If you’re someone who enjoys theme parks, it’s likely you’ve heard about Universal Epic Universe, the highly anticipated new park at Universal Orlando Resort.
This expansive, immersive destination has dominated the conversation in Orlando’s theme park scene throughout the spring and summer this year, and the excitement is only building!
Epic Universe officially opened on May 22, 2025, following weeks of buzz from preview events. These early previews gave select guests a chance to explore the park before the grand opening.
My husband and I were lucky enough to attend two of these Epic Universe preview days in mid-May, giving us an incredible head start on what to expect, and I am excited to share some of our experience with Candid Cruise and Travel!
Like any major new attraction, whether it’s a cruise ship, a museum, or a theme park, planning a trip to Epic Universe requires a bit of research in order to ensure the best trip possible.
It’s not quite the same as visiting Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Volcano Bay, the other existing theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort. Understanding the unique layout and ticketing system of Epic Universe will help you get the most out of your visit.
If you’re gearing up for your own epic adventure to Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, this guide will help you prepare with everything from ticket tips to ride highlights, dining suggestions, and hotel advice.
Epic Universe tickets
Before anything else, you’ll need to figure out which Epic Universe ticket is right for you for your visit.
Universal Orlando currently offers two main options: a single-day ticket for Epic Universe, or a multi-day theme park ticket that includes one day at Epic Universe along with access to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Volcano Bay.
At this time, there isn’t a way to buy a multi-day ticket just for Epic Universe. If you’re hoping to return to the park for a second visit during your trip, your best bet is to purchase a multi-day Universal Orlando ticket that includes Epic Universe and then add on a separate one-day ticket to return again for another day during your trip.
Ticket prices for Epic Universe currently start at around $120 per adult, per day, but vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Florida residents and military members and their families may be eligible for special discounts.
If you are in the military, check with your local base’s ticket and travel office for the best rates on Universal Orlando tickets, including Epic Universe. Special Florida resident discounts for Universal Orlando resort tickets and hotels can be found on Universal Orlando’s website or in their app.
Epic Universe rides, attractions, and portals
Currently, there are 11 rides at Epic Universe, distributed across five themed lands, or “portals,” each offering its own immersive and themed world.
While 11 may sound modest, it’s on par with Universal Studios Florida (9 rides) and Islands of Adventure (18 rides) theme parks, and what the park lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality and innovation.
The five themed portals of Epic Universe are:
- Celestial Park (the central hub of the park)
- Super Nintendo World
- Dark Universe
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
- How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
Each portal is packed with unique storytelling, immersive environments, and thrilling experiences. Whether you’re dodging Koopas in Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, flying on the back of a dragon, or traveling by floo powder to the Ministry of Magic, every land delivers a world-class theme park experience.
My personal three favorite portals are The Wizarding World of Harry Potter the Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon the Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe!
Best food at Epic Universe
One of the biggest surprises of our trip was the food! Epic Universe restaurants are easily some of the best I’ve experienced in any theme park. While classic options like burgers, fries, and ice cream are available, the culinary offerings go far beyond the basics.
The park features 25+ dining locations, offering everything from casual snacks to themed sit-down meals with international cuisine. We visited eight of them over two days — Bar Moonshine, Bierauburre Cart, The Burning Blade Tavern, Café L’air De La Sirène, Das Steakhaus, Star Sui Bao, The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, and The Plastered Owl — all of which we enjoyed and would visit again.
Among our favorites was Café L’air De La Sirène, located in the Wizarding World’s Ministry of Magic.
We dined there twice and were impressed by the Butterbeer Crêpe, French onion soup, and lavender lemonade. My husband was especially impressed by the sandwiches, calling them one of the best theme park meals he’s had. It’s also a great pick for healthier food at Epic Universe, thanks to its variety of salads and lighter entrees.
The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, located near the Grand Helios Hotel, was another highlight during our visit. This family-style spot offers small plates meant for sharing, with a creative cocktail menu and tea selection that truly impressed us.
If you’re hoping to eat here, I highly recommend calling Universal’s restaurant reservation line in advance, especially if nothing shows in the app. I have had great luck scoring a hard-to-get reservation by calling Universal’s Dining Reservation line directly.
