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In between watching the Philadelphia Eagles completely demolish the Chiefs and Kendrick Lamar take his in all probability a centesimal victory lap efficiency of “Not Like Us”, you in all probability witnessed the Tremendous Bowl business for Common Orlando’s newest blockbuster of a park — Epic Universe. The long-anticipated resort will lastly be opening its gates to the general public on Could 22, 2025, making it Orlando, Florida’s first new theme park in additional than 25 years (and Common Orlando Resort’s fourth theme park in whole). This 750-acre growth goals to “ceaselessly redefine theme park leisure”, however you’ll should do some planning first to evaluate that for your self.
At a Look: The best way to Plan a Common Epic Universe Theme Park Journey
Lengthy thought of a one-to-two day trip vacation spot (typically tacked on on the finish of an extended Disney World journey), Common Orlando Resort already deserves some trip-planning love for its thrill rides that’ll rattle your enamel, to the nightlife at CityWalk, and the Butterbeer (sure, it’s actually that good). However with Epic Universe’s opening, together with three new accommodations and greater than 50 points of interest throughout 5 “worlds”, Common is hoping to entice guests prime keep longer and put up some critical competitors in opposition to Disney’s neighboring parks (though we’ll should attend ourselves to let you know if the Large Cheese ought to actually be scared or not).
So what precisely makes Epic Universe so, effectively, epic? Nicely, the park will span 5 separate lands (or “gates”) throughout well-liked Common-owned franchises like Nintendo and Harry Potter. You’ll be able to count on state-of-the-art new coasters and darkish rides, significantly elevated meals choices — and a few significantly large crowds. Sure, you’re going to want to do some planning right here, so whether or not you’re rounding up the children for the holiday of a lifetime, otherwise you’re simply an grownup theme park fanatic in search of a brand new getaway, right here’s all the pieces it is advisable learn about scoring Common Epic Universe tickets, the place to remain, and how one can benefit from your go to.
When Does Common Orlando Epic Universe Open?
The doorways to Epic Universe open on Could 22, 2025. Tickets are presently on sale (sure, even for opening day), however you’ll solely be capable of spend sooner or later at a time within the park for now, as we clarify beneath. Epic Universe Categorical passes and Epic Universe VIP excursions are nonetheless not but out there on the time of publishing.
The best way to Get Epic Universe Tickets On-line
Whereas it actually gained’t be as tough as queuing up on Ticketmaster for Cowboy Carter tour tickets, there are a pair vital issues to remember for getting Epic Universe tickets on-line, particularly in case you’re trying to go throughout its opening days.
Basic Admission: For now, you gained’t be capable of purchase a single-day ticket to Epic Universe, although you continue to can for any of the opposite three Common Orlando parks. Not providing a standalone ticket possibility was a considerably controversial transfer, but additionally not shocking that they’re making an attempt to manage capability within the park’s early days given its large recognition. (Word: 1-Day Epic Universe tickets will likely be supplied at an unspecified later date).
The one option to get Common Epic Universe tickets is thru their multiday ticket bundle (three, 4, or five-day ticket choices), letting you spend sooner or later at Common Epic Universe, plus minimal two different days at both Universal Studios Florida, Common Islands of Journey, and/or Volcano Bay. Grownup tickets for the most cost effective model of this bundle (with no park-hopping or Volcano Bay included) begin at $117 per day earlier than tax, with children’ tickets beginning at $114 per day. Common, like many theme parks, has variable ticket pricing although, so high-demand days will likely be costlier (occurring Epic Universe’s opening weekend would presently value you $164 per day, or almost $500 whole).
Common Orlando Annual Passholders: Common Orlando move holders can buy single-day tickets for Epic Universe, starting from $121-$173 (relying on the date).
Florida Residents: Beginning Feb. 21, Florida residents can buy Epic Universe tickets and trip packages (accommodations included), however these are nonetheless solely single-day Epic Universe tickets, and require the acquisition of tickets to Common’s different theme parks.
