Everything We Know About the Rides Coming to Universal Epic Universe

*Updated March 28, 2024*

It has been a WHILE since a full-fledged new theme park opened in the Orlando area. But, that’s all set to change in 2025, when Universal opens its highly anticipated Epic Universe!

For years, the company stayed tight-lipped about what was coming to the new park. However, they’ve recently begun divulging new and exciting details about Epic Universe and its lands that have us even more excited!

After years of speculation, Universal confirmed in early 2024 that Epic Universe will be made up of an east coast version of  Super Nintendo World,  a new expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that merges elements of the original and Fantastic Beasts films, and lands based on How to Train Your Dragon and Universal’s Dark Universe of  famous monsters, all surrounding the central Celestial Park land.

With 5 themed lands, new rides and restaurants, and MORE — there will be a lot to discover. So, now, let’s dive in and take a closer look at ALL the rides we know — and the ones we believe — are coming to Epic Universe.

But First, a Quick Intro!

Universal first announced Epic Universe in 2019, saying that the park would be their “most immersive and innovative theme park” and naming a potential 2023 opening date. However, the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to those plans, with construction being halted and the project being indefinitely delayed in July 2020.

Despite fears that the project would be shelved entirely, construction resumed in the spring of 2021, and the following year the company announced a new opening date of Summer 2025. 

With the park’s opening date reset, the company has continued hyping up the park. For example, Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts told Good Housekeeping in 2023:

“Our vision for Epic Universe is historic. It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created.”

So, what exactly will be in this “historic” “immersive” and “innovative” theme park? Here’s what we know so far:

Attractions in Celestial Park

Before we dive into the park’s lands, we first have to focus on the central area of the park. This is called Celestial Park. This area will feature “acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways.”

Aside from enjoying the atmosphere, there will be some attractions within this space. First up is one for the thrill-seekers. Starfall Racers is “a dual-launch racing coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the fastest of them all.”

The coaster will reach speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet along 5,000 feet of track. It is set to be Epic Universe’s “most thrilling coaster experience with unique maneuvers such as the ‘Celestial Spin,’ in which the two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air.” There will be a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.

Also, it’s worth noting that there will be NO external track lighting at night so the illuminated ride vehicles themselves will look like comets shooting across the sky.

Within Celestial Park there will also be a carousel ride called Constellation Carousel. At this attraction, you’ll be able to “take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide forward, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – through the milky way in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.”

Universal notes that “Guest carriages include celestial lions, dragons, peacocks and more. Each carriage turns 360 degrees while lifting riders up to 6 feet in the air.”

There is no height requirement for this ride, it is kid-friendly, and Children under 48″ must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion (Hand-held infants are not permitted).

Another attraction in this area is Astronomica, which Universal describes as “an interactive wet-play area that also doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe, featuring crystal blue fountains that spring to life and dance around guests.”

Here’s an overview of Celestial Park!

Super Nintendo World

Next, let’s move on to Super Nintendo World. This is one of the themed lands coming to Epic Universe, and is expected to be very similar to the versions of the land that already exist in Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood.

So, what rides will Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World contain? The headlining ride appears to be Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. This AR dark ride uses practical sets and augmented reality images shown in glasses to bring guests directly into the world of the popular spin-off video game series. Click here to see photos and videos of what it’s like to ride this attraction in Hollywood!

In addition, construction within the land indicates that a version of Japan’s Yoshi’s Adventure will be present in the land. This is a slow-moving family omnimover ride that brings guests around the land’s second level.

Aerial overview of Yoshi's Adventure.
At left, 3 clouds have been installed near the top of Mount Beanpole.
In Epic Universe. pic.twitter.com/xB4cUAvBUh

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 28, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Plus, Universal has indicated that those at Epic Universe will be able to step into the world of Donkey Kong. This, coupled with construction photos, seems to indicate the inclusion of a Donkey Kong mine cart attraction likely similar to (if not identical to) the one coming to the land in Japan. The version in Japan is set to be a revolutionary “boom coaster” style ride that will feature the illusion of jumping over sections of missing and broken tracks).

It also seems likely that meet-and-greets with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach (and potentially other characters) will be available, along with interactive elements we’ve seen in other versions of the land.

