Our information to the most effective points of interest in Epic Universe critiques & ranks the rides from worst to greatest, with numerical scores for each curler coaster, present, and darkish journey in Florida’s latest theme park. In case you’re planning a visit to Common Orlando, this information is a good start line for issues to do and what’s skippable.
One factor to notice up entrance is that this Epic Universe journey information doesn’t bear in mind operational realities within the new theme park. There main downsides to visiting this highly-anticipated new park throughout its opening season(s), as specified by Why You Ought to Skip Epic Universe.
This new park goes to have large rising pains, and its envelope-pushing points of interest are already affected by downtime and unreliability. In case you go to Epic Universe throughout its debut season and even first yr, you’re possible going to come across technical difficulties and different frustrations. You’ll discover that, aside from this introduction, these critiques largely faux these issues don’t exist.
The rationale for that is fairly easy–we’ve already targeted large consideration on reliability and different woes at Epic Universe. Not simply in that ‘skip’ article, but additionally in Right here’s Why You Want 2 Days at Epic Universe, which is 50% optimistic and 50% backhanded compliments. Furthermore, we by no means evaluation new points of interest, lands, or actually anything primarily based on operational realities. We didn’t for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance again after we gave it a ten/10 evaluation and known as it a contemporary masterpiece, and we haven’t for different Disney points of interest which have confronted their very own share of rising pains.
Suffice to say, we don’t suppose it might be truthful to start out factoring operations into the equation for Epic Universe–one thing we’ve by no means accomplished for Disney. You’re already most likely conscious of these points (or if not, you are actually!), so there’s no sense in belaboring the purpose. The rationale we’ve by no means accomplished this earlier than can be pretty easy–and it’s much like film critiques not factoring in misaligned projectors at their screenings (extremely imperfect comparability, I’m conscious).
That is all concerning the artistic high quality, technical achievement, sense of immersion, thrill issue, and extra. It critiques the points of interest at Epic Universe after they’re firing on all cylinders, and the way it is best to prioritize them in such a situation (and in any case, it’s unattainable for us to know which rides are going to be problematic on your go to). You get the concept.
In case you’re on the lookout for an environment friendly step-by-step touring plan, we’ll have a 1-Day Epic Universe Itinerary as quickly as attainable. One factor to notice right here is that there’s numerous glorious leisure and themed design that doesn’t make it into this journey information. That itinerary will cowl an precise, substantive day in Common Epic Universe with all of that, plus the optimum occasions to expertise every land and attraction. This Epic Universe information ranks the journey and offers you the data you want about every queue-based attraction to find out the way to set your priorities.
Mainly, similar deal right here as with our Common Studios Florida Trip Information or Islands of Journey Trip Information. Numerical scores are on a scale of 1 to 10, and solely take into accounts total high quality relative to that particular sort of attraction. Darkish rides are judged towards different darkish rides, curler coasters towards different coasters–and so forth–to create a comparatively stage enjoying area.
Hopefully, this information to points of interest at Epic Universe provides you with an thought of which journey are must-do, and which of them you may safely skip. It’s not a holistic evaluation of Epic Universe, however ought to underscore simply how robust the brand new theme park at Common Orlando is from a “assortment of rides” perspective. As a result of it truly is.
From day one, Epic Universe is on par with Disney’s Hollywood Studios from a journey roster perspective–a powerful feat on condition that the latter is over 35 years outdated. We’ll individually tackle whether or not Epic Universe, as an entire, holds its personal towards Animal Kingdom, Shanghai Disneyland, or different current(ish) Disney theme parks. For now, let’s dig into the attraction critiques…
N/A. Le Cirque Arcanus – For the primary time ever in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, visitors will take pleasure in a dwell theatre expertise within the coronary heart of the land with Le Cirque Arcanus. This present options dwell performers and aerialists, puppetry, particular results and extra to take visitors on a whirlwind journey the place they’ll encounter unbelievable beasts like by no means earlier than.
The present follows Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase – the place Demiguise, Diricawl, Mooncalves and extra reside – to attempt to deliver the failing Le Cirque Arcanus again to its former glory. It’s then as much as circus worker Gwenlyn to rescue these creatures earlier than they find yourself in Skender’s grasping palms without end.
Whereas I’ve accomplished the whole lot else a number of occasions, Le Cirque Arcanus is the one attraction in Epic Universe that I’ve not but skilled. And never for lack of effort, throughout a number of days within the park. Fingers crossed that the fifth time’s the appeal!
