Imagine, it’s May 22, 2025. You arrive in Orlando thinking you’re just going to a theme park. Cute. But the moment you step through Chronos, the cosmic gate at the heart of Universal Epic Universe, you realize—you’re not on vacation. You’re starring in a multiverse adventure where movies come to life, secrets unfold, and every path leads to another epic story.
However, it’s not fiction. Thus, hold on to your broomsticks, power-ups, and Viking helmets—because Universal Orlando just dropped the ultimate cinematic bombshell: Universal Epic Universe opens its portals on May 22, 2025, and it’s like stepping into a multiverse where your favorite movies, games, and monsters have all come to life. What if we told you there’s a place where you can sip Mermaid Lattés in 1920s Paris, soar with dragons, outscore Donkey Kong, and survive Frankenstein’s wrath—all in one day? Welcome to your next obsession.
🌠 CHRONOS & CELESTIAL PARK
The Grand Entrance to the Unknown
The adventure begins at Chronos, a massive celestial gateway that looks like a star-powered time machine built by space wizards. It’s the park’s official icon and trust us—it’s not just a pretty portal. Look closely and you’ll notice carvings of mythical creatures, secret constellations, and, if you time it right, a faint twinkle in the stars that forms the silhouette of the Delorean.
Once inside, you land in Celestial Park—an astral playground straight out of a Christopher Nolan dream sequence. Here, you can ride a shooting comet roller coaster, feast on cosmic cuisine, and shop at out-of-this-world boutiques. And if you’re sharp-eyed enough to find the Celestial Conundrum scavenger hunt, a sparkly drink awaits you at Nebula Nosh.
🎤 Star Quote:
I walked through Celestial Park and thought, ‘Is this a sci-fi set I forgot I starred in? — Jeff Goldblum, probably while wearing sunglasses indoors.
🪐 Hidden Feature:
Look up at the base of the Astronomica Tower. Hidden among the constellations is a tribute to sci-fi legends—look closely and you’ll spot an outline of the DeLorean, HAL 9000’s eye, and even a small alien silhouette waving from a meteorite. 👽
💫 Bonus Hack:
Ask a staff member for the Celestial Conundrum scavenger hunt. If you find all five symbols, you unlock a mystery drink at Nebula Nosh with glittering, galaxy-like swirls.
✨ THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER – MINISTRY OF MAGIC: From Paris With Spells
Hop off your comet and into the cobbled streets of Place Cachée, the magical French quarter from Fantastic Beasts. It’s 1920s wizarding Paris, all jazz and enchantment, where you can sip tea at Café L’air de la Sirène, shop at Les Galeries Mirifiques, or watch magic come to life in the full-scale theater Le Cirque Arcanus. Then, things get serious: travel via Floo powder from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic where you’ll bear witness to the dramatic, long-overdue trial of Dolores Umbridge. Justice is served—and it’s wildly immersive.
🎤 Star Quote:
I rode Battle at the Ministry and nearly hexed myself. It’s way too real. — Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), laughing on a podcast. He also said he teared up during the Umbridge trial.
🔮 Hidden Feature:
Inside Les Galeries Mirifiques, whisper Nitwit, blubber, oddment, tweak to the antique mirror. It’ll flash Dumbledore’s silhouette and reward you with a magical illusion on the shop ceiling.
🎭 Le Cirque Arcanus Easter Egg:
The show’s wardrobe was designed with fabric scraps from actual costumes used in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
💫 Bonus Hack:
Tap your wand three times on the cracked cobblestone near Café L’air de la Sirène—if you do it right, smoke puffs out and you hear whispers from the wizard underground.
🎮 SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: It’s-a-me, Real Life!
Smash through a green pipe and—bam—you’re inside your childhood daydream. Welcome to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, where Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong are the main characters… and so are you.
Peach’s Castle is a mosaic of Easter eggs—watch the stained-glass window change scenes from classic and rare Nintendo games. Hit the POW Block in rhythm and suddenly Luigi’s flossing in the background like it’s TikTok 2018.
