Epic Universe photo tour: Inside all 5 worlds, from Nintendo to Harry Potter
See photos inside Universal Epic Universe and its five worlds: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
Epic Universe officially opens May 22, 2025 at Universal Orlando. We visited the new theme park during a media day on April 5.
Celestial Park photos
“Beyond this gate find gardens green and epic worlds to fill your dreams,” reads the inscription on the Chronos portal, the main entrance of Epic Universe leading into Celestial Park.
Luna’s Court of the Moon, the first plaza guests encounter upon stepping through the Chronos portal and entering Epic Universe.
Architectural details define the visual identity of Celestial Park, the central hub of Epic Universe.
Celestial Park is home to Stardust Racers, a roller coaster with a flux capacitor on the back of its train as a tribute to “Back to the Future.”
Hemisphere Stage in Celestial Park at Epic Universe, with the overhead circles casting shadows that intertwine with the pavement design.
Super Nintendo World photos + videos
Super Nintendo World is divided into two areas: Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong Country. (See our previous coverage for a more details overview of the attractions within Super Nintendo World.)
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All hail the Golden Banana! That’s what you’re trying to protect within the story of Mine-Cart Madness, the Donkey Kong roller coaster.
Dark Universe photos + videos
Architecture and signage help set the mood within Dark Universe, including at The Burning Blade Tavern, which lights ablaze several times an hour, just like in the 1931 “Frankenstein” film.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic photos
Wizarding Paris in the 1920s.
This fantastic beast is a Moon Calf, seen here as an animatronic in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. We heard they’re waiting for their owner … but they don’t know their owner was killed by Grindelwald. According to the in-universe textbook “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (written by Newt Scamander), farmer witches and wizards collect mooncalf dung every full moon and spread it on their plants. Good info to know.
Many governances operate from the British Ministry of Magic, including the Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau, a division of the Department for the Control & Regulation of Magical Creatures. As seen in the queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
Lockers belonging to Harry, Ron, and Neville at the British Ministry of Magic. Now adults, they’re training to become Aurors.
Prohibited articles in the Ministry of Magic:
- Time-Turners
- Polyjuice Potion
- Invisibility Cloaks
- Horns of Romanian Longhorns
- Unsanctioned Creatures
- Cauldrons
- Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes products
The work of artists of many disciplines are on display in theme parks, with many details often overlooked. Here are some of the graphic design embellishments inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. Everything contributes to the the story; if not the narrative itself, then the mood it evokes.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk photos
“This is Berk, the best-kept secret this side of … well, anywhere. Granted, it may not look like much, but this wet heap of rock packs more than a few surprises. So settle in and let your worries melt away! The service here soars. The cuisine’s fiery, and the locals are as colorful as you get. This is our paradise. Life here is amazing, but not for the faint of heart. We have dragons — lots and lots of dragons.”
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk is alive with movement everywhere you look: guests, water, and roller coasters all in motion.
Universal Epic Universe opens May 22, 2025.
Congratulations to the designers, contractors, engineers, and artists of all disciplines on creating Orlando’s newest theme park; and thank you to the ride operators, performers, management, and all team members for stewarding the park for guests.
Our coverage is just getting started — and we’ve got a surprise in the coming weeks we can’t wait to share with you.
“Beyond this gate find gardens green
and epic worlds to fill your dreams.”
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