This week marks the start of an epic universe milestone countdown. We are 100 days away from the opening of Orlando’s first new theme park in generations.
It’s a great time to reboot and register to Epic 101, a course that reviews what we know and don’t know about the Universal Orlando expansion, which marks Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences. The advanced park I’ve been to. ”
The park was announced in 2019 at the Orange County Convention Center. Universal shares details along the way about its rides, shows and hotels, but fiery questions remain.
When and where
The epic universe is under construction between Sandrake Road and Universal Boulevard, just north of the Convention Center. Approximately 2.5 miles southeast of Universal Orlando’s existing theme park, Universal Studios, Adventure Island, Volcanic Bay Water Park and Universal City Walk. The epic is on the “opposite side” of Interstate 4.
Universal operates a bus between the original park and the hotel and the spectacular area. There is outdoor parking near the epic for visitors to the new park.
The epic opening of the epic universe is scheduled for May 22nd, Thursday, before the anniversary.
Theme Team
The magnificent universe is divided into five lands. Visitors enter from a celestial park that includes coasters and carousels. Other lands are super Nintendo world, how to train your dragons – the magical world of Berk Island, Harry Potter – the Ministry of Magic and Dark Universe is a classic of Black Lagoon creatures, mummies, Dracula’s bride and more It features monsters.
Alicia Stella, owner of the Orlando Parkstop website, has been monitoring the park even before construction begins. Some people are confused by the “five immersive worlds” push, she said, thinking it means five parks and five tickets.
it’s not. The round gateway, which Universal calls the “portal,” is a passageway from the celestial park to four other lands, all of which are part of the epic.
“People think that every world is an individual theme park because there is an entrance to their portal and it is promoted in individual commercials,” Stella said. It’s like, “Do you need tickets for each world?” ”
The portal layout, which pours epic crowds into the land, relates to Tharin White, the lead producer of Orlando-based travel website Eyntk.info.
“I don’t know what will happen when I have to go through a single portal to enter the world of Super Nintendo. Then I enter the second single portal and head to the country of Donkey Kong.” He said. “To me, it just sounds like a bottleneck after a bottleneck.”
Big ride along the way
yes. There are four roller coasters in the epic. Minecart’s Madness is in the Donkey Kong Country subsection of the Super Nintendo World and already has a hot topic. It’s the moment when the car is jumping over the gap in the broken rails.
Hiccup’s wing glider flies over Burke Island. The Werewolf Curse becomes a coaster that spins a dark space car. Additionally, Stardust Racer, which operates at Celestial Park, will be a dual-lean race.
There are no coasters in the magical world, but it features a battle between Harry Potter and ministry. This is the vehicle that follows the trial (and escape) of Dolores Umbridge, a cruel character from Potterverse.
The Dark Universe will take on a huge thrill. Monster Unchained: Frankenstein Experiment is an adventure under Frankenstein Manor and boasts over 12 animatronic figures.
Ticks, ticks, tickets
Tickets are currently on sale in the epic universe, but so far there are limited options.
You can purchase multiple Universal Orlando tickets that come with a one-day pass for the epic universe.
Alternatively, if you are a universal annual pass holder, you can purchase one-day tickets for the epic. Ticket prices vary by date, and this category will be sold out for the first 17 days when Epic is open. The lowest price for the rest of 2025 is $122.
More spectacular tickets, including one day tickets, will be sold before the park opens, the Universal website says. This also applies to Universal Express, the resort’s system for skipping lines. However, it remains to be seen whether they will be available months, days, weeks, or even hours before the opening.
Preview Mode
When Universal announced the first phase of ticket sales last fall, he mentioned the passholder’s “soft opening opportunity.” No more information has been shared.
Employee previews usually precede these events. There are signs that it is happening. Some team members are trained on the site and Starbucks is open in the park, but not in the public, but industry watchers expect vehicle testing vehicles to begin next month .
“Previews of team members certainly seem imminent as we have mock dinner services at several restaurants,” Stella said.
Annual Pass
Florida residents can now purchase a valid annual pass for the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for $530. (The resort has an additional $100 discount on this figure for Floridians.)
Universal does not share details about future annual passes and whether to include access to the epic universe.
“Is it going to be an add-on?” White said. “All the passes will surge as soon as you decide to add them?”
Technology talk
Officials and publicity materials promote the epic as technological advances. Several customer-facing technologies have been mentioned, including animatronics, robotic drones, facial recognition and ride systems.
“I think it runs the scope, but I think it starts with a guest experience about what they’re trying to see and how they’re immersed,” says International Theme Park CEO and Founder. Dennis Spegel said service.
Super Nintendo World includes interactive features using power-up band wearable devices to unlock additional content.
“I think technological advancements will be extremely important for our guests,” Speigel says.
Meal motifs
The restaurant will be a big theme within the epic universe. Among the restaurants is Mead Hall, a viking-led facility on Berk Island, and Duss Stakehouse run by a vampire servant. Located in the world of Super Nintendo, Toadstool Cafe leaps towards a mushroom theme with ingredients and decorations.
And yes, butterbeer is sold in the magical world, just like the island of adventure and Universal Studios installments.
Hot new hotel
Three hotels are planned in the spectacular area. Stella Nova opened last month, while Terra Luna will open next month. They are close to the theme park, but not as close as Grand Helios, which has its own dedicated entrance to the spectacular universe.
White, who recently stayed at Stellanova, took a bus to City Walk and other parks in Universal in 14 minutes.
“I basically compared it to staying in one of the hotels in Magic Kingdom and riding in the Animal Kingdom,” he said.
I’ll get there
In addition to the multi-million dollar extension of Kirkman Road, which drives from carrier drives to spectacular sites, the height of the traffic circle with private bus lanes for the resort helps with traffic issues around the populated tourist corridors It is designed to be.
But our experts expect the road roar.
“I think Universal Boulevard will be 20% busier than ever. Certain days are already pretty bad,” Stella said.
“I think that’s one of those things,” White said. “So it’s just going to be added to Orlando. There’s a traffic problem.”
And the rest
Even the epic universe is overwhelming. There are additional rides to explore, stage shows to absorb, multiple themed restaurants and menus to experience. There is details surrounding the Express and early access for hotel guests.
And what about fireworks?
“How do you want to announce a fireworks show in all the promotional ads at this theme park?” Stella said. “That’s a question I have and it’s making me crazy.”
Epic’s debut is only 100 days, but we have 100,000 questions. Time – and universal – I understand.
Another: Are you ready?
Speigel said he was talking to manufacturers and installers, but no one expressed any doubt. He said that is rare. And there is the SW walking factor.
“I’ve never seen a park open with a fanfare like this before that preparation. I’m showing pictures and giving them the information they have,” he said.
“I think it’s their very bold statement. It makes me believe from what I see and because they’re ready.”
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