Imagine it or not, there are a few methods to search out low cost tickets to Common Epic Universe — if you realize the place to look. Common Orlando resort makes use of licensed ticket resellers like Undercover Tourist to promote low cost tickets.
Undercover Vacationer Low cost Epic Universe Tickets
One of the best place to begin your seek for Epic Universe reductions on-line is at UndercoverTourist.com. The web site affords various theme park offers, together with coupons and promo codes to Common Orlando Resort. Multi-day Common Orlando tickets with Epic Universe presently vary from $335 to $467, however Undercover Vacationer can prevent some money in your Epic Universe tickets — as much as $80 per ticket!
Sam’s Membership Low cost Epic Universe Tickets
Sam’s Membership members can save on Common Epic Universe theme park tickets, with as much as $60 off on tickets. It’s also possible to buy present playing cards that you need to use for purchasing or eating. To get a budget Common Resort tickets, you’ll must first join a Sam’s Club membership, which begins at simply $50 a yr. Improve to a Sam’s Club Plus membership, which prices $110, and get 2% again (as much as $1,000) on Sam’s Membership purchases, together with Sam’s Membership Journey.
Expedia
With Expedia, not solely can you purchase Common Epic Universe tickets on-line, however you even have a reasonably epic vacation-planning software all at your fingertips. You’ll discover trip bundle offers that embody flight reductions (based mostly on if you e-book) and off-site accommodations close to the parks at inexpensive costs. Even in case you’re budget-conscious, Expedia says you may snag Common Studios trip packages beginning as little as from $313 throughout the peak of 2025.
Attraction Tickets
One other method to purchase Epic Universe tickets on-line is thru AttractionTickets.com. You’ll get immediate supply with a gate-ready digital ticket — simply scan the QR code on the entrance of the Common Orlando Parks for quick admission.
However it doesn’t matter what, we extremely counsel reserving early — think about reserving your keep at a Common Orlando Resort resort that gives Early Entry and Categorical Cross advantages (which can serve you effectively throughout your days on the different parks) as quickly as potential. This might be at present Common accommodations like Portofino Bay, or new ones like Common Helios.
The place to Keep Close to Common Epic Universe
A part of the Epic Universe growth contains three new accommodations (bringing the overall as much as 11 potential keep choices) — Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which borders Epic Universe and can open the identical day because the park on Could 22.
Much like Walt Disney World, Common’s resorts are cut up right into a tiered construction based mostly on finances and perks: Signature Assortment ($325+ per night time), Prime Worth Lodges ($220+ per night time), and Worth Inns and Suites ($99+ per night time). For any Common trip (not only for Epic), we’d suggest staying at a Common resort over staying off-property. Why? Primarily as a result of you may’t beat the perks — together with early park admission. The power to enter an hour earlier than official park opening time is an effective way to leap on well-liked rides earlier than the heavy crowds present up. Signature Assortment accommodations like Sapphire Falls Resort and Hard Rock Hotel additionally include the added bonus of free Common Categorical Limitless (a $129.99 worth per particular person, per day), which helps you to skip the common strains at the most well-liked points of interest at Common Studios Florida and Islands of Journey.
Sage Anderson
Though you’ll get resort-wide complimentary transportation from any Common resort – from buses, to boats (the place out there), and hotel-to-hotel shuttles — in case you’re planning on going to Epic Universe (which is about quarter-hour away from the primary bunch of Common Orlando Resort parks and accommodations, titled “North Campus”), we’d plan at staying at one of many three latest accommodations in “South Campus”. Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort are sibling properties with outer area theming within the Prime Worth Lodges tier. Room charges that begin within the low $200s, and normally don’t go over $300 per night time. We stayed at Stella Nova Resort just lately and beloved the trendy and modern foyer lounge, high-end fast service eating, and comfortable, galaxy-themed rooms.
