It’s official: we’re nerds. My dad and I, that is.
When Universal Orlando Resort first announced Universal Epic Universe back in 2019, we could barely contain our excitement. From that very moment, it became our favorite dinner table topic. We’d speculate for hours over plates of pasta, asking: “What worlds might we explore? What stories would unfold? Who — or what — might we meet along the way?”
That announcement didn’t just spark our imaginations — it became a defining moment in our relationship. We dreamed about the future (this future!) for years. From late-night debates in the living room to playful arguments on long drives through Central Florida, Universal Epic Universe became our shared daydream and the backdrop of countless conversations.
Eventually, that passion led me to begin my career at Universal, kicking off a multi-year journey of helping to bring these incredible new worlds to life.
And now, here we are. The moment is finally upon us. The portals are open. We’re finally stepping into these worlds — together.
I couldn’t be more excited to share our first moments in these marvelous, magical, mystical, sometimes-monster-filled worlds…with you!
The Adventure Begins
Today’s the day that we begin our first epic adventure!
We’re finally here — standing at the base of the Chronos, hearts thumping like we’re about to meet a celebrity. And in a way…we kind of are? This towering portal isn’t just a structure, it’s the gateway to everything we’ve daydreamed about and more.
We tilt our heads back and look up. Way up. The Chronos is a masterpiece of metalwork and motion — pieces spinning, rotating, practically whispering: “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Etched across the portal, we spot the words: Beyond this gate find gardens green and epic worlds to fill your dreams.
A tad poetic? Maybe. But also? Goosebumps. Real ones. We walk through the portal — and suddenly, it all hits us. This is the pinnacle of our imagination, fully built and brought to life.
Everywhere we look, Celestial Park unfolds in a beautiful blend of color and movement. Lush greenery stretches toward the horizon with flowers beautifully blooming and a little brook bubbling through the landscape. It wraps around a waterfall and flows into sparkling waterways that shimmer like something from a distant galaxy.
And then? The smells hit us. A sweet, chocolatey heaven. (Thanks, Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets — we’ll be back for snacks.) Just beyond that, Atlantic shimmers with glimmering pearls that catch the light like a dream.
As we wander through the courtyard, we’re greeted by dazzling, celestial creatures dancing under a sky full of stars. Naturally, we join them — hopping onto the Constellation Carousel for a gentle spin through the cosmos.
And just like that, it’s time for our next leap. Next stop: Dark Universe.
It’s Alive, It’s Alive!
Lightning cracks above our heads, painting the sky with streaks of bright white and violet. The portal to Dark Universe shimmers at the edge of an old wooden bridge, its creaks echoing like whispers in the wind. Even in the early morning, the air feels cool — mysterious, maybe even magical.
Or…maybe that’s just our minds playing tricks on us?
The pathway winds through a centuries-old cemetery, guiding us toward the village of Darkmoor. Lanterns flicker like fireflies in the windows as we pass beneath the remnants of a once-grand archway. Reduced to rubble, it seems to hint at the stories waiting just beyond.
As the fog begins to lift, we spot arrows scattered across a second-story balcony and a violinist circling the square. Their music floats through the air — haunting, yes, but also strangely beautiful. It feels like a welcome, in its own mysterious way. That’s when we notice movement in the shadows. Something…alive?
Not something — someone.
“It’s the Invisible Man!” we exclaim, grinning from ear to ear.
The Invisible Man creeps out of the shadows, darting amongst the townspeople. He sports a brown bathrobe and dark spectacles as others (like us!) gather to say hello to this resident of Darkmoor.
We continue across the square, drawn toward the Manor — the Frankenstein Manor. Blue electricity crackles in every window and we can’t wait a moment longer to explore.
Inside, we step into a world of monstrous imagination. We weave through the Manor’s winding hallways before descending into Darkmoor’s catacombs in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
That’s where we meet our first monster up close. With cheers and wide smiles, we approach the Phantom of the Opera, his fingers dancing across the organ with eerie elegance. His gaze is captivating. Mysterious yet mesmerizing.
Then, the rest appear. It’s Frankenstein’s Monster! Then The Wolf Man! Watch out for the water — it’s the Creature from the Black Lagoon! Behind you, Dracula! And finally, Victoria Frankenstein steps into view, signaling that this fiendishly delightful adventure is nearing its end.
It was eerie. It was electric. It was unforgettable.
Next stop: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
We, My Friends, Have Dragons!
The portal glows in a vibrant array of red, orange, and gold, blending perfectly with the afternoon sun. It feels as though we’ve walked into the most beautiful painting we’ve ever seen.
In front of us, towering statues breathe fire straight into the sky, their flames glistening above crystal-blue waters. These guardians mark the edge of the Isle of Berk, welcoming us to a world where dragons soar and Viking adventures take flight.
Viking ships are docked along the shoreline, decorated with a colorful array of shields. In the distance, a Viking village stretches across the horizon, filled with small shops and homes.
Then — a roar. (Though, should we really be that surprised?)
A dragon dives across the hillside, skimming the water’s edge. Wait… is that Hiccup’s Wing Gliders? It glides past a few startled sheep (sorry, friends!) and disappears over the hilltop. Just like that, we know we’re not in our world anymore.
We’re officially in Viking territory — and what’s the first rule of any great adventure?
Snacks. It’s always snacks.
Together, we make a beeline for Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, where the scent alone could win awards. We start off strong with a Mac & Cheese Cone — a creamy, golden masterpiece that’s somehow both comfort food and culinary art. Nicknamed the Dragon Fire Chicken Spire, it appears to live up to its name.
