06/10/2026
Hi everyone, it's Grace!
This post is a little overdue, but over Memorial Day weekend I finally had the chance to visit Epic Universe, the newest addition to Universal Orlando Resort. My mom, Dawnette, and my 16-year-old cousin, Otto, joined me for the adventure. Despite the Florida heat, we had an incredible time and I can already say I'll be back—although next time, I'm definitely aiming for a winter visit!
We stayed at Terra Luna Resort, one of Universal's newest hotels that opened alongside Epic Universe. The resort is inspired by the Earth and Moon, while its sister property, Stella Nova, draws inspiration from the Sun and Stars. While we spent most of our time exploring the parks, Terra Luna was a great home base. The pool area and large hot tub were perfect for relaxing after long park days, and we even enjoyed watching Shrek 3 during one of the resort's poolside movie nights. The service was fantastic, and we may have taken advantage of the late-night pizza delivery button on the hotel phone more than once!
With four days of Park-to-Park tickets, including Volcano Bay, we packed a lot into our trip. Our first day was spent between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. We started with Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which was absolutely worth the hype. Exploring Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley was just as magical as ever, especially watching Otto put his new Ollivanders wand to use around the Wizarding World.
Some of my favorite attractions at Universal Studios were Revenge of the Mummy and Transformers, and we also caught The Bourne Stuntacular, which was incredibly impressive. Later, Otto somehow convinced me to ride VelociCoaster. While I questioned every life choice I'd made once the restraint locked into place, it ended up being one of the best rides of the trip—and yes, I'd ride it again!
Day two took us to Volcano Bay. The park is much larger than it looks and offers a great mix of thrilling attractions and relaxing experiences. The fearless river definitely lived up to its name, while the traditional lazy river provided a much calmer way to cool off. The centerpiece of the park, Krakatau Volcano, is truly breathtaking and dominates the skyline from every angle. As much as I enjoyed Volcano Bay, though, this Minnesota girl still loves a day at the lake.
Our third day was dedicated to Epic Universe—and it completely lived up to the excitement surrounding it. Unlike Universal's other parks, each themed land is entered through a portal, making it feel as though you're stepping into an entirely different world.
We began in Super Nintendo World, where Otto and I shared a Yoshi Power-Up Band while collecting stamps, completing challenges, and unlocking Bowser Jr.'s challenge. Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge was easily one of the most innovative attractions I've ever experienced. As someone who grew up playing Mario Kart, racing through familiar courses in real life was a surreal experience.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk quickly became another favorite. The atmosphere was incredible, Hiccup's Wing Gliders was a fantastic coaster, and the food was among the best we found anywhere in the parks. We also watched The Untrainable Dragon, which was spectacular, and of course, no visit to Berk would be complete without meeting Toothless.
Celestial Park serves as the hub connecting all of Epic Universe's lands. Constellation Carousel exceeded all my expectations and is absolutely worth experiencing, while Stardust Racers delivered one of the most thrilling coaster experiences I've ever had. Watching another train race alongside and cross over your track at high speed is something you have to experience for yourself.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic may have been the most immersive area in the entire park. Set in magical Paris during the 1920s, every corner is filled with hidden details and references. We enjoyed exploring the streets, casting more spells, and attending Le Cirque Arcanus, which was absolutely stunning. We also stopped for Butterbeer Crème Brûlée at Café L'Air de la Sirène, which was surprisingly delicious.
The area's signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, transports guests to the British Ministry of Magic during Dolores Umbridge's trial. The level of detail was remarkable—it genuinely felt like stepping into the films. One of my favorite moments was traveling through the Floo Network and watching the green flames rise around us.
Last but certainly not least was Dark Universe, a land dedicated to Universal's classic monsters. This was my mom's favorite section of the park. From the eerie village atmosphere to the incredible detail inside Frankenstein Manor, everything felt like walking onto a movie set. We rode Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment multiple times and even met Frankenstein's Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein. Unfortunately, the Bride was not particularly impressed with Otto eating a Frankenstein-shaped pretzel in front of her!
On our final day, we revisited Epic Universe, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure to catch anything we'd missed and revisit a few favorites. We wrapped up the trip with The Incredible Hulk Coaster, which was the perfect way to end an unforgettable vacation.
By the time we headed home, we were exhausted, sunburned, and ready for our own beds—but the memories were absolutely worth it. Epic Universe exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to help future clients plan their own adventures there!