Loews Lodges
Arguably probably the most hyped out of the three new accommodations, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel is notable for being the one Common resort to have its personal devoted entrance to the theme park (just like the Lodge MiraCosta situated inside Tokyo DisneySea). Because the backdrop of Celestial Park, it’s an impressive Mediterranean-inspired escape that towers above the luxurious gardens and ponds of the park, so you may count on some wonderful panoramic theme park views from its rooftop bar, Bar Helios. As a part of the brand new Signature Assortment of accommodations, room charges are anticipated to be within the mid-$600s (though this resort is already bought out for opening weekend on Could 22).
What Are the Lands And Sights At Epic Universe?
Common Orlando Resort
Whether or not you’re a bonafide coaster fanatic, love a Instagramable plate of meals, or are in search of a family-friendly journey, it looks as if there’s going to be one thing for everybody at Epic Universe. First popularized by Disneyland in 1955 (and now utilized in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom) Epic Universe as a park makes use of a “hub-and-spoke” — right here you’ll discover one central hub (Celestial Park), and particular person “worlds” extending outwards via 5 gates like spokes on a wheel. Which means that in contrast to Common Studios Orlando or Islands of Journey, the lands gained’t all be linked in a circle, so that you’ll want to move again to Celestial Park if you wish to get to a different a part of the park.
These lands embody Tremendous Nintendo World (ported over from Common Studios Japan and Hollywood), The best way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Darkish Universe, and the central hub, Celestial Park. Right here’s a fast overview of every part of the park and their new points of interest.
Celestial Park
Common Orlando Resort
Themed because the cosmic coronary heart of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the “world between worlds”, with expansive gardens, fountains, and structure impressed by astronomy and Greek mythology. There you may hop on a rocket and blast off at as much as 62 mph on the dual-launch curler coaster “Stardust Racers”, or take a slower experience on the “Constellation Carousel”.
There will even be two eating places — the seafood-forward, underwater-themed eatery Atlantic and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant — in addition to the Nintendo Tremendous Star Retailer for purchasing.
Tremendous Nintendo World
Common Orlando Resort
Epic Universe is lastly getting one other portal into the Mario-themed land that originated at Common Studios Japan and Hollywood. Impressed by the beloved online game sequence, you’ll discover meet and greets with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad, together with acquainted sights like Peach’s Fort and waddling Goombas.
Similar to the Japan and Hollywood parks, the primary attraction is “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem”, the place you soar into your individual kart and, utilizing augmented actuality shades, acquire cash and attempt to win the race’s cup. Opening with this a part of the park is a mini-land inside Tremendous Nintendo World referred to as Donkey Kong Nation, that includes its personal curler coaster referred to as “Mine-Cart Insanity”. It’s also possible to get a scenic experience across the land on “Yoshi’s Journey”, and head to Toadstool Cafe the place Chef Toad has curated a particular (very mushroom-heavy) menu.
You’ll additionally be capable of purchase a Energy-Up Band, a wearable wristband that permits you to acquire cash all through the land via particular challenges and on rides (it’ll work all through all three Tremendous Nintendo World places).
Darkish Universe
Common Orlando Resort
Riders beware, chances are you’ll be in for a scare — this gothic land is impressed by all of the basic Common monsters on the market, from Frankenstein’s monster to Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Within the fictional city of Darkmoor Village, you’ll discover “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment” — set inside a Victorian manor, this darkish experience has you escaping the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, and Common is asking it its “most terrifying attraction but” because of some extremely lifelike monster animatronics. The second experience, a family-style coaster referred to as “Curse of the Werewolf”, has you escaping a pack of werewolves via the forest.
Can’t get sufficient of Common Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Present? This land will even characteristic a spot the place you could be reworked right into a werewolf, vampire or mummy with the Monster Make-up Expertise. There are additionally two eating places in Darkish Universe, together with Das Stakehaus (a restaurant with vampire familiars as waiters), and The Burning Blade Tavern (an off-the-cuff eatery/monster hunter outpost inside a windmill that can catch on hearth a number of occasions an hour, just like the dragon above Gringotts).
