Construction update: Dark Universe roller coaster trains testing at Epic Universe

Progress continues rapidly at the future home of Universal Orlando Resort’s third theme park, which opens in 2025.

Once again, bioreconstruct shared incredible aerial photography showcasing significant additions in every area of Epic Universe: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.

While a lot is happening all over the construction site — and bioreconstruct captured over 100 photos of the ongoing developments, which you can find on his social platforms — here are a few of the most noticeable additions at Epic Universe, as captured from the air Feb. 16, 2024.

Celestial Park

Construction teams installed support infrastructure for the large fountain in the middle of Celestial Park, the central plaza of Epic Universe. Imagine the breathtaking water displays we’ll soon see while gathered around this fountain.

Workers positioned the turntable for Celestial Park’s carousel. In addition to the outer circle platform spinning like a traditional carousel, the ride will feature inner circles that also spin.

Super Nintendo World

The theming for the tower known as Mount Beanpole within the Mushroom Kingdom area of Super Nintendo World appears complete.

Taking a closer look, Mario’s flag, gold coins, item boxes, and a thwomp (!) are all present and accounted for.

Surrounding Mount Beanpole, the Yoshi ride has begun testing. While not noticeable from still photographs, bioreconstruct said this slow-moving, indoor/outdoor ride has indeed started moving. Observe the test dummies inside the Yoshi-shaped ride vehicles, as well as the one egg-shaped ride vehicle (likely the ride’s accessibility-friendly car).

Adjacent to Mushroom Kingdom in Super Nintendo World’s Donkey Kong Country area, construction crews continue to add theming flourishes to the exterior of the “track-jumping” Donkey Kong roller coaster. These include fabrications resembling flowers and wood panels, as well as rock work.

Dark Universe

In Dark Universe, the land focused on Universal Classic Monsters, the outdoor spinning roller coaster has begun testing.

Somewhat similar to Cobra’s Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, this roller coaster’s individual ride compartments will spin while traveling along the track in a connected train.

Also in Dark Universe, construction teams assembled a mid-size, barn-looking building just outside the large manor.

A fence of gravestones will greet guests upon entering the Dark Universe portal from Celestial Park.

It’s been assembled for a few months now, but can we just appreciate this portal for a sec? Come on.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Outside of the portal leading into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, artisans began installing uniquely designed concrete. In the hustle and bustle of the major attractions of Epic Universe, it’s easy to forget about all the small details, like intentionally designed pavement, that make Orlando theme parks so special.

The same sentiment goes for the graphic designs in progress on this new Wizarding World’s exterior façades. The witches and wizards of this community — Place Cachée, a district of Paris, France, as seen in the 2018 film “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” — are a lively and artistic group of magical folk.

While many of these façades are just that — façades, fake exteriors of nonexistent buildings — clumps of them disguise a massive show building. Inside this building, guests will experience a to-be-announced attraction taking place within the Ministry of Magic from the “Harry Potter” films. In the photo below, the arrow points to what may be the entrance to this attraction.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Over in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, construction crews placed one of the outdoor roller coaster’s trains onto the track. The cars are still under wraps (literally) and underneath a shelter.

Elsewhere within Berk, workers made progress on various boat vessels …

… as well as a trio of sheep!

More Epic Universe

Is it starting to settle in yet that Universal is building a new theme park?

To continue your voyage on the Epic Universe hype train, see our previous coverage, including an overview of Universal’s big reveal of the park’s major lands, a breakdown of small details you may have missed in Universal’s announcement, and how the new park may influence Orlando at large.