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.

HAA Disney Give Me a Review – Epic Universe Review with a bonus discussion on Terra Luna Hotel (Timestamp 2:21-27:58)

Have a blessed and magical day,

London (and Jeff and Shelley!)

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I’m London

Welcome to Happily Adventures After, home of the HAA Disney Podcast! It’s my magical corner of the internet where Disney dreams meet real-life purpose!

I’m London, the Founder of Happily Adventures After (HAA) and Host of HAA Disney Podcast. I’m a leadership development professional, educator, eLearning designer, coach, business development consultant, and storyteller who believes in leading with heart, curiosity, and purpose… and I absolutely LOVE Disney.

Here at Happily Adventures After, I bring together my passion for leadership, learning, travel, storytelling, and Disney to create meaningful content that goes beyond the parks. From practical Disney vacation tips and honest experiences to leadership lessons and family adventures, my goal is to help you plan with confidence, travel with intention, and find a little more magic along the way.

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