Epic Universe planning: Ride reviews, food, touring tips, tickets

Welcome to our hub for Universal Epic Universe, the new theme park which opened May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando. Here, you’ll find ride reviews, food menus, and vacation-planning resources from Attractions Magazine’s coverage of this historic event, including our 64-page special print edition:

Attractions Magazine Epic Universe Special Edition

By Attractions Magazine in Attractions Magazine

64 pages, published 5/22/2025

Special edition Attractions Magazine, all about the grand opening of Universal’s Epic Universe theme park! With the help of Universal Orlando Resort, we are bringing you this special souvenir edition featuring a Q&A, tips for visiting, the best foods to try, and full details and awesome photos from all the lands, characters, and rides: Super Nintendo World, How To Train Your Dragon, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Monsters, and…

The basics

New to Epic Universe? Start here with our newcomers guide to the park, complete with basic overview of what Epic Universe is and what to expect when visiting.

What is Epic Universe? Newcomers’ guide to Universal Orlando’s new theme park

Grand opening

Epic Universe grand opening souvenir print magazine

Epic Universe grand opening ceremonies for each portal

Epic Universe opening day trip report

The future of Dark Universe at Epic Universe: ‘more monster stories’ to come, says creative director

Creating a beast: The making of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe | Exclusive interview

‘You better have dragons’: The making of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk at Epic Universe | Exclusive interview

A ‘world between worlds’: The making of Celestial Park at Epic Universe | Exclusive interview

‘Exceed their expectations’: The making of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe | Exclusive interview

Epic Universe ride reviews

All 11 Epic Universe rides, ranked

Ride review | Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry at Epic Universe, unlike any other

Ride review | Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment at Epic Universe, a legacy-solidifying attraction

Ride review | Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, the best roller coaster in Orlando?

Ride review | Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge at Epic Universe is a childhood dream come to life

Ride review | Mine-Cart Madness at Epic Universe: This roller coaster is bananas

Ride review | Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster at Epic Universe, unexpected spinning fun

Ride review | Hiccup’s Wing Gliders at Epic Universe, baby’s first story coaster

Ride review | Fyre Drill at Epic Universe: Soaked is an understatement

Ride review | Dragon Racer’s Rally at Epic Universe, a welcome surprise

Ride review | Yoshi’s Adventure at Epic Universe is family fun at a slow pace

Show review | ‘Le Cirque Arcanus’ at Epic Universe is fun, but not worth a long wait

Photos inside the park

Epic Universe photo tour: Inside all 5 worlds, from Nintendo to Harry Potter

All about the food at Epic Universe

51 food and drink items revealed for Epic Universe restaurants

The best food I tried at Epic Universe

Epic Universe cheap eats: Best budget-friendly food, snacks for under $15

Universal Helios Grand Hotel: A glance at food for rooftop bar + full-service restaurant

Planning your visit to Epic Universe

Tickets

Ticket guide for all ticket types and add-ons, including passholder tickets and VIP tours
Express Pass for Epic Universe + eligible attractions

Hotel

Selecting a Universal hotel
Early Park Admission at Epic Universe for Universal hotel guests

(See also: “New hotels at Epic Universe” section below)

Your day in the park

List of all Epic Universe attractions
Guide to the roller coasters of Epic Universe, including height requirements
Park hours for opening week
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
Interactive wands in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Epic Universe merchandise

Ready for adventure? Our trusted partner Universal Fan Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the fun. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating epic vacations. Visit Universal Fan Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.

News archives

We’ve been covering Epic Universe news since Universal first announced the park six years ago. Here’s a small sampling of some of the major news stories since then:

Universal announces Epic Universe | Aug. 1, 2019
Universal reveals the five worlds of Epic Universe | Jan. 30, 2024
Attraction names, details revealed for each world
- Celestial Park | Jan. 30, 2024
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk | March 28, 2024
- Super Nintendo World | May 2, 2024
- Dark Universe | June 20, 2024
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic | July 31, 2024
Preview Center opens at Universal CityWalk | June 9, 2024

Construction updates

Aerial photographer bioreconstruct tracked the construction progress of Epic Universe with years of updates as Universal transformed flat Florida land into a theme park of fantastic worlds.