Three things that surprised me most about Universal Epic Universe

Universal Orlando’s new theme park, Universal Epic Universe opens on May 22, 2025. The newest addition to Universal Orlando Resort adds five lands, or universes, to its already impressive lineup of rides, dining, resorts and entertainment.

I had the honor of getting a peek at Epic Universe ahead of its official opening, and I have to say, the hype is real. I went in with pretty high expectations, and I still came up with a few surprises that I think you should know about before your visit.

Here’s what surprised me most about Epic Universe:

How beautiful the Epic Universe is at night

A resounding sentiment among the invited guests was how much the Epic Universe transformed during the night. It’s really made to be enjoyed after sunset, or at least from golden hour onwards.

Each of the park’s five lands has a very different personality, and you’ll probably have to make some rough decisions about which universe you’ll spend more time in when the sun goes down. Of course, some areas lend themselves well to nighttime scenes, such as the Dark Universe. You’ll want to camp out to watch the windmill atop the Burning Blade Tavern burn at night.

Heavenly Garden is another land that is a must visit at night. In my opinion, its two rides – Constellation Carousel and Stardust Racers – are meant to be enjoyed after sunset.

It is my sincere hope that Universal keeps Epic Universe’s opening hours as late as possible, including during the off-season. If you have an upcoming visit to Epic Universe, don’t miss it early for dinner somewhere else. Stay until the park closes so you can fully experience it at night.

READ MORE: YOUR PREVIEW GUIDE TO THE EPIC UNIVERSE

What an amazing show

Let’s be honest: I’m usually the type of theme park guest who skips a show when time is pressing. Granted, it was a nice long break in the AC, but… I prefer long, slow-moving dark rides when I want a break from the sun and heat. So, when I heard Epic Universe was offering two indoor stage shows, I initially filed it under “I’ll check it out if I have time,” at least when it comes to my personal planning.

Boy, did I eat those words when I attended the media preview. You will find two stage shows in Epic Universe: Untrainable Dragon in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Cirque Arcanus in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The Untrainable Dragon was inspired by a similar show offered at Universal Resort Beijing, while Le Cirque Arcanus is an original production.

I’m not exaggerating things when I say that Le Cirque Arcanus is the best stage show I have ever seen at an amusement park.

Am I stuttering?

I have a theater background and I just saw everything when it came to special effects and “stage magic”. So when I say that my jaw dropped and I shed tears at Le Cirque Arcanus, you better believe it! It’s in my top three attractions if you include shows across the Epic Universe.

How big is the Epic Universe

With five grounds, about a dozen rides, two shows, and plenty of shopping and dining, Epic Universe is a true two-day theme park for you “completionists” out there. Can you do the garden in just one day? If you only care about the rides, the answer is yes, but you’ll probably miss out on many of the features that make Epic Universe so special.

There is a lot of character interaction in each of the five lands. You’ll find walking performers that add to the land atmosphere, such as Ygor in the Dark Universe and the musicians in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as formal character meet and greets such as toothless from How to Train Your Dragon too Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein in the Dark Universe.

We haven’t even had time to talk about it interactive elements in the park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, like its predecessors at other Universal parks, sells a magic wand that interacts with the ground so you can practice your magic. And Super Nintendo World sold Reinforcement Tape where you can compete as a team all day long, collecting points across the region.

In total, you’ll be pressed for time if you try to do the entirety of Epic Universe in just one day. I recommend slowing down at night too to enjoy the atmosphere, which isn’t always conducive to accomplishing your “to do” list. I didn’t even know how amazing the food was. Make sure you plan enough time (I recommend two days to take it all in at a leisurely pace) before you visit Universal Epic Universe.

READ MORE: WHERE TO EAT IN THE EPIC UNIVERSE

NOTE: I was invited by Universal Orlando Resort to attend the Epic Universe media preview it was hosting. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my coverage are my own.

The Three Things That Surprised Me Most About Universal’s Epic Universe was first published in The World of Spark.

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