Epic Universal: The New Park✨

Last week we finally made it to Universal’s brand new park, Epic Universe, and let me just say, wow. As a mom of three, I’ve been to a lot of theme parks, but this one is in a category all its own. It’s big, bold, loud, and so immersive that you almost forget you’re still in Florida. Each land felt like stepping into a movie set, and my kids kept saying, “Mom, it feels REAL!” Which, of course, made every long line and tired foot worth it.

Was it exhausting? Absolutely. Was it magical? 100%. We laughed, we waited (a lot), we screamed on rides, and by the end of the day, we were equal parts worn out and buzzing with excitement. Here’s how our adventure unfolded.

First Stop in Epic, Super Nintendo World 🍄🎮⭐

The kids practically sprinted into Super Nintendo World because Mario stays an obsession in our house right now. Walking through that green warp pipe into the land was like entering another dimension. Everything was larger than life, the blocks overhead, the spinning coins, the familiar music from the games echoing through the land. It was bright, chaotic, and so much fun. It was epic!

The star of this land for us was Mario Kart, Bowser’s Challenge. The queue itself was a whole experience, you wind through Bowser’s castle, passing giant statues, glowing torches, and an entire library filled with cheeky little Easter eggs. My kids loved pointing out the book titles, like So I Married a Koopa, Better Homes and Koopas, and The Art of the Warp Pipe. They’re silly details, but they made the wait feel like part of the fun.

Once you get on the ride, you put on augmented reality goggles, and suddenly you’re racing through a Mario Kart course. You’re throwing shells, dodging banana peels, and racing alongside characters like Luigi and Peach. My kids thought it was the coolest thing ever, especially when we actually won our race.

Was it worth the two hour wait? For us, yes. It was unlike anything we’ve ever done in a theme park, more interactive than a simple ride, but still thrilling enough to make your heart race. We left the land grinning ear to ear and humming the Mario theme song.

Next Up, Isle of Berk 🐉🔥🌊

If there’s one place that truly felt like pure magic, it was the Isle of Berk. You walk in and suddenly you’re surrounded by cliffs, dragon statues, and the sound of wings overhead. The theming was so good it almost felt like the dragons had just flown off and could return at any second. Oliver, of course, kept saying, “This looks cool, but where’s the gift shop with baby dragons?” He must have repeated it ten times, and by the end we were all laughing every time he spotted another dragon statue.

The absolute highlight was Hiccup’s Wing Glider. Oh my goodness, this ride was something special. You’re strapped into a glider that swoops and soars just like riding on the back of a dragon. The views were amazing, you felt like you were flying over Berk, past waterfalls and Viking villages, with the wind in your face. The ride even has little moments where Toothless “banks” and dives, which makes your stomach flip in the best way.

Throughout the land, there are also hidden dragon tracks in the dirt, smoke puffing out of chimneys like the villagers are busy at work, and if you listen closely, you can hear dragon roars echoing from the cliffs. We even spotted Toothless himself walking around for photos, and that was a huge hit with the kids.

We rode Wing Glider three or four times, which is a miracle with how long the lines are at this park. That ride alone made Berk the highlight of our trip. This was the most Epic ride!

A Magical Detour, The Wizarding World 🧙‍♂️✨🦉

Next, we wandered into the Wizarding World, and as always with anything Harry Potter, the immersion was jaw dropping. Cobblestone streets, crooked chimneys, shop windows full of magical trinkets, it’s like walking onto a movie set. My kids aren’t diehard Potter fans, but they still loved exploring every little corner.

The big ride here took us deep into the Ministry of Magic, and wow — the details were unbelievable. The moment you step into the queue, your eyes are immediately drawn to a massive banner of Dolores Umbridge hanging down in the atrium. She’s in her prison robes, clearly on trial, and she’s silently screaming and mouthing “I shouldn’t be here.” You can’t hear her, but the expressions on her face are chilling. The wildest part is when she suddenly locks eyes with you and spits out, “You! It was you!” For a split second, you feel like she’s actually coming after you, and even I had goosebumps. The kids were both creeped out and fascinated, and we couldn’t stop talking about it as we shuffled forward in line.

The queue winds you deeper into the Ministry, with stacks of paperwork, enchanted objects, and offices that look straight out of the films. By the time we reached the ride itself, the excitement was sky high. The Ministry of Magic ride mixes motion, screens, and practical effects, pulling you into the wizarding world like you’re part of the action. It had everything — spells flying across the courtroom, magical creatures popping up, and dramatic moments that made you feel like you were in the middle of a wizard battle. The kids came off buzzing, replaying their favorite parts out loud, and it definitely stood out as one of the more thrilling rides of the day.

