Epic Universe Ultimate Planning Guide

Your Ultimate Guide to Universal’s Epic Universe: Stay, Play, Eat, Repeat

Ready to portal-hop past ordinary vacations and straight into the cosmos? Universal’s Epic Universe is a five-world feast of dragons, monsters, wizards, and power-ups, all orbiting the lush heart of Celestial Park. Consider this your stargazer’s cheat sheet for where to stay, what to ride, what to munch, and the sneaky little details that make this new park live up to the “Epic” in its name.

Related: New Permit Reveals Universal Epic Universe Expansion

Where to Stay Near Epic Universe

Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel
The sun-kissed showstopper sitting right behind Celestial Park with its own dedicated entrance. Guests get Early Park Admission, dazzling fountain views from Bar Helios, and themed kids’ suites like the How to Train Your Dragon room that will have junior Vikings dreaming of barrel rolls with Toothless.

Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort
Sister resorts that keep the space vibes strong. Expect double queen rooms with spaceship portal windows, resort-style pools, hot tubs, fire pits, lobby bars, and quick service dining. Early Park Admission is in play, plus a walking path from Stella Nova to Epic Universe if you want to beat the shuttle crowd.

What To Do: The Five Worlds

Celestial Park

The verdant “world between worlds” where your adventure begins.

• Constellation Carousel rides you up, down, and all around on shimmering celestial creatures with eight original music tracks. No height requirement means first-ride magic for the tiniest star travelers.
• Stardust Racers sends you comet-dueling at speeds up to 62 mph and heights to 133 feet with a crisscrossing Celestial Spin. Keep an eye out for an 88-ish inside joke on the vehicles. Great Scott.
• Astronomica splash-pad compass helps you chart your next portal with music, lights, and leaping fountains.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Pipe into the Mushroom Kingdom, then barrel into Donkey Kong Country.

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge blends practical sets and AR goggles so you can drift, shell, and score for the Golden Cup. Height 40 inches and up.
• Yoshi’s Adventure is a breezy egg hunt tour of the land with prime views. Height 36 inches and up.
• Mine-Cart Madness jumps the track in spirit as you rattle through a DK chase for riders 40 inches and up.
• Meet and Play with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, and unlock Key Challenges using a Power-Up Band to face Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.

Dark Universe

Enter Darkmoor Village where classic monsters roam free and the vibes are deliciously eerie.

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment straps you to a robotic-arm ride through an electrified manor where Dracula and friends are not exactly cooperative.

• Curse of the Werewolf is a family spinning coaster that hits about 37 mph through a moonlit forest.
• Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience transforms willing mortals into frightfully photogenic creatures.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Bonjour to 1920s wizarding Paris before you Floo to the British Ministry.

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry moves you via omnidirectional lifts into a whirling motion-simulation showdown as Harry, Ron, and Hermione face the depths of the Ministry.
• Le Cirque Arcanus stage show brings other-worldly puppetry, stolen suitcases, and magical spectacle.
• Wandwork in Place Cachée includes interactive creatures and portrait spells in the courtyard of Le Goblet Noir.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Welcome to Viking country where the only thing hotter than dragon fire is the smile on your face.

• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders coaster hits 45 mph and 50 feet with soaring views and story set pieces.
• Dragon Racers Rally lets you dial in flips and spins to taste.
• Fyre Drill is a splashy boat battle run by the ever-chaotic Thorston twins.
• The Untrainable Dragon live musical brings Hiccup and Toothless to the stage, aerials and all.
• Character Greets with Toothless, Hiccup, Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and more, plus the Viking Training Camp play area.

Where To Eat: Celestial Sips to Viking Feasts

Celestial Park Highlights

• Atlantic glitters with glass walls and seafood stars like Seared Scallops and a tomatillo tequila butter mussels dish.
• Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant mixes small plates, noodles, and big plates with neon dragon ambiance and The Tiger Bar.
• Comet Dogs, Pizza Moon, Oak and Star Tavern, Meteor Astropub, Star Sui Bao and more round out the cosmic cravings. Pro tip: Giant Mushroom pizza at Pizza Moon has serious main-character energy.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Toadstool Cafe for Mario Burgers and Bowser heat, Yoshi’s Snack Island for calzones and smoothies, Turbo Boost Treats for quick pick-me-ups, The Bubbly Barrel for DK floats.

Dark Universe
Das Stakehaus and Burning Blade Tavern serve monster-worthy bites like Carved Stake Steak and Burning Cheddar Bites, while De Lacey’s Cottage keeps you fueled for frights.

Ministry of Magic
Café L’air De La Sirène does Parisian treats and the exclusive Bièraubeurre Crêpe, Le Goblet Noir leans into hearty French wizard fare, and Bar Moonshine pours if you fancy a floo-stop nightcap.

Isle of Berk
Raise a goblet at Mead Hall, refuel at Spit Fyre Grill, and try the viral Mac and Cheese Cones at Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel.

Where To Shop

• Other Worlds Mercantile, Sensorium Emporium, Moonship Chocolates and Celestial Sweets in Celestial Park for cross-realm swag and Captain Cacao delights
• Nintendo Super Star Store, 1-Up Factory, Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy, Mario Motors for Mushroom Kingdom merch
• Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities, The Guild of Mystics, The Manor Storehouse for the macabre in Dark Universe
• Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique, K. Ramelle, Les Galeries Mirifiques, Tour en Floo for wizarding finery
• Hiccup’s Work Shop, Toothless’ Treasures, Viking Traders for Viking gear and Night Fury finds

Hidden Details You Will Want To Spot

• Listen in Darkmoor for a roaming violinist whose spooky lore drops unique hints about the village
• Students abroad from Ilvermorny, Beauxbatons, and Hogwarts can be found paging through a certain chomp-happy book
• North Star Wintry Wonders may hide a cameo from a very festive squirrel
• Pikmin might be peeking around SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
• Cosmos Fountain can launch waters as tall as Bar Helios at Helios Grand Hotel

Related: Why We Love Hot Dog Hall of Fame at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk

Quick Pro Tips

• Night ride Constellation Carousel for a glowing sky-show moment
• Arrive early with hotel Early Park Admission to snag Stardust Racers, Mario Kart, or Battle at the Ministry with shorter waits
• Power-Up Band unlocks extra gameplay and the Bowser Jr. finale
• Makeup Experience in Dark Universe sells out fast, reserve ahead
• Mobile order where available so you can spend less time in line and more time portal-hopping

Epic Universe is engineered for repeat visits. Each portal hides fresh gags, side quests, and secrets. Chart your own star map, then follow it back again and again.

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.