Universal Epic Universe sets Harry Potter, Super Nintendo for new theme park lands

Universal Epic Universe just got, well, a little more epic with a massive reveal of details for five new lands, the first round of more than 50 slated attractions, and restaurants headed to the Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park that's set to open in 2025.

The Florida destination unveiled Tuesday the names and IP-based themes for all of Universal Epic Universe's "game-changing" sections. This includes Super Nintendo World, based on iconic video game properties, plus Dark Universe, which incorporates classic Universal monsters under the experimentation of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein.

Also featured is How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, based on the beloved animated film series; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, set among the Parisian streets of the Fantastic Beasts films, and Celestial Park, a central world brimming with water features, greenery, and a giant dueling roller coaster called Starfall Racers.

Drilling down on Universal Epic Universe's new lands, the Harry Potter-themed section will transport visitors back to the 1920s French metropolis as seen in the spin-off movie series, and will weave in elements of the British Ministry of Magic's operations.

Super Nintendo World will be similar to — but larger than — the gaming-centric lands that opened at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Japan in recent years, with appearances from iconic characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong.

The How to Train Your Dragon sector is set in the films' Isle of Berk locale, and is inspired by Viking lore, while Dark Universe seemingly gender-flips the central character in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein, as Dr. Victoria Frankenstein presides over a spooky, shadowy environment.

Each of the new lands will receive entry portals themed to their respective properties. Entryways will branch off from Celestial Park, billed as putting "the 'park' back in 'theme park,'" is set to open with lush gardens and copious water fixtures surrounded by "stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements."

Though rides heading to each of the other four themed lands at Universal Epic Universe have yet to be unveiled, Universal divulged details on Celestial Park's rideable experiences. This includes the aforementioned 133-foot-tall, 62-mile-per-hour launched dueling coaster Starfall Racers. Plus the Constellation Carousel, a roundabout-style ride aboard constellations that move forward, backward, and 360 degrees around. Also featured is Astronomica, a water play area, and several restaurants amid a large Nintendo Super Star Store.

Finally, Universal Epic Universe will host a 500-room in-park resort, Universal Helios Grand Hotel, that will also serve as one of two main entries to the planned park.

When it opens in 2025, Universal Epic Universe will become the fourth overall park within the Universal Orlando family, after Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 and the original Universal Studios park debuted in 1990. A water-based theme park, Volcano Bay, opened in 2017.

"Universal Epic Universe marks a huge transformational moment for Universal Orlando Resort and it will change everything about our destination," said Karen Irwin, President & Chief Operating Officer of Universal Orlando Resort, in a press statement. "This will be the exciting culmination of our amazing growth over the past 30-plus years and will transform Universal Orlando into a weeklong vacation destination filled with the most thrilling experiences imaginable!"

Guests can keep up with the new park's progress at a preview center set to open at Universal CityWalk later in 2024.

See concept art for Universal Epic Universe's new lands, attractions, and more in the video and images above and below.

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