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Universal Epic Universe

UPDATE March 26 - In the new construction video update posted to YouTube by Theme Park Stop we get to see all the latest developments at the highly anticipated Universal Epic Universe which is slated to open in summer 2025.

We have pulled out the highlights and have included timestamps to the video where necessary.

How To Train Your Dragon Isle of Burke -  The boat ride which is expected to be called Fyre Drill has been intentionally filled with water and testing is expected to begin very soon.

At timestamp 1:46 we can see that a human figure has been added to the short show scene directly preceding the first launch of the roller coaster which is expected to be called Hiccups Wing Gliders. Another animatronic is expected to be positioned just before the second launch.

At timestamp 2:20 we get to see a range of dragon houses in a staging area which will be added to the land.

Dark Universe - the portal has received a dark purple color. Work is beginning on pathways throughout the land and the circular courtyard outside the lands main dark ride, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. At timestamp 4:33 video footage can be seen showing testing on the Curse of The Werewolf spinning roller coaster.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic - scaffolding continues to be removed revealing paintwork on the Parisian buildings which feature throughout the land. At timestamp 5:18 we get to see the addition of a Fantastic Beasts inspired mural on one of the buildings. The streets and sidewalks are now being paved.

Super Nintendo World - The entrance to Yoshi's Adventure is nearly complete at the bottom of Mount Beanpole. There has been the addition of a number of piranha plants added to the attraction as can be seen in the photo by Bioreconstruct at timestamp 6:28.

Celestial Park - rock work continues to be formed in front of the headlining Starfall Racers roller coaster and further color is added to the comet feature. At timestamp 7:32 we get to see the aerial video footage captured by WESH 2 showing Starfall Racers testing.

The dome structure for Constellation Carousel has now arrived on site in preparation to be added on top. Work continues on the hotels with progress having been made on the tiling for the Terra Luna Hotel. 

March 24 - It's certainly all go at Universal Epic Universe as we continue to see huge progress being made on this highly anticipated new theme park which is opening in 2025.

We now get to see an update on the How To Train Your Dragon boat ride which is expected to be called Fyre Drill. In new photos posted to Twitter by Bioreconstruct we get to see the first boat as well as cannons and water is now running.

Image: Aerial view Bioreconstruct
Image: Bioreconstruct

 

March 19 - It's certainly all go at Universal Epic Universe as we continue to see huge progress being made on this highly anticipated new theme park which is opening in 2025.

In a new video posted to YouTube by Coaster Studios we get to see footage of two major roller coasters testing at Universal Epic Universe. The MACK Rides swing launch, Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster in the Dark Universe Land and Intamin multi-launch, How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster in How To Train Your Dragon Isle of Burke have both now begun test runs which is very exciting to see.

Also in the video embedded above you can see how a number of other areas of Universal Epic Universe currently look including; Starfall Racers, Burning Blade Tavern, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, How To Train Your Dragon Portal, How To Train Your Dragon, Great Hall Restaurant, Super Nintendo World, Donkey Kong Mine Kart Madness, Donkey Kong Waterfall, Mount Beanpole, Universal's Stella Nova Resort, Universal's Terra Luna Resort and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

In another video which was posted to YouTube yesterday (March 18) we get to see the headlining duel launching roller coaster Starfall Racers testing. Currently it only appears that they are testing one of the two tracks.

March 17 - In another update from Epic Universe this week, we get to see the official unveiling of the vehicles for the Yoshi Adventure ride which will be located in Super Nintendo World.

This unveiling can be seen below in the video posted to YouTube by WESH 2 News. The vibrant red, blue and green ride carts have now been uncovered. It is also confirmed in the video that Universal is already working on expansions for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.

It is very exciting to see the concept art and permit information coming to life at Universal Epic Universe and we will continue to update you on further elements as they are made.

March 13 - It has been a very exciting week so far for Universal fans as we have seen the new trains revealed for the headlining roller coaster, Starfall Racers.

In a new video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Stop we get to see further footage of these new trains and other interesting details.

