A NEW theme park is opening in Orlando in 2025, and now we know a TON more about what will be inside!

©Universal | Epic Universe Concept Art

Universal Orlando Resort is opening Universal Epic Universe in 2025. While we knew a little bit about the new park already, including details about some new hotels coming as part of the project, Universal just released a bunch of incredible details about it, including an overview of every themed land that will be inside!

Universal has called Epic Universe “its most ambitious theme park yet.” In a recent press release, they announced, “Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation that is unmatched – transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic.”

©Universal

In the same announcement, Universal Orlando revealed details about the five themed lands that will make up Epic Universe: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe.

Celestial Park

It sounds like Celestial Park will be the main hub of Epic Universe. Universal said that this land “will be the gateway to explore the four additional worlds of Epic Universe.”

©Universal

According to Universal’s announcement, “Celestial Park puts the ‘park’ back in ‘theme park.’ As soon as guests enter the imaginative world, they’ll embark on a journey of discovery, thrills, and excitement as they wander through lush living gardens nestled along shimmering waters surrounded by stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements.”

©Universal

Celestial Park won’t just be an ordinary park, though. There will also be an “exhilarating roller coaster adventure” where guests “board a shooting comet.” In addition, there will be some restaurants and merchandise shops.

©Universal

From Celestial Park, guests can travel “through a set of majestic portals” to visit the other four lands.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

This will be the third Harry Potter-themed land at Universal Orlando.

©Universal

In this land, “guests will discover a different era of the wizarding world in an all-new land that blends 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series.”

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

We’ve already seen a Super Nintendo World at Universal Hollywood, but now one is coming to Orlando, too!

©Universal

Universal said, “Guests will enter the iconic green pipe and discover a new way to play as they step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong.”

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

We can’t wait to explore this new land, which is themed to How To Train Your Dragon.

©Universal

According to Universal’s announcement, “Gests can soar with dragons in a colorful world filled with Viking adventures.”

Dark Universe

The final themed land is Dark Universe.

©Universal

Universal said that visitors will “encounter everything from the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to the shadowy landscape where monsters roam in a world of myth and mystery.”

BREAKING: We just got a TON of news on Universal Epic Universe! Stay tuned for more info and details including a look at the new Harry Potter world, restaurants, and rides! pic.twitter.com/35LPd8ESsX

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 30, 2024

It’s so exciting to finally know more about Epic Universe! Stay tuned to DFB, and we’ll let you know about ALL the updates.

Click here to learn more about the new HOTELS coming to Epic Universe!

Are you going to visit Epic Universe when it opens in 2025? Let us know in the comments!

The post BREAKING: Universal Confirms 5 THEMED LANDS for Epic Universe first appeared on the disney food blog.

Among several details and concept art released Tuesday morning about Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort announced the name of the in-park hotel: Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Universal Helios Grand Hotel is attached to Epic Universe, on the opposite end of the park from the main entrance. Universal describes it as a “divine escape” with “dazzling views” of the park.

Beautiful details of celestial patterns and constellations adorn the hotel with an elegant Mediterranean-inspired feel.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel will open in 2025 and will have 500 guest rooms. More details are coming soon.

Universal Orlando Resort also launched their own webpages for Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. These celestial-themed resorts will be near Epic Universe and are set to open on January 21, 2025, and February 25, 2025, respectively. We previously learned about these resorts from the Loews Hotels website.

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As part of the reveal of Celestial Park at Universal Epic Universe, the full park map and a collection of new concept art have been released.

Epic Universe Map

The map uses the same concept art that’s been released before but with each land properly labeled.

Epic Universe Entrance

Guests will enter the here into Celestial Park, which serves as the the main hub that carries the story of the park.

Celestial Park

Aerial View

This aerial rendering shows the entrance plaza, looking at the park-side of the entrance gate. In the center is the Chaos Overlook over the water.

Chaos Overlook

One of two overlooks, the Chaos Overlook features a large sculpture with Constellation Carousel, and the Helios Grand Hotel framed in the center.

Luna Overlook

The Luna Overlook is in a more river-esque section of the land.

Attractions

This overview shows the three attractions in Celestial Park, including the first look at the Astronomica water play area on the left. The Constellation Carousel is in the center, with Starfall Racers on the right.

This concept art shows the entrance and some of the track for Starfall Racers.

Constellation Carousel is under a dome evocative of “alien saucer” spaceships.

Dining

The Atlantic restaurant art shows its unique waterfront location and open view into the dining room.

The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant has neon lighting and an entrance arch shaped like its namesake.

Super Nintendo Store

One of the shops in Celestial Park is the Nintendo Super Star Store, which features architecture fitting to the land but with themed touches. There are Super Stars on the roof, stained glass art of Nintendo characters, caryatid columns with more characters, and a fountain featuring Mario and coins.

Inside are more sculptures and columns with Nintendo-themed constellations on the ceiling.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic takes place in 1920s Paris (from “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) and the British Ministry of Magic from the original franchise series.

The land portal features an obelisk with a golden hand clutching a wand.

Super Nintendo World

The portal for Super Nintendo World includes a green pipe just beyond the main archway. The obelisk is also a green pipe with Super Stars bursting from the top, and three other pipes to the sides. The main arch has a medallion of Mario and reads, “Here we go!”

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

The portal for the Isle of Berk is set into a mountainside. The obelisk is designed to look like the hand-built architecture of Berk.

