Universal Orlando Resort Shares First Official Look at Epic Universe

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Universal Orlando Resort recently unveiled new information regarding Epic Universe, its fourth theme park, which will debut in 2025. The details in question were a gift to several eagerly awaiting fandoms, not the least of which is the mass of Wizarding World enthusiasts of which we are a part.

First and foremost, we can officially confirm the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic as the name of the Wizarding World park that will reside within Epic Universe. Ministry of Magic will focus on a different era of wizarding history than previous parks. Guests will be able to experience both 1920s Paris, à la Fantastic Beasts, and the British Ministry featured in the Harry Potter series. Patent applications filed by Warner Bros. have hinted at the names of potential attractions, including a ride themed around the battle at the Ministry. Universal is still keeping any official information close, however.“The ride inside of that world… I can’t tell you because it has to be a surprise,” commented Molly Murphy, the president of Universal Creative. Consider our curiosity piqued.

 

Concept art shows a rounded, portal-style entrance topped with a tall pillar bearing a golden figure holding a wand aloft.

A rendering of the proposed entrance to Ministry of Magic features a hand holding the Elder Wand.

 

The bulk of the announcement centers around Celestial Park, the immersive world that serves as the entrance to Epic Universe. This “cosmic heart” of the overall park appears to focus on all things green and thrilling. Guests can expect lush gardens, an abundance of water features, and both astronomically and mythologically inspired architecture. Adventure seekers will find three attractions in Celestial Park, including a cosmos-inspired carousel, dancing fountains, and dual-launch racing coasters.

 

An artist's rendering shows theme park guests walking past a water feature that displays a large statue of a mythological figure.

Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury described Celestial Gardens as putting the “park” back in “theme park.”

 

At the end of Celestial Park will be Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which will boast 500 rooms and its own dedicated entrance into the park. As grand as its name suggests, the hotel is designed to transport guests “to a fantastical world where heavens and earth unite.” The released artist’s rendering certainly supports this assertion.

 

An artist's rendering of Helio Grand Hotel. A large hotel building lights up the night behind a glittering water feature.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be located inside Epic Universe for an even more immersive experience.

 

Celestial Park will also serve as the gateway to the other worlds within Epic Universe. Aside from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Epic Universe will contain Dark Universe, a horror-themed park; How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, a land of Vikings and dragons; and Super Nintendo World, featuring Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi, and so on.

For more details, check out Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe introduction video, and stay tuned for further park updates.

 

 

Press Release

THE JOURNEY TO EPIC BEGINS NOW…

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT SHARES FIRST OFFICIAL LOOK AND DETAILS ABOUT ITS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW THEME PARK, UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE

Opening in 2025, the Innovative New Theme Park Invites Guests to Explore Vibrant Worlds Filled with Extraordinary Adventures that Go Beyond their Wildest Imaginations

Today, Universal Shares Details about Celestial Park, One of the Park’s Five Immersive Worlds featuring Exciting Attractions, Dining, Shopping and More – All Set within Breathtaking Gardens in the Heart of Epic Universe

Click Here to Learn More about Universal Epic Universe from Some of the Park’s Creators, Here for a First Look at Celestial Park and Here to Download Images

Orlando, Fla. (January 30, 2024) – In 2025, Universal Orlando Resort will unveil its next gamechanger for theme park entertainment with the debut of its most ambitious theme park yet: Universal Epic Universe. Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation that is unmatched – transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 awe-inspiring attraction, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic. The addition of Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park will also transform the award-winning resort into a weeklong vacation destination filled with the most compelling experiences imaginable.

Today, Universal Orlando reveals more details about Celestial Park – the heart of Universal Epic Universe and the first world guests will encounter at the new theme park.

CELESTIAL PARK
With acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways, Celestial Park puts the “park” back in “theme park.” As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they’ll embark on a journey of discovery, thrills and excitement as they wander through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements. Here, guests can relax while taking in the sights and sounds around them, board a shooting comet for an exhilarating roller coaster adventure, dine on delectable cuisine, shop exclusive merchandise to commemorate their visit and more.

PORTALS TO OTHER EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS
Plus, Celestial Park will be the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe – each bringing to life extraordinary adventures that go beyond guests’ wildest imaginations. Through a set of majestic portals that capture the imagination and creativity of each world, guests will embark on a transformative experience as they journey from Celestial Park to:

  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, where guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series;
  • SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, where guests will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as they step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Donkey Kong;
  • How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, where guests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures based on the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon film franchise;
  • and Dark Universe, where guests encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.

CELESTIAL PARK ATTRACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Here are additional details about some of the other wonders guests can enjoy while exploring Celestial Park:

  • Starfall Racers, a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track, Starfall Racers will be Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the “Celestial Spin,” in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air – creating an “out- of-this-world” adrenaline rush.
  • Constellation Carousel – the grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.
  • Astronomica, an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests;
  • An array of unique dining experiences ranging from full-service restaurants to quick-service locations that offer something for every palate, including Atlantic – a full-service “surf and turf ” restaurant set inside a Victorian aquarium complete with captivating views of Celestial Park…
  • …and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – where diners take a culinary journey across Asia as they enjoy authentic Chinese, Japanese and Thai fare in this full-service restaurant accented with neon dragons and ethereal lanterns. Additional “must-eat” locations within Celestial Park include The Oak & Star Tavern, where guests can enjoy savory barbecue, Pizza Moon, which will serve up a tasty menu featuring a variety of pizzas, and more.
  • Incredibly detailed retail locations, including the Nintendo Super Star Store, where guests can shop an assortment of merchandise themed to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, where guests can satisfy their cravings with a unique selection of sweet treats, and more.
  • Plenty of exciting entertainment, including various fountain shows throughout Celestial Park’s seven acres of water where a multitude of fountains sway, dance – and even reach heights up to 135 feet in the air – to music and interactive lighting from day to night.

And located inside Epic Universe at the end of Celestial Park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, designed to transport guests to a world where the heavens and earth unite – complete with 500 rooms, one-of-a-kind views and its very own dedicated entrance into the theme park.

Plus – in addition to raising the bar for theme park innovation, Epic Universe is Universal Destinations & Experiences’ latest development to integrate energy efficiency and sustainable construction practices.

More details about Universal Epic Universe – including the debut of an interactive preview center at Universal CityWalk later this year that will offer a sneak peek at the new theme park – will be revealed in the months ahead. For more information about Universal Orlando Resort, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.