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
Comcast
Themed to the Incredible Beasts franchise (a by-product prequel to the Harry Potter sequence), that is the third Harry Potter location to open in Common Orlando, after the Diagon Alley space in Common Studios Florida opened in 2014 and the Hogsmeade space debuted in Islands of Journey in 2010.
This land will allow you to discover wizarding Paris of the Nineteen Twenties, then take the Métro-Floo to the British Ministry within the Nineties for the primary attraction — “Battle on the Ministry”. Serving to Hermione, Ron and Harry combat Dolores Umbridge, from the idea artwork it looks as if the experience will use comparable mechanics to the “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” experience, solely you’ll be seated in an elevator compartment on the Ministry of Magic.
Exterior the Ministry, there will even be “Le Cirque Arcanus”, a stay present set within the Incredible Beasts universe with performers, puppets and particular results. Like different Harry Potter lands, there will likely be a brand new wand store, Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique, extra interactive wand places, and a French restaurant referred to as Café L’air De La Sirène (the place you may discover some Butterbeer, or Bièraubuerre, treats on the market). Simply don’t count on the Hogwarts Categorical to take you right here prefer it does between UO and IoA.
The best way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk
Common Orlando Resort
Primarily based on the beloved DreamWorks movie sequence (which will likely be getting its personal live-action adaptation in June), this land will take you to Isle of Berk with loads of Vikings characters, goblets of mead, and sure, dragons.
On the coronary heart of the land will likely be “Hiccup’s Wing Gliders”, a household curler coaster that can have you ever expertise driving on the again of a dragon. There’s additionally a water experience referred to as “Fyre Drill”, the place you’ll board a Viking longboat and blast water cannons at dragon targets and different boats. “Dragon Racer’s Rally” is one other experience that can have riders strapped into dragon-shaped seats, flipping the wrong way up as they swing on a pendulum arm.
Introduced over from Common Studios Beijing, this land will even characteristic the favored stage present “The Untrainable Dragon” starring Hiccup, Toothless, Astrid and Gobber. Eating choices embody what else however the movie’s Mead Corridor, serving up Scandinavian-inspired choices, ale and mead.
Better of Epic Universe’s Meals and Drink Choices
Whilst you could also be already be mentally planning your hit listing of coasters all through the park, think about as a substitute maybe a extra vital listing of must-dos — we’re speaking eating spots. We are able to confidently say already that Epic Universe will likely be well worth the go to (and value of admission) for the food and drink, alone.
Whereas the group at Common Orlando Resort has been working to deliver 5 new worlds to life, for the previous 5 years their culinary group has additionally been working exhausting behind the scenes to go with these tales with some significantly immersive meals and beverage choices. Epic Universe will characteristic greater than 100 menu objects at 30 eating places, and so they’ll be serving up extra than simply your common theme park fare — these meals are an attraction all their very own. How do we all know? Nicely, RS taste-tested greater than a dozen of the brand new dishes firsthand at Common Orlando’s personal manufacturing kitchen, so that you’ll know what to chow down on opening day. Right here’s what to anticipate, and what we suggest.
Celestial Park
Common Orlando Resort
The etherial and astrological Celestial Park will likely be dwelling to half of all of the eating choices at Epic Universe, so naturally, you’ll discover a number of the finest meals in the entire park right here. On the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, ambiance is all the pieces, and also you’ll eat underneath the sunshine of synthetic stars and two glowing neon dragons. The Smashed Cucumbers with cilantro, peanuts and Sichuan spice we tried originated eventually yr’s Common Mardi Gras: Worldwide Flavors of Carnaval, and so they have been refreshing and surprisingly spicy (we’re so glad these graduated to a full-time providing). Equally, the pork-filled Snowflake Potstickers have been juicy and lined in an extra-lacey crust, paired with an addictive dragon sauce that truly packs a kick (and never only a “theme park spicy” kick).
