Flying Dragons and Omnidirectional Elevators: Inside Epic Universe, the World’s Largest and Most Expensive Theme Park

Get ready to step into the unimaginable. Universal Orlando Resort’s latest addition, Epic Universe, promises to immerse visitors in worlds like never before. Set to open on May 22, this massive new theme park, the first in Central Florida in 26 years, will push the boundaries of theme park technology and storytelling.

At 750 acres, Epic Universe isn’t just the largest theme park in the world — it’s also one of the most expensive, with an estimated cost of $7.7 billion. Universal hasn’t confirmed the exact figure, but experts like Dennis Speigel, founder of International Theme Park Services, are calling it “too damn good.”

From Chronos, a portal that transports you into the park’s central hub, Celestial Park, to the thrilling rides and experiences within each themed “world,” Epic Universe offers a level of immersion that feels like stepping into a different reality.

As you enter Celestial Park, you’ll encounter Stardust Racers, a high-speed roller coaster, and the Constellation Carousel, where glowing animals spin in all directions. But the adventure doesn’t stop there. From this central hub, visitors can choose to enter any of the four distinctive portals, each leading to a completely different universe.

Alicia Stella, owner of Orlando ParkStop, describes the park as a place where “once you enter those portals, you’re not in a theme park anymore.” Each world is carefully designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into the worlds of your favorite franchises:

• Dark Universe: Universal’s iconic monsters — Dracula, the Wolf Man, and the Invisible Man — come to life in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, featuring lifelike robotic technology.
• The Wizarding World: Ministry of Magic: A thrilling new Harry Potter experience that combines time travel and an omnidirectional elevator in Harry Potter: Battle at the Ministry. Guests will chase Dolores Umbridge through the Ministry of Magic as they ride through 1920s Paris and 1990s London.
• How to Train Your Dragon: Epic Universe introduces the first-ever theme park land based on the beloved How to Train Your Dragon franchise. Watch life-like dragons soar through the sky and experience roller coasters, boat rides, and an awe-inspiring Toothless show.
• Super Nintendo World: Step into a world of video games with Mine-Cart Madness, a Donkey Kong-themed ride, and Bowser’s Challenge. Visitors can wear “Power-Up” bands to play interactive games and collect points, bringing Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach to life.

Epic Universe is packed with never-before-seen technology, including trackless ride systems, augmented reality, and high-resolution projections. Among the standout attractions are:

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: A groundbreaking ride that combines the latest in animatronics and robotics to deliver a fully immersive monster adventure.
• Harry Potter: Battle at the Ministry: A truly epic ride, combining elements of Universal’s Spiderman and Disney’s Rise of the Resistance, that transports guests into the magical world of Harry Potter like never before.

With dynamic pricing, single-day tickets for Epic Universe start at $139 for adults and $134 for children. Prices may go up to $199 for peak periods like the holiday season. Multi-day passes and Express Passes (which allow for faster entry into attractions) are also available, with Express Passes often costing more than the base ticket itself during busy periods.

For many theme park enthusiasts, these prices are in line with other parks, and some experts have even expressed surprise at how affordable some ticket prices are, given the park’s scale and ambition.

With Epic Universe raising the stakes, industry experts are closely watching Disney’s next move. Dennis Speigel predicts that Disney will soon announce a new theme park, driven by the fierce competition between the two giants.

While Epic Universe is unlikely to put Disney out of business, Speigel believes it could create a “chink in their armor,” especially as Universal Orlando Resort has seen massive growth since the opening of the first Harry Potter area in 2010. Industry insiders expect Epic Universe to attract around 6 million visitors in its first year.

Universal has gone above and beyond to create a world that feels completely separate from reality. Visitors are not just walking through different worlds — they are living them, experiencing cutting-edge technology and storytelling in a way that’s never been done before.

For fans of Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Nintendo, and classic monsters, Epic Universe is set to be the ultimate destination. The park’s innovative approach to ride design and immersive environments is a major leap forward for the theme park industry, and it will likely change the landscape of Orlando’s tourism scene for years to come.