Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Preview:
- Take a better take a look at Isle of Berk and The Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic.
- Isle of Berk homes 30 dragon animatronics, two rides, and a dwell present.
- Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry experience has probably the most elaborate line queue of any theme park experience.
Ever surprise what it’s like to return face-to-face with the well-known Nightfury from ‘Methods to Prepare Your Dragon’? Or journey by Floo Metro to the British Ministry of Magic? Common Orlando’s Epic Universe has discovered a approach to give friends the last word immersive expertise in its model new theme park, which opened on Might 22, 2025
Moviefone had the pleasure of visiting Common Orlando’s Epic Universe through the media preview forward of its grand opening to expertise your entire theme park, together with Isle of Berk and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Associated Article: Epic Universe Is Recreation-Altering And Actually Lives Up To It’s Title
What Is Epic Universe?
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Epic Universe is Common Orlando’s fourth theme park, not removed from Common Studios Orlando. It homes 5 model new lands, together with Celestial Park, How To Prepare Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Darkish Universe, Tremendous Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
Epic Universe’s theming is impressed by the heavens, stars, and constellations, and as soon as friends step by the towering Emerald Gate and Chronos system, they are going to discover themselves in Celestial Park. From there, they are going to have the ability to entry the 4 different portals main them into numerous lands.
The Isle of Berk
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Simply by the fiery crimson swirling portal is the Isle of Berk – a land the place Vikings and dragons dwell in concord. Themed to DreamWorks’ animated function ‘How To Prepare Your Dragon’ franchise, this land in Epic Universe will transport you to a world that has solely existed in animation – till now. There are loads to do in Berk, together with three rides, one dwell present, meet and greet with Toothless, loads of meals choices, and naturally, you’ll spot characters from the movie roaming across the village.
As soon as inside Berk, you’re greeted by towering Viking and Dragon statues rising out of the water. The larger-than-life decor of this land will make you neglect that you just’re at a theme park. Except for its points of interest and dwell leisure, there are 30 animatronic dragons unfold all through Berk. From napping child dragons to the huge Snow Wraith able to blast you with its icy breath.
The Points of interest In Isle of Berk
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Out of all of the lands inside Epic Universe, the Isle of Berk homes probably the most points of interest. It has three rides – Hiccup’s Wing Glider, Dragon Racer’s Rally, and Fyre Drill. Every is exclusive, has colourful out of doors line queues, and suits proper into the world of ‘How To Prepare Your Dragon’.
Hiccup’s Wing Glider rides like a traditional rollercoaster, with simply sufficient thrills with out taking the riders upside-down. Because the coaster strikes out of the loading station, you’ll hear Hiccup chatting with Toothless, “Hey Toothless, we’ve received to organize for launch”. The coaster takes you proper previous animatronics of Hiccup and Toothless earlier than Toothless launches your Winged Flying Machine to soar by the Isle.
The experience monitor will take you thru your entire land and over water so you may get a implausible view of Berk. All is effectively till you come throughout some Gronckle eggs hatching. The winged machine shortly makes its getaway by launching at full pace. Because the coasters soar previous the eggs, the rating from ‘Methods to Prepare Your Dragon’ performs, and also you get the feeling of what it’s wish to fly on the again of a dragon.
The official synopsis for Hiccup’s Wing Gliders:
“From Hiccup’s workshop comes his newest contraption: a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the air, swooping and hovering and encountering Hiccup and Toothless alongside the way in which. Get able to board Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a enjoyable coaster that invitations Vikings to show they’re courageous sufficient to hurry by the sky with dragons.”
Dragon Racer’s Rally takes riders in a round movement as much as 67 ft within the air earlier than gliding again down in a round movement. What makes this experience distinctive is that every rider has management over their very own automobile’s “wings”. Alternating them forwards and backwards will permit your automobile to spin 360 levels, which suggests because the experience is gliding in a round movement, you’re additionally spinning and going the other way up. The wings are heavier than anticipated and may take some getting used to to get your automobile to spin. If you happen to favor a milder expertise, maintain the wings regular and your automobile is not going to spin. It is a brief experience and a enjoyable approach to expertise flying like a Dragon.
The official synopsis for Dragon Racer’s Rally:
“The game of dragon racing is a celebrated pastime on the Isle of Berk. At Dragon Racer’s Rally, Berk’s new Vikings can apply aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on a Viking-made dragonriding coach. You’ll want these high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and hovering abilities in the event you hope to grow to be a champion dragon racer.”
