Theme parks are big news at the moment and this one’s ‘kind of a big deal’ according to the first snippets of news from Universal Studios that landed on my desk months ago. So it was no surprise that the super fan in me packed in record-breaking time and jetted off with British Airways and the Universal team to delve deep into the most immersive worlds I’ve ever seen on a special media visit weeks before Epic Universe opens to the public.
My park experience in Orlando came just before the Prime Minister said on Tuesday that a new theme park is confirmed for Bedford. The 476-acre entertainment resort complex will also boast a 500-room hotel and is set to be among the most advanced theme park in Europe, expected to pump £50 billion into the economy and create as many as 28,000 jobs in construction and other sectors.
It’s six years away, though, so for now, Universal is first focused on changing the face of theme parks across the pond in Orlando and has pulled out all the stops to create pure unadulterated magic. Far from just a mere swish of a wizard’s wand, this magic is on a major scale and comes in the shape of five new worlds to explore—filled to the brim with new experiences, sights, sounds, and smells.
Where am I talking about? Of course, it can only be in one place – Epic Universe in Orlando, Florida.
It is the first grand theme park to open in 25 years since Islands of Adventure—also a Universal Orlando delight—and I was one of the first to enter under the Chronos—entrance ‘gates’ to those not in the know—for a sneak peek at what super fans can expect on opening day and beyond.
Stretching across 750 acres of land, this park is double the size of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure combined in the Sunshine State and happens to be the most scenic. Expect floral vegetation, lush greenery, and open space, allowing visitors to comfortably immerse themselves in joy under the hot Florida sun.
Opening officially on May 22 to the public, the park is not to be sniffed at. It’s a £7billion theme park powerhouse allowing all ages to throw turtle shells on Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road, to take on a battle with Dracula in Frankenstein’s Manor, or how about flying on the wings of a dragon? If that’s not enough, then you’ll be sold on a Minecraft jaunt with Donkey Kong or perhaps a wizarding adventure on the streets of Paris.
Universal’s fourth park supersedes the first trio – not because those legends aren’t sensational – but because Epic brings something new to the table. Animatronics – and lots of them. And if you think you’ve seen a decent one before, you’ve seen nothing yet. Hiccup is identical to the How To Train Your Dragon character, Dolores Umbridge may as well be the real Imelda Staunton (although she did film her own scenes and voiceovers for the park), and the monsters in Monsters Unchained are terrifyingly realistic.
Expect less screens, and more of these special technologies plus real twists and turns every step of the way.
The park has a cosmic heart at its core called Celestial Park, where the worlds spiral off with plenty of space in between each one for further developments over the years to come.
I loved the fact that guests have to leave a world via Celestial Park before entering another, giving time to decompress from one world and ready to enter a new experience on a neutral playing field. Smart move Universal – it’s as if they’ve done this theme park thing before.
And while we know Universal has got theming nailed, it’s not just the rides. The food offerings are sensational. Forget your average theme park hotdog, I dined at the Oak & Star Tavern in Celestial Park.
Based on woodland creatures, this restaurant serves the best beef brisket I’ve ever tasted, alongside three-cheese macaroni, mango bread (don’t skip on this) and all the salads you can imagine, amongst other meats and sides.
Make sure to grab the chilled banana pudding and pecan ice cream, too – it was a real treat on an unusually hot 33-degree heat, April weekend.
The park detail and fun Easter eggs around the park are simply phenomenal. Expect next level creativity by the wizards behind the scenes, from the newest ride tech to cutting edge sound systems, Broadway-trained performers and designer chic costume tailoring, you get exactly what you pay for.
One of the two incredible shows had me in floods of tears, and one ride queue had me walking around with my jaw on the floor. Another had the best entry into the world, and the other quite literally took my breath away.
Read on to find out which was which and what you can expect when you buy tickets for your next visit…
Celestial Park
The magical glue that holds the park together, Celestial Park is the central hub where all four other worlds trail off from. Take a moment to soak this area in – it’s beautiful. Lush, sweet-smelling flowers, plenty of space to ‘breathe’ away from the hustle and bustle and featuring the stunning Constellation Carousel, where you’ll sit upon a creature that represents your star sign and go up and down an incredible 6ft.
