Hello there, my wander friends 👋
Stretch those legs, tighten those laces, and do not forget your wand—because today we’re stepping straight into the future of theme parks. This adventure takes us to Universal EPIC Universe, where immersive storytelling, next-level tech, and a whole lot of walking collided in the very best way.
Theme of the day: fully immersive worlds, jaw-dropping attractions, and eating very well (because balance 😉).
Wander tip: Rope drop is your secret weapon. We arrived around 8:30-ish AM, and while it takes a bit to journey from the parking lot to the queue, the park was already welcoming guests by 8:45 AM. A little patience early on pays off in magical ways.
EPIC Universe is built around five massive lands, each accessed through its own portal—and once you step through, the outside world completely disappears. You first arrive in Celestial Park, which is absolutely stunning (don’t worry, we’ll come back to it). But this morning? We had a mission. Wands ready. Step tracker on. Magic to be made.
Let’s go ✨
🔮 Morning Magic: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic (9:00–11:30)
Walking into this land feels like stepping straight into 1920s Wizarding World Paris, blended seamlessly with the imposing grandeur of the British Ministry of Magic. Think ornate stonework, glowing magical symbols, towering arches, and elegant Art Deco touches everywhere you look. The streets hum with magical energy—shop windows flicker with enchantments, signs whisper, and the air feels… important.
✨ Ride: Harry Potter, and the Battle at the Ministry (Express Pass)
This attraction is an absolute showstopper.
You begin by entering the Floo Network, green flames swirling around you as you’re magically transported from Paris back to the U.S. Ministry of Magic for the highly anticipated trial of Dolores Umbridge. Once through the Floo, you emerge into a stunning interior—huge atriums, towering fireplaces, glowing emerald flames, and moving screens showing ministry activity all around.
The queue alone is worth slowing down for. You wander past:
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Massive wizard statues representing justice, magic, and authority
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Ministry workers bustling about on enchanted displays
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Endless fireplaces flaring to life as witches and wizards arrive and depart
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Portraits lining the walls—very chatty, very opinionated, and very upset that they didn’t get courtroom seats
Now… real talk. The ride did break down the first time (lights on, magic paused, wand-wielders politely escorted out). But honestly? No worries at all. We made magic with our wands, explored every nook, and stopped at K.R. Treats, where I grabbed a chocolate-covered caramel that was rich, gooey, and absolutely perfect.
And then—✨ magic returned ✨ The ride reopened, and we went right back through the Floo.
🚀 The Ride Experience
You board a magical flying bench, soaring through the Ministry as chaos unfolds. Screens, practical sets, and physical effects blend together as you dodge spells, swoop through towering chambers, and follow the courtroom drama surrounding Umbridge’s trial. Of course you'll see Harry, Hermione, Ron and many more -- even he whose name we do not speak - shh! There’s motion, drops, twists, and moments where you feel like you’re truly flying through magical space.
I LOVED this ride. Hands down: the best Harry Potter ride at Universal. Worth every step, every minute, every Floo flame.
🐲 Late Morning: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk (11:30–2:00)
The transition into Berk is incredible. Suddenly you’re surrounded by towering rock formations, roaring waterfalls, Viking architecture, and colorful banners snapping in the wind. Wooden bridges crisscross overhead, dragon nests perch on cliffs, and you can hear wings flapping and distant roars echoing through the land. They did such a great job of bringing a cartoon to life. I was so very impressed.
🎢 Ride: Dragon Racing Coaster (Express Pass)
This coaster is pure joy. You mount your “dragon” and race through sweeping turns and rolling hills, weaving past animatronic dragons perched along the track. You’ll spot dragons banking overhead, popping out from rockwork, and cheering you on as you soar through Berk. It’s thrilling but smooth—fast enough to excite, friendly enough to ride again immediately. LOVED it!
🍖 Lunch: Meade Hall
Meade Hall is a giant Viking feast hall, with soaring wooden beams, massive hearths, and long communal tables that feel straight out of a celebration scene from the films. The menu leans hearty and comforting:
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Grilled meats
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Savory stews
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Rustic sides
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Themed drinks served in fun, Viking-worthy vessels
We had a wonderful, filling meal—exactly what you need before more dragon adventures.