Common Orlando Resort
At The Atlantic, an underwater-themed eater simply throughout from Neptune’s Pool, even with a seafood-forward menu, Chef Robert Martinez Jr., director and government of Shared Providers on the resort, mentioned that whereas crafting the menus park-wide, the group at all times made certain there have been 1-2 “reimagined” vegan choices per menu, or on the very least, dishes that would simply be transformed. Thus, whereas we loved the delicately-cooked Sea Bass with carrot mochi, sugar snap peas, star fruit in a tangy lemongrass broth, we recommend you spring for the true star of the meal: the King Oyster Mushroom Ceviche. The veggies are shiny, the citrus dressing acidic, and the mushrooms texturally indistinguishable from the true factor.
And no meal is full with out making an attempt the Ardour Fruit “Caviar,” a chocolate and hazelnut dessert in a fish tin topped with tiny ardour fruit boba pearls and a fishtail spoon. 10/10 factors for presentation alone.
Tremendous Nintendo World
Common Orlando Resort
“Chef Toad is the true mastermind right here — we simply execute on his imaginative and prescient,” says Christopher Colon, government sous chef with Analysis and Growth. That’s as a result of regardless of the place you go to, Common Hollywood, Japan, or Epic Universe, there’s nonetheless just one Mushroom Kingdom and one head chef, Chef Toad. With that being mentioned, in case you have already been to a number of the different incarnations of the “kingdom”, you’ll in all probability be aware of a lot of the dishes severed there.
Though a few probably the most iconic dishes from Japan have been adjusted for the American palate, like Yoshi’s Smoothie at Yoshi’s Snack Island, now apple-melon flavored as a substitute of melon mint. The inexperienced drink reached artificial-tasting, tooth-rotting ranges of candy for me, however we’re certain it’ll be the right sugar rush for teenagers.
Common Orlando Resort
On the primary quick-service restaurant, Toadstool Cafe, you’ll discover entertainingly-plated Italian fare (heavy on the mushrooms, after all), together with Bowser’s Fireball Problem for a gaggle (or simply for one, in case you’re formidable) — this whopping one-pound meatball is topped off with mozzarella cheese and mushroom marinara sauce, wrapped in puff pastry, and served with a aspect of sizzling sauce. In case you’re not prepared to enter a meals coma driving round on Yoshi’s Journey, the Mario Burger is a strong (if not fundamental) possibility, topped with bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, and American cheese on a moustache’d house-made bun. Actually, all of the bread and dough (from buns, to pizza, to greater than 100 different bakery objects) served throughout Common Orlando are made in-house on the resort’s manufacturing kitchen, which is fairly spectacular.
The best way to Practice Your Dragon — Isle of Berk
We anticipate that the Mead Corridor at Isle of Berk (that includes a quick-service menu impressed by Nordic/Scandinavian delicacies) goes to turn out to be a giant hit for households and teams, all thanks to 1 bonafide crowd-pleaser: the Thawfest Platter. You’ll be capable of dine like an actual viking with a family-style unfold that may feed as much as 4 folks, that includes an actual smörgåsbord of succulent sausage hyperlinks, pastrami-seasoned grilled salmon (impressed by the fish Hiccup offers Toothless within the first movie), a heavenly baked potato with a savory, fennel-based sauce, roasted greens, and wild lingonberry barbecue-glazed rooster drumsticks that left our entire desk speechless. When requested how they’d gotten the rooster so juicy and moist, Chef Jens Dahlmann, vice chairman and government chef of the resort’s Culinary Operations merely replied, “we don’t overcook issues.”
