• Universal Epic Universe is the first major U.S. theme park to open in 25 years. 
• The park has five themed lands—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park—with all new rides and experiences. 
• We were among the first media to visit the park—see our exclusive images below.  

As the first major U.S. park from entertainment giants Disney and Universal in nearly 25 years, Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort is one of the most-anticipated theme parks of the century (and one of Travel + Leisure’s best places to travel in 2025). Since the park was announced in 2019, we knew it had the potential to change the theme park industry—not just in the U.S., but around the world. Now, almost six years later, it’s just weeks away from opening to the public on May 22, and this weekend, we were given a first look inside.

Interior of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

I pet a dragon in the Isle of Berk, ate a Butterbeer crepe on the streets of 1920s Paris in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, played a game of real-life Mario Kart in Super Nintendo World, and narrowly escaped some monsters in Dark Universe—and I barely scratched the surface of this new park. Universal Epic Universe—with its hyper-immersive lands built to a larger-than-life scale and incredibly innovative attractions—is undoubtedly going to be the hottest theme park ticket for years to come. 

Here’s our first look inside Universal Epic Universe.

A fountain in Celestial Park. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Guests enter the park through the Chronos, the icon that serves as a gateway to Celestial Park and the portals of four other themed lands: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Filled with large, dancing fountains, colorful flowers, and lush landscaping, Celestial Park is the center of Epic Universe, with each land (plus the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel) branching off this main hub. Beyond its beautiful, open green spaces, this land is home to several restaurants, bars, shops, and two rides: the dueling Stardust Racers roller coaster (the most intense coaster in the park) and the much calmer Constellation Carousel. 

Visitors in Super Mario World. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Super Nintendo World takes guests up the green pipe and inside their favorite Nintendo games. When I first stepped inside this land, I didn’t know where to look; you’re immediately immersed in the video game land packed with moving characters and coins in every direction. The land is split between Super Mario Land, where you’ll find two rides—the slow-moving and chill Yoshi’s Adventure and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, based on the iconic game—and Donkey Kong Country, home to the track-jumping Mine-Cart Madness roller coaster.

Walking around Donkey Kong Country. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Beyond the themed restaurants and attractions, guests can gamify their experience by purchasing a Power-Up Band to collect digital coins and more throughout Super Nintendo World. 

Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Entrance to How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk in Epic Universe. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’d never seen any of the How to Train Your Dragon movies until about two weeks ago, when I watched the first in the franchise. I admit this because I didn’t have a lot of expectations going into this land, but I was blown away. When you walk through the portal, you see the land spread out in front of you surrounding a turquoise lagoon with massive Viking and dragon statues.

Characters in How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

As you might expect, the land is chock-full of dragons. There are animatronic dragons poking out of their little homes, walk-around dragons created with a bit of puppetry and costuming magic, and dragons that appear to walk and move completely on their own. The Hiccup and Toothless meet and greet wasn’t high on my list before I visited Epic Universe, but it’s worth doing. You can walk up to Toothless, pet his little dragon head, and watch as he responds to you; I don’t understand how it works, and that makes it all the more delightful. 

Hiccup and Toothless meet-and-greet at Epic Universe. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

“The Untrainable Dragon,” a live stage show featuring some jaw-dropping moments, was another surprise hit, along with the fun-for-all-ages Hiccup’s Wing Gliders coaster. The land is also home to two more attractions—Dragon Racer’s Rally and Fyre Drill—a play area for little ones, and several food and drink outposts. 

The Untrainable Dragon at Isle of Berk in Epic Universe. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Exterior of Frankenstein Castle. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Arguably one of the most-anticipated lands among theme park fans, Dark Universe is a spooky area themed to Universal Classic Monsters, like Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, the Invisible Man, and more. Stepping into Dark Universe, you pass a graveyard and crypt before entering a shadowy medieval village full of eerie characters (including some you may recognize). Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is one of the park’s major attractions; the wild dark ride is packed with advanced animatronic figures.

The Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster entrance. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

The Curse of the Werewolf spinning coaster is another fun addition to the land, and the dining locations carry an ominous vibe with their decor and food and drink menus.

Dishes at Burning Blade Tavern. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

The Burning Blade Tavern is going to be a popular spot to grab a drink (including specialty cocktails). Be sure to keep an eye out as the windmill atop the tavern is engulfed in flames several times an hour. 

The Burning Blade Tavern. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic entrance. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

When Universal Orlando debuted Harry Potter-themed lands at Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida in 2010 and 2014, respectively, a new era for Universal parks began. These ultra-immersive worlds based on the internationally beloved book and film franchise became an instant favorite, and now, there’s a third installment based on both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

A glass of Giggly Water. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

When you walk through the portal, you’re immediately transported to 1920s wizarding Paris, and it’s simply stunning. Like the other lands in Epic Universe, the scale here is impressive, with Parisian buildings soaring several stories and Art Nouveau touches all around, including those classic green Metro entrances you can still find in Paris today.

A Butterbeer crepe at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

I could spend all day in the outdoor street seating connected to Cafe L’Air de la Sirene (Butterbeer crepe and a Giggly Water, please!), but of course, there’s lots more to see and do. Le Cirque Arcanus combines special effects with live performances for a visually astonishing show.

Plus, it wouldn’t be a Harry Potter area without an incredible ride, and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry might be their best yet. Pass through a burst of green Floo powder to be transported from 1920s Paris to the 1990s British Ministry. Walking out into the Ministry, where you’ll find the main queue, was a top-five moment of the day for me, and you’ll just have to do it yourself to get the full sense of how impressive it is.

Interior of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

You’ll pass through other scenes—including Dolores Umbridge’s ransacked office—before boarding a magical elevator car that takes you through the witch’s trial. It’s an attraction that blends amazing practical sets so seamlessly with motion simulation and screens that you’ll be left wondering what was real and what was magic.