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In 2016, Mark Woodberry drew a simple layout of a new theme park on a napkin. He was then the president of Universal Creative, and had tasked his team with brainstorming ideas for a new domestic park. The result was a whole new universe, which they called Universal Epic Universe.

Nearly a decade later, we now have some exciting news to share about this park. It's set to be the most immersive and innovative park ever built, and it's opening in 2025. 

What is Universal Epic Universe?

Let me give you some information about Epic Universe, the newest attraction at Universal Orlando Resort. This theme park is built on a massive area of land and offers a wide range of entertainment, dining, hotels, and attractions that will take you to new and exciting worlds. 

Unlike the other Universal theme parks, you won't park in the main garage and walk through CityWalk. Instead, you'll drive straight to Epic Universe's location. And don't worry, there will be free transportation that connects the entire resort.

Epic Universe is a unique and innovative theme park that offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience. From high-tech roller coasters to mystical portals that connect different worlds, there's something for everyone. This park is a perfect blend of the future and the present, and it's designed to take you on an immersive journey. 

Gabriela Lander, the director of Facility Design for Universal Creative, who has been involved in this project since its inception, says that this park is designed to take you through nature and guide you by the stars. You'll be surrounded by iconic elements that will bring your dreams to life. And with a level of technology that has never been seen before, your experience will be truly extraordinary.

Inspired by the exploration of unknown worlds, the theme park offers an entirely new level of experience by putting guests into five fully-themed worlds. “We’re telling stories that resonate with our guests, immersing them right from the front gate,” says Steve Tatham, the executive creative director for Universal Epic Universe, who moved back to Orlando from Osaka, Japan, to work on this project. “Universal redefined theme-park entertainment forever. We’re setting a new standard, and that’s what it means to be a modern theme park,” he adds. 

Can you imagine what it must feel like to work on a project for so long, not be able to talk about it, and then finally start to see it come to life? “It’s one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” says Gabriela. “This amazing park went from an idea to a design, and from there to a full construction site, where everyday you see new parts being built or installed. The amount of talent invested in producing a new theme park that goes above and beyond what we have already done, is a humbling and heart-filling experience.” She attributes the greatness of Epic Universe to the diverse talent involved in its creation. “It’s a direct reflection of the multitude of cultures, races, religions, abilities, backgrounds and genders represented in this project through our Team Members,” says Gabriela.

Epic Universe is an amazing theme park that has five different worlds, and they are all connected through a place called Celestial Park. When you enter the park through the Emerald Gate, you'll first experience Celestial Park. It is powered by a giant machine called Chronos which allows the park to open portals to other worlds. The executive producer, Adam Rivest, has been working at Universal for a very long time and was there when the idea for the park was first discussed almost ten years ago. 

Once you’re in Celestial Park, you’ll see four portals that look like tall, obelisk-like structures. These portals take you to other fully-themed, immersive worlds. And they are: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. 

According to Steve, guests will be able to immerse themselves in these stories like never before. They’ll come face-to-face with scary monsters, they’ll tame dragons, and encounter new magical eras. All these narratives exist within one giant epic universe, which has something for everybody. 

Adam says that there are worlds that are more geared toward children, some that are more geared toward the adventurous, and others that are geared more toward adults. There’s a nice mix, and within each world, there’s also a range of things that appeal to different people. 

While we cannot expand on any of the worlds just yet, we can give you a glimpse of Celestial Park and the lore behind Epic Universe.

Celestial Park

Celestial Park is a really special place in Universal's theme park. It's like a world within a world where everything starts and ends. The park has entrances to other parts of the theme park, some great restaurants, fun attractions, cool shops, and a unique hotel. Celestial Park was created to help people connect with each other and with nature. The park is designed with lots of trees and plants, not just boring concrete and roads. During the day, it’s a beautiful garden with amazing fountains, and at night, it transforms into a completely different place with lots of lights. 

In the story of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the centre of a special universe that has inspired many people over the centuries, like artists, musicians, explorers, adventurers, and inventors. It's a place where people can go to feel a sense of belonging and connection, to meet new people, to discover new things, and to have great experiences. 

In Celestial Park, you'll find lots of fun things to do, like great restaurants, exciting attractions, interesting shops, and a really cool hotel.

