Construction update: Epic Universe pops with color as theming continues
At the future site of Universal Epic Universe, construction teams uncovered Yoshi ride vehicles and added color to Wizarding World pavement as progress continues park-wide.
Epic Universe will open next year at Universal Orlando Resort with worlds based on Nintendo, Universal Classic Monsters, Harry Potter, and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
While much of the park is still in “infrastructure and dirt” mode, theming has ramped up since our last update in several areas. Let’s take a look at aerial photography shared with us by bioreconstruct.
Celestial Park
Celestial Park, containing Epic Universe’s main entrance and central plaza, currently embodies the duality of the theme park’s progress. For example, Starfall Racers, the area’s resident roller coaster, is fully assembled, while structures nearby are still in their beginning phases.
The photo below looks toward the park from just outside its front entrance. The white arch in the middle will become the Chronos device, a structure integral to the park’s lore (read the full backstory here). Just beyond the Chronos device stands the future site of an area known as Luna Overlook.
Throughout Celestial Park — which, in addition to Starfall Racers, will contain several restaurants — construction workers continue to add pops of color and small theming elements bit by bit. We’ll see this trend continue in the rest of our update as we make our way through the four worlds that branch off from Celestial Park.
Super Nintendo World: Yoshis Uncovered, DK’s Jungle Grows
Back in December, bioreconstruct noticed wrapped-up Yoshi ride vehicles installed upon an elevated track above Super Nintendo World. During his recent flight above Epic Universe, he again captured photos of the Yoshis, but this time …
… as bioreconstruct flew over Super Nintendo World, construction workers removed the tarps from the ride vehicles! A kaleidoscope of multi-colored Yoshis!
Elsewhere in Super Nintendo World, the exterior of the Donkey Kong roller coaster looks more and more like a jungle each day. Notice the themed planks boarded up in the bottom photo, hiding the track from park guests’ ground-level viewing.
Mushroom Kingdom gradually looks more recognizable as Universal removed scaffolding and adds colorful designs throughout.
Just outside Super Nintendo World, to the right of the entrance portal in the photo below, will be the Nintendo Super Star Store.
Dark Universe: More Coaster Testing
We don’t have much to share about Dark Universe this time, but the land celebrated several milestones in recent weeks. If you missed it, check out our coverage of coaster trains cruising the track and the windmill from “Frankenstein.”
Wizarding World: “Accio Paint!”
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is looking lively with newly-blue pavement outside its entrance portal.
Just beyond the portal, artists are nearly finished with a mural that reads, “Parfumeri Distillerie Divine Magic.” Epic Universe’s Wizarding World (the outdoor portions of it, at least) will depict Paris as seen in “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.”
Isle of Berk: Coaster Train Installed
Big news over in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: We’ve got a coaster train! Barely visible, but indeed on the track, a train for the land’s roller coaster sits in the load station.
The coaster track winds its way through, under, and around various elements within Berk, some of which appear nearly completed and others just beginning. In the photos below, spot the sheep dressed like a spotted dragon, as well as the track segment that will traverse through the area’s lake and under a bridge.
More theming and colors in Isle of Berk.
Helios Grand Hotel
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will overlook Celestial Park, which is pictured behind Helios Grand in the construction photo below.
From this vantage point, one can imagine the sweeping views of Epic Universe that will be available to hotel guests from their rooms.
Here’s what the other side of the hotel — the side facing Epic Universe — looks like.
Just down the street, construction progresses on Universal Terra Luna Resort and Universal Stella Nova Resort. Notice the apartment complexes immediately to the left of one of the hotels.
Reservations are now available for both Terra Luna and Stella Nova, which will open in early 2025 before Epic Universe’s grand opening later in the year.
More Universal Orlando
Check out the difference in Epic Universe between January 2021 and February 2024:
It’s a busy season, to say the least, for Universal Orlando. Earlier this week, the resort announced the attractions opening this summer as part of DreamWorks Land at Universal Studios Florida. Read more here, and catch up on previous Epic Universe coverage below.
