Universal Orlando’s highly anticipated Epic Universe is set to open on May 22, 2025, bringing five immersive lands, cutting-edge attractions, and flying animatronics to theme park fans.
With a $6 billion price tag, this expansion is Universal’s biggest yet, and it’s already generating major buzz—especially thanks to the jaw-dropping Toothless animatronic that’s been spotted in testing.
The animatronic has left fans in awe, as it seamlessly glides overhead, mimicking the flight movements from How to Train Your Dragon with incredible realism.
Oh my… pic.twitter.com/AZ2pfQ4xUp
— Epic Universe Progress Bar (@EUProgressBar) February 11, 2025
A New Era for Theme Parks
Unlike previous Universal parks, Epic Universe is designed around portals, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in different worlds. Each portal leads to a completely separate land, heightening the sense of adventure and storytelling.
At the heart of the park is Celestial Park, a futuristic hub filled with lush gardens, cosmic designs, and stunning architecture inspired by astronomy. This area will also feature the high-speed Stardust Racers dueling coaster, which promises thrilling side-by-side launches and inversions.
From Celestial Park, guests can enter four fully themed lands, each packed with attractions and experiences:
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Featuring a dark ride set in the British and French Ministries of Magic, where guests will be immersed in the secrets of the wizarding government.
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Home to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and the Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madnesscoaster, plus interactive gameplay elements throughout the land.
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Where the incredible Toothless animatronic will soar overhead, bringing dragons to life like never before. The land will also include dragon-riding attractions and Viking-themed interactive elements.
- Dark Universe: A gothic horror land featuring Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and eerie walk-through attractions that bring Universal’s Classic Monsters to life in a way never seen before.
Dining and Themed Food Offerings
Each land will feature themed dining experiences, ensuring guests remain fully immersed in the worlds they are visiting. Some of the anticipated highlights include:
- Toadstool Café (SUPER NINTENDO WORLD) – Offering Mario-themed meals such as Luigi Burgers, Bowser’s Fireball Spaghetti, and a giant one-pound meatball dish.
- Mead Hall (Isle of Berk) – A Viking-style feast hall serving grilled meats, seafood, and rustic breads.
- Le Goblet Noir (Wizarding World of Harry Potter) – A wizarding tavern featuring Butterbeer Crêpes and enchanted cocktails.
- Das Stakehouse (Dark Universe) – A monster-themed steakhouse offering horror-inspired dishes, such as the “Blood Orange Chicken Sandwich”.
Ticket Information
Universal has confirmed that Epic Universe will require multi-day passes, encouraging guests to experience its attractions over multiple days. Here’s what we know so far:
- Single-Day Tickets: Pricing starts at $117 per day.
- Multi-Day Packages: Guests must purchase three-, four-, or five-day tickets to visit Epic Universe along with Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Volcano Bay.
- Annual Passholder Add-On: Single-day Epic Universe access for passholders starts at $122 per day, but the first 17 days have already sold out.
- Express Passes & VIP Experiences: Universal is expected to offer skip-the-line options for select attractions.
With flying animatronics, next-generation attractions, and fully immersive worlds, Epic Universe could set a new standard for theme parks when it opens in 2025. Universal’s investment in high-tech experiences and ultra-themed environments makes this an expansion worth watching—and one that could reshape the future of theme park design for years to come.
