After years of anticipation, I finally got to explore Universal’s brand-new Epic Universe—and let me tell you, it lives up to the name in every way. This park is divided into five incredible "portals," each one totally immersive and completely unique. From coaster thrills to magical meals, here's my firsthand experience inside each land.

🌌 First Impressions: Celestial Park

You enter the park through Celestial Park, a sprawling, beautiful space with fountains, gardens, and open-air relaxation spots. The area is bright, calming, and honestly, a perfect place to breathe when other parts of the park feel intense.

We kicked things off on Stardust Racers, a stunning dual coaster with two tracks racing side-by-side. If you’ve ever ridden VelociCoaster, this is that same level of heart-pounding—but with a cosmic twist. I loved it so much I rode it twice!

Don’t skip Constellation Carousel either—it’s gorgeous and whimsical, perfect for all ages. And be sure to catch the fountain and light show at the end of the night—it was the perfect way to wind down after a day of adventure.

💡 Tip: Grab a bite at Blue Dragon—while you typically need a reservation, we walked up and found immediate bar seating with full menu service!

🐉 Berk Comes to Life: How to Train Your Dragon

Stepping into Isle of Berk felt like walking straight into the movie. You’ll see dragon statues, Viking ships, and all the immersive touches Universal is known for.

My favorite ride here was Dragon Racers—you literally feel like you’re flying on a dragon’s back. It’s short but intense, and definitely worth prioritizing early in the day. It doesn’t take Express Pass, so we made a beeline for it first thing, and that saved us a lot of time.

🌀 Read the instructions posted along the queue carefully—you’ll learn how to flap your “wings” just right. If you do it correctly during the ride, you might even pull off a barrel roll. My husband completed a roll! Me? No, but I got close! Let me know if you achieve it!

We also tried Fyre Drill, which is super fun for kids—just be warned, you will get wet. But honestly, it felt great in the summer heat! Hiccup’s Winged Gliders is another ride worth mentioning—it’s a mild coaster that’s fast but smooth, and perfect for families who want a little thrill without the intensity of Stardust Racers.

🎢 Tip: Both Fyre Drill and Hiccup’s Winged Gliders accept Express Pass, so you can save time later in the day.

We couldn’t resist the Mac & Cheese Bread Cones at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel—especially the PB&J (Pork, Bacon & Jam) one (yes, you read that right). The food here was fun, but seating was limited, so plan accordingly.

Mac N Cheese cone from Hooligan’s Grog and Gruel

For a sit-down option, Mead Hall was a great place to cool off. Just walk in, find a table, and scan the QR code to mobile order. They’ll bring your food right to you, and it was honestly one of the easiest dining experiences we had early in the day. We did return later that afternoon and there was a queue to get a table. Definitely pack your patience!

But my favorite thing in Berk? The show called The Untrainable Dragon. It was hands-down the best thing we did in this entire portal. The music, the story, and the characters were all spot-on. If the show is running correctly, Hiccup and Toothless will even soar above your head in complete Night Fury majesty. Unfortunately, the day we visited, Toothless was having a bad day (technical issues) and didn’t appear—but the show was still fantastic, heartfelt, and magical. Don’t miss it!

📲 Don’t forget to download the Universal Studios App before your trip. You’ll need it throughout Epic Universe—for mobile ordering, wait times, interactive experiences, and more.

🍄 Super Nintendo World: Where the Game Comes to Life

This portal was one of the most energetic, colorful, and crowded of the day. You truly feel like you’ve jumped into a Mario game. Characters like Princess Peach, Mario, and Luigi are around for photos, and the interactive Power-Up Bands had everyone (yes, even adults) running around collecting coins and playing mini-games.

Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge was a blast—literally. You wear AR goggles and race through Bowser’s castle trying to win gold. We also loved Yoshi’s Adventure for its views and slower pace. If you're looking for something for the littler guys, this is a great choice—slow and fun. I kind of compare it to the PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom.

We had high hopes for Toadstool Cafe, the sit-down mobile order restaurant in this portal. Unfortunately, it was so packed we never managed to get in. The queue begins outside (with absolutely no shade!) and then continues through another queue inside. It felt like we were standing on the surface of the sun—this was the hottest part of the entire park by far.

Since we couldn’t try Toadstool Cafe, we were thrilled to find a tucked-away snack window called Yoshi’s Snack Island. There, we discovered red shell and green shell calzones shaped like the iconic Mario mushrooms. The red one is filled with savory Italian meat, cheese and sauce, while the green one is a plant-based option. We tried the red—and it ended up being the best thing we ate in all of Super Nintendo World🍌

🕓 Tip: All wait times are shown in the Universal Studios App—check it regularly to see which rides have shorter waits.

Donkey Kong Country

When you step into Donkey Kong Country, while still inside of Super Nintendo World everything changes—from the jungle theming to the music. The ride of this entire portal is here: Minecart Madness, a roller coaster worthy of Donkey Kong himself. It’s another favorite for kids and adults alike! This ride doesn’t accept Express Pass, so plan to hit it early in the day or closer to park close when the wait might be shorter.

The DK Crush Float from The Bubbly Barrel is a standout treat: banana and pineapple DOLE Whip on top of Pineapple Fanta, topped with caramel popcorn and served in a waffle bowl. It comes in a super cute Donkey Kong souvenir cup. It was hot, and this float was everything.

