ORLANDO, Fla. – In six months, the portals will open at Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park.
On Friday, Take 6 on News 6+ was dedicated to all things Epic Universe and held a Q&A session with News 6 theme park expert and author of the In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops newsletter, Haley Coomes.
Below are some questions received and our answers:
Question: What are the plans for a soft opening, if any?
Answer: Universal Orlando plans on holding soft opening opportunities for passholders. In an email sent to passholders, Universal said to “stay tuned for additional details in the coming months.” Universal Orlando has not said whether it will host a soft opening for general guests.
Question: Will there be Express Passes?
Answer: Express Passes and VIP Tours are expected to be an add-on option at Epic Universe, but at a later date after the park opens.
Question: Is Dark Universe scary?
Answer: Those familiar with Halloween Horror Nights know it’s intended for mature audiences, and classic Universal Monsters have appeared in the annual event in some shape or form over the years. The monsters’ new realm at Dark Universe is labeled as a family-friendly world that invites guests to experience mystery and thrill in a whole new way. For those looking for top thrills, look no further than Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and the Curse of the Werewolf. There are also reports that the queue in Monsters Unchained will feature jump scares.
Question: Why is a Paris setting featured in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic?
Answer: Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley — located at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios — are based in London. For this Epic expansion, Universal wanted to go international and incorporate 1920s wizarding Paris from the “Fantastic Beasts” films. For the first time ever within The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, guests will travel across countries to 1990s London using the Métro-Floo for a thrilling adventure set inside the iconic British Ministry of Magic, which is where the world gets its name from.
Question: What kind of dragons can we expect in How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
Answer: Universal has been drone-testing flying dragons. For the ultimate dragon experience, The Untrainable Dragon show will have “life-sized dragons soaring overhead”.
Here are just some other FAQs about Epic Universe:
What is Epic Universe?
Deemed the single-largest investment yet, Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park and resort complex sits on 750 acres that’s roughly the same size as Universal’s existing main property, which includes two theme parks, CityWalk, Volcano Bay, and six resort hotels. The expansion will add about 14,000 jobs.
Epic Universe is a few miles south of Universal Orlando Report, just south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard.
What are the worlds?
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Transporting visitors to a different era of the wizarding world, blending 1920s wizarding Paris from the “Fantastic Beasts” films with the iconic British Ministry of Magic.
- Super Nintendo World: Featuring beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong in an interactive gaming experience
- Dark Universe: A realm of myth and mystery, where guests encounter the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein and traverse a shadowy landscape inhabited by monsters like Dracula and the Wolfman.
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Discover an island where Vikings and fire-breathing dragons exist together in harmony.
- Celestial Park: A world between worlds full of thrilling rides, lush gardens, majestic fountains, entertainment, dining and shopping. At the end of Celestial Park, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel completes this astronomical world.
What are the lodging options?
Besides the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, guests can also book stays at Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, all of which are Loews Hotels.
What is the Chronos?
At the entrance of Epic Universe, is an arch-like structure that’s the source of energy to power the park and open the four portals to the worlds.
What are the ticket options?
Due to its anticipated popularity, Universal Orlando is only offering multi-day ticket packages for those wanting to experience Epic Universe upon its opening.
Whether you want a three-day, four-day, or five-day package, all options include “Enjoy 1 separate day at Universal Epic Universe” in the description on Universal’s website.
What will the transportation and parking situation be like?
Epic Universe and the entire Universal Orlando Resort is one destination, and therefore will be connected by a designated Universal bus route.
For parking, there is a parking lot guests can access via Epic Boulevard off Destination Parkway.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: