Three things that surprised me the most in Universal Epic Universe

Universal Orlando’s new theme park, Universal Epic Universe opened on May 22, 2025. The latest addition to Universal Orlando Resort adds five distinct lands or universes to an already impressive lineup of rides, restaurants, resorts and entertainment.

I had the privilege of getting a sneak peek at Epic Universe before its official opening, and I have to say the hype is real. I went in with pretty high expectations and still came out with several surprises that I think you should know about before your visit.

Here’s what surprised me the most about Epic Universe:

How beautiful Epic Universe is at night

The sentiment that echoed among the guests was how Epic Universe transforms at night. It’s truly built to be enjoyed after sunset, or at least from golden hour onwards.

Each of the park’s five lands takes on a completely different personality, and you may have to make some tough decisions about which universe to spend more time in as the sun sets. Of course, some lands lend themselves to nocturnal atmospheres, like Dark Universe. You’ll definitely want to camp out to watch the windmill atop Burning Blade Tavern ignite at night.

Heavenly Park is another must-visit land at night. In my opinion, its two rides – Constellation Carousel and Stardust Racers – are meant to be enjoyed after sunset.

I sincerely hope that Universal maintains Epic Universe operating hours as late as possible, including during the offseason. If you have an upcoming visit to Epic Universe, don’t leave early to dine elsewhere. Stay until the park closes so you can fully enjoy it at night.

READ MORE: YOUR EPIC UNIVERSE OVERVIEW GUIDE

How amazing the shows are

I’ll be honest: I’m usually the kind of theme park guest who skips shows when time is of the essence. Sure, these are wonderful extended breaks from the air conditioning, but I’m more of a girl who moves slowly and in the dark when I want to get away from the sun and heat. So when I heard that Epic Universe was offering two indoor stage shows, I initially filed them under “I’ll make it if I have time,” at least as far as my personal planning goes.

Damn, did I eat those words when I attended the media preview. You will find two shows on stage at Epic Universe: The untrainable dragon in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and The Arcanus Circus in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. The Untrainable Dragon is inspired by a similar show offered at Universal Resort Beijing, while The Arcanus Circus is an original production.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that The Arcanus Circus is the best stage show I have ever seen in a theme park.

Did I stutter?

I have a background in theater and have seen almost everything there is to know about special effects and “stage magic”. So when I say that my jaw dropped and I was moved to tears at Cirque Arcanus, believe me! This is one of my top three attractions if you include shows throughout the Epic universe.

How big is the Epic universe

With five fields, a dozen rides, two shows and numerous shops and restaurants, Epic Universe is a real two-day theme park for you “completers”. Could you do the park in just one day? If you only care about the rides, the answer is yes, but you’re probably going to miss out on a lot of the features that make Epic Universe so special.

There are many interactions between characters in each of the five countries. You will encounter buskers who add to the atmosphere of the country, such as Ygor in Dark Universe and the musicians of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as formal meetings with characters like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon as well as Frankenstein’s Monster and Frankenstein’s Bride in the dark universe.

We haven’t even talked about the interactive elements in the park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, like its predecessors at other Universal parks, is selling out wands that interact with the earth so you can practice your magic. And Super Nintendo World sells Power-up bands where you can compete as a team throughout the day, collecting points all over the field.

All in all, you’ll find yourself pressed for time if you try to do Epic Universe in its entirety in a single day. I also recommend slowing down in the evening to enjoy the atmosphere, which is not always conducive to accomplishing your “to-do” list. I didn’t even understand how exceptional the food is. Be sure to allow plenty of time (I recommend two days to take in everything at a leisurely pace) before visiting Universal Epic Universe.

READ MORE: WHERE TO EAT AT UNIVERSAL EPIC UNIVERSE

NOTE: I was invited by Universal Orlando Resort to attend a hosted media preview of Epic Universe. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my coverage are my own.

Three things that surprised me most about the Epic Universe were originally published on The World of Spark.

More from FamilyVacationist: