EPIC ESCAPE

A FAMILY ADVENTURE AT UNIVERSAL’S NEWEST PARK

When your kids are on the verge of becoming teenagers, you start looking at family vacations differently. How many more trips can you squeeze in before sports, part-time jobs, dating, and social lives crowd out family time?

That was on our minds when we learned about Universal Epic Universe, opening in 2025 at Universal Orlando Resort. We suggested a trip to our 13-year-old daughter and her best friend, and before we could finish explaining, they were both all in.

To make the getaway extra special, we splurged on a VIP Experience. It turned out to be the best decision of the trip. Our guide, Joe, whisked us from one attraction to the next, filling us in on behind-the-scenes details and helping us spot hidden “Easter eggs” within the park. On The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride, for example, he pointed out Stan Lee’s cameo appearances. In another corner of the park, he showed us a golden King Kong statue—a subtle nod to Kong frontation, the retired attraction that once held a place in Universal history.

With front-of-line access, we knocked out 20 rides in a single day and skipped nearly 12 hours of wait times. We started the morning with a hearty breakfast included in our VIP package, but even with four days for our trip, we couldn’t fit everything in.

Epic Universe is designed around five immersive “worlds.” There’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe, dedicated to the classic Universal Monsters. At the center is Celestial Park, where guests enter through lush gardens, celestialthemed architecture, and dancing fountains. It instantly sets the tone for wonder.

The scale is jaw-dropping. Built on part of a 750-acre expansion site, Epic Universe represents a reported $7 billion investment. Universal describes it as “a transformational theme park” that takes visitors “worlds beyond.” Marketing language aside, it truly feels like an entirely new level of theme park experience. Universal Epic Universe will be the resort’s fourth theme park, joining Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. Beyond the rides, guests can look forward to themed hotels, entertainment, and dining woven throughout the property.

For our family, the best part wasn’t just the high-tech attractions or the lush landscapes. It was hearing the words we hoped for as soon as we got home. “When can we go back?” universalorlando.com