Epic Universe at Universal Orlando: First-Timer’s Guide & Full-Day Touring Plan

Jamie Rumph
3 days ago
5 min read

Illuminated archway with teal and gold details at night.

Planning your first visit to Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe? This brand-new park just opened in May of 2025 is packed with cutting-edge attractions, immersive worlds, and high-thrill adventures for all ages. Whether you’re a theme park pro or just starting to explore the Universal experience, this one-day touring plan covers everything you need to know to make the most of your time—including ride rankings, show priorities, Express Pass tips, hotel recommendations, and insider tricks.

This is Part 1 of our 3-Part First-Timer’s Guide to Universal Orlando. Be sure to check out our Universal Studios Florida Guide and Islands of Adventure Guide as well.

What Is Epic Universe?

Epic Universe is the newest theme park in Orlando since the opening of Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999! Epic Universe features five immersive themed lands—called portals—each with its own attractions, shows, dining, and shops. Epic’s portals are:

Celestial Park (park hub)
Super Nintendo World
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Dark Universe (inspired by classic Universal Monsters)

Map of a Epic Universe park with labeled areas: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon, and Celestial Park.

Aerial view of a Epic park map with colorful attractions, pathways, and water areas.

Epic Universe also introduces new levels of storytelling, ride technology, and themed entertainment you won’t find anywhere else in Orlando.

Ride & Show Rankings by Portal (Top Priorities First)

Celestial Park

Fountain sprays water in front of a large, ornate building with copper domes. Flowers in the foreground, blue sky above.

This is the main entrance and hub of the park.

Top Attractions:

Stardust Racers – Dual-launch racing coaster (ride this first if you're a thrill seeker!)
Astronomica – Interactive water play and kinetic sculpture zone (good for families)
Constellation Carousel – Artistic, elegant carousel ride. Don’t skip this thinking you’re not interested in a carousel. This one is different! And a must ride!

Pro Tip: Take your first photos here—it’s the most Instagrammable spot in the park.

Super Nintendo World

Crowd entering a colorful, archway marked "HERE WE GO!" against a blue sky. Decorative elements include stars, a mushroom, and a coin.

Enter through a warp pipe and dive into a real-life Mario game! This is a dream for all Nintendo lovers young and old! I would kill to get to bring my Grandaddy here to experience Super Mario in person!

Colorful theme park scene with people walking near vibrant structures resembling a video game world. Sign reads "Yoshi's Adventure."

Top Attractions:

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – AR racing dark ride (get a Power-Up Band to unlock bonus features)
Yoshi’s Adventure – Scenic family ride with views of the land
Interactive Games & Power-Up Band Challenges – Use your band to unlock hidden features

Best Show Element: Character meet-and-greets with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Ornate archway with text "For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own" beneath a tall column and cloudy sky. People walk below.

A new take on the Wizarding World set in 1920s Paris and the British Ministry of Magic. This land is by far the most popular in all of Epic Universe and has the longest line at Battle of the Ministry. Unless you rope drop this attraction you’ll wait hours to ride. So if it’s a top priority, plan to be at the park entrance 30-45 minutes before opening AND rush straight there!

Woman in white dress poses in ornate setting with red and green windowed walls, large golden statue, and a vintage screen displaying text.

Top Attractions:

Battle of the Ministry – A large-scale dark ride rumored to include trackless vehicles, animatronics, and screen elements
Parisian Wizard Alley Exploration – Wand experiences, shops, and interactive elements
Live Wizard Performances – Magical street shows unique to this park

Pro Tip: Use a Universal interactive wand for special spells in secret locations.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

People walk through a lit archway with a sign "WE, MY FRIENDS, HAVE DRAGONS!" at night. A colorful tower and rocks are in the background.

Perfect for families, with a whimsical vibe and breathtaking dragon-themed rides in the cutest immersive land.

Viking-themed statues of a warrior and dragon in a theme park water setting. Bright blue sky and colorful background structures.

