When we say we're Florida experts, we don't say it lightly. To prove our point, our Marketing Manager, Abby Dunn, has racked up 50-something visits (we’ve lost count right now) to the Sunshine State. So, when Abby talks Florida, you know her advice is golden.
On her latest adventure, Abby and her family got exclusive early access to Orlando’s newest theme park,
Universal Epic Universe, ahead of its official public debut on 22nd May 2025.
So, if you want the inside scoop before your own visit, Abby's got you covered with her first impressions, must-know tricks, and top tips she learned in just one epic day at the park...
Early Park Admission
“One of my favourite perks of staying at a
Universal Orlando Resort hotel is the Early Park Admission. That quiet time before the crowds hit is a total game-changer, especially since Epic is predicted to be the busiest Universal park yet, and we got to enter Epic Universe a whole hour before the general public.
We were staying at
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and even though the hotel offers free shuttles, we decided to take our own car, purely for the freedom to come and go as we please. If you’re renting a car, it’s definitely worth driving to Epic, as the shuttles can fill up fast, and you’ll have to wait for the next one. It took us about 15 minutes to get to Epic, which is roughly the same time as the shuttle, which uses dedicated bus lanes.
We paid $32 for parking for the day, but head’s up: unlike the covered parking at
Universal Studios Florida and
Universal Islands of Adventure, Epic’s parking is out in the open, and there are no trams. So, if you’re going in the hotter months, I highly recommend bringing a sun umbrella to beat the heat on that walk.
Once we reached the entrance, it felt a bit like heading through airport security - bag checks, photo recognition, and ticket scans. From the moment we parked to the moment we entered, it took about 25 minutes. So if you’re aiming to make the most of that early access, plan your arrival time accordingly.”
Celestial Park
“Exploring Celestial Park felt like stepping into a dream. As the heart of Epic Universe, this central hub connects all five immersive lands through its magical portals. And my first thought? Pure serenity. Everywhere I looked, lush gardens thrived amid gentle waterfalls, and a sparkling splash pad waited to cool off little adventurers (it wasn’t open yet, but I can’t wait to see it in action).
Scattered among the pools and pathways are bandstands, where live music drifts through the air. And perched on the edge of the park is Universal Helios Grand Hotel. We peeked through its majestic doors, but discovered you need a room key to roam its corridors. Definitely adding that to my bucket list.
Back in the park, we tracked down Other Worlds Mercantile - the one-stop shop for all things Epic. Right next door was Pizza Moon, Celestial Park’s trendiest eatery (thanks to Universal vloggers), with a line that wound around the corner.
We kicked off our ride lineup with Stardust Racers. And guys, it blew me away. I’ve loved VelociCoaster for years, but this smooth, intense coaster with its twin-track design and lightning-fast launches might just have claimed the top spot.”
The Portals
“A word on the portals – this was honestly epic. These are not just entrances into Epic’s lands – they are complete experiences with intricate architecture, immersive graphics, and atmospheric music. I don’t know how they pulled it off, but it’s next-level storytelling and design.”
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
“Out of Epic's five immersive lands, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk felt the largest. And it was exceptionally magical. Imagine a Viking village set around a lake, with lifelike dragons and rugged architecture that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the movie.
There was also something unexpectedly heartwarming about this place. Universal’s 'Love is Universal' tagline hit me right in the feels. The way the villagers and dragons live in harmony despite their differences, felt like a beautiful message.
If you’re not familiar with How to Train Your Dragon, the Untrainable Dragon Show is the perfect crash course and an absolute must-see. This show is fascinating with flying dragons, special effects, and an endearing storyline - a wow-moment from start to finish. Next time, it’s going to be first on my itinerary.
Next, we headed to one of the land’s signature attractions - Hiccup's Wing Gliders. While we queued for 90 minutes, the wait is so worth it. If I had to compare, I’d say it’s like Disney’s Seven Dwarfs Mine Train… but with water and a Viking twist. It's the perfect choice for families looking for adventure without the white-knuckle thrills.”
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
“Confession time: I’m not a Harry Potter fan. And it’s been a hot minute since I last set foot in Paris. But the moment we stepped through the portal into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, I was completely swept away. It was like being dropped straight into a spellbound version of Paris.
