canopy of glass, this attraction will feature celestial lions, dragons, peacocks and more. Each carriage turns 360 degrees while lifting riders up to 6 feet in the air. Celestial music and color will dazzle the senses as guests twirl together across the Milky Way.

Next we have Starfall Racers. Starfall Racers will be a 62 mph, 5,000+ foot long dueling roller coaster. Guests will be falling stars on this track as they listen to ethereal music.

Super Nintendo World

The third Super Nintendo World, behind Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood. Touted as the largest of the three lands, this new area will feature rides based on Donkey Kong, Yoshi and Mario Kart. Universal describes this land as such, “At Super Nintendo World you’ll experience a new way to play, from challenging Bowser on the Mario Kart ride to venturing through Donkey Kong Country and so much more.”

We have already spoken in depth about Super Nintendo World. In fact, the EYNTKtravel video explaining the Donkey Kong Coaster went viral. This interactive, gamified land will be a colorful and exciting area. Guests will be able to meet characters, eat themed food, fight Bowser Jr. and more.

Nintendo worked alongside Universal to make this multi-level land as close to the games as possible. Guests will even be able to buy Power-Up Bands. These bands take the interaction one step further, letting you virtually compete against other guests in the park. It will be tracked via the Universal Orlando Resort app and scores will be showcased in the park.

How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk will be an immersive land, featuring the iconic Dreamworks film. This area will feature a large eatery, entertainment offerings and a dragon themed coaster through the land. From aerial photography of the construction, we can already see that this land will have numerous large water features and iconic structures from the movie.

Universal describes this land with, “take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the colorful Viking village at the heart of Berk. Take part in wild boat battles, feast like a Viking and more.” Peaceful Thrill Seeker captured fantastic video footage of ride testing in the land.

Guests will enter this land under a portal that reads, “We my friends, have dragons.” The How To Train Your Dragon franchise is a trilogy marked with emotional moments and moving music. It will interesting to see how these two elements will be translated into Universal Epic Universe.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Universal is completing its trilogy of Harry Potter lands in Florida with the Ministry of Magic area. This section will be split between the British Ministry of Magic from the original Harry Potter films and 1920’s France from, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

In this land we can expect large city blocks to fill the surrounding and sky as we dive into France and explore this immersive area. While not yet confirmed, it is rumored that this section of the park will feature a large dining area with French cuisine. This land will also feature an all new Harry Potter ride. As of this moment, Universal is being very secretive about this project.

As a land split between two movies and timelines, we have to wait and see how Universal Creative has combined these two film timelines. In this land we can also expect more interactive wand areas, like those you can experience now in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.

Dark Universe

Horror fans, welcome. Dark Universe will be a year-round horror fan’s dream. Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolf Man have taken over a village – and you just stepped into the action. Universal explains this land with, “from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to a shadowy landscape where monsters roam, Dark Universe is a world of myth and mystery.”

We know already that this land will feature a spinning roller coaster. We also know it will have a village street area, that is expected to be filled with shops and eateries. The backdrop of this land, a massive castle. Inside is where we can expect the land’s top tier attraction. Rumors suggest that this ride will feature the same ride mechanics as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The intricate ride system allows for intimate moments, quick movements and massive sets and props.

As stated in Universal’s description, this land is run via Victoria Frankenstein. Alicia Stella of Orlando Park Stop suggests that this is a continuation of the Frankenstein story. An in-land sequel to the famous classic films.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Universal also gave more information about the third, and certainly the most grand, of the Universal Epic Universe hotels. The Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be a part of, and overlook, Universal Epic Universe. This 500 room hotel is themed to a space where the heavens and earth unite.

The opening date is currently slated for 2025, but we can assume it will open the week of, if not before the opening of the park. Currently, it is thought that Stella Nova and Terra Luna will open Jan. 2025. Universal Epic Universe is expected to open summer of 2025. With those timelines, it is understandable to expect Universal Helios Grand hotel to open sometime in late spring – if it opens a substantial time before the park.

Universal Epic Universe is the next generation of theme parks

There is no denying it, Universal Epic Universe is going to be next-gen for theme parks. From rides, to tech, to design, this ride was built for this decade and beyond. No catching up old rides, operating systems or thought processes. Universal is using what it knows to propel itself forward at Universal Epic Universe.

What are you most excited for?

Universal Destinations and Experiences isn’t stopping in Florida. Universal Kids Resort is coming to Frisco, Texas. This immersive and inclusive park will welcome young kids to a smaller park, with big imagination.