The iconic theme park Universal Studios in Orlando is opening new attractions in May of 2025! Starring Universal’s Epic Universe which will contain five “worlds” inside. Such worlds will include: Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World Of Magic – Ministry of Magic. According to Universal’s website: “Our Universe Will Never Be The Same!”
Whether you like the iconic monsters from Universal’s classic horror movies or the familiar faces from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there is something in these new additions to Universal for everyone!
What does Universal Studios have as of now?
If you don’t know, Universal Studios is currently home to three parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
All three parks contain various “worlds”, and in this section we are going to explore what Universal currently has and what can be done there before diving into what we can expect to see in the late spring of this year.
According to its site, Universal Studios Florida features three main areas to explore, including: “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Springfield, U.S.A.: Home of The Simpsons, [and] Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
One populated spot is typically The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley featuring several interactive experiences, a thrill ride named The Escape From Gringott’s, and an overall magical adventure while walking through the magical alley of Diagon Alley (and the infamous Knockturn Alley also spotted behind the Leaky Cauldron).
As for Islands of Adventure which features various sections and a vast number of rides. Such examples can include: The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, and even Marvel Super Hero Island.
And last but not least, Volcano Bay is home to most of the overall park’s water rides such as: Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides, Krakatau Aqua Coaster, Ko’okiri Body Plunge, and more!
Currently, Universal Studios contains four hotels which guide customers to the actual parks by water taxi (a boat which is driven across a river towards the boardwalk which will lead individuals to the actual entrance to Universal Studios). Hotels which offer this service include Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
What will Universal have to offer?
As the aforementioned parks will be having their grand opening in May of 2025, there are still things that the public can expect due to the public images of construction and the sneak peeks from Universal’s official site (as well as the concept arts).
To recap, Universal Studio’s Epic Universe (the overall park) will contain five “portals” or “worlds”.
Dark Universe
Are you a Universal Monsters fan? If your answer was ‘yes’ then Universal is opening a section of its Epic Universe just for you and your ghastly desires!
The first portal is, Dark Universe: Dark Universe is one of the portals which leads to what Universal describes as, “a village ravaged by the wrath of unearthly creatures and the monstrous experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein. Dark Universe is a shadowy world where the unknown lurks around every corner.”
Dark Universe will contain two rides which go by the names of Curse of The Werewolf and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. Adding on, both rides follow different storylines, and each section of Dark Universe contains a mixture of each of the Universal Monster Movies.
Furthermore, Dark Universe will contain other attractions within its section such as: the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, Character Experiences, and two choices of restaurants which each contain a unique touch of its own toward the theme of Universal Monsters.
How to Train Your Dragon
The next portal is based on the How to Train Your Dragon movies.
As for How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Universal advertises it to: “Explore How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and discover an island where Vikings and fire-breathing dragons exist together in harmony.”
Things to do in this section of Universal’s Epic Universe include rides such as Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, Fyre Drill, and Dragon Racer’s Rally. Restaurants located within the park can include Mead Hall, and a live show called The Untrainable Dragon can be found in this section!
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Starting from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and moving to real life, Super Nintendo World is coming to Universal Studio’s Orlando!
Universal advertises SUPER NINTENDO WORLD as “[From] the fun of Mario Kart™ to careening through Donkey Kong Country™, experience all the interactive excitement of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, opening May 22, 2025, at Universal Epic Universe.”
The grounds of Princess Peach’s lands include rides which include Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure. Restaurants can include the Toadstool Cafe, and key incentives and challenges for particular audiences.
If you’re more into Donkey Kong’s video games, then entering Donkey Kong’s section would be the place for you! One ride inspired by D. Kong is called Mine Cart Madness!
As for the other sections of Epic Universe, customers can find various themed gift shops containing merchandise and possible collectibles.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – The Ministry of Magic
Have you or are you reading the magical books of Harry Potter? Have you or are you watching the eight-part movie series of Harry Potter? And have you visited The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade inside Universal Orlando?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I would suggest visiting Universal’s newest and most advanced addition to Universal Orlando; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – The Ministry of Magic!
Within the two worlds of Harry Potter which we currently have at Universal, we have not yet set foot into the British Ministry of Magic which regulates Wizards and Witches alike as well as their use of magic. But now, in 2025, we can.
Upon entering the portal, you will be entering the British Ministry of Magic through the streets of Paris referencing the Fantastic Beasts series which has also not been introduced yet to Universal Orlando!
The first thing you will see is a restaurant which goes by the name of Café L’air De La Sirène. Then, you will see a shop which contains some of the “finest wands” which goes by the name of Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. Traveling across the city, you will be greeted with a circus event which contains a live event which is called Le Cirque Arcanus.
Once you have passed through the city, you may want to take the Floo Network to the Ministry of Magic and partake on a ride called Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry where the popularly most disliked Harry Potter character, Dolores Umbridge is taken to justice once and for all!
Celestial Park
Last but not least, the final park I will be discussing with you today is Universal Orlando’s Celestial Park.
Advertised by Universal as, “thrilling rides, entertainment, dining, shopping, plus Universal Helios Grand Hotel, all come together to create an amazing world of discovery and excitement.”
This surreal park includes rides such as: Stardust Racers and Constellation Carousel. Restaurants can include Atlantic and The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant. Customers can also purchase their goods from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at the Nintendo Super Star Store in this park.
The best part about this park is that there is a hotel in it that leads directly into the park, its name being Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Lowes Hotel. So now you won’t need to take a water taxi or a shuttle bus to see the new parts of Epic Universe!
Opinions about Epic Universe
For opinions about Universal’s expansion, I have asked interviewees three questions, each of which I have gathered unique responses to, but one student’s response stood out to me.
Upon asking twelfth grader Lugo on what their thoughts were on Universal’s new additions for Epic Universe, they stated that they were “very excited for Universal’s new additions.” They said that they “have heard they would be expanding the parks, and I’ve been following the news for a while now.”
As per my second question, I asked if there was a section which they were most excited for or plan on visiting somewhere in the future, and I received the following response: “Dark Universe! I love Universal monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein, and I love that they (along with other monsters) are finally getting more recognition.” Lugo also stated that they were very excited for the overall progress of the park and could not wait to finally be able to visit.
For my final question, I asked whether Lugo thought there could be future construction, or anything further being added to Universal (any or all locations). Lugo’s response was “I think Universal has the potential to expand, definitely. As one of the biggest companies out there, they definitely have the money and fanbase to grow their parks.” Lugo claims that they do not know what Universal may end up adding, but they are positive that Universal may consider expanding more.
As for me, I believe that the new additions to Universal were necessary and a fun addition to what they already have. Furthermore, I think that these new additions to the already existing park will cause a positive economic outcome for the various different consumers.
For me, it is hard to state which section I am most looking forward toward as I love Universal’s monster collection, I adore anything and everything related in any possible way to Harry Potter, I truly did enjoy the How to Train Your Dragon Series and each and every single Super Mario franchise addition whether it was a new game or a film adaption, and I am absolutely positive that I would enjoy the new Celestial Park which Universal has added.
As for my last question, I would say (as my previous interviewee has stated) Universal absolutely has the potential and money to expand to wider fanbases, such examples of what could be added could include The Addams Family adaption and possibly even trolls!
Closing
Whether you like Universal’s Monsters or their additions to Harry Potter, dragons or celestial themed parks, there is something for everyone and there possibly will be more in the future!
See you all May 22nd, 2025, at Universal Epic Universe’s grand opening!
