Ride review | Stardust Racers at Epic Universe, the best roller coaster in Orlando?
The race for greatest roller coaster of all time is over. There are no words to describe Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe; it has knocked all the wind out of us.
VelociCoaster, get up! There’s a new king in town.
Overview of Stardust Racers
Stardust Racers is a dual-launch coaster that sits in Celestial Park at Epic Universe. In the lore of Celestial Park, the ride’s queue resembles a subway station, as this is how the Celestials (residents of Celestial Park) get around. Now, we, the guests, have a chance to race the comets through the cosmos, reaching speeds of up to 62 mph along 5,000 feet of track. This coaster feels as if you were strapped to a rocket that never stops gaining speed.
Artwork courtesy of Universal
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Stardust Racers has two separate tracks, and you get to choose which side you ride on: green or yellow. (It’s said by numerous guests that yellow is a bit less intense.)
The ride experience on Stardust Racers
Once you depart the Stardust Racers load station, both trains descend into the first launch. This was one of our most anticipated attractions at Epic Universe, because Universal Creative delivers nonstop hits when it comes to roller coasters. As we hit the first launch, however, we felt a little underwhelmed. “That’s it?” we wondered. How foolish we were. Not one second later, our comet launched again, picking up even more speed before climbing the first hill of the attraction. It felt like launching into lightspeed. This isn’t the last time it happens on the attraction, but both times it catches you by surprise.
Stardust Racers is the textbook definition of breathtaking. Not only is the coaster and its queue extremely well-done, you never get a chance to breathe while riding. Have you ever seen the movie “Top Gun”? Remember the scene where Tom Cruise is flying the jet upside-down above another jet? Yeah, that’s how Stardust’s signature “Celestial Spin” feels.
Photo by @bioreconstruct
At one point or another, no matter which train you are on, you face the other train as you “race” for the finish line. One of our reporters said they don’t usually involuntarily scream on a roller coaster, but they were so mind-blown by everything Stardust Racers threw at them, they couldn’t help but scream in awe the entire duration of the ride. You get off the coaster wondering if any coaster you’ve been on before it was ever that intense, or if you’ve just experienced the next-best thing.
Photo by Matt Roseboom
Small gripe
The only downside to Stardust Racers is the dirt patch visible from the queue and attraction. This dirt patch may someday be the future of Epic Universe, as it seems to be one of the park’s expansion plots (undeveloped land set aside for later). As of now, it just an eyesore and not covered up at all. While it might be a grassy patch by the time opening day (May 22) rolls around, as of right now it’s just not fun to look at. We’re sure we’ll be eating our words when it ends up being an incredible addition we’ll rave about, but for now we just wish there were some trees blocking it.
Final thoughts
Stardust Racers puts every roller coaster in Central Florida to shame. Whether you ride the green side or the yellow side, you’ll walk off wanting to ride again. It’s a high you’ll probably chase for the rest of your life. Thankfully you can just get back in line and ride it over and over!
Stardust Racers, Celestial Park, and the rest of Epic Universe open on May 22, 2025 in Orlando, Fla. You gotta see this!
Are you looking forward to riding Stardust Racers at Epic Universe? Let us know in the comments.
Disclaimer: Our Epic Universe reviews are based on a preview of the park, so some of what we have talked about may change by the time the park officially opens.
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I call BS – everyone was saying monsters unchained is the best dark ride ever the the pov leaked and it’s so cheesy and not at all what they said so let’s wait for povs
Thw POV of Monsters doesn’t even begin to do it justice. In person its incredible – car swinging around, monsters popping up at you… it is literally chaos (in a fun way)
I was lucky enough to get an early preview of Epic Universe last week. The Stardust Racers are now my favorite coasters. I rode it 4 times, switching between the yellow and green track. I did prefer the yellow track as the green track seemed to jerk you around a little more. The experience is unforgettable though. I can’t wait to go back after the park opens.
Can a 68 yr old in good health ride this?