All worlds have well-themed foods but if you’re looking for something off-brand here’s your place. Don’t miss the space cocktails over at Astro Bar, either.
How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk
This world took my breath away as I entered the portal. Expect a sparkling lagoon, two 40-foot-tall Viking statues and an energetic village perched above churning seas.
Fans of the movie franchise will be delighted – it’s an identical set-up to on-screen fun, and visitors can embark on a variety of Viking-style adventure,s including experiencing what it’s like to fly on a dragon on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, competing to soak friends, family and fellow guests on Fyre Drill – a welcomed water-based ride in the heat – and meet Toothless, Hiccup, Astrid and many more dragons and Vikings.
Dark Universe
A theme park first – enter the dark, gloomy and atmospheric shadowy village of Darkmoor – home to Universal Monster classics like Dracula, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster and more. The centrepiece of this spooky world is Frankenstein Manor, where I ventured deep into its catacombs and faced a horde of enraged monsters on Universal Orlando’s most chilling attraction ever – Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
Join Dr Victoria Frankenstein as she uses the village’s power to conduct her twisted experiments and capture her most difficult monster yet – Dracula.
Lore aside, this ride features the best animatronics I’ve ever seen, and the ride’s mechanisms mean you’ll move around the ride in ways never seen before.
Super Nintendo World
Colourful, bright, and with lots of moving parts, this world features the best portal entry. Head up the Super Mario tube just like in the game – an escalator to you and I – through Princess Peach’s castle and into the Mushroom Kingdom where coins glimmer under the Florida sun, Goomba’s parade back and forth and Piranha Plants lurch.
This world is the most immersive, where you can link a Power Band to an app on your phone to compete with friends and family, collecting coins and taking part in challenges along the way.
Race on Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and take a load off on Yoshi’s Adventure – a calm, slow ride that parents will appreciate and that offers beautiful angles of the world. Don’t forget to scan your Power Band before riding, too – you’ll collect Yoshi’s Golden Egg.
Donkey Kong Country is here too – you can meet the main guy himself by a giant bunch of bananas, don’t skip on the banana and pineapple ice cream and make sure to ride Minecart Madness – an ingenious coaster that feels as if you’re jumping the tracks – just like in the computer game.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic
Enter the portal into a Muggle park in Paris, and with the turn of a corner, I was transported into a breathtaking 1920s spectacle of Place Cachée – a hidden, bustling shopping district in the wizarding French capital. Here, I found numerous dining venues like Café L’air De La Sirène and chic shopping options like Les Galeries Mirifiques.
It was the live, full-scale theatre experience, Le Cirque Arcanus that blew me away. Top class acting and some wow moments too – kids will also love this one. Expect lots of magical creatures – some new and some old – from the Fantastic Beasts movie series.
I also headed to the British Ministry of Magic via the Metrofloo to witness the long-awaited trial of the infamous Dolores Umbridge in the thrilling ride, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Joining the queue for this alone is worth it – it’s spectacular and not one to miss.
As an editor on a dream trip, it’s not often I’m stumped for words, but this theme park experience has silenced me—almost. It’s jaw-droppingly breathtaking, both in terms of technologies, rides, experiences, and culinary delights.
Universal Orlando wasn’t messing with their name choice – they knew what they were doing. It’s very simply EPIC!
Did you know?
I stayed at Universal’s Terra Luna Resort/ British Airways Holidays offers seven nights room-only here from £799pp, travelling on select dates in January, 2026 and including return flights from Gatwick with one 23kg bag per person.
British Airways Holidays also offers seven nights, at the 5-star Universal Helios Grand Hotel, from £1399pp, travelling on selected dates between 1 January – 31 January 2026 inclusive. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Gatwick Airport and one checked bag at 23kg per person.
Universal Orlando Resort All Parks Tickets are available from £439pp.
Book by April 22 at britishairways.com/universal or call 0344 493 0787.
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