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Fyre Drill is the right approach to beat the warmth. It’s an interactive boat battle, and in Viking style, educating you easy methods to douse flames or foes with water. That is an all-ages experience with no drops, twists, or turns. Every boat is supplied with water cannons. Because the boat strikes by giant picket targets, your purpose is to hit the targets, however there’s no rule about additionally soaking the opposite boats and its riders along with your water cannon. The experience is sluggish transferring, so there is no such thing as a approach to keep away from getting moist on this experience.
The official synopsis for Fyre Drill:
“With fire-breathing dragons in every single place, villagers must be ready. Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut have remodeled Berk’s Fyre Skööl right into a watery, interactive boat battle at sea. Board your ship in Fyre Drill and blast your water cannons at flame-like targets – and the occupants of each different boat – to out-soak different Vikings.”
Eat Like A Viking
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
There are a number of eating choices in Isle of Berk together with the Mead Corridor, the Spit Fyre Grill, and Holligan’s Grog & Gruel. Every of the meals areas presents fast service and quite a lot of dishes.
The Mead Corridor is the tallest constructing within the land, and its entrance doorways are over 16 ft tall. Right here you’ll discover bigger platters of meats good for sharing, seafood, sandwiches, desserts, drinks, and naturally, mead. There are additionally two vegan choices accessible: the Nordic Harvest Salad and Valka’s Vegan Burger with an historical grain patty. That is the place you’ll discover the lovely fish-shaped dessert product of chocolate mousse on a mattress of cereal crumbles.
Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel is the place you will discover the Instagramable Dragon Hearth Rooster Spire mac-and-cheese cone. These large bread cones are crammed to the brim with creamy mac and cheese and toppings resembling BBQ pulled pork or pulled hen with sizzling honey. Spit Fyre Grill is the place you’ll discover numerous bowls that includes steak, hen, salmon, and shrimp. There’s additionally a vegan bowl possibility with kale spring combine, bean salad, vegan feta, with a mango and mint French dressing.
Toothless and Hiccup Soar Excessive In “The Untrainable Dragon” Reside Present
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Amongst the rides, meals, and character meet and greets, there’s additionally the dwell present referred to as “The Untrainable Dragon, ” in contrast to any theme park stage present. First debuted in Common Studios Beijing, the Vikings encountered a brand new troublesome dragon inflicting mayhem within the village. Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid should discover a approach to calm the dragon earlier than it causes extra destruction.
This present will function giant dragon puppets, singing, dancing, projection, smoke, and lighting results. Better of all, Hiccup and Toothless will soar over the viewers. It’s actually beautiful to see Hiccup on the again of the huge Toothless animatronic, with a wingspan of 27 ft, breaking by the fog, excessive within the theater. The present runs about 20 minutes and is pure leisure.
You can even meet Hiccup and Toothless, positioned close to the theater for “The Untrainable Dragon”. That is in all probability probably the most wanted expertise in Isle of Berk so if you wish to meet Toothless, make certain to prioritize and plan as a result of the road can rise up to over 2 hours lengthy.
The Isle of Berk immerse friends into the world of Dreamwork’s ‘How To Prepare Your Dragon’. Except for all of the points of interest and leisure, it’s enjoyable to stroll round to attempt to discover all 30 animatronic dragons. There are interactive towers positioned throughout Berk that’ll play a sound or mist impact when you work together with it. You’ll undoubtedly run into Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Gobber, as they normally roam across the land. Don’t neglect to maintain an eye fixed out for lovely child dragons who will play a sport of “Toothless Says”.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Discover the world of ‘Incredible Beasts and The place to Discover Them’ contained in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Strolling by the towering wand-topped portal, you’re transported to Nineteen Twenties Paris. This land has unimaginable design, from the cobblestone streets to the tall buildings of Place Cachée to the towering Phoenix arch.
This land is stuffed with interactive actions, hidden in store home windows. To unlock the magic, you have to an interactive wand, which is accessible at Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique. That is the place you will discover the brand new second-generation wands with a extra highly effective connectivity, and options gentle and sound haptics to offer you a extra distinctive spell casting expertise.
Except for interactive wand spells, there are additionally character interactions in magical Paris. Yow will discover a dwell avenue band enjoying, alongside the magical creature Plume the Puffskein. The fashionable wand designer Cosme Acajor roams close to her storefront, and college students from numerous wizarding faculties add to the general environment.
Battle on the British Ministry of Magic
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
The primary attraction on this land is the “Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry” experience. For the primary time, friends will have the ability to expertise the Métro-Floo as they stroll by the inexperienced tunnel. Stepping by the mist, you’ll end up on the atrium of the British Ministry of Magic.