The Starfall Racers trains are confirmed to have 20 seats in total, 5 cars of 4 seats and as the two trains will be deployed simultaneously that is a total of 40 riders at a time. The trains are expected to feature LED lights and due to the confirmation from Universal that Starfall Racers will not have an external track lighting, the trains will appear to be comets shooting across the nights sky which should create a very exciting spectacle.

The rumor that Starfall Racers would include on-ride audio has been confirmed on the official Universal Orlando Resort website, "Race along an inverted crisscross, known as the "Celestial Spin" in a dazzling display of blazing colors and ethereal music."

Although the composer for Celestial Park has not yet been confirmed, it is rumored that it will contain an all new soundtrack specifically created for the land. We assume this will include the on-ride audio for Starfall Racers.

The very exciting element to draw your attention to from these new aerial photos of the trains for Starfall Racers is the Easter Egg which looks to be from Back To The Future in the form of a flux capacitor.

In the new video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Stop which is embedded above this can be seen at timestamp 2:30. Although it is currently covered in a blue protective film, the shape looks to be very similar to the flux capacitor and this would certainly be a very cool addition.

March 11 - For many Universal fans, the headlining roller coaster, Starfall Racers, will be top of their to-do list at Universal Epic Universe when it opens in 2025.

In a very exciting new set of photo posted to Twitter by Bioreconstruct  we get to see the train for Starfall Racers on the track from a number of different positions. 

We can see from the photo that Starfall Racers will use the overhead lap bar restraints now common on new MACK rides roller coasters such as Copperhead Strike at Carowinds and ICON at Pleasure Beach Resort. We are currently unsure whether Universal will opt to include the car at the back of its trains with modified seats to accommodate larger riders but indeed hope that they do.

It also appears that the trains are covered in dots all over the nose cone and on the side of the cars which are likely lights to illuminate the roller coaster at night as is the case with Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida. Coupled with the interstellar colors purple, red and orange this roller coaster is set to look amazing in the dark.

Do you like the trains for Starfall Racers? Should Universal opt for the modified seats at the back of the roller coaster? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

March 6 - These certainly continue to be extremely exciting times for Universal fans as work continues on construction on Universal Epic Universal. 

In the newly released construction updates video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Stop with photos from Bioreconstruct we get to see all the latest developments there have been on the highly anticipated Universal Epic Universe coming to Orlando in 2025.

Here are the highlights from each of the four lands:

How To Train Your Dragon Isle Of Berk - Water sprayer effects appear to have been added alongside the track on certain sections of the How To Train Your Dragon roller coaster as it seems to skate along the water. The conveyor belt has been installed on the load and unload platform for the lands outdoor family boat ride and an image of one of the potential boat vehicles for this ride can be glimpsed behind the pump room at timestamp 2:52.

Work continues on the dragon houses which will sit on top of the central retail location.

Super Nintendo World - we get to see the colorful ride vehicles for Yoshi's Adventure being uncovered at timestamp 4:12. In the Donkey Kong Country mini land further theming details have been added including the palm tree icon and temple ruins features. Work continues on the facade for Bowsers Fortress.

Dark Universe - we get to see the brown and gold portal ring and now await the addition of the expected phrase "It's Alive It's Alive" from the classic Frankenstein film.

At timestamp 8:41 we can see one of the roller coaster trains sitting on the track by the maintenance building which is being used for testing. It is still covered in a black and white protective layer so we await them to be removed to get a full look at these cars for the Curse of the Werewolf spinning roller coaster.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic - we can see the mural based on a 1920s perfume advert at the entrance coming to life, further color is being added to the buildings and landscaping is also taking place.

Celestial Park - further pumps have been added to the main fountain which appear to have been laid in a star shape. Jagged rock work will provide the base for the waterfall which flows into the main fountain. Work on a new bar rumored to be named Celus Tiki is now underway and the splash pad which is expected to be called Astronomica has had its fountains partially buried.

Work continues on the extended queue for the lands headlining roller coaster Starfall Racers.

The Grand Helios Hotel is getting further work done on its dome which will be its rooftop bar and the pool is being shaped. The colorful tiles are being installed on the Terra Luna resort hotel with only a small section of reflective tiles left to add on the Stella Nova hotel.

