Things are about to get EPIC at Universal Orlando. Okay, pun aside, we are really excited to learn more about Universal Orlando’s newest park, Epic Universe.
Although the park isn’t set to open until 2025, we’ve been keeping an eye on the construction of this new park that will include Super Nintendo World, a land devoted to classic Universal monsters, a NEW Harry Potter area, a How To Train Your Dragon land, and more. We’ve been scouring the Internet for more details, though, so here are all the clues we’re seeing about what might be in store for this new park.
First, we have to give a huge shoutout to @bioreconstruct who has been taking aerial photos of the new park. Those photos have given us some of the best clues YET as to what to expect. We already have a good idea of where everything will be located and how the park will be laid out:
Aerial overview of Epic Universe in drizzle on Dec 17, 2023
• Tops at portals of
‣ The Harry Potter related land
‣ How To Train Your Dragon land
‣ Dark Universe
• Water features with accumulated rain from a storm
• Storm-felled trees at Curse of the Werewolf pic.twitter.com/yYCRNmkyAA— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 18, 2023
Park Entrance
Aerial photos have given us the best clues about what the park will look like once you step inside. Guests will see cascading water features when they enter.
Aerial overview of the Epic Universe entrance. At left are concrete forms for cascading water features. pic.twitter.com/b5sS4MakgV
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
Dark Universe
Dark Universe is where you’ll find the land based on classic Universal monsters. It will feature a gothic manor.
Aerial overview of the manor in Dark Universe. pic.twitter.com/7FoCMr4Abh
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
This manor is part of a ride in Dark Universe and includes an extended queue.
Aerial look at construction of the extended queue for the featured attraction in Dark Universe. pic.twitter.com/N7ybKWUltu
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 23, 2023
The Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster will be here. Here’s a sneak peek:
Aerial look at the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster station.
1 Scaffolding over the track.
2 Mix of temporary and permanent fencing at the track. Temp fence needed for ride testing.
3 Lighting for night time ride testing. pic.twitter.com/6k2o9SIRIJ— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
Dark Universe will also have a spooky forested area.
Aerial photo of forested areas of Dark Universe. At the Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster, and the tiered hillside at base of The Burning Blade Tavern (lower right). pic.twitter.com/2FE8Fk2t4t
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 23, 2023
This area also has its own village.
A nearly straight-down aerial look at construction of the village in Dark Universe. pic.twitter.com/aoj7Hk7d8I
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 23, 2023
Dreamworks Land
Here’s how the Dreamworks Land is laid out.
Aerial overview of DreamWorks land. pic.twitter.com/6352p4MMtU
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 23, 2023
It looks like Shrek is moving into the area, too!
At center of this aerial photo is sculpting in progress of Shrek's House in DreamWorks land. Base layer of concrete was recently added. Wood details have also been sculpted in the hollow at top. pic.twitter.com/LMpJVOpVhJ
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 23, 2023
Trolls is getting a roller coaster, the Troller Coaster, and we know it will be bright green and yellow.
New color design being painted on the Troller Coaster station in DreamWorks land.
Aerial photo 3 days earlier shows the original design. pic.twitter.com/XU5boGos3V— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 27, 2023
Super Nintendo World
The Yoshi’s Adventure ride will have Yoshi-shaped ride vehicles. This is what they look like:
Uncovered Yoshi cars. https://t.co/P5PI4SFAdK
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 28, 2023
Peach’s Castle will be a big part of the land.
Aerial overview of the Peach's Castle area of Super Nintendo World. pic.twitter.com/aDNupIXa7f
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
Bowser’s Fortress will be the entrance to the Mario Kart attraction.
Aerial photo of Bowser's Fortress in scaffolding at Super Nintendo World. It's also the entrance of Mario Kart. pic.twitter.com/BUV5NJTQMm
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
We’ve even got a bit of a sneak peek at the Donkey Kong roller coaster:
Aerial overview of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World. pic.twitter.com/n9rxZ8zaWM
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
Bricks will play a role in its theming (of course!).
