I used to be one of many first individuals to go to the brand new Epic Universe, the primary new theme park in Orlando for 25 years.
I visited the £7bn new theme park branded ‘world’s greatest’ — it is the primary new one in Orlando for 25 years (Picture: Portia Jones) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
I discovered myself the wrong way up, mid-barrel roll, abdomen churning, questioning each choice that had led me thus far on a 100km/h curler coaster.
Underneath the scorching Florida solar, I had no selection however to grip tightly and endure the remainder of the extremely quick experience. I used to be decided to not bathe the individual behind me with remnants of pizza and remorse.
This was my daring introduction to Stardust Racers, one of many major points of interest at Common’s eagerly anticipated Epic Universe theme park in Orlando. I used to be one of many first individuals within the park that has had theme park fanatics buzzing for months. Naturally, I began by diving headfirst into the motion.
Let or not it’s identified: I am a die-hard theme park fanatic. I am going to fortunately queue for hours, scream on the high of my lungs, and rush again to the beginning for an additional spherical.
This was my daring introduction to Stardust Racers, one of many headline coasters at Common’s long-awaited Epic Universe theme park in Orlando. (Picture: Common Resort)
However Stardust Racers was a unique beast. In lower than 90 seconds, I discovered myself crying, swearing, and sweating by my SPF 50 as we sped alongside 5,000 ft of newly constructed monitor.
This Epic coaster does not ease you in. It catapults you into the cosmos at 62 miles per hour with a brutal power that threatens to rearrange your insides and make you query whether or not your life insurance coverage is updated.
At one level, as we spiralled by an inverted crisscross at full pace, I used to be virtually sure I might brushed in opposition to the sting of the cosmos.
Epic Universe information
Epic Universe is Common’s eagerly anticipated new Orlando theme park, with a staggering $7.7bn spent on its building.
The park, which was introduced again in 2019 and has been almost ten years in growth, spans 110 acres, making it the biggest Common has ever constructed. Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Common Locations and Experiences, hailed it as “essentially the most technologically superior park on the earth.”
It’s the first vital theme park to open in Orlando in 1 / 4 of a century.
With a treasure trove of profitable mental properties that might give Disney a run for its cash, together with Harry Potter and How one can Practice Your Dragon, Epic Universe is Common’s most daring try but to grab the theme park throne. Mickey Mouse may simply be quaking in his boots.
Guests are whisked away by a sequence of spectacular and distinctive portals to 5 distinctively themed realms: Celestial Park, Darkish Universe, How one can Practice Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Tremendous Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, all seamlessly woven along with high-budget panache.
Orlando is about to unveil its most thrilling theme park but, bursting with awe-inspiring universes and mesmerising points of interest celebrating fan-favourite franchises similar to Harry Potter, How one can Practice Your Dragon, and Nintendo.
Celestial Park
On the very coronary heart of Epic Universe, simply previous the majestic entrance gates or by way of a direct connection from the Helios Grand Resort, lies Celestial Park. This enchanting realm, untethered from acquainted motion pictures, exhibits, or video games, takes centre stage with its verdant oasis of splendour comprising dancing waterworks, dream-like Artwork Nouveau buildings, and plush, shady promenades that completely harmonise with the park’s celestial motif.
Visitors enter Epic Universe by Celestial Park by way of the grand entrance gates or straight from the Helios Grand Resort. (Picture: Portia Jones)
For coaster junkies, this can be a non-negotiable attraction that’ll shake up even essentially the most steel-nerved thrill seekers. (Picture: Portia Jones)
As nightfall descends, an array of vibrant lights orchestrates a symphony with the park’s opulent water shows, bathing the cosmic nucleus in a mild radiance.
The doorway alone is a spectacle, an arched portal adorned with intricate astronomical symbols, rotating orbs, and golden prospers. It has such sturdy House Oddity power that I half anticipate Bowie to drift down and instruct me to take my protein tablets and placed on my helmet.