Common Orlando Resort
Regardless of the corridor’s namesake, Dahlmann defined that since mead continues to be a comparatively area of interest beverage, there weren’t actually any giant meaderies they may work to produce the drink menu — in order that they merely created customized brews in Florida. Made with fermented honey, the Gobber’s Mead is a boysenberry-blackcurrant brew with notes of citrus and cardamom that’s undoubtedly price making an attempt for the mead-curious (I’m sadly allergic, so I had a scrumptious Strawberry Lime Cider as a substitute, which is crisp and not-too-sweet). On the non-alc aspect of issues, sizzling Orlando days will virtually demand selecting up a cup of Yaknog, a deliciously thick malted chocolate and cinnamon dessert drink that’s harking back to a frozen Mexican sizzling chocolate.
Darkish Universe
Common Orlando Resort
In case you’ve been howling and clawing on the gate of Darkish Universe to see what sort of deliciously twisted meals choices you’ll be capable of get at this land, allow us to simply say this — Halloween Horror Nights followers won’t be disenchanted. The phrase “immersive” is thrown round rather a lot right here, however that is in all probability the world with probably the most attention-grabbing tales behind the plate. Inside you’ll discover Das Stakehaus, a quick-service restaurant the place all the pieces from the Carved Staked Steak with an extremely “bloody” jus, to the Labotocotta (a reputation so good I’m a bit mad about it), a brain-shaped, Greek yogurt-based vanilla panna cotta stuffed with popping candies (blood vessels) and swimming in a pool of raspberry sauce, is there to remind you that your vampire acquainted waiters are merely letting you reside to benefit from the finish of your meal (however that privilege might be revoked at any second).
Common Orlando Resort
On the opposite finish of the village is the Burning Blade Tavern, the place you’ll discover toasted meat skewers heavy on the garlic (get it? Trigger it’s a monster hunters’ bar?). Fascinating, that’s additionally why you’ll discover little or no garlic current on the Das Stakehaus menu. However now’s the time when we’ve got to deal with the rumors — sure, you’ll be capable of discover that basic, world-famous theme park cinnamon bread right here at De Lacey’s Cottage…sort of. As an alternative of a full loaf, they’ll come within the type of mini cinnamon donut holes (hey, there’s gotta be one thing for the children in a scary land like this!). Simply seize just a few orders, pair them with a Reaper’s Reserve Brown Ale (an autumnal cinnamon, clove and nutmeg-spiced brew), and name it a darkish and stormy night time.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
Common Orlando Resort
While you step via the portal to the most recent nook of the Wizarding World, you’ll be immediately transported to Paris within the Twenties — and which means in your plate, too. Dahlmann mentioned the cooks regarded to basic French delicacies for Café L’air De La Sirène, which resembles a gilded brasserie. The spot will serve all the pieces from easy cafe classics (suppose baguettes stuffed with ham, gruyere, and dijon mustard butter), to a packed Niçoise salad, made with canned tuna as a substitute of contemporary like how it might’ve been made within the Nineteen Twenties. You’ll additionally discover heartier, Jap European fare at Le Goblet Noir, a tavern hotspot for darkish witches and wizards with dishes like goulash, schnitzel, and the shareable “Alchemist’s Platter”.
Common Orlando Resort
However at this level, you’re in all probability saying: neglect the Beef bourguignon, Steak au poivre, or Coq au Vin — inform us what we actually wish to know! Which is sure, don’t fear, there will likely be Butterbeer on this aspect of the park. The latest iteration (and one which may prime the ‘better of’ listing) is the must-have Bièraubeurre Crepe, which comes with shortbread cookie butter, Bavarian cream, Butterbeer drizzle, together with contemporary strawberries and a shortbread cookie garnish. The cooks instructed us that this dish obtained a standing ovation from executives at Warner Brothers when it was offered to them, and we are able to utterly see why. The butterscotch taste is wealthy, and it’s simply candy sufficient to really feel decadent with out overloading you. If there’s just one dessert you attempt at Epic Universe, let it’s this one.
Able to enter a brand new universe? Be sure that to purchase your Epic Universe tickets online earlier than opening day on Could 22, and e-book your resort keep on-line here.