Where to stay at Universal Orlando
Staying on-site at Universal Orlando Resort hotels gives you early park access, free transportation, and often, great value when compared to off-property options! This is why staying at a Universal Orlando hotel is often one of my top tips for a trip to Universal.
I’ve personally stayed at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, and Endless Summer Resort, and each offers its own perks. Portofino Bay and Hard Rock are part of Universal’s deluxe hotel category.
Not only are they within walking distance of the original Universal parks, but they also include Unlimited Express Pass, a huge value that can make the higher nightly rate well worth it. Unlimited Express Passes allow guests to skip the main line at almost all of the attractions as many times as they’d like, without having to pre-book a time slot.
For a more budget-friendly option, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort is fantastic. With nightly rates often starting at $70, it’s usually more affordable than many nearby or off-property hotels.
Guests still get early park admission to Epic Universe, which is a major perk! Endless Summer consists of two nearly identical sections, Dockside and Surfside, with Surfside offering slightly quicker access to transportation thanks to its lakefront location.
Universal’s complimentary bus system runs between the hotels and theme parks starting an hour before the parks open and continuing until an hour after they close. It’s efficient, reliable, and makes visiting Epic Universe even easier. I highly recommend taking Universal’s bus transportation to all of the parks (unless you are staying within walking distance at a deluxe hotel).
Along with the debut of Epic Universe, Universal Orlando has also constructed a brand new hotel, the Grand Helios Hotel. This luxurious new hotel is the only one that offers Universal guests a direct entrance from the hotel straight into Epic Universe — talk about steps from the magic!
Designed to blend luxury with celestial theming, the Grand Helios isn’t just a place to stay; it’s an extension of the park’s storytelling and theming.
Guests staying at Grand Helios also enjoy exclusive early park access, park view rooms, and premium dining options just steps from Celestial Park. However, it is important to note that while the Grand Helios Hotel is within the deluxe Universal hotel category.
This hotel does not currently give guests complimentary Unlimited Express Passes, such as Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay, or Royal Pacific. The biggest perk of this brand new hotel is its location within Epic Universe park, and that it is the newest jewel on the Universal Orlando property.
Tips for visiting Epic Universe
If you’re visiting Universal Epic Universe during peak season, it pays to be strategic. First and foremost, buy your tickets early through Universal’s website or app, especially for weekends or holidays when dates are more likely to sell out.
Staying at a Universal Orlando hotel gives you a big advantage with early park admission, letting you enter the park an hour before the general public. I suggest catching the first bus of the morning from your hotel to get ahead of the lines for top rides like Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry.
Knowing the layout of Epic Universe will also help you make the most of your day. Epic Universe is designed as a hub-and-spoke park, with Celestial Park at the center and portals leading to each land. Once you’ve studied the map and picked your must-see areas, you can plan your route accordingly.
The Universal Orlando app is a must-have! It provides live wait times, mobile food ordering, show schedules and times, interactive maps, and much more.
Lastly, don’t overlook the shows within Epic Universe. Le Cirque Arcanus, inspired by the Fantastic Beasts series, and The Untrainable Dragon, based on How to Train Your Dragon, are two must-see productions. Both are air-conditioned and offer a welcome break during the heat of the day.
We saw both of these shows during our two days at Epic Universe, and I personally recommend seeing each of them.
Overall thoughts
As a lifelong fan of both Disney and Universal, I can honestly say that Epic Universe is one of my favorite theme parks of all time! The rides are thrilling, the lands are visually stunning, and the attention to detail is phenomenal.
Add to that some of the best food in any theme park, and you’ve got a destination that raises the bar for the entire industry — a welcome advancement to the Orlando theme park experience.
Epic Universe isn’t just Universal’s next chapter; it’s a bold new standard for theme park innovation. And with expansion plans already in motion, it’s clear this park is only going to get more exciting in the years to come.
Thinking about booking an Epic Universe vacation? As a Certified Travel Agent, I’d love to help make that dream a reality! I specialize in booking Universal Orlando Resort hotels as well as nearby accommodations. My planning services are completely complimentary, and I bring a genuine passion for all things Disney and Universal to every trip I help plan.
We’ll be back soon with more Epic Universe content, so be sure to stay tuned for updates, tips, and more insider guides as this groundbreaking park continues to evolve!
