Universal Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort’s Highly Anticipated New Theme Park, Is Now Officially OPEN

With the Opening of Epic Universe, Universal Orlando Resort TransformsIInto a Four-Theme Park Destination Filled with a week’s worth of unforgettable experiences.

Let the Epic adventures begin! Today, Universal Orlando Resort celebrates the grand opening of its newest theme park, Universal Epic Universe – marking the official debut of one of the most innovative and immersive theme parks ever created and the first major theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years. The groundbreaking new theme park transports guests to five imaginative worlds filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond guests’ wildest imaginations: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

Thousands of enthusiastic guests filled the theme park as early as 6 a.m., a testament to the excitement and anticipation around the theme park’s grand opening. At approx. 8 a.m., Universal Epic Universe officially opened with an awe-inspiring celebratory moment that featured special character appearances at each of the world’s portals, breathtaking fireworks, a mesmerizing fountain display and more.

“This is an incredibly exciting day as we officially unveil Universal Epic Universe to the world,” says Karen Irwin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Orlando Resort. “Epic Universe is the culmination of what we’ve been working on for nearly a decade. Our teams have poured so much passion, vision and dedication into this new park and there is truly nothing like it in our universe.”

Last night, Universal Orlando also celebrated its newest addition with an exclusive, star-studded event that began with Celestial Carpet arrivals from celebrities, talent from the films that inspired the worlds of Epic Universe, key partners who played a role in bringing the theme park to life, and other special guests.  To cap off the evening, attendees enjoyed an extraordinary celebratory moment narrated by Steven Spielberg, Creative Consultant for Universal Destinations and Experiences, that enveloped the entire park in a breathtaking display of lighting, fountains and fireworks set to a captivating musical score that honored the park’s immersive worlds. It all culminated with an impressive drone display that summed up the entire evening in one word: EPIC.

More than a decade in the making, Universal Epic Universe is the most ambitious theme park Universal Destinations and Experiences has ever created and presents a level of theme park immersion and innovation that is unmatched. Through a set of majestic portals, guests are transported to five expansive worlds featuring a combined total of more than 50 experiences – ranging from jaw-dropping attractions and exhilarating entertainment to delectable dining, themed shopping and more – all of which come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic.

The five imaginative worlds of Epic Universe include:

Celestial Park

The heart of Epic Universe, Celestial Park is the first world guests encounter at the new theme park. With acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways, Celestial Park puts the “park” back in “theme park,” with discovery, thrills and excitement at every turn. Here, guests can find dozens of dining and shopping venues and three exciting attractions:

• Stardust Racers – a dual-racing launch coaster that sends guests rocketing through the skies at speeds up to 62 mph;
• Constellation Carousel – a first-of-its-kind carousel that glides forward, backward – and even makes 360-degree rotations – in a choreographed dance of music and starlight;
• Astronomica – an interactive wet play area that doubles as a giant compass rose to the many wonders of Epic Universe

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The destination’s third installment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is set in 1920s wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures’ Fantastic Beasts films and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter film series. Guests visiting this spectacular new world can:

• cast dazzling spells throughout the magical streets of wizarding Paris using interactive wands;
• encounter fantastic beasts at a traveling circus in the full-scale theatre experience, Le Cirque Arcanus;
• enjoy delectable cuisine, including the Butterbeer crepe at Café L’Air De La Sirène;
• embark on a thrilling adventure set inside the iconic British Ministry of Magic in Universal’s most technologically advanced attraction yet – Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry;
• and so much more.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Guests can jump into the action of their favorite video game worlds in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD – featuring Super Mario Land and – for the first time in the U.S. – Donkey Kong Country. In this colorful and kinetic world, guests can:

• join Team Mario to battle Team Bowser for the Golden Cup in Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge;
• travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs on Yoshi’s Adventure, which also makes its U.S. debut at Epic Universe;
• careen through the jungle aboard mine carts on a thrilling adventure inspired by the world of Donkey Kong Country video games in Mine-Cart Madness;
• enjoy culinary creations crafted by Chef Toad in Toadstool Cafe;
• meet and greet Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Peach in Super Mario Land, and Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Country;
• and so much more.

Guests can also level up their fun and enhance their play in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with a Power-Up Band, which allows them to collect digital coins by punching ? Blocks and play interactive activities; collect digital stamps on attractions; earn digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.; and discover other hidden surprises.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

This larger-than-life world captures the heart, humor and scale of the beloved How to Train Your Dragon films and is an authentic re-creation of the rugged, rocky world where raucous Vikings and rambunctious dragons live together in hilarious harmony. Guests will see what it’s like to live amongst dragons as they enjoy Viking-sized adventures like:

launching into the sky for a dragon’s eye view of Berk on the family-friendly thrill coaster, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders;

• practicing aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that reach heights up to 67 feet in the air on Dragon Racer’s Rally;
• embarking on an unforgettable journey with beloved characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber and Astrid in the dragon-filled live show, The Untrainable Dragon;
• savoring the wildly popular Mac & Cheese cones at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel;
• and so much more.

Guests can also meet heroic Dragon Rider, Hiccup, and pose for a photo with his friendly Night Fury, Toothless; and encounter other familiar Vikings while exploring Berk.

Dark Universe

Iconic stories of unearthly legends like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more come to life alongside a new generation of monsters and characters in this ominous world. As guests venture through the ravaged village of Darkmoor, they’ll encounter monstrous adventures that include:

• journeying deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor while trying to evade the grasps of Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy and others in Universal Orlando’s most terrifying attraction yet, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment;
• racing to escape the werewolves before they become one themselves on the spinning family coaster, Curse of the Werewolf;
• becoming fashionably monstrous with elaborate face paint and temporary tattoos in Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience;
• enjoying a delicious meal while surrounded by vampire artwork and artifacts in Das Stakehaus;
• meeting monsters like the Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, Ygor and even Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster;
• and so much more.

And at the edge of Epic Universe is Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, a 500-room Mediterranean-inspired escape that features a variety of dining options, a resort-style pool with cabanas, a rooftop bar overlooking Epic Universe, and a dedicated entrance to the theme park from the lobby for hotel guests (valid theme park admission required).

For more information about Universal Epic Universe, visit www.universalorlando.com/epicuniverse.