Aerial look at large brick theming at the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World. pic.twitter.com/jeRma94zaM
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
This land will also have at least one store and its own restaurant.
Aerial photo of the theming so far of a restaurant and store next to Super Nintendo World in Epic Universe. pic.twitter.com/LD8dh9DPzE
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
How To Train Your Dragon Land
A look at the construction of the How To Train Your Dragon land has revealed a spinning ride, as well as a boat ride. The boat ride is rumored to be called Fyre Drill and it’s could include water cannons that can be aimed at targets.
Aerial overview of Epic Universe Nov 23, 2023
• Spinning ride testing in How To Train Your Dragon land
• Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster testing
• Instant forest added at Werewolf coaster
• Water in Dragon bay
• Boat ride route placed in Dragon land, more theming pic.twitter.com/tCICq0sUKr— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) November 26, 2023
This land also includes a roller coaster.
Aerial photo of the first launch of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster.
Track in foreground is the return to the station. Nearby is service walkway construction. pic.twitter.com/qwmYGVq5us— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
We also now have a good idea of how this land is laid out:
Aerial overview of How To Train Your Dragon land on Dec 23, 2023. pic.twitter.com/udRfoBKQqm
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
This land features a gigantic Viking statue.
Aerial photo of the symbol at top of the portal to How To Train Your Dragon land, and the Viking statue in the bay. pic.twitter.com/Dlo3oNnuIV
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
It will also feature Meade Hall (plus a shop!).
Aerial photo of rock work in progress at Meade Hall and a shop at right. In How To Train Your Dragon land. pic.twitter.com/8duUWmm4QG
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
A theater is also in this land, which suggests that there might be some kind of How To Train Your Dragon show.
Large building at top of this aerial photo is the theater in How To Train Your Dragon land. pic.twitter.com/lezmprL944
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
Harry Potter Land
A NEW Harry Potter-themed land is also part of Epic Universe. We know there’s a restaurant near the “portal” to the Harry Potter land.
At center of this aerial photo is a look at a food and beverage location near the portal of a Harry Potter related land in Epic Universe. pic.twitter.com/IMaVNikGak
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
Each land will have what is essentially a portal that will magically transport guests to a new area.
Aerial photo of details so far of the portal of a Harry Potter related land. There's indexes around the ring. Indexes also around the inside of the ring. pic.twitter.com/WpgAPfziKE
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
The setting for the Harry Potter land will be Paris (we guess as seen in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movies). There will be two rides, as well as a potential theater show.
Aerial overview of a Harry Potter related land in Epic Universe. The intersection of five full size Paris streets fronting two attractions. Show buildings at right contain a theater show and the featured attraction. pic.twitter.com/THNi3onsBe
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 24, 2023
Entertainment
Epic Universe will also have a large show fountain, which could feature heavily in a nighttime show at the new park.
Aerial photo showing how a nighttime spectacular at Epic Universe might include the show fountain, projections on the in-park resort tower, and fireworks launched from the peninsula behind the tower. pic.twitter.com/wXMch3uR03
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
Hotel
Universal is also building two brand new hotels, including the Universal Stella Nova Resort, “inspired by the infinite vastness of the unknown universe, where galaxies spiral ever outward, and unknown worlds revolve around unnamed stars.” The resort is wrapped in reflective tiles.
Aerial photo of colorful reflective tiles wrapping around Stella Nova resort. pic.twitter.com/l7reZnTm5S
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
The Universal Terra Luna Resort is “inspired by the thrill of exploring the unknown, pushing the limits of discovery, and stepping into new landscapes.” Both hotels are set to open in 2025.
Aerial overview of the Epic Universe resort area, including Terra Luna and Stella Nova resorts.
This was my 53rd flight of 2023! It's usually 42-43 a year. pic.twitter.com/Yy4jTuYdcB
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) December 25, 2023
Whew — there is a LOT going on with this new park and there are probably still a lot of things we don’t know about it yet. We’ve still got a WHILE before it opens in 2025, so we can imagine we’ll be learning more throughout this year.
Check back with AllEars again soon for more!
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What do you think of Epic Universe so far? Let us know in the comments!
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