Now, how does it taste?
Oh my…
It’s…
It’s everything we didn’t know we needed!
The first bite is full of that Nashville-style pulled chicken, with just enough heat to make us pause mid-chew and say, “Wait… how is this this good?” As if that wasn’t delicious enough, it’s immediately followed by the hot honey, Calabrian peppers, and chimichurri.
Did I mention those crispy onions? No? Trust us, your mouth will be on a food holiday after this one. Picture this: it’s like little flavor fireworks.
We look at each other, wide-eyed, and without a word…we’re back in line for a second one. (For research purposes, of course.)
Fueled by flavor and a touch of fire, we wander deeper into the Isle of Berk. It’s as though the village is alive and breathing with carved rooftops, flickering lanterns, and dragon-inspired architecture adorning the hillside shops. Then, we stumble upon Viking Training Camp.
We’re not the “competitive” sort, but…challenge definitely accepted.
We test our flying skills at Dragon Racer’s Rally, then join in Fyre Drill. In this watery boat battle against other guests, we’ll be honest – we definitely won.
As we wave farewell to Astrid and Stormfly, we set out on our next adventure.
I believe…this one might just involve a…rather colorful road? Next stop: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Let’s-a Go!
Through the green pipe we go — and just like that, we’re standing at the top of Princess Peach’s Castle. The view? Positively extraordinary.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD stretches out in a burst of color as puffy white clouds drift by, golden coins spin, and Piranha Plants chomp in our direction like something out of a dream. ? Blocks glow throughout the land, and in the distance, Bowser’s Castle looms — daring, dramatic, and totally epic.
We’re…well, we’re speechless! We stand there, taking it all in. The first one to break the silence is my dad. He spins around, eyes wide, trying to take in everything at once. Then he lets out a breathless, “Wow!” and we both burst into laughter, grinning like little kids. (We’re kids at heart, what can we say?)
We head down the grand staircase, soaking in every detail. At the bottom, two very familiar faces are waiting for us. It’s Mario and Luigi! They wave cheerfully at everyone passing by and we of course stop for a quick photo.
From there, our little adventure kicks into high gear. We browse the colorful shops, enjoy a meal at Toadstool Cafe, and even ride in a Yoshi vehicle at Yoshi’s Adventure in search of colorful eggs.
Everywhere we turn, something’s moving, glowing, or inviting us to play. It’s like the whole world is alive… and we’re part of it!
A friendly Team Member fills us in on the Power-Up Bands, available for purchase throughout the theme park. With a Power-Up Band, you can collect digital coins, and play interactive games to collect digital keys, leading to the ultimate challenge: Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown.
Next stop: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
For In Dreams, We Enter a World That is Entirely Our Own
The walkways of Celestial Park melt away behind us — and suddenly, we’re not just in Paris. We’ve stepped into another time entirely: 1920s Place Cachée. And it’s breathtaking.
The streets shimmer with golden light, and every window we pass feels like a story waiting to be told. Shops proudly display their treasures: delicate pastries, enchanted trinkets, and beautiful jewels that entice us to stop and stare.
Just ahead, we spot a cozy café tucked into the street side: Café L’air De La Sirène. The scent of warm Bièraubeurre Crêpes floats through the air, mingling with the buttery crunch of toasted sandwiches. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to sit, sip, and stay a while.
In the distance, soft lights begin to glow against the setting sun. They twinkle along a grand banner that reads: “Le Cirque Arcanus.” It looks like the traveling circuses we remember from my childhood — but this one hums with something more. Something…magical.
As we venture beneath the velvet-draped entrance, we take one last look down the cobbled streets before stepping inside. We gather in the center, hearts racing, as the ringmaster, Skender, makes his entrance. The room hushes. Gwenlyn, a circus guide, welcomes us warmly — and then, the real magic begins.
The first creature appears, and just like that, we’re kids once again.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has always been something special for me and my dad. So, standing here, seeing these creatures come to life right in front of us? It’s overwhelming in the best way. A swirl of nostalgia, wonder, and pure joy.
I’ll admit — I got rather misty-eyed.
As the show ends with the gallop of a kelpie, we step out into the Parisian twilight. The streets are alive with excitement. We peek into shop windows, admiring elegant school robes and wands that a wizard may only dream of.
“Let’s get a closer look.”
We enter Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magiques as the night begins to draw to a close . It’s there that we discover wands unlike any we’ve seen before, each one nestled in a sleek, three-sided box. Cosme Acajor’s designs blend couture influence with distinct cores, creating what feels less like wands and more like works of art.
After bidding “au revoir” to the wandmaker herself, we begin to make our way back toward the archway.
The Adventure Continues
As the sun sets and the lights atop the Constellation Carousel glow a little brighter, we find ourselves doing something we didn’t expect to do so soon: reminiscing. And we haven’t even left yet!
It’s amazing to think how many years led to this one day. Even with all those drives through Central Florida, all the “what if?”s and “can you imagine?”s — nothing could’ve prepared us for what it felt like to walk through those portals.
Our hearts raced. Our imaginations soared. And that curiosity — the one that started this whole journey — lit up all over again.
Now, as the bubbly brook babbles on through Celestial Park and the stars begin to twinkle overhead, we’re already holding onto the memories we made today. And honestly? I’m not sure we’ll ever let go!
Planning your first trip to Universal Epic Universe? Tell us who’s coming along for the adventure below!
No Comments