What you need to know about Epic at Universal Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic. Personal Escape Travel.

As a long-time Universal Orlando specialist, I've visited the parks countless times, always discovering something new and exciting. We embarked on this multi-generational trip to celebrate my nephew's 16th birthday! Everyone in our group has frequented Orlando numerous times, whether at Universal or Disney, as we all love the parks. Epic, being the newest park at Universal Orlando, was a new adventure for all of us.

We stayed at the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, located on Universal Orlando property. This resort features a tropical Caribbean theme and offers excellent convenience for park visits. Our three-bedroom, three-bathroom suite was ideal for multi-generational families or groups of friends. With a living area and mini-fridges in every room, the space was very comfortable, allowing us to be together while still enjoying privacy. Sapphire Falls includes two full-service restaurants, a poolside quick-service restaurant, poolside waitress service, and room service. The coffee shop, offering grab-and-go options, ice cream, and hot food, is especially popular in the mornings as guests head to the parks to enjoy the extra hours available to those staying at Universal resorts. They provide a water taxi service that takes just a few minutes to reach two of the parks, a bus system for all the parks, and a dedicated walking path for resort guests only. This path leads to Volcano Bay, or you can walk in the opposite direction to reach CityWalk. CityWalk is situated at the entrance to Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando. It's a fantastic area with a variety of restaurants like Voodoo Doughnut, Margaritaville, and Bigfire, along with a vibrant nightlife scene featuring clubs, live music venues, and shopping.

Epic Five Lands to Explore

Celestial is where you will enter the park, and it's based on characters from mythology. The carousel ride is breathtaking and feels like stepping into a Tiffany-designed building. The colors and overall design are truly beautiful, making you feel as if you're under the stars, making it hard to believe you're in a theme park. The pools of water in Celestial are used for the fountain and light show in the evening—don't miss it!

Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Epic Universe transports you into the vibrant world of your favorite video games, featuring the cutting-edge Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an immersive 4D race for the Golden Cup. Mine-Cart Madness™ with Donkey Kong was a big hit with our group—yes, the teens, college kids, and everyone loved it. Even if you've never played a video game before, this world is completely immersive, from the Toadstool Cafe to character meet and greets. If you purchase the power-up bands, you'll receive additional games and have an even more interactive experience.

Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon was definitely one of my favorite places because I enjoyed meeting Toothless and Stormfly. Hiccup's winged coaster is an excellent roller coaster, but everyone can also hop on a Viking ship for a water cannon battle! The Viking training camp is a must for young explorers.

Stormfly How to Train Your Dragon. Personal Escape Travel Universal Orlando Travel Experts.

Dark Universe is a realm where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein seeks to uphold her family legacy by enlisting the help of other monsters such as Dracula, the Wolfman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Mummy. The immersive 3D ride was enjoyable and truly came alive through intricate storytelling. While in this land, you have the chance to transform into your favorite monster at the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience.

Entrance to the Dark Universe. Personal Escape Travel Family Travel Experts.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - The Ministry of Magic

Universal has truly exceeded expectations with this area. Walking through the streets lined with shops and Parisian-style cafes, offering delicious croissants, and even a replica of Montmartre in the background overlooking the main street, was a delightful experience. We returned to this area just for shopping and dining on our second day in the park. If you can take advantage of the early admission extra hour, this is the ride to experience first. We walked right in with hundreds of other guests, and it went so quickly that it's definitely worth getting an express pass or using the early extra hour. The walk-through waiting area was one of the best I have ever seen in any park. The real tile work, lighting, and interactive displays make you feel like you are in the Ministry of Magic.

The ride itself was enjoyable, safe for smaller children, and the technology was breathtaking.

Entrance to the Ministry Of Magic. Personal Escape Travel Family Travel Experts.

In the other parks, make sure to explore these attractions: join Optimus Prime and Bumblebee on Transformers: The Ride-3D, which is also a great spot for character meet and greets. Experience the zany Minions on Villain Con, a moving walkway blasting ride, where the attention to detail will impress everyone. Discover a whimsical cartoon theme park with The Simpsons, where visiting Moe's for fried chicken and enjoying Lard Donuts that are bigger than your face is highly recommended. Don't forget to experience all the Harry Potter attractions in both Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure—be sure to ride the Hogwarts Train.

Viking, Toothless and Susan Blume,CTC,VTA How to Train Your Dragon Epic Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is a fantastic option for trips with multiple generations, birthdays, and group excursions. These are just a few of the experiences we enjoyed during our recent visit. For more information not only about the parks but also dining, experiences outside the theme parks, and other Orlando activities, don't hesitate to reach out to us; we're always delighted to chat with you!