As I strolled by, radiant group members dubbed ‘Celestians’ welcomed me with beaming smiles and starry costumes, joyfully exclaiming, “Welcome, travellers!” The employees at this theme park aren’t simply pleasant, they’re completely dedicated and it is onerous to image the crew at Common’s upcoming British theme park matching this stage of fervour.
The standout attraction is undoubtedly the Stardust Racers, boasting two separate launches and giving riders the selection between the exhilarating yellow “Photon” and inexperienced “Pulsar” tracks – a must-ride for any curler coaster aficionado.
For these looking for a extra leisurely expertise, the Constellation Carousel presents a whimsical experience by the cosmos on legendary creatures like lions, dragons, or peacocks, all to the tune of soothing house melodies.
When starvation strikes, indulge within the House Cowboy pizza at Pizza Moon, a grand Victorian theatre turned pizzeria, the place barbecue sauce, rotisserie rooster, olives, and crisps create an out-of-this-world flavour.
Insider’s tip: Do not miss the sundown spectacle when Apollo passes the baton to Luna in a surprising gentle and sound present.
How one can Practice Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
The How one can Practice Your Dragon part is a paradise for households and cinema fanatics alike, bringing to life the adventures of Hiccup and his endearing ‘evening fury’ dragon, Toothless, from the beloved movie sequence.
Hiccup’s residence island of Berk is reimagined in gawp-inducing element (Picture: Portia Jones)
The house island of Hiccup, Berk, has been recreated in gorgeous element, showcasing a trustworthy illustration of the rugged and chaotic world the place boisterous Vikings and spirited dragons coexist.
The meticulous particulars of Viking life are spectacular, nevertheless it’s the dragons that really take flight. With astonishing animatronics, they’re so lifelike you may anticipate them to fly off into the sky.
The technological prowess is most evident within the ‘Meet Hiccup and Toothless’ expertise, the place you possibly can stroke an extremely practical Evening Fury and seize enviable photographs in your social media.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is the rollercoaster to queue for if you need a dragon’s eye view of Berk whereas hovering by the sky at speeds as much as 45 mph and heights of fifty ft–similar to an actual dragon rider.
Safe a seat at The Untrainable Dragon for a Broadway-level manufacturing that includes movie favourites Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber and Astrid in a musical, dragon-filled reside present that can go away you astounded.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is the coaster to queue for to get a dragon’s eye view of Berk whereas hovering by the sky at speeds as much as 45 mph and heights of fifty ft–similar to an actual dragon rider (Picture: Portia Jones)
The tech flex is most evident within the ‘Meet Hiccup and Toothless’ expertise, the place you possibly can pat a startlingly lifelike Evening Fury and snap enviable pics in your social media. (Picture: Portia Jones)
For those who’re pressed for time, Dragon Racer’s Rally is likely to be the one to overlook. It presents a customisable dragon-riding expertise with barrel rolls and aerial methods, however by the point you’ve got found out the up-down lever, the experience’s already coming to an finish.
High tip: Seize the carb-loaded Dragon Hearth Rooster Spire Mac and Cheese Cone from Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel. Full of creamy macaroni, spicy pulled rooster, scorching honey, peppers, chimichurri, and crispy onions, all in a bread cone, it is the right moveable lunch for busy riders.
Darkish Universe
Cinema fanatics, the wait is over! Common has ingeniously repurposed its defunct Darkish Universe. Forged your minds again to the peculiar 2017 Tom Cruise Mummy reboot – it was supposed to launch a sprawling cinematic universe with legendary figures like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man.
You’re ushered into the eerie bowels of Frankenstein Manor and met by an uncanny valley, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, and a towering, 2.7-metre-tall Frankenstein monster so unnervingly lifelike, I briefly questioned my grip on actuality (Picture: Common)
Alas, the movie was a catastrophe (really dreadful), resulting in the cancellation of the whole enterprise.
But, there is a silver lining as now you can immerse your self in what might need been on the spectacularly spooky Darkmoor fantasy village, the place monsters and spectres wander amidst thrilling rides, eateries, and points of interest.
Snap a photograph with the caustic Invisible Man, whose biting wit is devilishly amusing. “After all you will see me within the photos, silly woman, I am carrying bandages.”
