had the privilege of attending the multi-day grand opening celebration for Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe, a theme park that’s been years in the making - and more than worth the wait. From early morning walk-throughs of brand-new lands to a once-in-a-lifetime night event with fireworks, drones, and a fully open brand new park, the experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
All 5 Worlds At Universal Epic Universe Explained: Full Guide To Rides, Shows, Food & More
Universal Epic Universe features five different worlds to explore, and each one offers an array of rides, dining, and other entertainment options.
I've been to numerous openings of attractions and themed events at Universal Orlando Resort over the years, from the annual Halloween Horror Nights and to the star-studded Fast & Furious Supercharged premiere to the grand openings of Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Illumination's Minion Land - but nothing compares to seeing the grand opening of a full new park.
"It's that incredible world behind us - Five amazing worlds that make up Universal's Epic Universe.It's unlike anything you will experience, and when you go out there, what you're going to see and feel and taste and experience is really the combination of a 10-year journey and is a clear reflection of the incredible creativity and the technical prowess and the operational excellence of our entire team of Universal Destinations & Experiences" ~ Mark Woodbury, Chairman & CEO, Universal Destinations & Resorts
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Day 1: Into the Isle of Berk
Exploring Universal’s How to Train Your Dragon land with flying rides, dragon animatronics, and immersive Viking theming.
Our adventure began in How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and it immediately set the tone for what Universal Orlando Resort was trying to deliver with the Epic Universe. The land’s theming is exceptional - ropes, nets, and carved wood are built into the design instead of traditional gates and walls, safety messages and information are carved into rock, the lanterns are dragon-themed, and the bathrooms feature dragon murals.
The immersion is on point, bolstered by the land's team members speaking and dressed for the part. And, of course, the actors playing the beloved characters from How to Train Your Dragon who are exceptional.
My first stop after taking a look at the family-friendly Viking Training Camp playground was Hooligan's Grog & Gruel, where I tried the Mac & Cheese Cone. It's the flagship food item of Isle of Berk, and it's fun and tasty, especially the garlic bread "cone" and the mac & cheese buried under the topping.
Then onto our first ride: Dragon Racer's Rally, a flying-themed ride where you can actually attempt a barrel roll. Each guest on this ride pilots their own dragonriding trainer and by manually controlling each wing using handles and shifting weight, you can really have some fun.
From there, we took a lap on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a gentle and smooth family coaster narrated by Hiccup himself (with an animatronic appearance to boot). You'll even get to see Toothless here and perhaps, some other unexpected dragons...
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