Dark Universe

The Dark Universe land takes guests into the world of Universal Monsters, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s experiments roam free.

The portal features dead trees and creeping vines. The obelisk resembles a turret with electricity crackling.

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The post First Look at Universal Epic Universe Park Map and NEW Concept Art appeared first on WDW News Today.

In addition to confirming the five lands of Epic Universe, Universal has announced the full details for the main hub: Celestial Park.

Celestial Park

Simply put, Celestial Park is a world between worlds, where everything begins and ends. Celestial Park holds the entrance (portals) to the other immersive areas of the theme park (worlds) and it’s also where you’ll find some of the best restaurants on property, must-do attractions, retail options and the most unique hotel in Universal’s portfolio. It was created as a space for people to (re)connect with each other and with nature. “We’ve made a conscious effort to put the park back into theme park, and made sure not to design it with lots of concrete and asphalt streets,” says Adam Rivest, executive producer for Celestial Park. 

Celestial Park also has a transformative function between day and night — during the day, it’s this beautiful, lush living garden with spectacular fountains, and at night, the entire area lights up and transforms into a completely different environment. It’s breathtaking.  

Within the narrative created around the lore of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the center of an ever-evolving universe that, throughout centuries, people — artists, musicians, explorers, adventurers, inventors — have visited for inspiration and connection, and maybe left a little piece of them behind. 

“And I think that’s what’s really at the emotional core of it: our desire to belong, to connect, to meet new people, to discover new places, to have experiences. That’s what sets off great explorers, why people climb mountains, why they go on adventures. And also why they go through these portals,” says Steve Tatham, the executive creative director for Universal Epic Universe.

Attractions

Constellation Carousel

This beautiful carousel has a wonderful spin to it — quite literally. It may seem like a traditional carousel, with an array of celestial creatures to choose from, but as it goes round and round, the creatures are also turning 360 degrees, making you feel like you’re caught within the Milky Way, riding on constellations through the galaxy. 

“Constellation Carousel is the most enchanting carousel ever made,” says Gabriela. “The design, the colors and tones, the dome that will cover it… well, all the elements used in this experience are the perfect combination to create a unique moment while enjoying Epic. The traditional carousel of our childhood is being redefined by the stars!” The ride is also covered in hundreds of points of starlight, creating a breathtaking cosmic ambiance.

Starfall Racers

“Celestial Park is all about the heavens, you know? And on Starfall Racers you’re physically riding the embodiment of a comet,” says Adam. This attraction is a racing dual-launch coaster that goes at 62 mph and reaches a max height of 133 feet. “While it’s giant and looks really intimidating at first, it’s designed to feel like an old wooden coaster, but smooth as a button. So, you’ll rise up in your seat and get those zero G feels,” says Adam. “Although there are a couple signature moves in there, most of the 1.8 mile track is a side-by-side race between two comets to see who gets to the end first,” he adds. With no break zones, by the way. 

Riding it at night will be an attraction in itself — because the coaster is covered with hundreds of points of light, the vehicles look like shooting comets racing across the sky. Pretty cool.

And although I can’t give this easter egg away just yet, just know that there’s a gift for true Universal fans on the back of each coaster vehicle. Truly outatime! 

Astronomica

At the center of Celestial Park lies Astronomica, an interactive wet-play attraction designed as a compass rose that points to the portals and attractions around Epic. A pro tip? Make sure you stop by at night too, as Astronomica comes alive with light, color and music! 

Dining

Atlantic Restaurant

Nestled in the middle of Celestial Park, Atlantic is Chef Martinez’s “precious gem.” The restaurant is surrounded by the shimmering waters of Neptune’s pool and has floor-to-ceiling Victorian glass walls. “It gives our guests the illusion of dining in an ‘out of this world’ glass aquarium,” says Chef Martinez. The name probably already gave it away, but you’ll be able to find the freshest seafood and typical — and not so typical — surf and turf options on the menu.

The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant  

Blue Dragon is a legitimate flavor bomb. Staying true to the electric neon dragons that snake the interior of the dining room, the restaurant has a vibrant and delectable menu. “Our guests will have the chance to enjoy flavors from China, Southeast Asia and Japan, all while dining under the constellations, as lanterns dance overhead in this beautiful indoor courtyard,” says Chef Martinez. If you need a break from the bustling environment, grab a seat at the cozy Tiger Bar for a drink or two.

Shopping

Nintendo Super Star Store

There will be plenty of retail options for you to stock up on souvenirs through Celestial Park, including the Nintendo Super Star Store. Founded by explorers that have been on multiple excursions into SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, this store is filled with colorful keepsakes themed around Nintendo’s beloved characters.

Helios Grand Hotel

See that gorgeous backdrop encircling Epic Universe? That’s Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a full-service hotel for guests looking to go all-out during their Universal Orlando Resort stay. Named after the God of the Sun, Helios is where the heavens and earth unite: it’s adorned with celestial patterns and constellation details in the decor and has a casual, elegant Mediterranean-inspired feel throughout. Sensing a theme, are we?

The coolest thing about the hotel is that it is walking-distance from Epic and has a dedicated and exclusive entrance into Celestial Park, making it one of the most unique properties in the Universal Orlando hotel portfolio. “From the hotel our guests will be able to enjoy the view of the beautiful gardens and natural wonders, and witness with advantage how they turn from a day event to a starry vision,” says Gabriela. 

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