12. Dragon Racer’s Rally (4/10) – Berk’s new Vikings racers can observe aerobatic maneuvers and high-speed barrel rolls on two Viking-made dragon-riding trainers that attain heights of as much as 67 ft within the air. Visitors can management how “wild” or “delicate” their expertise can be as they carry out high-flying, gravity-defying, swooping and hovering expertise which might be essential to earn the accolades worthy of a real champion dragon racer.
Anybody bear in mind when Luigi’s Flying Tires opened at Disney California Journey, and the discourse was round visitors being “too dumb” to determine the way to function the journey autos? Hello, it’s me–I’m the dumb visitor now. These dragons can allegedly me made to go the other way up. Regardless of my very best efforts, I couldn’t even come near reaching that. Even so, that is too wanting a journey cycle and underwhelming. Even the views don’t actually deliver something to the desk which you could’t get elsewhere.
11. Yoshi’s Journey (6.5/10) – On this family-friendly journey, visitors of all ages board one of many continuous parade of multi-colored Yoshis crawling their method by a meandering path above Tremendous Mario Land. The out of doors part provides a sweeping view of the Mushroom Kingdom from Mount Beanpole and surrounded by Piranha Vegetation and different obstacles.
Inside, there are a number of cute characters and an assortment of visuals. This, too, has an interactive factor as you seek for Captain Toad on a treasure hunt to seek out 3 mysterious eggs. You faucet the corresponding coloured button on a panel contained in the carriage once you discover one; fairly easy stuff.
The issue with Yoshi’s Journey is that it’s over as rapidly because it begins. Some followers have likened it to the PeopleMover, nevertheless it’s method shorter. Past the journey being temporary, the darkish journey tunnel is underwhelming and cheap-looking, and never in an enthralling, storybook model method. The good views and relaxed music make up for lots, as does the off-the-charts cuteness issue. I’m positive our daughter will love this–and if I’m being sincere, my notion of this attraction was improved rather a lot by advantage of that as contrasted with the primary time I skilled this at USJ. I simply want it had been a pair minutes longer. It’s unsatisfyingly quick as-is.
10. Fyre Drill (7/10) – Mischievous Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut invite groups of Vikings to compete to outscore and out-soak one another on this wet-and-wild boat battle. Visitors will board a colourful dragon-headed boat and blast water cannons at flame-like targets to observe placing out fires – a vital talent to grasp when residing with dragons.
Whereas the objective is allegedly aiming to hit targets, half the enjoyable right here is the interactivity among the many boats, as visitors can goal to blast each other. That makes it numerous enjoyable, like a squirt gun battle at sea. Nobody is protected on Fyre Drill–you’re going to get moist, it’s possible you’ll get soaked.
9. Constellation Carousel (7/10) – The grand centerpiece of Celestial Park. Right here, explorers of all ages will take a fantastical whirl aboard constellations that glide ahead, backward – and even make 360-degree rotations – by the milky method in a choreographed dance of music and starlight.
Constellation Carousel is completely beautiful, maybe the prettiest theme park flat journey outdoors of the double-decker Carousel Carousel oat Tokyo DisneySea. You’ll undoubtedly need to make some extent of seeing it at evening, even if you happen to don’t journey then.
8. Curse of the Werewolf (8/10) – Deep within the woods that sit on the sting of Darkmoor, visitors will discover Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning household coaster impressed by “The Wolf Man.”
Visitors will enter the encampment of The Guild of Mystics the place they’ll be greeted by the Maleva, the guild’s all-knowing seer and chief, who warns them that they bear the mark of the werewolf. Visitors then board a wagon and enterprise into the forest – racing to flee the werewolves earlier than they grow to be one themselves.
Curse of the Werewolf is a pleasing shock. I went in with no to low expectations, pondering it might be a brief and underbaked coaster. And in some methods, it most undoubtedly is underbaked. The thematics really feel as in the event that they had been thrown collectively whereas raiding a Spirit Halloween on November 1. However the spinning curler coaster itself is shockingly satisfying, and a pleasant addition to the roster of curler coasters at Epic Universe.
7. Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Insanity (8/10) – Visitors will hop right into a mine-cart and careen by the jungle to assist Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong shield the coveted golden banana on this first-of-its-kind household coaster.
Using an unprecedented journey system, revolutionary expertise and a novel coaster design, Mine-Cart Insanity will ship riders on an exhilarating journey the place they are going to expertise the jaw-dropping maneuvers that they’ve seen Donkey Kong and the mine carts carry out within the video video games – together with getting blasted out of a barrel, seemingly leaping over gaps as they velocity alongside a rickety monitor, and a lot extra.
With regards to Nintendo franchises, Donkey Kong is up there for me–increased than Tremendous Mario, and decrease than solely Zelda. And there are few elements of the video games which might be extra frustrating-yet-satisfying than the mine-cart segments. I’m horrible at them, which makes an ideal run really feel even higher. Mine-Cart Insanity has that very same irritating high quality.
I wished to like this curler coaster a lot, nevertheless it simply doesn’t fairly hit for me. The darkish journey points are underwhelming, and there’s not sufficient meat to the scenes to make this a satisfying darkish journey. However due to the present part, and because of the journey making an attempt to do an excessive amount of with its novel ‘hidden monitor’ expertise, there are additionally too many begins and stops for a really satisfying curler coaster.
Mine-Cart Insanity tries to do an excessive amount of, which in the end prevents it from being a terrific coaster or a terrific darkish journey. I recognize that it exists and respect the way it’s making an attempt to push the envelope, however I think most of my future enjoyment of the attraction will come from watching it wind by Donkey Kong Nation. It’s undoubtedly an atmospheric asset to the land as an entire, and who is aware of–possibly my preliminary expectations had been too excessive and it’ll develop on me.
Though wait occasions don’t issue into our critiques or rankings, we are able to’t assist however level out the combo of low capability, excessive demand, and unreliability for Mine-Cart Insanity. This can be a recipe for the very best common posted wait occasions at Epic Universe as soon as the mud settles on opening. For all however probably the most diehard Donkey Kong followers, Mine-Cart Insanity will most likely go down as probably the most “skippable” main journey at Epic Universe.
6. Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem (9/10) – Visitors are invited to hitch Crew Mario and battle Crew Bowser for the Golden Cup on this groundbreaking attraction that fuses augmented actuality, projection mapping expertise and elaborate environments to deliver the enjoyable of the Mario Kart online game collection to life in a compelling ride-through expertise.
Visitors up for the problem will enter by Bowser’s Fortress – the place they’ll wind its corridors and get a glimpse of Bowser’s misleading plans to stack the percentages in his favor – earlier than boarding their kart and heading to the beginning line. The premise of Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem is straightforward however difficult, interesting to visitors of all ages no matter gaming expertise.
As a part of Crew Mario, visitors steer by a sampling of programs whereas amassing cash and shells, and taking pictures the latter at enemies with the intention to defeat Crew Bowser. The ride-through recreation is each a shooter and a racer, skewing in direction of the previous. It has a steeper studying curve than regular for one of these attraction, owing largely to the AR. It’s additionally a fairly nicely accomplished darkish journey if you happen to’d desire to take pleasure in it passively, however a lot of the scenes can’t be seen by the headset.
Bowser’s Problem has confirmed polarizing with followers. Many anticipated one thing quicker, others don’t like how the AR works. Whereas there are reliable criticisms of the journey, I find it irresistible. Like the most effective Mario Kart programs, it’s the proper combination of irritating, enjoyable, and addictive. You need to hold coming again, seeing what you missed earlier than, and enhancing your outcomes. I’ve many, many extra ideas about this attraction, and you’ll learn them–and see extra–in our spoiler-free Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem Trip Evaluation.
5. The Untrainable Dragon (9/10) – Impressed by Common Beijing Resort’s standard present, this dragon-filled dwell spectacular takes visitors on a journey with Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work collectively to resolve the thriller of The Untrainable Dragon. This heartwarming story involves life with musical numbers, large-scale units and show-stopping scenes.
The Untrainable Dragon is carried by the dragons. As one would possibly count on.
I used to be initially inclined to offer the Untrainable Dragon a ten/10 rating on the backs of these dragons, because the visuals of this present are so wowing that they overcome the whole lot else. After mulling it over a bit extra, the script does strike me as very fundamental (I’d hazard a guess it was ported immediately from Beijing with out way more than a simple translation). I nonetheless suppose it’s a must-see present, however not fairly on par with the most effective of Disney’s Broadway model productions–even when the marquee moments are extra awe-inspiring.
4. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (9.5/10) – On this household thrill coaster, Hiccup invitations courageous new Vikings to take a journey in his newest glider contraption – a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the sky for a dragon’s eye view of Berk. Visitors will fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless and attain speeds as much as 45 mph as they soar across the perimeter of Berk – and even by the lagoon – whereas experiencing firsthand what it’s wish to fly on a dragon.
