We just got back from Universal’s Epic Universe, and I’m still buzzing from the experience. We were so amazed to be able to get tickets to the park on one of its preview days. I Went On all the rides, ate in the restaurants and here is my Epic Universe review and what I think is one of the best rides!

This park is massive, over 110 acres. It is beautiful and truly the next evolution of theme park design.What makes Epic Universe so special isn’t just the rides, though those are incredible, but the portals that transport you to entirely separate, fully themed worlds. Epic Universe is the first Universal park to feature the classic wheel-and-spoke layout, a design made famous by Disneyland in 1955. At the heart of the park is a central hub the Celestial park, with each of Epic Universe’s unique lands branching out from this central point.

Each land is accessed through its own immersive portal, which instantly seals off the outside world and brings you into a complete story universe. Below, I’m sharing exclusive photos and deep dives into each portal and every major ride I experienced in this guide to Universal’s Epic Universe Orlando!

A Full Day Inside Epic Universe: Everything you need to know about the Rides and Park

After spending hours walking through this park, these are all the incredible facts I found out about Epic Universe and its new amazing rides!

What tickets can I get for the Epic Universe?

Guests can now buy 1-Day tickets for Epic Universe!
Multi-day tickets are also available, which include 1-Day admission to Epic Universe along with 1 to 5 days of access to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, each on separate days. Please note that park-to-park access with Epic Universe is not currently offered.

Where to Stay Epic Universe

There are many places to stay in Orlando off-site, but Guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort hotels—and select others—can take advantage of Early Park Admission (EPA) at Epic Universe.

• Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando (my favourite!)
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
• Loews Royal Pacific Hotel
• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel
• Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites
• Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn & Suites
• Universal Stella Nova Resort
• Universal Terra Luna Resort
• Universal Helios Grand Hotel

If you want to be really close to the action then the ultimate resort loactaion would be the Helios Grand Hotel. With its dedicated entrance to the park and an extra hour early opening, this would maximise your stay and chance of riding all the rides!

Celestial Park: the Centre of the Universe and its new Rides

Before reaching the portals, you first enter into Celestial Park, the heart and hub of Epic Universe. This fantastic space is a rose gold world of stunning statues, orbs, and beautiful flowers.

Think lush greenery, shimmering water features, interactive constellations, and kinetic sculptures all orbiting around the central lakes.

What rides are in the Celestial Park at Epic Universe?

There are several rides, and attractions in celestial park.

Constellation Carousel Ride

The carousel is a beautifully reimagined take on the classic carousel ride with glowing constellations and celestial creatures.

The phases of the moon shine brightly when the sun is shining, making it truly magical. The creatures take you 6 feet in the air while spinning you around. This is perfect for all ages but in my opinion better for families.

Stardust Racers the Ultimate Coaster!

The Stardust racers is a dual-launch roller coaster. It is the park’s most visible thrill ride, with intertwined tracks racing above Celestial Park. The two coasters race alongside each other at 62 miles an hour. It’s smooth, fast, and offers stunning views of the entire park especially at night when everything glows.

I loved this ride! The coaster goes upside down with twists and turns, and then rejoins the other coaster to race each other. Both coasters are slightly different, so it is important to ride both!

The Yellow coaster feels smoother and has more loops and twists. The green is slightly faster and beats the yellow coaster in its force. I found this one to be somewhat more rattly. For me, it’s the Yellow one all the time!

Fun Fact: Look out for the Flux Capacitor on the back of the vehicles from Back to the Future.

More to find at Celestial park

There is so much more to see at the Celestial Park, too! There are Shows, shops, and restaurants dotted all around. Look out for moving statues that are part of the park too.

You will also find some taverns to have a bite to eat and a snack in. Check out the Meteor Astropub, with a cosmic flair—perfect for beer buffs, cocktail fans, and burger lovers alike. In there you will find your favorite pub classics at this meteor-inspired hotspot.

The Astronomica is a huge children’s water play area. Look out for the metal signs on the floor pointing out the different portals.

At night, a show combining music, fountains, lights, and projections that rival Disney’s best. Think Bellagio-style fountains meet galactic fantasy. It takes place in the lake. The show is at 8.45pm every evening.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Ministry of Magic portal

I really was not prepared by just how magical this place would be! You walk through a majestic, arched portal etched with magical runes. A giant hand points in the air above your head which grasps the Elder wand.

You head under the metro arch and then boom—you’re in 1920s Paris with cobblestone streets, magical lampposts, and the looming French Ministry of Magic.

In this extraordinary world you will leave the Muggle side of Paris behind and step into the Place Cachée – a hidden, vibrant district nestled within wizarding Paris.

The streets are lined with elegant Haussmannian architecture, charming boutiques and sidewalk cafés. Ahead in the distance there is a circus and grand domes of churches peeking through the skyline just like the Mont Marte.

The style of the Metro line signs and posters on the walls is all in keeping with the Art Nouveau style and is simply magical.

Witches and wizards can cast interactive spells throughout the cobblestone streets, encounter extraordinary creatures at a whimsical traveling circus.

And – for the first time in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – journey across time and borders to 1990s London via the Métro-Floo for a thrilling mission deep inside the legendary British Ministry of Magic.

Fun Fact: Around the portal, if you look closely, you will find the wands of famous wizards before, such as Harry Potter, Hermione.

Battle of the Ministry

Battle of the Ministry is the state-of-the-art dark ride combining trackless tech and AR wands. The line itself is a pure work of art and has the most amazing granuduer of art Nouveau style I have ever seen.