The rides were fun, but half the magic is in the details. We spotted a moving wanted poster of Bellatrix Lestrange plastered on a wall, heard house elves arguing behind a window, and even noticed that some of the owls in the owlery were animatronic, blinking and shifting like they were alive. My daughter loved waving her wand at the interactive spell points, where windows would creak open, teapots would pour by themselves, or armor would clang to life.

To break up the action, we stopped at a little French-inspired spot called Café L’air De La Sirène. After hours of standing in long lines, my feet were starting to ache, so sitting down for a proper meal felt heavenly. The kids ordered the crème brûlée and loved every bite, while I went for a delicate French crepe. it was definitely refreshing and enjoyable, and it gave us just enough of a pause to recharge before heading back out into the magic.

The wizarding world: Epic. Deloras Umbridge: Epic. The French Crepes: Epic!

The Dark Universe 🌑👻🕸️

Our final stop was the Dark Universe, and it was a totally different vibe. Think gothic architecture, fog machines, eerie lighting, it definitely had a spooky, Halloween-like feel. My kids were a little nervous walking in — Ava and Aiden refused to ride the Frankenstein attraction, sticking to the sidelines while we checked it out.

Oliver, on the other hand, was fearless. He rode it with his dad and absolutely loved every second, cheering the whole way through. They came off the ride grinning ear to ear, while Ava and Aiden stood there wishing they had stuck it out. It was a fun reminder that every kid experiences the park differently, and that one brave ride can be a real thrill for some, even if the others are more cautious.

The coolest detail here was the lab equipment bubbling away inside Frankenstein’s lab. You could see electrical coils sparking and hear the faint buzz of machines as though something monstrous was about to wake up. There were even old “newspaper clippings” tacked on the walls, warning about creatures stalking the night.

The rides leaned darker and scarier, with monsters, ghouls, and thrills around every corner. I appreciated that Universal went all in with the theme, the details were incredible, from the creepy sound effects to the set design. Even the snack carts matched the mood, selling things like “blood-red punch” and candied apples. This spook Universe… you guessed it, Epic!

Final Thoughts 💭🎟️🍦

So, what did we think of Epic Universe? In short, it’s incredible. Each land felt alive and unique, and you really do feel like you’re stepping into different worlds. My kids still can’t stop talking about their favorite parts (and begging to go back).

That said, here’s the honest mom take, the lines are brutal. We’re talking 2-3 hour waits for the big rides, and with kids, that’s a test of patience for everyone. We survived with snacks, games on our phones, and lots of “look at that!” distractions in the queues, but by the end of the day, we were wiped out.

The food overall was fine, standard theme park fare for most of it, but that French meal in Harry Potter land saved the day. I’d go back just for that.

All in all, Epic Universe was worth every minute of waiting and every sore muscle at the end of the night. It’s loud, it’s active, it’s overwhelming, but in the very best way. If your family loves movies, dragons, magic, or video games, this park delivers it all. Just bring patience, sunscreen, and comfy shoes… and maybe plan which rides you’ll prioritize so you don’t spend the whole day in lines.

When we left, sweaty and tired, my kids were already planning which rides they wanted to do first “next time.” And honestly? So was I. I will leave you with My last final opinion of this park: EPIC!!

Top 5 Hidden Details and Easter Eggs to Spot at Epic Universe 🔍✨

1. Mushroom Power-Up Blocks 🍄💥 – Some blocks in Super Nintendo World light up or make sounds if you hit them with your Power-Up Band. Oliver, acting cool, muttered, “Bro, oh my gosh, bro, this is amazing, bro,” every time one reacted

2. Secret Dragon Nests 🐲🥚 – Keep your eyes peeled in Isle of Berk — tiny dragon eggs are tucked into cliffs and ledges. Aiden gasped with excitement, pointing, “No way! A dragon egg!” with a big ol’ smile on his face.

3. Floating Candles in Harry Potter Alley 🕯️✨ – The candles above some alleyways flicker and sway like they’re alive. Ava tried to play it cool, since she is no longer in a harry potter phase. she walked past and rolled her eyes, but you could see a little smile sneak through.

4. Bowser’s “Secret Notes” in the Castle 📝👑 – Hidden scrolls, coins, and maps are tucked in corners throughout Bowser’s Castle. Oliver quietly leaned in and said, “Bro… this is actually insane, bro,” after spotting a clever little detail.

5. Mini Animatronic Villains 👹🎭 – In the Dark Universe, little villains peek from behind props and sometimes twitch when you least expect it. Aiden gasped, “Did you see that?!” while Ava stayed a few steps back, pretending to be annoyed but clearly amused.