Last week marked the grand opening of Universal’s Epic Universe — the first new theme park in Florida in 25 years — and Universal has gone BIG, bringing to life multiple worlds from beloved film and game franchises.
Unlike Universal Studios or its partner park, Islands of Adventure — where themed areas like Jurassic Park, Marvel Super Hero Island, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong flow into each other — Epic Universe is divided into four distinct lands, each accessed through portals from its central hub, Celestial Park.
The lands include: Isle of Berk, from the How To Train Your Dragon franchise; Darkmoor, home to the classic Universal Monsters; Super Nintendo World, where Mario and friends come to life; and The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, blending elements from both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. And with all these new areas come new rides and plenty of things to do – so Empire went along to break down the must-do experiences during your visit.
Stardust Racers
Located in Celestial Park, this is the only rollercoaster in Epic Universe not tied to a film or game. But don’t even think about skipping it — this pair of duelling coasters gives Islands of Adventure’s VelociCoaster a serious run for its money as the best coaster in any Universal Park.
This thrill-seeker’s dream jets you off at 62mph and to heights of up to 133 feet on one of two coasters racing to the finish. One moment you're in awe, towering above the entire park; the next, you’re dropping and spinning at breakneck speeds that lift you out of your seat. There are even a few chances to wave — or, er, make any other gestures you may like — at your friends on the other coaster. Not that Empire condones this… or did this… obviously...
Meeting Hiccup and Toothless
As you enter the Isle of Berk, the plaque above the portal reads ‘We, my friends, have dragons!’ — and boy, do they! From baby dragons roaming the park to a Snow Wraith breathing cold mist on unsuspecting guests, this world feels fully alive.
The highlight, however, is the Hiccup and Toothless meet-and-greet. It’s a joy to watch Hiccup’s charming awkwardness, and for fans of animatronics and creature design, Toothless is astonishing. Every blink, every reaction is so lifelike you may find yourself holding back tears when he lets you touch his nose, and the whole experience brings you right into a key moment from the film. Probably one of the most essential meet-and-greets ever created for a theme park, kids and adults alike are going to love it.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
The crowning attraction in the Isle of Berk is this family coaster, which launches aspiring dragon riders into the sky alongside Hiccup and Toothless. Despite its ‘family’ tag, it packs plenty of thrill, reaching speeds of up to 45mph.
You’ll fly through Berk, taking in the beautifully detailed world, and the final 30 seconds — scored with John Powell’s iconic 'Test Drive' from the films — are enough to give any Viking, big or small, goosebumps as the ride comes to an end.
Le Cirque Arcanus
Although the Fantastic Beasts film franchise was cut short mid-series, Epic Universe’s live show offers a fresh, unique take on the world. A struggling wizarding circus stumbles upon Newt Scamander’s suitcase — and, of course, trouble ensues once it’s accidentally opened.
Like all great stage shows, it plays to the strengths of the franchise — and what Fantastic Beasts does best is, well, the beasts. Brought to life with excellent set design, animatronics, puppetry, and some CGI, it’s a 20-minute show filled with charm, creativity, and genuine love for the magical creatures of this world. It might be be some of the best time spent in the Fantastic Beasts universe.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
If you're a competitive Mario Kart player, this is the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing it in real life. A blend of AR and dark ride, it’s a team-based competition that sees you dart around iconic tracks to beat Bowser and his gang.
It captures the couch co-op chaos of playing with friends — firing off shells, battling for first place, and trying to beat each other’s high scores. It’s not afraid to play the hits either, taking you through Bowser’s Castle and then speeding down Rainbow Road. It’s a lot to take in, but you’ll be desperate to top your score on the second go-round.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
A personal favourite from the trip, this dark ride plunges you into the world of the Universal Monsters. What starts as Dr Victoria Frankenstein continuing her ancestors' experiments quickly unravels into an all-out revolt of classic characters — Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and more — causing absolute havoc.
It's Universal Monsters meets Cabin In The Woods. It’s quite bonkers, chaotic, and very, very fun. The combination of screens, physical sets, and animatronics are genuinely immersive, and you’ll be wincing, laughing, and jumping throughout. The ride is a dream come true for Universal Monsters fans, finally seeing the Dark Universe fully realised with modern technology. Plus! It strikes the perfect tone: scary, campy, self-aware, and full of love for the classics.
And there you have it — a list of the must-dos at Epic Universe, and that’s only scratching the surface. There are plenty of great places to grab food (Empire highly recommends an ice-cold piña colada on the Isle of Berk), and horror fans should check out The Burning Blade Tavern. Not only are there deep-cut horror references (Invisible Man hive, eyes up!), but — true to the name — the blades on the outside of this tavern literally light on fire. A hell of a sight.
From high-speed coasters to fun family experiences, Epic Universe truly has something for everyone. Plan ahead, make the most of your trip — and feel free to thank us later after you’ve ridden Stardust Racers five times in a row.
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