The road sign for Stella Nova Way has been added and testing of the white lights which are spread out on the face of the hotel to give the impression of a star field hav been taking place this week. 

Universal is teasing that in the coming months they will release further details and art of the inside offerings for each of the lands inside Universal Epic Universe. Construction will continue to ramp up as extensive theming is added and we see testing on all the attractions being done. We will continue to update you with developments as they occur.

Which lands and attractions are you most excited about when Universal Epic Universe opens in 2025? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

February 22 - In the construction updates video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Stop we get to see the latest developments at the highly anticipated Universal Epic Universe.

Here are the highlights from each of the four main lands:

Dark Universe - gravestones have been added along the pathway and pipes have been put into place for the proposed fog effects for the land. Theming details are being added including paint, aging of the walls, ornate elements to the tops of buildings and lots more trees. The Curse of the Werewolf rollercoaster continues to test and although we can see the cars they remain covered so we can not see their final colors.

Wizarding World Ministry of Magic - new painted details including plant pattern graphics and filigree style decorative elements are being added to the Parisian facades as we see more and more scaffolding being removed.

Super Nintendo World - waterproofing is taking place on Peach's Castle and ice capped walls have been added. Huge progress has been made on Mount Beanpole where blocks, coins and a swamp can now be seen as well as clouds and the Mario flag at the top. Colorful theming elements continue to be added to the Temple wall in the Donkey Kong area.

The Yoshi Ride continues to test with weighted dummies and the colorful ride vehicles can be seen beneath their protective plastic.

How To Train Your Dragon Isle of Burke - sheep have been added as theming nearby the rollercoaster including one dragon sheep as first seen in the third How To Train Your Dragon film. Extensive landscaping has taken place at the back of the land including rows of trees as well as mulch and grass.

Prep work is taking place for the kids interactive play areas and shields have now been added to the two Viking ships.

February 17 -  The aerial views coupled with the new concept art which were recently released really shows us how this theme park is coming to life.

Mount Beanpole at Super Nintendo World has been completed. Work continues at the Curse of the Werewolf coaster and is now at its testing stage. Scaffolding is down at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic giving us clear views of the completed facades along the streets of 1920's Wizarding Paris.

We see more colorful theming and rockwork added to How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk with testing happening on the How to Train Your Dragon ride.

The Universal Grand Helios in-park hotel at Epic Universe has seen extensive theming progress. Metallic tiles are in place on both the Stella Nova and Terra Nova hotels and the video includes new renderings of the pool area at the Stella Nova resort.

Both hotels are now open for bookings on the Universal website with information on room types and rates available. It has been confirmed that the Universal Stella Nova Resort will officially open on January 21, 2025 and the Universal Tera Luna Resort will officially open on February 25, 2025.

Universal Epic Universe, Universal

February 5 - In an exciting update, we can see that the "Curse of the Werewolf" spinning roller coaster which will be located in The Dark Universe is now testing at Universal Epic Universe.

In the video which was posted to TikTok and YouTube by @orlandothemeparkzone we can see that each train will be made up of five cars each holding four riders and look to be white and black in color. The roller coaster is set to feature multiple launches and spinning cars.

We will continue to follow construction progress on Universal Epic Universe over the following weeks and months as we head closer towards the official opening in 2025.

What are you most excited about in Universal Epic Universe? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

Continue reading for previous Universal Epic Universe updates...

 
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Comments

I’m not sure if it’s too late to reconsider but for Universal’s Epic Universe in the DreamWorks area could you go back to the other option and make it look more like Fantasyland at Disney. This way it would be better because it should have more than one land from previous DreamWorks animated franchises. For Instance you should leave room too great a Madagascar land and make it just like the one in Singapore which sadly is being changed to Minions land and that’s stupid because Despicable Me is pretty common cat every Universal Studios around the world. However, Madagascar land isn’t common that land was pretty unique and while your at also make room for a Kung Fu Panda land even though there’s one at the Universal Studios in Beijing it would still be a good idea because that land will be pretty much unique also if it gets changed in the future. My point being is if you’re going to have a DreamWorks themed land don’t just let it be How to Train Your Dragon there add these two lands too it as well. If you can’t reconsider then just add these two lands separately too the park.

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