ORLANDO, FLA. — Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, is officially opening on May 22, marking the first major theme park to open in Central Florida in 26 years, according to CNN. The new park will include five distinct components: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.
According to multiple media outlets, Epic Universe is estimated to have cost roughly $7.7 billion to build, although Universal Orlando Resort hasn’t commented on the new park’s price tag. At 750 acres, including both guest areas and backstage space for employees, Epic Universe is also reported to be the largest singular theme park in the world.
The main hub of Epic Universe will be Celestial Park, which offers guests two rides — a dual-track roller coaster and a carousel — as well as shops, restaurants and bars. From this hub, guests can choose to enter four other portals, with each leading to a different themed land.
Dark Universe brings the famous “Universal Pictures Monsters,” including Dracula, the Wolf Man and the Invisible Man, to life, along with its anchor attraction, “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.”
The third Harry Potter-themed phase, called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, is designed to resemble 1920s Paris and will feature a new ride, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, along with other installments and attractions. The original Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Orlando in 2010, followed by an expansion at the park’s Islands of Adventure in 2014, with the two lands connected by the Hogwarts Express train.
The third portal at Epic Universe will take guests to How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, where life-like dragons fly through the sky. The attraction will feature an immersive Viking village, character meet-and-greets, rides and games, all of which are based on the DreamWorks Animation franchise, “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Lastly, Super Nintendo World — which currently exists in Universal’s Japan and Hollywood Park locations — allows guests the chance to wear special “Power-Up” bands to initiate a life-size video game and also visit Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country with various rides and games.
Located adjacent to Universal Epic Universe, the Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, will open next week. The 500-room hotel will offer a dedicated entrance to the park that is accessible from the lobby. Additional amenities at the hotel include a resort-style walk-in pool with cabanas, hot tub, fitness center, game room, a Universal Studios Store, a variety of dining options and access to Bar Helios on the top floor.
Universal Orlando Resort will open its preview period at Epic Universe on Wednesday, April 16. Additional audiences will be able to purchase tickets to preview the new theme park in the weeks ahead.
Universal Orlando Resort, a 1,291-acre theme park and entertainment resort complex, offers a vacation experience with three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay — the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex and the upcoming Universal Epic Universe.
— Abby Cox