Adults and older youngsters alike will love Hiccup’s Wing Gliders. It’s a mildly thrilling however extraordinarily clean curler coaster that, because the title suggests, simulates the sensation of gliding like a dragon above the Isle of Berk. The curler coaster provides breathtaking views of the land, making it probably the most visually partaking thrill journey in Epic Universe.
As the enduring John Powell rating from “The way to Prepare Your Dragon” swells throughout your flight and also you skim over the lagoon, the facility of this curler coaster actually hits you. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a particular journey, and simply actually hits all the proper marks for a family-friendly (albeit one which skews barely older).
If the following entry on this checklist didn’t exist, I’d most likely give Hiccup’s Wing Gliders a ten/10 rating. Nonetheless, there’s an enormous hole between these coasters (extra than simply half some extent), and driving them again to again underscored for me that possibly Hiccup’s Wing Gliders just isn’t an ideal coaster. Your mileage could differ.
3. Stardust Racers (10/10) – This dual-launch racing coaster that sends visitors rocketing by the skies aboard comets in a race to see who’s the quickest of all of them. Reaching speeds as much as 62 mph and heights as much as 133 ft alongside 5,000 ft of monitor, Stardust Racers is Epic Universe’s most thrilling coaster expertise with distinctive maneuvers such because the “Celestial Spin,” through which the 2 coaster autos carry out an inverted crisscross whereas rushing by the air, creating an otherworldly adrenaline rush.
I need to be clear: I’m a theme parks fan initially. If there’s one critique of my different journey rankings and critiques, it’s that I over-index darkish rides and under-index curler coasters relative to most people. Once I began to see Epic Universe journey rankings trickle out that had Stardust Racers within the prime half of the checklist, I used to be truly involved that possibly this park wasn’t for me.
Now I get it. No clarification can do that curler coaster full justice, nevertheless it’s an absolute delight to journey. It’s an uncovered coaster (or dueling coasters, plural) with out a lot of a thematic pretense, however there’s simply sufficient by way of element and design to offer it character. The doorway jogs my memory of the Grand Palais in Paris, with the exhibition-architecture meets cosmos stylization plus a nod to Again to the Future being simply sufficient to raise this above an amusement park curler coaster from a visible perspective.
In actuality, although, that is all concerning the curler coaster. Wow what a curler coaster. From the fake-out of the launch to the preliminary climb, it feels such as you’re blasting off to outer area. Like what I’d think about occurs within the Millennium Falcon once you punch it to lightspeed. This playful coasters are stuffed with surprises, with high-speed thrills offset by moments of levity and superb interaction between the 2 tracks. There’s a ridiculous quantity of airtime, and regardless that it’s intense, it’s by no means punishing.
I additionally simply can’t get sufficient of the racing. For me, that’s what makes Stardust Racers (driving with associates and each being within the front-row is ridiculously enjoyable–extremely advocate that for a celebration of 4). I’m undecided this is able to beat Stardust Racers from a monitor/journey profile perspective with my eyes closed, however they’d be neck and neck. With the dueling factor, Stardust Racers blows it out of the water.
T1. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (10/10) – Saving the second-best for final, now we have Common Orlando’s most terrifying attraction ever, like a tamed-down Halloween Horror Nights however with a monster finances. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is a state-of-the-art darkish journey that takes visitors deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, the place Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments.
In a useless show of her genius, Victoria invitations visitors into her laboratory to witness an illustration of her capacity to regulate monsters – however her plans go awry when her makes an attempt to regulate probably the most harmful of monsters, Dracula, fails, unleashing a horde of enraged monsters. Visitors are then thrust into an intense journey by the darkness as they attempt to evade the grasps of The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.
The Frankenstein property is finished within the model of a European chateau, with the manor itself being one of many all-time nice theme park facades. The gothic structure is beautiful, without delay each lavish and foreboding, and one in every of many assertion items for Epic Universe. This continues on the within, from the ornate foyer with its grand staircase to the lighting–and actually the whole lot else.
Monsters Unchained has a powerful queue that’s heavy on lore, world-building, and references to basic Common monsters. It’s the sort of line the place an hour-plus wait doesn’t really feel interminably lengthy, as a result of there’s a lot to find and uncover. When you’re by the queue, you’re launched to the journey’s protagonist and her ‘helpers’ through two pre-shows, each of which aren’t to be missed. (And also you do miss them through the Single Rider line, so solely try this after utilizing the usual standby line as soon as.)
