Universal Orlando Resort is taking another major step toward the highly anticipated debut of its newest theme park, Epic Universe. While the park isn’t set to open to the public until May 22, 2025, team members are already getting a taste of what’s to come. The Starbucks located in Celestial Park is now operational exclusively for South Campus team members, marking the first dining venue to begin service within the new park.
Celestial Park, the heart of Epic Universe, will act as the park’s hub, connecting guests to its immersive themed lands through massive portal entrances. Now, it’s also home to the first operational dining location within the new park, where Universal employees can grab a cup of coffee and take in the surroundings before Epic Universe officially welcomes guests.
Universal Orlando Resort shared the announcement online, highlighting this exciting milestone and teasing what’s to come in the months leading up to opening day.
A Look Inside Epic Universe
With the countdown to May 22 underway, excitement is building as Universal’s most ambitious theme park nears completion. Epic Universe is expected to completely redefine theme park entertainment, offering an unprecedented level of immersion across five unique themed lands. Featuring over 50 attractions, restaurants, and entertainment experiences, the park is designed to transport guests to worlds unlike anything Universal has created before.
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Here’s a closer look at what guests can expect when Epic Universe officially opens its gates.
Celestial Park
At the center of Epic Universe lies Celestial Park, an awe-inspiring environment filled with lush gardens, dazzling waterways, and futuristic architecture. It’s here that guests will find a relaxing space to explore before venturing into the park’s themed lands. Two major attractions will anchor Celestial Park:
- Constellation Carousel – A unique take on the classic carousel, this attraction moves in a figure-eight pattern, creating a whimsical, dreamlike experience.
- Stardust Racers – A high-speed dueling coaster, where riders will race through the cosmos on an intergalactic adventure.
Celestial Park will also feature a variety of dining options, including the newly opened Starbucks, which will eventually be available to guests when the park debuts in May.
Dark Universe
Epic Universe will bring Universal’s iconic monsters to life like never before with Dark Universe, an entire land dedicated to legendary creatures like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman. The land will be home to two major attractions:
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – A cutting-edge dark ride that takes guests deep into Frankenstein Manor, where an experiment has gone horribly wrong. Expect to encounter classic Universal Monsters, including Dracula, the Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
- Curse of the Werewolf – A thrilling spinning coaster that plunges guests into the depths of the forest, pursued by werewolves in a fast-paced, immersive adventure.
Isle of Berk
Inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon films, Isle of Berk will bring guests into a world of Vikings and dragons with three major attractions:
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – A multi-launch rollercoaster that lets riders experience the thrill of soaring over Berk on the back of a dragon.
- Fyre Drill – An interactive boat ride where guests will engage in a water battle using cannons to test their Viking skills.
- Dragon Racer’s Rally – A flat ride where guests control their own dragon’s movements, choosing between a mild or intense experience.
With themed dining and entertainment straight out of the DreamWorks film franchise, Isle of Berk is set to be one of the most immersive lands in the park.
Super Nintendo World
One of the most anticipated areas of Epic Universe is Super Nintendo World, an expansion of Universal’s partnership with Nintendo. This land will transport guests into the colorful and interactive world of Mario, featuring three attractions:
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – A high-tech dark ride where guests can race against Bowser using augmented reality technology.
- Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness – A thrilling family coaster featuring an innovative ride system that mimics jumping over gaps in the track.
- Yoshi’s Adventure – A slow-moving omnimover attraction that takes guests on a scenic tour of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Super Nintendo World will also feature interactive elements, allowing guests to collect coins and complete challenges throughout the land.
The Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic
A brand-new Harry Potter experience will also be coming to Epic Universe in the form of the Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic. This area will be inspired by the Fantastic Beasts films and feature a massive dark ride:
- Battle of the Ministry of Magic – A thrilling attraction where guests will navigate the magical underground world of the British Ministry of Magic while dodging dark forces.
This addition expands the beloved Wizarding World of Harry Potter, offering a brand-new way for fans to step into the magic.
A Game-Changer for Universal Orlando
With its innovative attractions, immersive storytelling, and the introduction of entirely new worlds, Epic Universe is set to transform Universal Orlando Resort into a multi-day destination like never before. The addition of a third theme park will allow visitors to spend even more time exploring the resort, with new hotels and dining experiences being built to accommodate the increased demand.
As the opening date inches closer, Epic Universe continues to take shape, and the recent opening of Starbucks for team members is just one small but exciting step toward bringing this grand vision to life. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a Harry Potter fan, or a lifelong Nintendo enthusiast, Epic Universe promises to deliver an unparalleled theme park experience when it finally welcomes guests in May 2025.
