Universal Orlando Sets Opening Date for Massive Epic Universe Theme Park, Featuring Worlds for Harry Potter, Nintendo and More
Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park – the sprawling Universal Epic Universe – will officially open on May 22, 2025, in Florida.
The new park, part of a 750-acre development, will be the biggest of Universal Orlando’s three theme parks. Universal Epic Universe features more than 50 experiences across five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Celestial Park and Dark Universe. (See below for images and details of the new worlds.) The park is anchored by Loews Hotel’s Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room property that will offer “one-of-a-kind views” and feature a dedicated entrance into Epic Universe for hotel guests.
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“This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we’re thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year,” said Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “With the addition of this spectacular new theme park, our guests will embark on an unforgettable vacation experience with a week’s worth of thrills that will be nothing short of epic! Our Universe will never be the same.”
Tickets for Universal Epic Universe will go on sale next week. The initial packages will include a variety of multiday tickets and vacation packages that include three, four or five days of admission to Universal’s theme parks including one day admission to Epic Universe (on sale on Tuesday, Oct. 22). Reservations for Universal Helios Grand Hotel also will open Oct. 22 for stays beginning May 22, 2025.
Universal Orlando provided an example of pricing: A three-day ticket including one day at Universal Epic Universe and one day each to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure starts at $118-$174 per day ($352-$521 total) per adult guest.
In addition, Universal Orlando annual passholders will be able to buy single-day tickets to Universal Epic Universe starting Oct. 24 before they go on sale to the general public.
Here’s a rundown of the five new worlds:
Celestial Park: Located at the center of the park, it includes “rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways” and serves as the gateway to the four other worlds of Epic Universe through a set of “majestic portals.”
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Blending the environs of “wizarding Paris” and the British Ministry of Magic, the world will invite guests on a journey from a Muggle park in Paris into the “breathtaking spectacle” of 1920s Place Cachée, described as a “hidden, bustling shopping district in wizarding Paris.” Then, they’ll be able to travel across time and space to 1990s London using the “Métro-Floo” (a mode of wizarding transit inspired by the Floo Network in the Harry Potter films) for an adventure set inside the Ministry of Magic. The world’s marquee ride is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, in which guests will watch the trial of the villainous Dolores Umbridge — until Umbridge attempts to escape. Universal says the ride will employ “first-of-its-kind ride technology” including “omnidirectional lifts.”
Super Nintendo World: It’s-a-me! Developed in partnership with Nintendo, the land brings the video game company’s iconic characters to life in a “multisensory environment” based on the Super Mario franchise and (for the first time in the U.S.) Donkey Kong Country. The new land is patterned after Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Viking adventures await in the world based on DreamWorks Animation’s animated movie trilogy “How to Train Your Dragon.” Featured experiences include flying dragons (naturally), a roller coaster through the Isle of Berk, a live stage show and a dragon-racing trainer attraction.
Dark Universe: Guests will be welcomed into the shadowy village of Darkmoor, home to Universal Monster legends like Dracula, the Wolf Man and Frankenstein’s Monster. Frankenstein Manor is the towering focal point of Dark Universe and includes “Universal Orlando’s most chilling ride ever,” the company says. In Darkmoor, guests can get made up to look like their favorite monsters, spin through the woods on a family roller coaster and dine at “unique” restaurants.
Here’s the video announcement of Universal Epic Universe’s opening date:
(Pictured top: Artist’s rendering of Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Universal Orlando Resort’s Universal Epic Universe)
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