The Frankenstein Experiment makes use of the identical journey system as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey over at Islands of Journey, however iterates on that impressively. That is principally an attraction with sensible units and Audio Animatronics–and large ones that rise up shut and private with visitors. There are nonetheless screens, and possibly a bit too lots of them, however they’re principally used to complement the motion.
Not like the following entry, Monsters Unchained just isn’t fairly a “no notes” attraction. There are a number of voids and immersion-breaking moments, and bits of sloppiness the place bodily infrastructure isn’t correctly hidden from visitors’ view. It’s nonetheless a formidable journey and technical feat, particularly the superior Audio Animatronics.
Monsters Unchained is tied for #1 as a result of it may be my (subjective) private favourite attraction in Epic Universe. It’s not simply that it’s an all-time nice attraction, it’s additionally that it has sudden character (which bleeds out into Darkmoor itself due to the hilarious and memorable Ygor), coronary heart. It’s a journey that sticks with you and can develop an ardent fan-following over time. It’s arduous to totally articulate, however Common Artistic captured lightning in a bottle with this one.
T1. Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry (10/10) – With its distinctive mixture of large environments, highly effective storytelling and first-of-its-kind journey expertise, Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry builds upon all of Common Artistic’s previous improvements so far for its most spectacular and envelope-pushing attraction ever.
The journey begins when visitors journey by Métro-Floo – a novel mode of wizarding transit impressed by the enduring Floo Community seen within the movies – to journey from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic for the long-awaited trial of the notorious Dolores Umbridge. Upon arrival, visitors will enter the Ministry’s jaw-dropping grand atrium and enterprise by different departments earlier than boarding magical lifts to look at the trial happen.
Visitors then be part of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and a house-elf named Higgledy in an exhilarating chase after Umbridge escapes that propels them up, down, ahead, backward, sideways and extra all through the Ministry of Magic in an try and seize Umbridge.
Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is a tour de pressure from begin to end. The grand atrium is each bit as jaw-dropping in individual as it’s in photographs, with spectacular tilework, statues, and lavish environments. What’s much less mentioned concerning the queue is how little it appears like a queue in some locations. It’s a bit meandering–in a great way–and you’re feeling such as you’re traversing by the Ministry versus ready in a line.
As for the journey expertise on Battle on the Ministry…the much less you realize getting in, the higher. Which is sweet for me as somebody who just isn’t a Harry Potter or Improbable Beasts fanatic, as making an attempt to elucidate what, precisely, is going on with this attraction isn’t precisely simple. The plot is straightforward and simple–it’s your fundamental “after which one thing goes terribly flawed” journey conceit with a reasonably predictable decision. So most likely can guess the fundamental plot beats and end result simply primarily based on the outline.
Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry is extra spectacular from a technical perspective, and the moment-to-moment motion that retains you guessing and leaves you speechless. There’s one “how did they try this?!” impact after one other, with the size and the scope of the scenes being jaw-dropping. The road between screens and sensible results is blurred to a level the theme park world has by no means seen, to the purpose that you just would possibly wonder if what you’re is a display, Audio Animatronics determine, or dwell actor. Critically.
Comcast spared no expense on this journey, seemingly giving the artistic staff a clean verify and permitting them to construct the proper “no notes” attraction. Harry Potter and the Battle on the Ministry elevates the medium in a brand new method, elevating the bar and calling on a “response” from Walt Disney Imagineering greater than anything within the park. With out query, that is the target greatest attraction in Epic Universe and a brand new high-water mark for Common Artistic.
Want journey planning ideas and complete recommendation to your go to to Central Florida? Be certain to learn our Common Orlando Planning Information for the whole lot about Islands of Journey and Common Studios Florida. Additionally try our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information for the whole lot about these parks, resorts, eating places, and a lot extra. For normal updates, information & rumors, a heads up when reductions are launched, and way more, join our FREE e mail e-newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Common’s Epic Universe? Which attraction are you most wanting ahead to experiencing? Excited for Tremendous Nintendo World, Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic, Darkish Universe/Traditional Monsters, or the The way to Prepare Your Dragon lands and/or points of interest? Assume Epic Universe can be a 3rd gate that’s a worthy addition to Common Orlando Resort…and doubtlessly on par with Disney’s greatest lands? Any questions? Protection you’d wish to see from us concerning Epic Universe? Must know technique or data? We love listening to from readers, so please share some other ideas or questions you might have within the feedback beneath!
