As a lifelong Disney World fan, I went into Universal’s new park Epic Universe to see if it would live up to the hype. What I found was an experience that reminded me why I fell in love with theme parks in the first place. Here are the five things that completely won me over at Universal’s newest park.
1. The Theming and Detail: Epic Universe Gets the Little Things Right
There are so many wonderfully designed spaces and little details to admire everywhere in Epic. As a theme park fan, this is one of the best parks to just wander around and soak in all the delightful details.
This isn’t just about big, splashy attractions – though those are impressive too. It’s about the care put into every corner, every pathway, every seemingly throwaway element that makes a themed environment feel lived-in, authentic, and delightful. From the whimsical windows in the Ministry of Magic to the eerie mist that drifts across Darkmoor, Epic Universe understands that great theming isn’t just about recreating something from a movie. It’s about creating spaces that feel like they have their own stories to tell.
The attention to detail reminds me of what made me fall in love with Disney World and Disneyland in the first place, where you can always notice new elements in areas you’d walked through dozens of times. That level of environmental storytelling is what keeps me coming back to the parks, and it’s the biggest thing that makes me excited about revisiting Epic.
2. The Rides: Technological Thrills
Monsters Unchained is the most fun I’ve had on a new ride, and easily in my top five favorite rides. That’s not hyperbole – it’s genuinely that good. It’s a wild romp, and the most I’ve smiled on a new ride since Guardians.
Stardust Racers is my new favorite roller coaster. It was such a rush, and going on it at night is something of a life changing experience. It surprised me just how much I enjoyed it, because I’m typically not a big coaster guy. I’m more into dark rides and theming. But how the coasters duel and interact, the soundtrack and the lights, plus an incredible launch — it is just coaster perfection.
I think Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and Mario Kart are both immensely rerideable – and that’s crucial for theme park attractions. It’s one thing to create a impressive first experience; it’s another to build something that guests want to experience multiple times. These are both great attractions that are great for a wide age range.
3. Celestial Park: The Heart of the Park
Celestial Park. The water fountains. How it glows after dark. The soundtrack. It gives me big EPCOT vibes in a way that I love.
Universal said they wanted to put the park back in theme park, and I think they mostly succeed with Celestial Park. This hub serves as the connective tissue that makes the entire experience cohesive. It’s a great place to walk around while enjoying some food and beverage, and honestly, drinking around the cosmos might become the new drinking around the world.
The evening lighting package is particularly impressive. The entire park comes alive after dark with dancing lights and music in a way that is jaw dropping.
Although I have one complaint: there just simply is not enough shade, and it’s a bigger problem than just letting the trees grow out over the next few years.
4. Pizza Moon: Great Name, Better Pizza
Pizza Moon. Amazing name, amazing theming, and the best pizza I’ve ever had in a theme park.
This deserves special recognition because theme park food so often disappoints. Especially pizza. I don’t know how many times I’ve had a slice or personal pan pizza that just feels like the definition of “fine.” So when a theme park restaurant actually delivers exceptional quality, it’s worth celebrating.
The fact that it’s not just good “for theme park food” but genuinely very good pizza makes this my number one spot for food at Epic. I also liked Atlantic quite a bit for a sit down meal, but I would recommend Pizza Moon more for first time guests, just due to the fact that it will take less time away from the rides.
Great theming paired with actually great food? That’s an unbeatable combo.
5. The Simplicity Factor: What I Appreciated Most
Now obviously I love Disney World, but going to Epic felt amazing because honestly, it was a simpler experience. I wasn’t managing theme park reservations and checking for Lightning Lanes every time I got on a ride. I just used the app to see what had a short wait time and followed my nose.
This might be the thing I appreciated most about Epic Universe, and it’s something Disney honestly needs to address. Epic Universe reminded me what spontaneous theme park exploration feels like. You know – that thing we used to do where you’d arrive at a park and just… explore it. See what looked interesting. Follow your instincts. Make discoveries. That leaves room to discover the delightful details in the theming I mentioned at the beginning, and have genuinely surprising moments (like how I had a full conversation with a painting in the Ministry of Magic).
That simplicity doesn’t make Epic Universe better than Disney World necessarily, but it did feel like a stark contrast to me.
The Bigger Picture: What Epic Universe Gets Right
Epic Universe is by no means perfect. But there’s a lot to love about Universal’s newest theme park, and it sets the foundation for an amazing future of themed entertainment in Orlando.
For all of my honest reactions to Epic Universe, as well as what I think should be improved, check out the long video.
Planning Your Epic Universe Visit
What You Need to Know:
- Take time to wander: The details reward close observation
- Evening transformation: Stay for the after-dark experience in all of the worlds, especially Celestial Park
- Food quality: Don’t skip Pizza Moon, and consider Atlantic if you have time for a sit down meal
- Rerideable attractions: Plan for multiple rides on the standouts, especially Monsters Unchained (Single Rider skips the preshow but is very quick to get back on the ride!)
The Verdict: A Reminder of Why We Love Theme Parks
Epic Universe succeeds because it remembers that theme parks should be places of wonder, discovery, and fun. As someone who spends a lot of time thinking critically about theme park experiences, visiting Epic felt like a reset, a reminder of what these places can be when they’re firing on all cylinders.
Does this mean I’m abandoning Disney World? Absolutely not. Disney still creates magical experiences that Epic Universe can’t replicate, especially ones that can be enjoyed by the entire family. But competition makes everyone better, and Epic Universe has definitely raised the bar for what guests should expect from new theme park experiences.
What aspects of Epic Universe are you most excited to experience? And Disney fans – are you curious about how Universal’s approach compares to what Disney’s been doing lately? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to check out my complete Epic Universe video review for all the detailed reactions and analysis!
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