Universal Epic Universe Adventure: A Family Recap
Epic Universe Delivers Thrills (and a Few Bumps!) – Our Family Reports Back!
Our family recently visited Universal Orlando’s newest park, EPIC Universe, was a fantastic experience that definitely lived up to the hype! We wanted to share our first-hand account—the highs, the lows, and the need-to-know tips—to help you plan your own epic adventures.
What We Loved: The Unforgettable Highlights
The sheer level of immersion across the five worlds is truly revolutionary. Here’s where EPIC Universe shined brightest for us:
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: This entire land was a massive success according to us all especially our How to Train Your Dragon Superfan (Olivia). The theming is incredible, and there is so much to explore beyond just the rides. We especially loved the abundance of great food options versuses the other sections of the park and the character interactions were a highlight. Meeting Hiccup and Toothless was a trip favorite for the whole family! Check out our Hiccup video here!
- SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: A marvel of design and scale! This version is noticeably larger than the one in Los Angeles, giving you more space to explore the world of Mario. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge proved to be an incredibly fun, competitive family challenge. The theming and vibrant energy of this land are absolutely amazing.
- Best Ride in Orlando? The kids and Chris are firm believers that Stardust Racers in Celestial Park is the best roller coaster in all of Orlando! The kids were thrilled to be able to ride it twice, and experiencing both the day and night tracks added a unique dimension to the thrill.
- A Delicious Pit Stop: We highly recommend a stop at Pizza Moon. We found their pizza to be very delicious for theme park fare, and they offer a great salad option that was very tasty for a lighter meal.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is a standout attraction. Our family members without motion sickness found it to be a truly spectacular, state-of-the-art dark ride experience. While Brandy loved it, it was a very hard ride for those with motion sickness.
Our Constructive Feedback: Areas for Improvement
While we had a phenomenal day, a few things kept us from declaring it perfect:
- Motion Sickness Warning: The Dark Universe land wasn’t a hit for our group. While the atmosphere is intense, a few of us experienced significant motion sickness on the marquee attraction, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Although the land has great character interactions and mini-shows, the main ride was not our favorite.
- A Picky Eater Problem: This was the biggest surprise. For families with picky eaters (like ours), the lack of readily available, “normal” kid-friendly snacks and meals was a challenge. Simple items like popcorn and pretzels were hard to find in the individual worlds, and even staples like fries were served with specific flavorings on nearly every menu. A little more basic fare would go a long way or at least a kid friendlier option on menus.
- New Park Challenges Persist: Despite the park having been open since its May 2025, we experienced multiple ride, character interaction, and show breakdowns throughout the day. We hoped the initial technical “bugs” would be resolved by now, but EPIC is still struggling with operational reliability.
The Verdict: Would We Go Again?
A resounding YES!
Our secret to success was the Express Pass. This add-on was essential, as it allowed us to complete everything in the park in a single day, ride some of our favorites twice, and still take several breaks without the worry of massive standby lines. With a Universal Express Pass (which gives you once-per-ride access for a separate fee, typically starting around $160-$250+ per person per day for the one-park option depending on the date) combined with Early Park Access, we easily fit in all the major attractions and felt the overall value was excellent despite the operational hiccups.
If you’re planning a trip, be sure to budget for the Express Pass to maximize your experience and prioritize your must-do’s early in the day!
Are you ready for an Epic Adventure? Contact us today for your quote.
Disclaimer: Express Pass pricing is dynamic and varies significantly by date and park. Always check the official Universal Orlando website for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing for your travel dates.