The official synopsis for “Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry” is:
“Journey by Métro-Floo from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic™ the place Dolores Umbridge™ is about to face trial. Board a elevate and be a part of Harry, Ron, and Hermione as you journey deep into the Ministry’s many departments. Thrilling journey, implausible beasts, and unexplored thriller await in Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry™.”
This experience queue is probably the most spectacular one at Epic Universe. As you come out of the Métro-Floo tunnels, it feels such as you’re swallowed by the huge atrium of the British Ministry of Magic, with its tall ceiling and the a number of flooring of workplace buildings that overlook the Fountain of Magical Brethren. The sight is actually breathtaking. Continuing by the road queue, you’ll stroll by the Magical Archives library, the Aurors’ locker room, and Dolores Umbridge’s workplace.
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
The look forward to this attraction is prone to be very lengthy, but it surely will provide you with time to absorb all the small print this line queue has to supply. As you stroll by Umbridge’s workplace, you’ll discover her house-elf Higgledy explaining a bit of about Umbridge’s trial.
When you’ve reached the tip of the road queue, you’ll board the magical omnidirectional elevate because it makes its approach to Umbridge’s trial. As she makes an attempt to flee, the elevate, together with Harry, Hermione, and Ron, provides chase all through the Ministry. The experience has a mix of screens and apply units, just like “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” however on a grander scale. Regardless that this experience isn’t as thrilling as Monsters Unchained, what units this experience aside is immersive storytelling and the detailed animatronics discovered all through. For Harry Potter followers, it is a should.
Le Cirque Arcanus
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
Head straight from the Phoenix Arch, and also you’ll discover “Le Cirque Arcanus”, A dwell present that includes cirque acts and implausible beasts in giant puppetry kind. The magic begins as quickly as you enter the crimson present tent as a result of the road queue and the theater inside are a lot larger than they give the impression of being outdoors, just like the impact of the charmed tent utilized by Hermione and Ginny after the World Cup Remaining.
Throughout the pre-show, you’re launched to Ringmaster Skender and his assistant, Gwenlyn. Wanting to save lots of his failing circus, he has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase and desires to make use of the magical creatures inside to attract a crowd. When Gwenlyn by chance lets out a Demiguise. This pre-show contains magical surprises like Newtscander’s suitcase touring by the wall into Skender’s workplace, and the way the Demiguise crawls out of the suitcase, similar to we’ve seen Scamander do within the films.
The primary present takes place inside a 550-seat theater, that includes numerous circus acts. The remainder of the present takes place inside Scamander’s suitcase. Sure, your entire stage transforms into the within of the suitcase, and the transition was magical to observe. As Gwenlyn seems for the Demiguise, she encounters many different magical creatures, together with a really giant Zouwu and the lovely Mooncalf. With particular results and complex set designs, friends will really feel surrounded by the magic of the Wizarding World.
Magical Fare
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.
There may be loads to style when you’re within the Wizarding World. Fast service eating choices embrace Cafe L’air De La Sirène, the place you will discover the delectable Butterbeer crepe, Le Gobelet Noir for drinks and hearty entrees, and Bar Moonshine for a refreshing beverage.
Cafe L’air De La Sirène and Le Gobelet Noir are the place you will discover probably the most seating and be tucked away in air con from the warmth. Le Gobelet Noir has a number of eating rooms themed to its moody identify, whereas Cafe L’air De La Sirène has one giant eating space.
The Butterbeer crepe served at Cafe L’ar De La Sirène incorporates a heat crepe with a Butterbeer filling, topped with powdered sugar, contemporary strawberries, Butterbeer whipped cream, an ornamental shortbread cookie, and completed with a Butterbeer drizzle. Regardless of the outline, this was not overly candy. If you happen to take pleasure in Butterbeer in its drink kind, you’ll wish to do that. Except for the Butterbeer crepe, the cafe serves quite a lot of candy and savory crepes, quiches, sandwiches, salads, and extra.
Le Gobelet Noir options dishes impressed by French, German, and Hungarian delicacies. Gadgets resembling Jägerschnitzel and Coqu Au Vin may be discovered right here. Themed to its darkish decor, you’ll additionally discover Le Breuage Sombre du Gobelet Noir, which is a darkish brew drink with eyes of Plimpies. Don’t fear, they’re truly simply yogurt popping pearls.
These worlds inside Epic Universe are unbelievable. The eye to element has elevated the theme park expertise. Each inch of every land is immersive, the designs are breathtaking, and parkgoers could have a special expertise each time.
Common Epic Universe formally opened on Might 22, 2025.
Common Orlando’s Epic Universe Grand Opening. Photograph: Wendy Lee Szany.