One Day, Five Portals: Our Whirlwind Surprise at Universal Epic Universe!

I am officially the world’s worst secret keeper, and keeping this one from my kids was the ultimate test of my willpower! My husband and I finally pulled off the surprise of a lifetime: a one-day, out of this world trip to Universal Epic Universe. Since it opened in 2025, I have been impatiently waiting to see these five unique lands, each a masterpiece of storytelling tucked away behind its own massive, towering portal.

From the moment we stepped through those gates, it was game over. The park is absolutely stunning and so immersive that it feels like you have actually stepped through the portal into whatever story you’re visiting. I honestly think the portal system is a total genius move because it makes this massive park feel so much less crowded than you would expect.

Celestial Park

Everything begins in Celestial Park, which serves as the heart of the park and connects all the other portals. It is lush, water-filled, and simply gorgeous at night when everything glows. There is so much to see here! The area is full of street performers, incredible views, and plenty of seating to just take it all in. This is also home to Stardust Racers, a thrilling, massive dual-launch coaster that was hands-down my husband’s favorite of the day.

Super Nintendo World

I am not even ashamed to admit that I full-on cried the second I stepped into Super Nintendo World. Walking straight into my childhood was overwhelming in the best way possible. This land is truly for everyone, from the kids to the adults, It was a blast! It is so interactive, and you absolutely have to get the Power-Up Bands. They were a massive hit with my kids, keeping them busy hunting coins and playing interactive games throughout the land. The best part? You can actually track your individual score and your team’s progress right on the Universal Orlando app, which definitely brought out everyone’s competitive side! We also loved Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, it was way more interactive and better than I even expected! Plus, the addition of Donkey Kong Country is such a vibe; the energy in that part of the land is infectious. You can even meet your favorite characters (like Mario and Luigi)! If you get hungry, head to Toadstool Cafe. Honestly, the burger there was way better than your average theme park burger!

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk

Then we hit the Isle of Berk, and let me tell you, that land is just straight-up epic. We took a flight on Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, which is a fantastic coaster! Tt manages to be thrilling and full of surprises while still being something the whole crew can enjoy together. We also caught the Untrainable Dragon show. Pro tip: try to sit in the front! My kids actually got a fist bump from Hiccup himself. For a snack, we stopped at Spit Fyre Grill for the mac and cheese cone, which was a total hit with everyone.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

Stepping through this portal transports you to wizarding Paris and the world of Fantastic Beasts. The scale of this land is grand and feels exactly like stepping into the movies. You have to grab your favorite character’s wand to interact with the magic hidden throughout the streets and, of course, get a Butterbeer. Frozen Butterbeer is my absolute favorite!!

The centerpiece here is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Entering the British Ministry via the Floo Network is such a cool, seamless transition. The ride and its queue are grand and pure brilliance, the way they transport you right into the middle of the action is something you have to experience to believe.

Dark Universe

While we knew the tech at a new Universal Orlando Theme Park was going to be top-tier, the biggest shocker was our family’s unanimous favorite portal: Dark Universe. I am still trying to wrap my brain around Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. I won’t give away the secrets, but let’s just say the monsters are massive. Like, “how did they even build that?” huge. Seeing my kids’ jaws drop as they came face-to-face with these giants was worth every bit of the hype. You absolutely have to see Frankenstein Manor in all its eerie glory at night because the lighting and atmosphere are breathtaking. We also loved Curse of the Werewolf, which is such a fun, shorter coaster that packs a punch. .

One of the coolest parts was that characters roam freely around Dark Universe. We ran into Victoria Frankenstein, Igor, and even The Invisible Man. It was so much fun to interact with them naturally without having to wait in a formal line. Lastly before leaving, you have to see The Burning Blade where the fire effects on that windmill are absolutely wild.

Pro Tip for Your Visit

One thing that really saved our day was just keeping a casual eye on the Universal app. My best tip is to monitor those wait times while you are still out enjoying the food and attractions. Because we stayed on top of it without letting it take over our day, we managed to ride the Battle at the Ministry twice for less than a 30-minute wait each time!

We left the park exhilarated and already planning when we can get back. There is just something about the way these worlds come to life that stays with you long after you leave. We walked away with incredible memories and the realization that there is nothing like seeing these stories come to life in person.