Constellation Carousel

Have you ever ridden on a carousel? If yes, you know how much fun it is to choose your favourite animal and go round and round while listening to music. But have you ever ridden on a carousel that makes you feel like you're riding on constellations through the galaxy? The Constellation Carousel is precisely that! It's a beautiful carousel that has a unique spin to it. As you go round and round, the animals also turn 360 degrees, making you feel like you're travelling through the Milky Way.

Gabriela, who designed the carousel, says it's the most enchanting carousel ever made! The design, colours, and tones are all perfect, and the dome that covers it adds to the experience. The best part? The ride is covered in hundreds of points of starlight, creating a breathtaking cosmic ambience. So, if you're looking for a unique and magical experience, you should try the Constellation Carousel.

Starfall Racers

Adam, describes Starfall Racers as the ultimate celestial experience. The ride is a dual-launch coaster that takes riders on a 1.8-mile track at a top speed of 62 mph and a maximum height of 133 feet. Despite its intimidating size, Starfall Racers is designed to feel like a classic wooden coaster with a smooth ride, giving riders a feeling of weightlessness as they soar through the air.

The coaster is designed as a side-by-side race between two comets, with no break zones, making the competition even more intense. As the coaster is covered with hundreds of points of light, it creates a stunning visual effect, making the riders look like shooting comets.

And there's more. Each coaster vehicle has a surprise gift for true fans of Universal, but Adam cannot reveal it just yet. So, if you're a fan of Universal, be sure to check out the back of your coaster vehicle!

Astronomica

Celestial Park's centrepiece, Astronomica, is an interactive wet-play attraction designed as a compass rose to help visitors navigate the park. During the day, visitors can cool off while enjoying the colourful displays and music. The attraction comes alive at night with vibrant lights and pulsating rhythms, creating a mesmerising experience. Astronomica is a must-see attraction for visitors of all ages.

Eating in Celestrial Park

Celestial Park will feature two stunning restaurants, Atlantic and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant. Executive Chef Robert Martinez Jr. at Universal Orlando Resort stated that these two venues will set the tone for the culinary mission, which focuses on providing quality fresh food with an amazing storytelling experience. The food and beverage team considered all dietary preferences and restrictions when creating restaurant menus around Epic. Chef Martinez added that the menus touch on Universal's great storytelling and immersive experiences.

Atlantic Restaurant is in the centre of Celestial Park, surrounded by Neptune's pool. The restaurant features floor-to-ceiling Victorian glass walls, which create the illusion of dining in an 'out of this world' aquarium. The menu offers the freshest seafood and surf and turf options.

The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant is a vibrant and delectable restaurant that serves flavours from China, Southeast Asia, and Japan. The interior of the dining room features electric neon dragons, and the restaurant has an indoor courtyard where guests can dine under the constellations while lanterns dance overhead. The cosy Tiger Bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a drink.

Shopping at Epic Universe

As you stroll through Celestial Park, you'll discover many places to shop and buy souvenirs. One shop you don't want to miss is the Nintendo Super Star Store. It's owned by a group of explorers who have been to Super Nintendo World and brought back many colourful items featuring Nintendo's famous characters. If you love video games, you'll have a blast checking out all the cool stuff they have in the store. There are so many options that you might buy more than you planned, so make sure you have enough bags to carry everything!

Staying at Epic Universe

Three new hotels will open simultaneously: Helios Grand Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, and Universal Terra Luna Resort.

The Helios Grand Hotel is a luxurious and stylish hotel that's perfect for anyone who wants an unforgettable stay at Universal Orlando Resort. It's decorated with beautiful patterns and details inspired by the stars and constellations, giving it a celestial and Mediterranean vibe. The hotel is so close to the Epic Universe that you can walk there, and it has a special entrance that leads directly to Celestial Park. This makes it one of the most unique properties in the Universal Orlando hotel portfolio, as you can enjoy the beautiful gardens and natural wonders from your hotel room and even see them transform from a day event to a starry vision at night.

The Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts are sister hotels inspired by galaxies and planets. Both hotels have 750 guest rooms, resort-style amenities, and plenty of food and drink options. Stella Nova is highlighted in teal and purple colours, representing its own galaxy, while Terra Luna is highlighted in gold and green, inspired by the thrill of discovery. The exterior facades of the hotels are made up of thousands of unique panels that change depending on where you stand, time of day, and weather. You can already book your stay at Stella Nova (opening January 21, 2025) and Terra Luna (opening February 25, 2025) – so don't miss out on having an out-of-this-world experience!