Aerial overview of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Super Nintendo World. Rock work at center of this photo is being painted. pic.twitter.com/w4ckL8vtNe

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 23, 2024

These elements typically let guests collect coins, unlock special areas, and compete in various other mini-games featuring Nintendo and Mario characters including Koopa Troopa, a Piranha Plant, a Goomba, Thwomp, Bob-Omb, and  Bowser Jr. All of this is accessible with the use of a Power-Up Band accessory.

To see more about what else is coming to Super Nintendo World, click our link below!

What We Know About Super Nintendo World Coming to Universal Epic Universe

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

Another land that will be featured in Epic Universe is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic! The land will allow us all to “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.”

Plus, you’ll be able to “explore international wizarding communities and the magic that connects them.”

In describing the ride coming to this land, a Universal representative simply said “the ride inside of that world…I can’t tell you because it has to be a surprise.”

Aerial look at a street in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. pic.twitter.com/ZsR4qEKlGB

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 23, 2024

It is rumored that the ride coming to this space will be a massive dark ride that will take guests through the Ministry of Magic, including encounters with the villainous Dolores Umbridge, as well as numerous animatronic creatures from the series. Allegedly, the ride will use an updated version of the SCOOP ride vehicle used on The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Transformers attractions. 

At one point, this Potter land was also rumored to contain a virtual reality attraction that simulated flying on a broomstick. However, these plans have reportedly been cut.

The land is also rumored to feature a large theater show with a circus tent facade similar to the one seen in the Fantastic Beasts films. Allegedly, the show may feature wand duels and perhaps some audience interaction.

Other rumors also suggest magical creatures will be sprinkled around the land and will interact with guests’ interactive wands.

Learn more about the Harry Potter land coming to Epic Universe by clicking HERE!

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk

One of Dreamworks’ most successful and long-lasting animation franchises — How to Train Your Dragon — will have a whole land dedicated to it in this park and it’ll feature a few different rides.

Thus far, Universal has only described things generally, saying that guests will be able to “Take to the skies and soar with dragons as you explore the colorful Viking village at the heart of Berk. Take part in wild boat battles, feast like a Viking and more.”

First, based on construction photos and Universal’s general description, one ride in the land will be a launch coaster reportedly themed around riding one of the titular dragons. It appears the coaster will encircle the vast majority of the land.

Aerial photo of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster station and first launch.
At left is also construction of a wall to hide Back of House of Epic Universe, and the roller coaster maintenance building. pic.twitter.com/ZAoWAM08BH

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 27, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Reportedly, the second main ride in the land will be a family-friendly boat ride that will feature interactive canons on each vehicle that will allow riders to interact with the physical environments that make up the show scenes. 

Aerial look at the entrance of the How To Train Your Dragon boat ride. Seems like platforms for dragons at left.
A wall forms a dam below, isolating the unload/load ramp. pic.twitter.com/0qZnPDcVzW

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 27, 2024

Additionally, a ride themed to dragon racing is rumored to be coming to the land. We have seen some testing of a spinning ride already happening and we can’t wait to learn more about it.

Rumors also suggest that the land will have a large interactive play area, as well as a stage show that’s believed to be a clone of the How to Train Your Dragon show that already exists in Universal Studios Beijing.

Aerial photo of steel frame in progress for the marquee of the How To Train Your Dragon theater.
In lower left is a service channel for the boat ride. pic.twitter.com/A34dZpEB4t

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 27, 2024

 

 

 

 

Dark Universe

The final land coming to Epic Universe is called Dark Universe and it is ALL about Universal’s classic monsters! Universal has shared that Dark Universe will take us into a “world of myth and mystery” covering things like “the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein to a shadowy landscape where monsters roam.”

One Universal representative has said, “Everything you’ve ever wanted to experience with monsters is in this world.” 

Aerial photo of the center of Dark Universe in Epic Universe. pic.twitter.com/3nQw6laM6b

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 16, 2024

Universal hasn’t revealed what the attraction(s) in this land will look like, but rumors suggest the main ride will be a massive dark ride set in Frankenstein’s Manor, which will allegedly feature many of the titular Universal Monsters, and utilize the Kuka Arm ride system popularized by Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. 

The land is also rumored to feature a family-style spinning coaster supposedly themed to the Wolfman. 

Click here to see MORE about Dark Universe!

And that’s what we know about Epic Universe’s rides so far, but with 2025 getting closer by the day, we expect a LOT of other details will be revealed soon.

Click here for our full page of Epic Universe information!

Which of these rumored Epic Universe attractions will you be most excited to visit when the park opens in 2025? Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and keep following All Ears for the latest Epic Universe announcements!

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