The star attraction here is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. At the time of our visit, the ride operated on a Virtual Line system, and, well, luck wasn’t on our side. But, the good news is that there’s no more Virtual Line for this ride, just a good old-fashioned queue.
Although we weren’t able to secure a ride, we still fell in love with this land. In fact, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic became our favourite area in the entire park.
We took a break for lunch at Café L'air De La Sirène, a gorgeous little spot styled like a 1920s French café. The chandeliers, the art, the tall ceilings - it was easily one of the most beautifully themed dining locations I’ve ever entered. Everything is mobile order here. Once you’re seated, you place your order through the Universal App, and a server brings it right to your table. Our picks were the French Onion soup, Baguette de Dinde, Butter Beer Crepes, and Crème Brulee, with Lavender Lemonades – all highly recommended.
And if you're into interactive experiences, the Second Generation Interactive Wands are available from $85 in this land. These allow you to cast spells not just in the Ministry of Magic, but across all three of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands in Universal Orlando Resort. There are reportedly 12 spells to discover just in this area alone.”
Dark Universe
“Cue the ominous fog and spine-chilling music. We stepped into Dark Universe, where monsters walk among you. This land of classic horror icons and gothic charm ranked a close second on our list of Epic’s must-visit lands. It’s eerie and atmospheric with thick, creeping smoke and a haunting melody from a live violinist weaving tales of Universal’s most legendary monsters.
First on our Dark Universe agenda was Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Let me tell you, this ride is phenomenal. From the moment you enter the queue, you’re pulled into the twisted world of Frankenstein’s lab.
For more adrenaline, we dashed to Curse of the Werewolf, a coaster that’s part indoor chaos, part outdoor thrills, and full-on wild. It spins and swoops with the kind of unpredictable fun that reminded us of Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Of course, we had to refuel, and The Burning Blade Tavern lured us in. Themed around the blazing windmill from Frankenstein lore (with actual blades that rotate on fire), this tavern was buzzing. Inside, it’s a moody, atmospheric bar with classic eats served with a twist - jet-black burgers and burning cheddar bites, plus an arsenal of cocktails that pack a punch.”
Super Nintendo World
“I’ll be honest, we didn’t linger long at Super Nintendo World. It’s definitely designed with younger guests in mind (and they were loving it), which made for a loud, crowded, high-energy experience.
That said, Donkey Kong Country was a standout. Mine-Cart Madness delivered big fun with its car jumping over the track and splashes of water, which was a definite highlight. Unfortunately, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge was down the entire day, so we didn’t get to experience what’s meant to be one of the land’s signature rides.
We also scoped out Yoshi’s Adventure, which looked cute and kid-friendly, but with a 60-minute wait and a slower pace, we opted to skip it. Overall, while Super Nintendo Land is bursting with colour and charm, it’s best enjoyed earlier in the day or with little ones in tow.
One special piece of advice is that the Power Up Bands (which start at $45, I believe) are a must here. If you or your kids want to make the most of all the interactive features scattered around, they’re absolutely worth it.”
Our Top Tips and Observations
“As Universal Epic Universe only grants visitors one-day access in 2025, a little prep goes a long way. Here are our top tips and observations to help you plan ahead:
- Stay onsite if you can, even if for one night. We knocked out three major attractions between 10 to 11am, but only managed two more the rest of the day.
- Use Early Park Admission strategically. Focus on faster-loading rides without long pre-shows like Starfall Racers or Hiccup’s Wing Gliders.
- Prioritise your must-see worlds. If Super Nintendo World is your top pick, head there first. Crowds build fast and can really impact the experience.
- Bring sun protection because there’s zero shade in the park. A sun umbrella or cooling gear is a must, especially when walking from the parking lot.
- Bring a refillable water bottle as there are plenty of free water stations throughout the park.
- Be locker-ready, as most rides require you to store your stuff. The good news is that it’s fast and done with facial recognition, so no phone or ticket needed.
- Wait times aren’t always accurate. We walked onto Frankenstein with a posted 60-minute single rider wait.
- Single rider lines can be great, but on some rides, like Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, you’ll skip some cool queue elements, so it's worth going through the full line the first time.
- No filming is allowed in shows.”
If you’re eager to explore Epic Universe in 2025 and beyond, check out our Universal Orlando Resort Holidays to start planning your next theme park adventure. 
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