Universal Orlando is preparing to officially open its newest theme park, Epic Universe, and it does not disappoint. The park draws lessons from Universal‘s previous missteps while enhancing the strengths they have successfully developed. With an impressive array of rides and entertainment, exceptional dining options, and highly immersive theming, Epic Universe showcases Universal’s dedication to innovation.
Rides: A Thrilling Leap Forward
Epic Universe introduces some exhilarating rides that truly elevate the theme park experience. Unlike previous offerings, the majority of rides here rely heavily on animatronics and physical sets, steering clear of excessive screen use that many have come to associate with Universal’s recent projects. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic World VelociCoaster still hold their ground, but the new attractions at Epic Universe are undeniably impressive.
One of the standout attractions, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, does utilize screens for storytelling, but it’s thoughtfully complemented with realistic animatronics, bringing characters like Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Dolores Umbridge, and more to life. The seamless integration of screens and animatronics in this ride creates an immersive experience that doesn’t feel gimmicky. While the screen usage in this ride feels exceptionally realistic, it remains significantly dependent on screens, which may lead to some criticism regarding this particular aspect.
On the other hand, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is an absolute marvel. This ride immerses you into the action with stunning animatronics and elaborate physical sets, relying on screens only for background effects and minor scenes, which ensures that the focus remains on the tangible and tactile elements of the attraction. The animatronics on this ride are truly exceptional. They are remarkably lifelike, and their movements are incredibly fluid. Without a doubt, these are the best animatronics Universal has ever featured in a ride, not to mention the impressive number of them!
Other rides also incorporate animatronics, including Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Yoshi’s Adventure, Mine-Cart Madness, and others. Although these attractions are simpler and feature fewer animatronics, they are still present.
Epic Universe offers something for everyone: Stardust Racers caters to thrill-seekers, Monsters Unchained delights dark ride aficionados, Super Nintendo World and the Isle of Berk provide wonderful options for younger guests, and Constellation Carousel offers a classic amusement ride experience, making it a well-rounded destination. However, we hope for the addition of more calm dark rides in the future to further enhance the experience for all park-goers.
Entertainment: A Captivating Experience
One of the most pleasantly surprising aspects of Epic Universe is its commitment to quality entertainment. The park features two major shows: The Untrainable Dragon and Le Cirque Arcanus. Epic Universe departs from the stunt shows commonly found at Universal theme parks and instead embraces theatrical live-action performances. Aside from a few live-action shows at Universal Orlando, we’ve always felt that their entertainment offerings have often felt underwhelming. However, we found the entertainment at Epic Universe to be thoroughly enjoyable.
The Untrainable Dragon follows the story of a new dragon that arrives on the Isle of Berk, a place where Vikings and dragons peacefully coexist, but the Vikings believe they’ve encountered a dragon they cannot train, so Hiccup embarks on a quest to train the untrainable. The stage design for this show seamlessly integrates with the theater’s walls, enhancing the immersive experience. The show even sees beloved characters Hiccup and Toothless soar above the audience. The music, plot, and sets merge to create a show that touches the heart.
In Le Cirque Arcanus, Ringmaster Skender has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase, which is filled with fantastic beasts from around the world, with the aim of reviving his declining circus. You enter the show by walking into a small circus tent, which is actually much larger inside. This design sets the stage for the show itself, which is a blend of circus acts and theatrical storytelling.
The entertainment at Epic Universe is among the best in Universal’s entertainment offerings. Although the quality is commendable, the park does miss out on smaller-scale shows, akin to the Triwizard Spirit Rally at Islands of Adventure and The Blues Brothers Show at Universal Studios Florida. Further incorporation of these types of shows could enhance the overall atmosphere at Epic Universe.
Dining: A Culinary Leap
Dining in Epic Universe is an impressive step up, setting a new standard for Universal Orlando. Each themed world boasts unique culinary offerings that reflect its immersive environments. The quality of food is notably superior compared to other Universal parks, with distinctive dishes; however, picky eaters may have a little bit of trouble finding something that caters to them. Unfortunately, with the improved food quality comes increased prices, with the Boeuf Bourguignon at Café L’air De La Sirène in the Wizarding World costing $18.99 for a portion that feels closer to a child’s meal.
To put it in perspective, at Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Chopped Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl is priced at $13.49, and the Combination Bowl, which features smoked chimichurri-braised beef along with wood-grilled chicken, costs $17.49. Satu’li Canteen is highly regarded for offering some of the best quick-service food in a theme park. It also provides larger portions at more affordable prices compared to the Boeuf Bourguignon at Café L’air De La Sirène.
This isn’t the case for every meal, however. Some menu items are a better value than others. For example, the Slow Smoked Brisket at The Oak & Star Tavern costs $18.99 but is very filling. Regardless, many of the dining options at Epic Universe come at a higher price than Satu’li Canteen and much of the quick-service fare available at Walt Disney World. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, but the prices left something to be desired.
Theming and Immersiveness: A Visual Feast
One of the most remarkable aspects of Epic Universe is its stunning theming, which stands as a testament to Universal’s commitment to creating immersive experiences. The park’s unique design invites you to traverse through an array of immersive portals, beginning with Celestial Park, which serves as a hub connecting all the themed worlds. Each world—whether it be Dark Universe, the Isle of Berk, the Wizarding World, or Super Nintendo World—is crafted as an intricate tapestry of storytelling. This meticulous attention to design transports you into different worlds where you can lose yourself in rich narratives and engaging environments.
The portal concept, in particular, is a novel feature that adds a layer of excitement and curiosity to the park experience. The level of detail in every themed area far surpasses that of other Universal Orlando parks, with each world rivaling the rich intricacies found in the beloved Wizarding World areas, which are widely recognized for their stunning theming. From the architecture to the ambient sounds, every element has been thoughtfully curated to ensure you feel enveloped in each world. It’s this dedication to theming that elevates Epic Universe as an unparalleled destination within the realm of theme parks. Plus, the park not only shines brilliantly during the day but becomes a dazzling sight at night.
Though the attention to detail is commendable, there are some areas where the show buildings are not as creatively hidden as they could be. For instance, the theater for The Untrainable Dragon features a painted backdrop of a sky and trees rather than the building being fully themed. The structures in the Wizarding World area remain hidden from view within that realm, yet they are noticeable from Celestial Park. Furthermore, the Mario Kart show building can be seen from the Donkey Kong Country area of Super Nintendo World; Universal opted for a tree backdrop, but only for the upper portion of the building, leaving the rest visible from within that area. These minor setbacks do not overshadow the overall immersive experience that Epic Universe offers, but they are aspects we cannot overlook.
An Extraordinary Addition
Epic Universe stands out as an extraordinary addition to Universal Orlando, arguably ranking among the finest theme parks Universal has ever created. It’s worth mentioning that Epic Universe has a considerable number of stairs, particularly in Super Nintendo World, which can be quite an adventure in itself. While the park does have its imperfections, it’s important to remember that every theme park, particularly a new one, has its challenges. We are confident that guests will cherish their experiences here as much as we do. With its fantastic rides, captivating entertainment, exceptional dining, and immersive environments, Epic Universe truly lives up to its name.
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