On the epicentre of Darkmoor lies Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a experience that masterfully embodies Common’s iconic creatures in a chilling, intellectual journey that includes state-of-the-art animatronics.
Visitors are led into the sinister depths of Frankenstein Manor, greeted by an eerily practical Dr Victoria Frankenstein and a colossal Frankenstein monster standing at 2.7 metres tall, so convincing it might make you doubt your personal sanity.
Throughout this fascinating expertise, our deranged protagonist, Vic, disastrously tries (and spectacularly fails) to rein within the rebellious monsters, sparking a full-scale revolt spearheaded by Dracula.
Put together for a chaotic escape by a terrifying experience crammed with werewolves, mummies, and shadowy figures. Regardless of understanding it is all make-believe, my coronary heart price and sweaty shirt begged to vary.
Do not be fooled by the family-friendly 37mph pace of the Curse of the Werewolf curler coaster. The freely spinning vehicles guarantee each escape by the haunted forest is a chaotic and barely disorienting shock.
High Tip: Recharge with a vibrant inexperienced Monocane Mocktail on the Burning Blade Tavern (sure, it is the one with the flaming windmill). Served in a plastic potion glass, this candy and bitter drink can be successful with the youngsters.
Tremendous Nintendo World
Moving into this vibrant, kinetic world, I used to be overwhelmed with ’90s childhood nostalgia. You enter the Mushroom World by way of an enormous inexperienced Warp Pipe-cum-escalator and end up in the midst of a surreal online game land.
It is loud, shiny, and delightfully mad, full with enjoyable interactive components and loads of merchandise. For the primary time within the US, you possibly can discover the banana-and-barrel-filled Donkey Kong Nation and meet all of your favorite characters.
Enterprise into Bowser’s life-size Fortress for a spin on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem. Primarily based on the long-lasting Mario Kart franchise, it is a must-try for console fanatics.
Don your VR goggles and be a part of the group to defeat Group Bowser in a surprise-filled race. You may dodge obstacles, throw shells, gather digital cash, and race alongside Mario, Luigi and Peach for the Golden Cup. With a number of outcomes, it is by no means the identical experience twice.
You enter the Mushroom World by an enormous inexperienced Warp Pipe–slash-escalator and land in the midst of a surreal online game land. (Picture: Portia Jones)
Don VR goggles and be a part of the gang to defeat Group Bowser and win the surprise-filled race. (Picture: Portia Jones)
Mine-Cart Insanity is a high-speed curler coaster that reimagines Donkey Kong Nation. You may experience by the luxurious jungle in mine carts, serving to Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong shield the Golden Banana from the thieving Tiki Tak Tribe.
Because of a intelligent track-jumping phantasm, it feels such as you’re consistently getting ready to being thrown into the foliage by way of derailment. Frankly, Nationwide Rail could not dream of this stage of chaotic engineering.
High Tip: Buy a common app-linked Nintendo-themed Energy Up-Band to gather digital cash and keys, work together with the atmosphere, and compete in opposition to members of the family and mates.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
I have to admit, as an enormous Harry Potter fan this was the magical second I might been ready for. Wand? Already in hand, muggles.
My anticipation was at fever pitch as I entered the portal to be transported into Twenties wizarding Paris from the Unbelievable Beasts movies and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter movie sequence.
The sheer scale and imaginative and prescient are really breathtaking as you meander by fashionable Parisian streets brimming with enchanting retailers, eateries and a revolutionary experience.
Take the Metro-Floo and be a part of Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they battle all through the Ministry of Magic for the long-anticipated trial of Dolores Umbridge (Picture: Portia Jones)
In case you have an interactive wand, there are 12 spell-casting places round this land the place you possibly can conjure water, hearth and wand lighting and work together with enchanted objects (Picture: Portia Jones)
For those who possess an interactive wand, there are 12 spell-casting spots scattered round this land the place you possibly can summon water, hearth and wand lighting and work together with bewitched objects.