At present, there is a virtual queue to ride, which has caused some concern that not everyone may get to ride.

Fun Fact: The Queue was made to accommodate people with over 7 hours of queue time!

Le Cirque Arcanus

Le Cirque Arcanus is a spellbinding stage show within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, blending live performers, mesmerizing puppetry, dazzling special effects, and more. In a bold attempt to restore the circus to its former glory, ringmaster Skender has stolen Newt Scamander’s enchanted suitcase—unleashing a host of fantastic beasts from around the world. Now, it’s up to Gwenlyn, a courageous circus employee, to rescue the creatures in this thrilling magical adventure.

You will get thoroughly immersed in the mysterious world of Le Cirque Arcanus, discovering bizarre and wondrous acts as they wander past sideshow booths on the way to the main stage. I really didi not know what to expect but I was blown away!

Once seated, it looks like a regular circus show but fear not! The stage completely adapts and changes. The show features a captivating performance featuring a seamless blend of live action, elaborate puppetry, and spectacular magical effects. I was mind blown, the set was amazing! Do not miss this!!

Super Nintendo World Portal

This is easily the most colorful and energetic portal in the park. You walk through a giant green warp pipe and up an escalator. You are then surrounded by pixelated hills, clouds, and bouncing question blocks. You hear that iconic coin chime as you cross into Peach’s Castle, and suddenly, you’re in the heart of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Fun Fact: watch the coin on top of the portal lip from the Mario cartoon to the Mario Pixel figure.

Mario Kart, Bowser’s Challenge

Mario Kart, Bowser’s Challenge is a AR type enhanced racing where your kart responds to your steering and pressing your shooting buttons. You wear a head piece and a visor which is 3D. It’s an absolute blast for all ages and super re-rideable. We did this after two attempts as it broke down but we did eventually get on. It reminded me of the Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood studios.

Donkey Kong’s Mine Cart Madness

A boomerang style coaster that makes your cart leap across gaps and barrels. You feel like you’re inside a DK game. The ride looks amazing! Sadly, we could not ride as we ran out of time! But it’s first on the agenda for next time.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Entering through this portal feels like discovering a Norse village nestled in cliffs and clouds. A giant dragon skeleton arches over the entrance, and you can hear distant dragon calls and Viking chants. There are dragons everywhere an I think this was my favourite land!

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a family coaster and its amazing! You soar around with twists and turns and its perfect for all ages. It remeined me of the Slinky dog coaster but quicker with more thrills.

Dragon Racer Rally

Dragon Racer Rally is where you fly your own dragon. Each rider can control their dragon’s wings to soar, twist, or dive. Stunning views and gentle enough for kids. I did not send mine upside down but you can!

Top Tip: get in one of the dragons closest to you when boarding, as you will be on the outside and go higher!

Fyre Drill

Fyre drill is a Viking boat ride for the family. But be prepared to get wet and soak everyone with super soakers!

The Untrainable Dragon

This is the must-see stage show of the park. Set in the Isle of Berk, the story follows the villagers as they confront the challenge of an “untrainable” dragon. Featuring impressively large dragons brought to life through a mix of animation and puppetry, the creatures are the true stars of the performance. One unforgettable moment: watching Toothless soar above the audience before landing dramatically on stage—an experience worth the visit on its own.

Viking Training Camp – Interactive play zone with rope bridges, climbing nets, and animatronic baby dragons. Great for families needing a break from big rides.

Fun Fact: Look out for the 30 Dragons around the land, some of which are animated.

Dark Universe Portal

This portal is unlike anything else in the park. It’s eerie, fog-drenched, and built like a crumbling Gothic cathedral. Thunder cracks above, and creepy organ music plays faintly in the background.

As you enter Darkmoor village, you are taken on a journey past grave stones through one of the frankestiens’ Castle

Fun Fact: Watch out for the windmill, which bursts into flames about every 15 minutes.

Monsters Unchained

Monsters Unchained is the The Frankenstein Experiment ride. This dark ride is intense and thrilling and my favourite ride at the park! You descend into Dr. Frankenstein’s lab where a failed experiment unleashes monsters from every corner of Universal’s horror legacy.

Think Dracula, The Wolfman, Creature from the Black Lagoon—all reimagined in stunning detail. This mind-blowing ride features 14 animatronics that feel incredibly realistic! I was actually scared!

The ride itself is much like the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest in the way it works. You swing in and out of the monsters worlds and become face to face with the likes of dracula and werewolfs!

The Curse of the Werewolf

The Curse of the Werewolf is a thrilling coaster that winds through moonlit forests, featuring surprise animatronics and sudden twists.

Very atmospheric and totally not what I expected! I wish I could have recorded our responses; it was totally epic!

Top tip: Each time you ride, it will be different. Depending on which carriage you sit in, the vehicles swing around based on your body weight. So ride more than once! It also doesn’t matter which carriage to sit in; they are all different.

So I Epic Universe worth it?

Totally! However there are still teething problems thatwill iron out over the next coming weeks as the park is now open. Universal’s Epic Universe is the first park I’ve visited where every land felt like its own destination. The portals are not just clever entrances—they’re transformative experiences. Each land is immersive, thrilling, and completely distinct.

From magical duels in Paris to dragon flights over Berk, from pixel-perfect Mario chaos to spine-tingling horror in the Dark Universe, this park is packed with variety, surprises, and sheer fun.

I’ve shared some photos above, but I am posting full ride videos, restaurant reviews, and portal walkthroughs over on Tik Tok and Instagram so go check them out!

Which portal would you step through first? Let me know in the comments or tag me in your Epic Universe pics!