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Theme park expert and social media influencer, Drew Smith, reacts to Universal’s Epic Universe opening date announcement. Smith shares what he expects from this announcement from hotel bookings, ticket sales and annual passholder perks.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Studios Orlando has announced that Epic Universe, its highly-anticipated fourth theme park in Florida, will open sooner than expected – May 2025. Soon, people will be able to purchase tickets to see the new theme park, which will be home to new lands themed after Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and How To Train Your Dragon.
Here’s what you need to know about Epic Universe’s opening date, when tickets go on sale and how to buy them, hotel information, as well as the lands, rides, and attractions that will be part of the new theme park.
The Epic Universe portals will officially unlock on May 22, 2025, allowing visitors access to five brand-new worlds:
A rendering of a bird’s eye view of Epic Universe . [Credit: Universal Orlando]
Epic Universe is scheduled to open May 22, 2025, Universal announced Thursday. Tharin White, lead publisher of EYNTK.info, joined FOX 35 News+ to talk about tickets, what the announcement means for the “theme park wars,” and the pressure it puts on Disney.
The following multi-day ticket options inclusive of Universal Epic Universe will be available:
Guests will also have the option to set up vacation packages including all the Universal Parks. More details about tickets to Epic Universe would be released in the months ahead of the opening. You can find more info on Universal’s website.
Concept art of what Epic Universe, Universal’s newest theme park in Orlando, Florida, could look like. It’s currently scheduled to open during summer 2025. Photo via Universal Orlando.
Epic Universe is located 15 minutes down the road from Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard.
Universal’s Epic Universe is getting even bigger. Universal Orlando updated its original plans to include more than 1,300 additional acres for that park, and it hasn’t even opened yet. The original park will sit on 700 acres.
Epic Universe will be home to three resort hotels, including the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, and five “portals” that will take people to five different themed lands with attractions, rides, shows, and restaurants.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel (opens May 22, 2025): Described as the “crown jewel” of Epic Universe, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel is located within the theme park and has its own dedicated entrance for guests. The Mediterranean-themed hotel has 500 rooms, sweeping views of Epic Universe’s Celestial Park, a rooftop bar and lounge, resort-style pool, hot tub, and poolside bar, and Florida Taverna, its signature restaurant.
Universal Stella Nova Resort (opens Jan. 21, 2025): This resort will have 750 rooms and will be the sister hotel to Universal Terra Luna Resort. It features a resort-style pool, bar, game room, a quick-service dining hall, and a bar and grill.
Universal Terra Luna Resort (opens Feb. 25, 2025): This resort will also have 700+ rooms and be the sister hotel to Stella Nova Resort. Terra Luna is themed after the unknown parts of the universe, including an “awe-inspiring solar system.” This resort will have quick-service restaurants, bar and grill, and an outdoor pool.
Both resorts can easily be seen along International Drive by their colorful exteriors.
Matthew Miller, the senior director at Orlando Informer, shares new details about Universal’s Epic Universe theme park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This will be the third Harry Potter-inspired land at Universal Orlando. Inspired by the Fantastic Beasts series, people will be transported to 1920s Paris. People will then rejoin Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the 1990s to explore the Ministry of Magic. This land will have a new ride, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a full-scale theater show, Le Cirque Arcanus, Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique wand shop, Café L’Air De La Sirène (French-inspired restaurant), La Gobelet Noice (restaurant), Bar Moonshine, and Bièraubeurre Cart (butterbeer).
Bird’s eye view of Super Nintendo World (Photo: Universal Orlando Resort)
Super Nintendo World
Already open in Japan and Universal Hollywood, Super Nintendo World finally joins Orlando and will feature several lands of its own, including Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. This land will feature many favorite characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong. It will have Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (ride), Yoshi’s Adventure (ride), Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi’s Snack Island, Turbo Boost Treats, 1-Up Factory and Mario Motors (shops), and meet and greets. Donkey Kong Country will have Mine-Cart Madness. This land will also have Power-Up Bands for sale, where guests can collect digital coins by interacting with blocks and other elements throughout the land.
Dark Universe
A much-anticipated land, Dark Universe is inspired by Universal’s iconic monsters, including Dracula, The Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster. The land is set within the fictional universe of Darkmoor and features Frankenstein’s Manor. It will be home to Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experience, Curse of the Werewolf, Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, and monster meet and greets. There will be a number of restaurants and shops: Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern, De Lacey’s Cottage, and Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk (Photo: Universal Orlando Resort)
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
This land is inspired by Dreamworks and Universal Pictures animated series, How To Train Your Dragon, and is set within the Isle of Berk. It will be home to a variety of rides and shows: Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, The Untrainable Dragon live show, Fyre Drill, Dragon Racer’s Rally, and the Viking Training Camp. People will also be able ot meet Hiccup and Toothless. It will have dining options too: Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill, Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel.
Stardust Racers at Celestial Park (Photo: Universal Orlando Resort)
Celestial Park
Considered the centerpiece of Celestial Park. It will be home to Stardust Racers, a duel launch coaster; Contellation Carousel, Astronomica, an interactive splash pad; and a number of restaurants and shops: Atlantic, The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, Nintendo Super Star Store, The Oak & Star Tavern, Pizza Moon. There will also be fountain shows across the park’s 7 acres of water. It is also home to the Universal Helios Grand Hotel.