I recently had the chance to explore the brand-new EPIC Universe theme park, and let me tell you, it truly lives up to its name! This incredible addition to Universal Orlando is filled with immersive lands (or “portals”) that make you feel like you’ve stepped right into your favorite stories.
🐉 Isle of Berk – My Favorite Portal
Without a doubt, my favorite part of the park was Isle of Berk, home to the How to Train Your Dragon adventures. The show The Untrainable Dragon was heartwarming and beautifully staged — it brought the story to life in a way that had everyone smiling. And if you’re up for a bit of a thrill, don’t miss Hiccup’s Winged Gliders — a flying coaster that gives you the feeling of soaring right alongside Toothless!
This area brought back so many memories of my child’s younger years.
🎮 Super Nintendo World – A Gen X Dream Come True
For all of us who grew up on Mario, Luigi, and Donkey Kong, Super Nintendo World is pure nostalgia! Every corner bursts with color and detail — from the interactive games to the chance to race on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. It’s a total throwback that had me grinning from ear to ear.
The sounds of the power-ups, coins and more really made this a fun and memorable area!
Betsy’s Tip – Ride Mine Cart Madness first, the lines will get longer as the day goes on!
🧙♀️ The Ministry of Magic – Magic Meets Mischief
Fans of the wizarding world will love The Ministry of Magic, where British and French wizarding worlds come together. Between the spell-casting fun and the immersive architecture, there’s plenty to explore (and plenty of photo ops!).
There is so much to see and do in this area. Sadly, upon exiting Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry the skies opened up and I really didn’t get to explore everything I’d like to have but there’s always next visit!
🧛 Dark Universe – The Surprise Favorite
I didn’t expect to love Dark Universe as much as I did — but it turned out to be one of my favorite areas! The headlining attraction, Monsters Unchained, blends classic movie monsters with modern storytelling and technology in a way that’s both spooky and fun.
I’m not a horror fan but….this was so much fun. The rides were great and the theming was so good.
Betsy’s Tip – The Burning Blade Tavern is a popular but it has very limited seating.
🌇 The Park Experience
I was really impressed with the layout and design of EPIC Universe. The walkways and open spaces make it easy to move around, even with the excitement of opening crowds. It felt comfortable and well thought out, not cramped like some theme parks can be.
Next time, I can’t wait to see the park after dark. I can only imagine how magical it must look with the portals illuminated and the evening energy in full swing.
If you’re a theme park lover or just looking for something new to experience in Orlando, EPIC Universe is going to be a must-do in the coming year!
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Until next time, keep dreaming, keep exploring, and always Book FORWARD to travel! 💙
Betsy
Betsy Walker Travels 