During my Spring Break, my family and I went to the Universal Studios™ parks in Orlando for the first time in…over ten years, I believe. A lot had changed over those years, obviously.
But then I heard those changes were nothing compared to what US Orlando has planned for 2025.
“Five Immersive Worlds. One Amazing Theme Park. Get ready. In 2025, Universal Epic Universe™ changes everything. Explore astounding worlds beyond anything you’ve experienced before.” (universalorlando.com)
Oh yeah, it sounds like Universal is adding a fourth park area to their roster in addition to the current Universal Studios Orlando™, Island Adventure™, and Volcano Bay™, respectively.
Let’s take a look at each of these five worlds!
First up, we have a How to Train Your Dragon world based around the Dreamworks™ movie trilogy of the same name.
The area will include “a village populated by rugged Vikings and rambunctious dragons. From an exciting coaster to a heart-warming live show, it’s fire-breathing fun for all ages.”
Next, there’s the mysterious Celestial Park™, which doesn’t seem to be tied to a specific movie franchise, but looks absolutely gorgeous. It’s being called the heart of Universal Epic Universe™, with “thrilling rides, entertainment, dining, shopping, plus Universal Helios Grand Hotel™” within to certainly provide a stellar experience.
The third newcomer is a new, magical addition to the Harry Potter™ designated areas at Universal Orlando: the Ministry of Magic™! Not much about this new area has been revealed yet, but it’s most likely going to include a lot more experiences based around the Fantastic Beasts™ spinoff franchise, as the official page says visitors will experience the 1920s Paris Ministry of Magic, along with the 1990s British Ministry.
“…explore international wizarding communities and the magic that connects them in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.” (universalorlando.com)
Now, this one may be the one I’m most excited for. Since Super Nintendo World™ came to Universal Studios Hollywood™ in California last year, Mario fans have been waiting to see if a Nintendo-themed area would come to the Orlando parks.
It appears that the wait will soon be over, because a Super Nintendo World™ will be coming to Epic Universe™ as well!
The world will reportedly include the Mario Kart™ ride from the Hollywood version, and a Donkey Kong Country™ area that is not currently present at Universal Hollywood™.
Last but not least, comes the area that we…ironically have the least details about.
This last world is dubbed Dark Universe™, and my guess is that it will be an area focused around classic movie monsters such as Dracula and Creature From the Black Lagoon™, as the Universal Orlando page says that the experiments of Dr. Victoria Frankenstein will be a part of the experience.
Whatever it is, I bet the place will be a thriller during the Halloween season.
I just went to Universal, but it seems I barely missed a whole bunch of upcoming, exciting stuff. But hey, this seems like a new chapter for Universal, so I doubt these parks are going anywhere anytime soon.
Hope I’ll get to go back eventually. It would certainly be a cool trip for my senior year of college…
