Epic Universe: A New Era of Theme Parks

Hey Howdy HAA Everyone,
Welcome back! It’s London, and today on HAA Disney: Give Me a Review, we’re stepping outside the Disney bubble into Universal Orlando Resort’s brand-new theme park: Epic Universe.

Thanks to our incredible correspondents, Shelley and Jeff, we are able to bring you this HAA Disney: Give Me A Review! They traveled to experience Epic Universe, and wanted to share it with you! With that….

Let’s portal-hop into today’s review: Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort!

🎟️ Information & Pricing

Ticket Price: $169 + tax per person ($180.83 with tax / $524.41 CDN with exchange)
Location: Universal Orlando Resort – Epic Universe
Hotel Stay: Terra Luna Hotel – $99 USD/night (Annual Passholder promo)
Weather: Extremely hot—around 40°C with humidity

🌍 Location & Atmosphere
✨ First Impressions
The entrance is breathtaking—organized, polished, and visually stunning. Advance ticketing made entry smooth, and each portal is themed with unique music and atmosphere for total immersion.

🪄 Ministry of Magic
Feels like stepping onto a 1930s Fantastic Beasts set. The queue itself is magical, especially the Floo Powder fireplace effect. Battle of the Ministry was packed—60–70 minutes even with early entry—but delivered a cinematic, seamless ride.

🧛 Darkmoor
A gothic land featuring Universal’s classic monsters. Monsters Unchained had just a 15-minute wait with impressive character effects. Best for older fans, not kid-focused, with strict height checks.

🍄 Super Nintendo World
Bright, energetic, and family-friendly. Feels like stepping into Mario or Donkey Kong. The valley-style layout makes it crowded and hot but perfect for younger kids.

🌌 Celestial Park
The gorgeous hub ties the portals together, with sweeping views and lush landscaping. Feels like its own attraction and a welcome breather between lands.

🐉 Isle of Berk
We didn’t make it this time, but it’s already on our list—word is it’s another standout.

🏨 Hotel Stay – Terra Luna Hotel
Modern, clean, and comfortable with great service. The restaurant stayed open until 11 p.m.—perfect after long park days. At $99 USD/night with the AP promo, it was a steal for a brand-new Universal property.

✅ Pros

Stunning immersive theming
Ministry of Magic = can’t-miss
Darkmoor is atmospheric and cinematic
Celestial Park is breathtaking
Terra Luna Hotel: affordable and convenient
Smooth transportation and crowd flow (better than Disney exits)

❌ Cons

Roller-coaster heavy, fewer options for non-thrill seekers
Only 4 indoor rides—rain shuts most of the park down
Nintendo World is crowded and sweltering
Long waits for major rides

⭐ Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Epic Universe is a phenomenal addition to Orlando’s theme park lineup. At $169 + tax, it’s worth it—especially for Potterheads, gamers, and monster fans. The theming, atmosphere, and immersion are top-tier, down to the smells of French cafés in the Ministry of Magic.

Yes, it leans coaster-heavy and could use more indoor rides, but it already feels polished, efficient, and world-class. Pair it with a stay at Terra Luna Hotel, and you’ve got a magical getaway at a great value.

Would they go back? Absolutely. Epic Universe will only get better—but even now, it delivers on its promise of transporting you into new worlds.