Explored Universal Orlando's Epic Universe, Savoring Its Fresh, New Theme Park Aroma
HOLY S*!T ORLANDO'S NEW EPIC UNIVERSE IS BLOWING MY MIND!
Positively begging for a taste of the Universal Monsters and that sweet Bowser go-kart action, I finally got my chance at this bad boy. And lemme tell ya, it doesn't disappoint!
For years, Orlando's been sitting on its laurels with Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but Epic Universe is about to shake things up big-time. First full-on theme park in over 25 years? Yeah, you better believe it.
In fact, my fiancé and I snagged passes months ago, but she was adamant we needed to hop on the passholder preview train. I was skeptical, but hey, I'm learning to trust her gut. Turns out, she was dead on.
As we pulled into the parking lot, the sight of this beast left my jaw on the ground. Epic Universe undeniably takes the crown for impressiveness.
Walking through the entrance, 'The Chronos,' you find yourself smack dab in the center of Celestial Park, filled with water features, gift shops, eateries, and the swanky Grand Helios Hotel for direct access into the park.
At 11 sharp, the four themed lands - Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, Isle of Berk, and Harry Potter's Ministry of Magic - opened up. Each land boasts its own themed portal to enter, and since my better half insisted we go against the grain, we headed straight to Isle of Berk.
I gotta admit, I was a bit clueless about the How To Train Your Dragon movies, but as I wandered through the themed area, it became crystal clear: dragons were here and looking fierce! Giant dragons, tiny dragons, flying dragon rides...it's a dragon-lover's paradise.
Before taking on the rides, we couldn't resist grabbing some grub. One bread cone stuffed with Nashville hot chicken, chimichurri, and onion straws later, and I was ready to leap into the action.
After refueling, it was time to hit the rides. Monsters Unchained in Dark Universe topped my list, and holy moly, it did not disappoint. It's got the best animatronics I've ever seen, from Frankenstein's monster to Dracula. We rode this baby twice because it was just that good, no question.
With indestructible stomachs fueled by mac and cheese and hot chicken, we took on the rest of the park. Donkey Kong's Mine Cart Madness was a blast, except for the crazy wait time. But the Hiccup's Wing Gliders in Isle of Berk? Absolutely phenomenal – totally worth the wait!
Now, if you're getting motion sick, don't worry about Monsters Unchained. That, and the Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge were the only rides that gave me any trouble. But trust me, it's worth braving the queasiness!
Epic Universe has surprisingly high-quality food, too. My fiancé and I snagged an ube-purple pizza pie at the Pizza Moon that tasted out of this world – even better than most local joints, if you ask me.
We even stumbled upon a secret celestial soda in the Coke Freestyle machines that tastes like citrusy, blood-orange heaven on a hot day.
With so much more to do, eat, and buy, I know I'll be back for another go at Orlando's shiny new gem. Are you ready to feast your eyes on Epic Universe, too? Jump on the bandwagon, and prepare to be blown away!
Orlando's new Epic Universe, a much-anticipated addition, promises to revolutionize entertainment standards with its grand scale and unique offerings, such as the immersive Isle of Berk and Monsters Unchained in Dark Universe. Twiddling my thumbs in anticipation, I'm sure I'll be back again to enjoy the story unfold and indulge in the park's quality food offerings.