Top Attractions:

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – Family roller coaster that gives you the sensation of flying with dragons
Fyre Drill – Interactive splash battle boat ride - perfect for a hot Orlando day!
Dragon Racer Rally – Spin and soar ride with customizable intensity - you can individually make your racer turn over!
The Untrainable Dragon Show – Live-action musical show with giant puppets and projections (🎭 don’t miss!)

Best for: Tweens and dragon-loving families

Man in Viking costume and woman in white dress pose with a large dragon figure in a wooden setting. The mood is playful and fun.

Dark Universe

Fantasy structure with a tall, twisted tower and a purple orb above an archway. Text reads "IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE!" against blue sky.

A spooky, gothic-themed land based on Universal Monsters like Frankenstein and Dracula.

Stone castle with high towers under clear blue sky. People in dark robes and two staff near arched entrance. Stone pavement in front.

Top Attractions:

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – High-thrill dark ride through Dr. Frankenstein’s lab (top adult priority)
Curse of the Werewolf – Spinning family coaster through a haunted forest
Darkmoor Street Experiences – Creepy walkthrough areas and street performances

Pro Tip: Great for older kids, teens, and adults. Skip this area if traveling with little ones who might be afraid of spooky places.

One-Day Touring Plan for Epic Universe

If you have just one day at Epic Universe, here’s how to do it:

Morning: Arrive Early (at least 45 minutes before park opening)

Head straight to Stardust Racers or Battle of the Ministry—lines build fast!
Explore Super Nintendo World early—Bowser’s Challenge and Power-Up Band games are best in the morning

Midday:

Grab lunch at Isle of Berk or Parisian Wizard Alley
Catch The Untrainable Dragon Show or live wizard performances
Use Express Pass or Unlimited Express to hop on rides with shorter waits (only available at participating rides)

Afternoon:

Tour Dark Universe and Celestial Park for slower-paced fun and photo ops
Ride anything you missed using the app wait time tracker

Evening:

Re-ride favorites using Express Pass
Enjoy evening shows or nighttime spectaculars

Important: Download the Universal Orlando app to see wait times.

Express Pass vs. Unlimited Express: What to Know

Express Pass and Unlimited Express are your “skip the line” passes for most major attractions at all three of Universal Orlando’s theme parks. Universal, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe. Pass prices vary by day and availability but are worth the splurge in my opinion giving you the ability to see more with your day tickets to each park. Express Passes are designed to cut your wait time in half but my personal experience has always been the wait times are much shorter than that.

Universal Express Pass lets you skip the regular line ONCE per participating ride. Whereas Unlimited Express lets you skip the line as many times as you choose.

Express and Unlimited Express Pass do not work at every attraction so be mindful when planning your day. You will find that they work at most of the popular attractions.

If you’re staying at a Premier Universal hotel it will include Unlimited Express Pass for free ONLY at Universal and Islands of Adventure. As of Epic Universe’s opening, Express and Unlimited Express pass must be purchased separately.

Best Hotel for Visiting Epic Universe

There is not a one size fits all hotel option as the best choice depends on what’s important to you and your family as well as the size of your family. Prior to Epic opening almost all of Unviersals hotels were near the theme parks. With the opening of Epic Universe and three new hotels, guests will now need to decide which park they want the best proximity to and there’s really no wrong answer!

Universal’s Helios Grand Hotel

Located inside Epic Universe with a private entrance to Celestial Park. Helios has been a recent popular addition! The views of Epic are stunning and of course it’s proximity can’t be matched for guests living their best vacation lives at Epic!

Other great nearby options:

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Elegant, romantic, and includes Unlimited Express Pass
Hard Rock Hotel – Closest to Universal Studios Florida, includes Unlimited Express
Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Best balance of luxury + value with Unlimited Express

Insider Tips for First-Time Visitors

Buy tickets in advance
Use the Universal Orlando app for mobile ordering and wait times
Don’t skip Park-to-Park tickets if visiting other Universal parks (especially for Hogwarts Express)
Pack light and plan to use lockers for thrill rides
Stay hydrated—free water available at quick-service spots

Ready to Plan Your Epic Universe Vacation?

Epic Universe is going to change theme park travel forever—and it's perfect for both thrill-seekers and families. Want help choosing the best hotel, ticket package, or figuring out Express Pass?