🎤 Star Quote:
I’ve waited my whole life for a place where you can throw shells AND buy themed snacks. — Jack Black, aka Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, during the grand opening preview.
🍄 Hidden Feature:
Inside Peach’s Castle, keep your eyes on the stained-glass window—every 20 minutes, it shifts to a different game scene (even rare ones like Paper Mario). A Toad will tip his hat if you spot all six.
🕹️ Bonus Hack:
If you hit the POW Block in sync with the background music, you’ll unlock a secret dance loop by Luigi and Yoshi in the corner plaza. Yes, they floss. Yes, it’s adorable.
🐉 HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON – ISLE OF BERK: Welcome to the Skies
Next stop: Berk. The wind howls, the seas churn, and Toothless is ready for his close-up. A real-life recreation of the sweeping dragon vistas from the DreamWorks franchise, Berk greets you with two 40-foot Viking statues and a sparkling lagoon. Ride Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (yes, you’re literally flying with dragons), compete on Fyre Drill, and hang with your favorite scaly pals.
Step into the blacksmith hut and check out the dragon tooth registry—look for Stormfly Jr., added at America Ferrera’s request so her kids could find it. Spin the compass in the village square and summon a Toothless hologram like a true dragon whisperer.
🎤 Star Quote:
I ugly-cried when I saw the lagoon. I didn’t know it could feel that real. — Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), during a walkthrough. He also revealed he lent his voice to the baby dragon giggles. 👶🐉
🔥 Hidden Feature:
Inside the blacksmith’s hut, there’s a “dragon tooth registry” that lists dragon names—one of them? Stormfly Jr., personally requested by America Ferrera (Astrid) for her kids to find.
⚔️ Bonus Hack:
Spin the compass at the Viking market’s center. If you align it correctly, smoke and light effects will “summon” Toothless in a 3D hologram above the water.
🕷️ DARK UNIVERSE – MONSTERS UNLEASHED
Finally, descend into the foggy shadows of Dark Universe. Here, Universal’s classic monsters roam the haunted village of Darkmoor, where every lamp flickers and every fog roll has purpose (yes, it’s infused with essential oils meant to trigger ancient fear responses—lavender it is not).
Dare to enter Frankenstein Manor and experience Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, where you plunge into catacombs, dodge Dracula, and survive a monster uprising. Boris Karloff’s OG monster form makes a sneaky appearance in the moving portraits—grainy film filter and all. And if you whisper “It’s alive!” near the village fountain after dark, lightning strikes.
🎤 Star Quote:
I came for the monsters, but I stayed for the scent. It smells like Dracula’s cologne in here. — Oscar Isaac, who toured the land incognito and now wants to play the Wolf Man (allegedly).
⚡ Hidden Feature:
The hallway leading into Frankenstein Manor is lined with moving portraits—but one briefly morphs into Boris Karloff’s classic 1931 Monster, complete with grainy film effect and flickering candlelight.
🎈 Extra Fun:
The fog that rolls through Darkmoor every hour is infused with essential oils meant to trigger “ancient fear” responses—like clove, musk, and cedar. Creepy and aromatherapeutic. 👃😱
🌩️ Bonus Hack:
After dark, walk near the village fountain and whisper “It’s alive!”—you’ll activate a mini lightning sequence and hear Frankenstein’s Monster growl from the shadows.
A Glimpse into the Next Portal?
🌀 Hidden in plain sight near the Chronos Portal is a star-shaped engraving. Touch it after dark, and if you’re lucky, a hidden door in the stone arch lights up with a constellation map—the official teaser for the NEXT UNIVERSE expansion. Yep. We’re talking Phase Two. 👀👀👀 Universal Epic Universe is more than a park—it’s five blockbusters stitched into one wildly immersive script where you play the lead.
Text: Marco Kokkot
Images: Universal Park Orlando. All Rights Reserved.
