10 Things We’re Looking Forward to at Epic Universe

Epic Universe is the brand new theme park opening at Universal Orlando on May 22, 2025. This third (technically fourth, if you count Universal's water park) park is going to greatly expand the offerings at Universal.

There are so many great experiences announced so far for this new land including state of the art technology for many of the rides, themed food, entertainment, and new character interactions.

We've rounded up all the top Epic Universe experiences we're looking forward to the most!

10. New Themed Food Locations

Let's start with the food coming to Epic Universe! These new food locations in each land are highly themed with Dark Universe‘s The Burning Blade Tavern at the top of my list. The atmosphere of the food locations in these lands looks so well thought out.

We already know how awesome the Toadstool Cafe is in Super Nintendo World and it looks like the other food locations in each land are going to be just as themed. Universal is really stepping it up in the themed dining category for this theme park and it shows!

Butterbeer Crepes

We recently got a first look at the Epic Universe food options which included the first ever Butterbeer Crepe along with kid friendly food in How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk plus some monstrous themed options in the Dark Universe.

9. Dragon Interactions in Epic Universe

Out of all the character interactions that have been teased so far for Epic Universe, the animatronic dragons are definitely the most exciting. We got a first look at these dragons in one of our Epic Universe weekly updates and then the following week in our second Epic Universe update it was confirmed by Universal that guests can meet the dragons from the films.

READ MORE- Universal Epic Universe Team Member Previews Announced, More 1-Day Tickets Released, Dragon Character Interactions

Impressive Animatronic Dragons

Guests can also meet Hiccup and Toothless along with other favorite characters and their dragons like Astrid and Stormfly, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, and more. Other confirmed dragon interactions include Cloud Jumper, Grump, and Snow Wraith!

8. Celestial Park as the Main Hub

Celestial Park is going to be the main hub of Epic Universe in the same way Main Street, U.S.A. is the first thing you see when you enter Walt Disney World. Based on the concept art and some of the construction photos we've seen so far, Celestial Park is going to be stunning.

Stunning Views in Celestial Park

This will also be the main place for all the best sit down restaurants inside Epic Universe plus it is home to the main rollercoaster and a Constellation themed carousel overlooking a lagoon made for the area. Stunning!

7. Fantastic Beasts Themed Show

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Ministry of Magic is going to be the third land themed to the Harry Potter franchise at Universal Orlando. The land includes the first ever Harry Potter live theatre experience at Universal Orlando called Le Cirque Arcanus.

See the Harry Potter Magical Creatures Up Close

The show will follow the story of Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander's suitcase, in an attempt to bring the circus back to life. Guests will see characters like Demiguise, Diricawl, Mooncalves and more during this performance. Gwenlyn, a circus employee characterized in the show, will attempt to rescue the creatures from Skender. This stage show is based on the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them franchise. Fans love the creatures from those films and this is a great way to incorporate them into the land.

6. How to Train Your Dragon Show

Speaking of beloved creatures, How to Train Your Dragon- Isle of Berk will offer a live stage show featuring the characters from the film. This show is inspired by the popular “Untrainable” show at Universal Beijing Resort which is an amazing stage show. This dragon focused live spectacular features favorite characters like Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon. The show features musical numbers, breathtaking sets and life-sized dragons!

5. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders

Speaking of dragons, the family friendly ride in Isle of Berk is an attraction I can't wait to experience. This rollercoaster is themed as a “winged flying machine” for guests to learn how to become Dragon Riders for a “dragon's eye view” of Berk.

Perfect Rollercoaster for Everyone

On Hiccup's Wing Gliders guests will fly next to Hiccup and Toothless as they reach speeds of up to 45 mph as they soar around the land and lagoon. In the concept art, we see baby dragons along with broken eggs giving the impression we might see some fun animatronics on this ride.

4. Stardust Racers

Stardust Racers is expected to be as thrilling as Velocicoaster in Islands of Adventure with a similar ride system. This is going to be the biggest thrill ride in Epic Universe reaching speeds of up to 62 mph, heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track. Stardust Racers will feature an unique maneuver called the “Celestial Spin” in which the two coaster vehicles perform and inverted crisscross while speeding through the air. For thrill seekers, this will be the top ride to experience.

3. Donkey Kong Mine Cart Madness

When it comes to anticipated rides, it's hard not to put Mine-Cart Madness in Super Nintendo World at the top of the list. Mine-Cart Madness is a traditional rollercoaster as guests hop into a mine cart and fly through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the golden banana.

Mine-Cart Madness uses an unprecedented ride system and innovative technology as guests experience the same maneuvers seen in the Donkey Kong video game with the mine carts getting blasted out of barrel and seemingly jump over GAPS in the coaster track. This ride already exists at Universal Studios Japan and has rave reviews, I am excited to see a version open at Universal Orlando.

2. Battle of the Ministry of Magic

The top attraction in the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Ministry of Magic will combine massive environments, storytelling and “first-of-its-kind ride technology.” The Battle of the Ministry of Magic gives guests a look inside the Ministry of Magic during the trial of Dolores Umbridge followed by her escape attempt! The photo shown here is an actual photo, not concept art.

Most Impressive Universal Attraction to Date

Universal is already saying that this will be one of its most impressive attractions to date. One of the main features of the attraction is the entrance into the ride itself as guests will get to enter the Ministry of Magic atrium and venture through Ministry departments before boarding the new attraction which will use “omnidirectional lifts” similar to the ride vehicles used in Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World. Except with this ride, you won't just drop but go in all directions to immerse you in the storyline.

1. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment

It was a tough call to decide which attraction I am most excited for but Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment which the creators of the land boast will be the “most amazing monster ride ever built.” The ride takes guests into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor where they will see Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conduct her twisted experiments which go terribly wrong when the monsters try to escape. Guests will be thrust into an “intense dark ride” as they try to escape The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.

Most Realistic Animatronics in the Industry

This attraction will feature 14 animatronics including Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Frankenstein's Monster. Creators of these animatronics claim that these are the most “technologically advanced figures that have ever been built in the attraction industry” and they “exceed beyond everyone's wildest expectations for what an animated figure can do.”

Based on the sneak peek of the ride and animatronics, this is sure to be one of the best rides in Epic Universe!

First image via Universal Orlando.