☂️ Tip: Consider bringing a small compact umbrella. There is virtually NO shade at all in Super Nintendo World.

🧛 Dark Universe: Classic Monsters, Modern Thrills

Dark Universe was probably the most underrated portal—but it was one of my favorites. It’s moody, spooky, and full of personality.

I love that this portal had so many characters just wandering around unexpectedly. The Invisible Man casually strolled by chatting with guests, and we even had a man with a violin stop us for an impromptu performance. He told us a dramatic story about a man in love with a woman who became obsessed—he looked at me and called me Christine, and my husband was the man. As he played the violin, it became clear he was telling the story of The Phantom of the Opera. I absolutely loved it.

We also had a blast interacting with Ygor, who might just be the funniest character in the whole park. Ygor stopped my daughter Isabella and noticed how sunburned she was. He looked right at her and said, "Your pasty is looking crispy, I see..." It was absolutely hilarious and one of the best interactions of the day. He is a highlight of Dark Universe, hands down.

We absolutely loved Monsters: Unchained—one of the best dark rides I’ve ever been on. The animatronics and effects are amazing, and the attention to detail is so fun. I even rode it more than once! This ride does accept Express Pass.

Frankenstein Castle - Home to Monsters: Unchained

Curse of the Werewolf is a spinning coaster with a unique approach—look down in the concrete path leading up to the ride and you’ll spot human footprints slowly transforming into werewolf tracks.

🔥 Don’t miss the Burning Blade Tavern—the flame show outside happens every 15 minutes, and the garlic “stake” is actually a piece of garlic bread shaped like a wooden stake—very garlicky and very monster-hunter-esque.

Das Stakehouse is another great option if you’re looking for a sit-down meal and a chance to cool off. Like Mead Hall in Berk, you walk in, find your own table, and place your order through the Universal app. The food arrives shortly after. We loved the hearty meals and the desserts were especially fun. I got the red velvet coffin cake, topped with chocolate cookie “dirt” and candy “maggots.” It was spooky, over-the-top, and delicious.

🧟‍♂️ Tip: For an added enhancement, if you’re really into monsters, Dark Universe offers a special monster makeup experience. With the help of skilled artists, you can be transformed into your favorite creature—complete with makeup and accessories. You can book this through Universal in advance or once you're inside the portal.

🪄 The Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic

If you know me, you know I’m a Potterhead, so I saved the best for last. Walking into 1920s Paris from Fantastic Beasts felt like stepping onto a movie set. From there, we traveled through MetroFloo and arrived inside the British Ministry of Magic—and WOW. The scale and detail took my breath away.

The ride, Battle at the Ministry, doesn’t accept Express Pass, but it’s worth the wait. There is a single rider line, but you’ll miss all of the amazing queue—so make sure to experience it at least once by waiting in the regular line. Even if you’re not riding, there’s a separate walkthrough queue so you can still admire the grandeur of the Ministry of Magic—it’s truly a jaw-dropping space.

A standout experience here was the show Le Cirque Arkanus (pronounced R-can-ew). It begins with a brief pre-show before moving into a sit-down theater. Without giving too much away, the show features Newt Scamander and some of his Fantastic Beasts in a whimsical, action-packed performance. It’s fun, magical, and a definite must-see. Best of all, it accepts Express Pass!🥐

Dining in Wizarding Paris

Café L’air de la Sirène: We grabbed a table outside and ordered Butterbeer Crêpes and Beef Bourguignon. All of it was fantastic.
Le Goblet Noir: A hidden back-alley place to cool off and relax, with lots of tables (mobile order from the table). This is a place that dark wizard and witches like Gellert Grindelwald himself might be found. The space is a tribute to Nicolaus Flamel, the alchemist from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Flamel’s home was located above the tavern, and the space is full of magical details to discover.
Bar Moonshine: Hidden and magical! This was my husband’s favorite spot in the portal. They had several themed cocktails along with the Beau Thé Bleu d'Occamy, which changes color before your eyes—so fun and refreshing. There were just two small tables outside, but a great place to people watch.

🪄 The interactive wand spots here were much easier to enjoy than the tighter spaces at Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. There’s even a hidden spell spot for those who like to explore.

Casting Spells in Paris

🪄 Universal now offers Generation 1 and Generation 2 interactive wands. If you already have a wand from a previous trip, it’s likely a Gen 1. I had a Generation 1 wand that I purchased more than 10 years ago and it worked just fine in the new portal. My daughter got a new Generation 2 wand and used the app—and had so much fun! These newer wands offer enhanced features—including special effects and interactive elements unique to the Ministry of Magic. They're $90 and add an extra layer of magic, especially for serious witches and wizards!

There are team members wandering the area to help with using your wands. Shout out to Dylan and Bucky that helped us learn the correct way to "swish and flick" our wands.

📲 To get the most out of a Generation 2 wand, make sure to log in and use your Universal Studios app to unlock special challenges, spell interactions, and achievement levels within the portal.

Final Thoughts

Epic Universe truly blew me away. Each portal feels like its own world, full of surprises, food, and fun. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a theme park foodie, or just looking for the latest in immersive experiences, there’s something here for everyone.

✨ Ready to book? Contact me at melissa@wandersbymelissa.com and let’s make your next Universal vacation unforgettable.

My First Visit to Universal’s Epic Universe – What Blew Me Away in Every Portal

🌌 First Impressions: Celestial Park

🐉 Berk Comes to Life: How to Train Your Dragon