When you’ve waited for something for six years, it’s natural to build high expectations in anticipation. Often, reality can be a letdown compared to what you’ve built in your head. Such is not the case with Epic Universe, the newest addition to Universal Orlando Resort.
Over six years ago, I was enjoying the summer after my high school graduation. I was on my annual family road trip to Orlando when I saw the news break that Universal would be building a new theme park. It wasn’t a total surprise; I spent months following online forums tracking permits and rumors, and it seemed like a new park was inevitable.
Flash forward: I just finished my first year of grad school, and my life has changed in immeasurable, unexpected ways. Yet, I feel more inspired than ever. Epic Universe was a dream on a screen for so long, reduced to a few conceptual watercolors paired with imaginative construction site drive-bys once a year or so. Now, it’s not only real, but it’s more incredible than I could have expected.
I’ll never forget stepping onto the Helios patio for the first time and feeling a surge of excitement to experience this expansive world. I do consider myself an entertainment connoisseur; I’ve been to nearly every major theme park in the U.S. and Canada, and I’m a frequent New York theatergoer. Even further, Epic Universe has been my most highly anticipated travel destination and entertainment experience for over six years. After countless hours reading online forum rumors and official behind-the-scenes content, I had high expectations. So, you might imagine how difficult it was to be wowed not just once, but at almost every turn, all three days I was there.
Nothing compares to the feeling of petting Toothless for the first time or running into Ygor in the cemetery. The awe of seeing the Ministry of Magic for the first time, or of a Nintendo video game being brought to life, is unmatched. The portals truly feel like living, breathing worlds.
The level of detail in nearly every corner is exceptional. In Berk, “maximum occupancy” signs are replaced with “Hooligans allowed” signs, and the sinks are all dragon-scale textured. In Dark Universe, Das Stakehaus’ silverware is all black, as are the sinks and toilets. The queue for Le Cirque Arcanus alone contains so many small details that you could explore for hours. Plus, the fact that Universal is releasing the land soundtracks warms the heart of a kid who grew up with CDs of her favorite theme park shows in the early 2000s.
It’s incredibly rare to capture the hearts of such different audiences evenly. As we were waiting in line, my dad was recounting how he still has his classic monster figurines in our attic. He was just as excited as I was to see Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, if not more; I can’t remember the last time he was actually wowed by new entertainment.
It should not surprise you to learn that so much of the park’s charm and magic came from the team members. I don’t recall interacting with a team member who was anything less than above and beyond kind and helpful; many were incredibly dedicated to remaining in character for their respective location, which added more charm than I could describe. The teams at Meet Toothless and Friends and Stardust Racers made especially magical moments (special fist bump to Michael and Dante) that will remain in my memory for a long time.
My trip was not without hiccups (both kinds, but we’ll focus on the imperfections for a moment), but I’ll remember more of what I felt. Yes, some of the extended wait times and delayed operations were frustrating. However, I genuinely felt that the peak experience of Epic was not the rides, but the atmosphere and overall sense of wonder and inspiration it created.
After a very challenging year, I have had more than one whole day with no anxiety. Just joy. Bliss. Wonder. Full in-the-moment presence.
I might never be 24 again, sitting in my 8th-floor hotel room with a tiki glass in hand, watching the fountain show, and feeling nothing but peace and hope. But my perception of what’s possible has changed forever. If thousands of creatives, engineers, and administrators could bring monsters to life and make dragons fly, my goals suddenly don’t feel so far out of reach.
The park and I both have so much room to grow. I’ve read more than one rumor that the Universal Creative team has quietly begun early construction phases on its first new attraction opening, and I myself have speculated on where potential additions might end up (there were a few star signs in Celestial Park, if you catch my drift). Even before an expansion or addition, I could easily find a new detail I had missed on every visit, fueling my hope and excitement for what’s to come.
If you love theme parks, you’ll notice so much inspiration from some of the most iconic attractions around the world. If you love the franchises featured in the park, you’ll be fully immersed in your favorite worlds. If you’re just looking for a great way to spend a day in central Florida, I’d argue there’s nothing better than exploring Epic Universe.
From the stars,
