Travel Brats Nat and Matt talk about Universal's newest and most innovative theme park, Epic Universe! The Park is set to have it's Grand Opening in just two days. When it comes to redefining the limits of theme park imagination, Universal Destinations & Experiences has never been one to hold back. But with Epic Universe, Universal is setting a new bar—not just for itself, but for the entire industry. Check out this episode to hear all about the rides, the theming, the food, and more!!

Epic Universe is the latest addition to the Universal Orlando Resort portfolio and promises to be its most ambitious project yet. Located just a few miles south of the existing parks, this massive expansion isn’t just a new land or a few new rides—it's an entire theme park resort unto itself, complete with a hotel, restaurants, shops, and a range of immersive lands inspired by beloved franchises.

Universal describes it as their “most immersive and innovative theme park ever,” and for those who've had the chance to go, it certainly delivers!

✨ Super Nintendo World

Already a smash hit in Japan and Hollywood, Super Nintendo World allows guests to jump into the worlds of Mario, Luigi, and Donkey Kong. With vibrant environments, gamified attractions, and the much-anticipated Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride. A Donkey Kong-themed roller coaster, complete with a “mine cart” effect that simulates jumping broken tracks.

🐉 How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

Based on the DreamWorks franchise, this land brings the Viking village of Berk to life with interactive experiences, flying dragon rides, and probably one of the most kid-friendly and emotionally rich settings in the park.

🧙‍♂️ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

Rather than retread familiar ground, this new Potter-themed land dives deeper into the lore, drawing inspiration from Paris’s wizarding community featured in Fantastic Beasts as well as the Ministry of Magic itself. This land is smaller, but truly amazing!

🦇 Dark Universe

This land leans into Universal’s horror roots and revives its Classic Monsters in an all-new way. Think Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman—done with modern storytelling and cutting-edge ride technology. Expect spooky ambiance, a signature dark ride, and an immersive gothic village to explore.

🌌 Celestial Park (The Central Hub)

What connects all of these worlds is Celestial Park, the gateway to each themed land and a destination in its own right. Featuring gardens, fountains, restaurants, and a massive dual-racing roller coaster (called Starfall Racers), this area serves as both a central hub and an experience all its own.

What truly sets Epic Universe apart is how it rethinks the traditional theme park layout. Rather than looping around a central lake like Islands of Adventure or forming a circle like Magic Kingdom, Epic Universe functions more like a spoke-and-wheel—with each land self-contained and fully immersive, connected via portals from the central Celestial Park. This allows for a deeper thematic experience with better crowd flow and separation between worlds.

The use of cutting-edge technology—augmented reality, facial recognition for interactive elements, and ride systems that blend physical sets with digital storytelling—promises to make Epic Universe one of the most technologically advanced theme parks in the world.

Universal is betting big on Epic Universe, and it’s more than just a new theme park—it’s a strategic play to capture the booming travel and entertainment market, especially as theme park attendance continues to rebound post-pandemic. It also positions Universal as a direct and formidable rival to Disney’s dominance in Central Florida.

More importantly, it’s a symbol of what’s possible when storytelling, engineering, and creativity collide at a massive scale.

Epic Universe is shaping up to be more than just a theme park—it’s an experience that promises to redefine what immersive entertainment means. Whether you’re a lifelong Potterhead, a Nintendo fan, a thrill-seeker, or someone who just wants to soar with dragons, there will be something in Epic Universe that speaks to your imagination.

And when the gates officially open in two days, one thing’s for sure: the future of theme parks is about to get a lot more EPIC.