Earlier than you get too entranced by your magical environment, make a beeline for Common’s most technologically superior attraction but, Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry. The star of the present on this land.
Hop on the Metro-Floo and be a part of Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they combat all through the Ministry of Magic for the long-awaited trial of Dolores Umbridge (a magic bureaucrat with a penchant for corporal punishments and pink apparel).
Be a part of the prolonged queue and step into the huge and extremely detailed atrium of the British Ministry of Magic. No stone has been left unturned in creating this extraordinary experience, with even the queue areas crammed with wizarding components that can distract out of your weary legs.
Once you lastly attain the entrance, board a magical carry and fly, drop and spin by the ministry as you observe a passive-aggressive Umbridge attempting to evade seize with a stolen Time-Turner.
The dimensions and imaginative and prescient are frankly astonishing as you wander stylish Parisian streets crammed with spellbinding retailers, eating places and a game-changing experience (Picture: Common)
I will be sincere, as an enormous Harry Potter fan (why, sure, I’m an elder millennial, thanks for asking), this was the magical second I’d been ready for (Picture: Portia Jones)
You are drafted into helping the gang cease her whereas being flung by a bureaucratic fever dream of eye-popping digital magic, smoke, animatronic wand-waving and sinister loss of life eaters.
This experience fully exceeded my expectations and was definitely worth the hype. For those who solely have time for one factor in Epic Universe, make certain it is this experience.
I am now spending each spare second determining the way to get again on it. It’d require a second mortgage; Orlando is not precisely budget-friendly!
In case you have some additional time, expertise implausible beasts at a travelling circus within the full-scale theatre expertise, Le Cirque Arcanus. It is a family-friendly present that can captivate each youngsters and Potterheads.
High Tip: Die-hard followers ought to think about shopping for a Second Technology Interactive Wand for an enhanced spell-casting expertise across the land.
The ultimate verdict
Epic isn’t simply Common’s greatest park but; it’s their boldest, most imaginative, and most high-tech expertise but. With its immersive lands, beloved characters, and no-expense-spared rides, it is ushering in a brand new period of theme parks in Orlando, and we’re right here for it. Verdict? It’s a flawless 5/5 park.
Epic Universe holds the excellence of being the primary main theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years. (Picture: Common)
High ideas for Epic Universe
First issues first – you want a ticket to get into Common Epic Universe; this isn’t a ‘present up on the day’ theme park.
There are quite a few choices, starting from single-day tickets to bundles that embody Common Studios Florida, Islands of Journey, and Volcano Bay.
Passholder? You get particular pricing on 1-Day Epic Universe tickets. There are additionally trip packages (hiya, Wizarding World of Harry Potter followers!) that will help you save.
Heads-up: no matter ticket you select, you’ll must lock in your go to date. Click on right here to discover all ticket and bundle choices.
Keep on the opulent Common Helios Grand Resort to take pleasure in a devoted entrance to Common Epic Universe and enter the park as much as an hour earlier than most people.
Need a extra budget-friendly resort? E book a keep at Stella Nova or Terra Luna, and Epic Universe is simply throughout the road.
Obtain the Common Orlando Resort app to plan your day on the park. This free app makes it simple to entry your Common Account Pockets, store with Common Pay, order meals and drinks on the go, discover points of interest with interactive maps, and look at showtimes.
Carry a water bottle with you and lower your expenses on drinks. There are refill stations throughout the park, so you do not have to spend your hard-earned {dollars} on bottled water.
No matter ticket you select, you’ll must lock in your go to date (Picture: Portia Jones)
Movie followers rejoice! Common has lastly discovered a superb use for its deserted Darkish Universe (Picture: Portia Jones)
How one can E book
British Airways Holidays presents Common Resort holidays that embody Epic Universe. Save as much as 30% in your Common Orlando Resort resort keep when staying 7 nights or extra.
Select from 10 Common Orlando resorts, together with the brand-new Common Stella Nova Resort and Common Terra Luna, each good bases for visiting the brand new Common Epic Universe. Legitimate for chosen 2025 and 2026 journey. E book right here.
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