Epic Universe nighttime fly-through
Aerial photos from the skies above Epic Universe at night showcase the different lighting packages across the park.
From everything we’ve seen of Epic Universe during the day, the new theme park looks absolutely breathtaking. There’s just something about a park at night, though, that completely transforms its surroundings. While Epic Universe is still a little over three months from its grand opening of May 22, 2025, our friend @bioreconstruct on X took to the skies to capture some nighttime aerial photos of the park on Jan. 24. These pictures give us a good idea of how Epic Universe will look at night, and it’s not helping us contain our excitement!
Epic Universe entrance at night
Starting at the entrance to Epic Universe is the Chronos. This structure is the icon of the park, similar to the lighthouse at Islands of Adventure or the archway at Universal Studios Florida. Orbs/medallions hang in the center of the Chronos, each one symbolizing the themed lands inside the park: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.
The blue lights surrounding the portal into Celestial Park (Epic Universe’s hub area) will glow at night and illuminate the path into the park. On the opposite side, we can see much brighter lighting in the area where guests will scan their tickets.
Super Nintendo World at night
The portal to Super Nintendo World will make you feel as if you’re traveling through one of the iconic Warp Pipes straight out of the video games. Here we can see a light green-ish glow from the entrance to the land. The Warp Pipes above the portal with power-ups shooting out from them will also glow at night, but they are not illuminated in this photo.
Our first encounter of intimidating lighting appears in this photo report as the eyes on Bowser’s Castle glow a bright orange. Bowser’s Castle acts as the entrance to Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. To the left of the first picture below, you’ll see lots of bright squares of white light. While you can’t make it out from here, those are the Question Blocks seen throughout the games and the land, which you can interact with while inside.
Over in Donkey Kong Country (a mini-land inside of Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World based on the games of the same name), the Golden Temple is extremely well-lit at night, as seen atop the Mine-Cart Madness roller coaster. The waterfall is also active, new since our last Epic Universe construction update.
Dark Universe at night
Based on the Universal Classic Monsters, this spooky land’s lighting sets the mood for the village of Darkmoor. The portal to this land is bright purple. Though not seen here, the tower atop Frankenstein Manor will crackle with blue electricity throughout the day and night. Legend says it’s Victoria Frankenstein conducting experiments, continuing the work of her ancestors.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
The entrance to land housing 1920s Paris and the Ministry of Magic is inscribed with a quote by Dumbledore from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”: “For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own.” For its nighttime lighting package, the quote is written in glowing warm lighting, while the portal to the land is blue.
If you’ve ever wanted to take a nighttime stroll through the streets of Paris at night, you might be your chance at Epic Universe. Lit like a real city, you’ll also encounter a glowing red circus tent. No, that’s not the Moulin Rouge, that’s the entranceway to “Le Cirque Arcanus,” a live show featuring special effects and fantastic beasts.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Our last land on our nighttime fly through the skies above Epic Universe is the Isle of Berk. The portal has an orange/red-ish glow to it.
Berk is going to be absolutely stunning at night. With Stardust Racers (the dueling roller coaster that mimics comets in the night sky) nearby and the bight lights in the village of Berk, you’re going to feel right at home as a Viking in training.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
At the edge of Epic Universe sits Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Already a beautiful place to stay during the day, it looks regal with its nighttime lighting package. A real perk to staying here will be the views you have of Epic Universe at night!
What are your thoughts of how the park looks at night? Let us know in the comments below! Stay tuned to Attractions Magazine for more on Epic Universe.
See more of bioreconstruct’s flight above Epic Universe at night in this video:
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