After lunch, we wandered Berk, and wow:
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Dragon animatronics everywhere—some snoring, some flapping, some curiously watching you pass
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Interactive moments where dragons respond with movement and sound
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And yes… a meet-and-greet with Toothless himself
Naturally, I left with a Toothless sweatshirt. Zero regrets. OK, not only are the eyes glow in the dark - it has wings on the back and made in adult sizes because fun is for EVERYONE!
🍄 Afternoon Power-Up: Super Nintendo World (2:00–4:30)
Walking through the green warp pipe is like stepping inside a video game. The world explodes with color—layered landscapes, moving platforms, spinning coins, blinking blocks, and familiar Mario Kart music everywhere. It’s energetic, playful, and completely immersive from top to bottom.
🏰 Ride: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (Express Pass)
Entering Bowser’s Castle is a whole experience:
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Lava bubbling beneath glass floors
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Massive Bowser statues
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Trophy rooms filled with golden cups
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Dark hallways glowing with fiery light
The ride blends physical sets with augmented reality. You put on special visors and race through iconic Mario Kart courses, throwing shells, collecting coins, and competing against Team Bowser. It’s interactive, competitive, and wildly fun.
🍌 Explore: Donkey Kong Country
This area feels like you’ve stepped into the Donkey Kong game—stacked barrels, rope bridges, carved stone temples, and lush greenery everywhere.
🎢 Donkey Kong Ride (Express Pass)
The goal - get to the golden banana! This coaster is pure magic. The track is cleverly hidden, creating the illusion that you’re jumping gaps and bouncing through the jungle just like in the games. It’s fast, smooth, surprising, and absolutely delightful. I had such a good time in this land - it's like reliving the best parts of childhood.
🌠 Pre-Dinner Thrills: Celestial Park
Celestial Park is the breathtaking heart of EPIC Universe. Wide, open pathways curve around shimmering water features, cosmic gardens, and futuristic architecture. Everything glows softly as the sun sets—very elegant, very dreamy. And of course they have a water fountain show timed to gorgeous music.
🚀 Ride: Starfall Racers (Express Pass)
I was tired and passed but my friends really enjoyed this ride. Twin dueling coasters launch you into the sky, racing side-by-side through twists, drops, and moments where the other train is inches away. You can ride both sides - yay Express Pass.
🍽️ Dinner: The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant (6:30 PM)
This restaurant is stunning—rich blues, glowing lanterns, dragon motifs, and a calm, upscale atmosphere. The menu features Pan-Asian favorites:
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Noodles and rice dishes
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Dumplings and small plates
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Bold sauces and beautifully presented entrees
A perfect place to recharge before the final land of the night. The food was outstanding and not just because we were hungry. We actually sat at the bar [you don't need a reservation here], and enjoyed phenomenal service with our meal. WORTH it!
🧛♂️ Nightfall: Dark Universe (8:30–Close)
Dark Universe is moody, fog-filled, and deliciously creepy. Twisted architecture, flickering lanterns, eerie sound effects, and lurking shadows set the tone. Classic monsters roam this land—Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, and more—reimagined with modern storytelling.
🏰 Ride: Frankenstein Castle (Express Pass)
You venture deep into the castle, past crackling electrical equipment, shadowy labs, and ominous corridors. You will see the monster and more. The ride is fast, fun, and full of surprises—mixing thrills with dark humor and classic monster moments. So good.
🌕 Ride: Werewolf Roller Coaster (Express Pass)
This ride was a total surprise. You start forward, then launch backward, and then spin!!! This coaster is wild—fast, sharp yet smooth turns, and moments where it feels like something is chasing you through the forest. A perfect nighttime thrill to end the day. Really, so so so good!
✨ Final Wander Thoughts
Universal EPIC Universe truly lives up to its name. Every land is immersive, detailed, and thoughtfully designed, with so much to see that even with an Express Pass, it felt like I had only scratched the surface. This is not a one-and-done park. Next time, I would absolutely plan two to three full days here alone—one to explore slowly, one to ride everything twice (because you will want to), and maybe a third just to wander, snack, people-watch, and soak in all the details you miss when you’re on the move.
From magical ministries and spell-casting streets to pixel-perfect game worlds, soaring dragons, and shadowy monsters lurking after dark—this park delivers on every level. Big thrills, quiet moments, wow-factor rides, and those small immersive details that make you stop mid-step and say, okay… this is really something special.
Did we get our 10k steps? Oh yes—and much more.
Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. And honestly, I can’t wait to go back.
Until next wander,
Eat Well. Move Well. Wander Well.
💙 Lyn, WanderLynTravel
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