Celebrating the grand opening of Universal's Epic Universe
ORLANDO -- Universal Epic Universe was celebrated Wednesday night before the theme park's gates officially opened Thursday morning.
Universal Orlando Resort invited media and a number of VIPs, including travel advisors, to its opening celebration, which highlighted the five main worlds of Epic Universe: Celestial Park, How to Train your Dragon -- Isle of Berk, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, and Dark Universe.
The evening concluded with a fireworks, water and light show in Celestial Park. Drones spelled out "Epic" across the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which stood in the background.
Drones spelled out "Epic" in front of the new Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
"On behalf of our entire organization, it is my honor to welcome you to Universal Epic Universe," Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations and Experiences, said to the crowd. "This moment marks a significant milestone in our company's journey to redefine the theme park experience for our global audience and for generations of families to come."
Woodbury thanked the company's corporate leadership at Comcast and NBCUniversal, as well as colleagues at Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation. He also thanked partners at Nintendo, Warner Brothers Discovery and state and local officials.
Epic Universe was open for attendees before his comments so they could experience its attractions, shows and food and beverage offerings.
"What you have seen, felt and experienced tonight is the product of the immense creative talent, technical prowess and operational excellence of all of our incredibly dedicated teams at Universal Destinations and Experiences," Woodbury said. "To all involved, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude."
Also offering comments was filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who Woodbury said was a creative consultant.
"In each of us lies the desire to explore new worlds in search of adventure, joy, discovery, and even to face our fears," Spielberg said. "Through amazing stories and unforgettable characters, we are introduced to these incredible worlds we only dare imagine, and in the process, we discover the hero in ourselves."
Spielberg added, "Universal Epic Universe has brought those worlds to life. All the sights, sounds and feelings you have come to love in a way that can only be described as Epic."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News24
30 minutes ago
- News24
Taraji P. Henson and more on their heart-wrenching performances in Tyler Perry's Straw
Taraji P. Henson, Teyana Taylor and Sherri Shepherd star in the newest Tyler Perry film, Straw. The movie explores a single mother who suffers through a chaotic day and snaps. Tyler explains that his films paint a picture of the pain and the joy Black women face. _________________________________________________________________________ You never really know what the next person is going through, until they've reached their breaking point. Tyler Perry's latest dramatic project is the Netflix film Straw, which delves into the world of Janiyah, played by Taraji P. Henson, a single mother who is just doing her best to get by and survive a day that spirals into chaos. Taraji puts her all into bringing to life a character that suffers through a day no one would wish on their worst enemy, from being evicted to experiencing a terrifying police encounter and getting fired from her job. At the end of it all, she snaps. READ MORE | Gabrielle Union on love after shooting The Perfect Find – 'No matter what our ages, we still have desires' All Janiyah wants is to be seen, and Taraji tells TRUELOVE why this was the most important aspect of bringing the character character to life. 'All humans want to be seen and that was her struggle. Because she was going through so much, she felt very much alone and it was beautiful to know. It's unfortunate that she had to go through so much and to be pushed to her breaking point for her to finally be seen and it was by two other incredible Black women. 'I think that gave her a reason to live because after a while it's like, 'why am I even here?' That's why its important humans are seen ... For someone to say, 'I see you, I understand', can save a life,' Taraji says. The many layers of Black women Written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry, the famed filmmaker is no stranger to highlighting the plight of Black women and the struggles they face in their daily lives. Tyler is known for hit films like Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Mea Culpa, Why Did I Get Married? and more. With many of the themes in his films exploring the good, the bad and ugly that Black women have to face on a daily, many people critique the consistently heavy and traumatising experiences Black women are subjected to in his films. This is what Tyler had to say about those critiques. 'I say nothing to those people who think that my films focus on the struggle of Black women because they're right, it does. Let me tell you something, if I get an opportunity to put a Black woman onscreen for people to see them in love, happy, in joy, in pain, in struggle - what I'm doing is a service to all people, so that people will know that Black women are not just strong and one thing. They're all things and they go through all of these different things. 'So, to have an opportunity to be able to paint all of these pictures and all sides of us is something that I'm paying homage to my mother, to my aunt, to my sisters and friends and cousins and the things they all went through, so that's what I'll say to that. When it comes to Straw, Tyler says, '[Janiyah] says in the film, 'Nobody sees me', well, this is about people seeing this group of people who everybody has ignored for so long.' I had to commit to what was on the page, commit to the choices I made and believe it. And then I had the guidance of this great mind here, Tyler Perry, who makes me feel uninhibited. When I get on his set, I feel nurtured and I feel safe and when I'm safe, I'll take risks. Taraji P. Henson The littlest support can save a life Taraji's character is supported by phenomenal performances by actors Sherri Shepherd and Teyana Taylor, who play the bank manager Nicole who has been taken hostage by Janiyah and Detective Raymond, the officer negotiating with her, respectively. Sherri tells us more about what resonated with her about her character. 'The fact that my character, Nicole, actually saw Janiyah and she left where she was working at before in an affluent area to come down to the neighbourhood because she wanted to make a difference and here was a woman walking in who just had the weight of the world on her shoulders. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) 'And I remember there was a line where I said, 'I see you, I know you and I've seen you walk in here with your daughter', and how we connected in our motherhood lane. I wanted to get home to my family, and I wanted her to get home to her family. There had to be a way to work this out, so to be able to connect with Detective Raymond and see her calm down. So, it was just like, in that moment of connection, sisterhood. I love anything about sisterhood, so it was a sisterhood connection for me.' Teyana's character, Detective Raymond, becomes a lifeline for Janiyah. Teyana explains, 'We've seen these type of women, we've been these type of women, we are these type of women. So, it's easy to put your sauce on it when it's just like, wow, to be a mother and to know that you would do anything for your baby, how can you not dive into that as a mother? How can you not dive into these characters as a Black woman? In spaces we don't feel seen and things like that. 'So, this role I wouldn't even say was challenging, it was more of an exhale. It was really a safe space to be able to really take my cape off and feel and be okay with not being okay and putting that all into this character.'
CNN
34 minutes ago
- CNN
4 tips to avoid hurricanes on your summer vacation
4 tips to avoid hurricanes on your summer vacation CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller shares 4 tips on how to avoid hurricanes during your beach vacation this summer. 01:34 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 17 videos 4 tips to avoid hurricanes on your summer vacation CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller shares 4 tips on how to avoid hurricanes during your beach vacation this summer. 01:34 - Source: CNN Fans wait for hours to buy Nintendo Switch 2 Eager gaming fans lined up for hours to buy the Nintendo Switch 2 after it hit shelves around the world on June 5. It's Nintendo's first major console launch since the original Switch arrived roughly eight years ago. 00:25 - Source: CNN Greta Thunberg sails to Gaza Greta Thunberg has set sail with eleven other activists to Gaza. The activist group they're part of, The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is attempting to bring aid and raise international awareness over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory. 00:59 - Source: CNN Judge threatens to remove 'Diddy' from his own trial US District Judge Arun Subramanian warned the defense team for Sean 'Diddy' Combs that he will be removed from the New York City court room where he is on trial facing charges that include racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. 01:18 - Source: CNN 'Good Night, and Good Luck's' scenic designer discusses how he created George Clooney's Broadway newsroom Scenic Designer Scott Pask recreated the CBS newsroom and Edward R. Murrow's set for "Good Night, and Good Luck," the play that brings the 1950s McCarthy-era drama to life. Pask tells CNN why architectural accuracy is important for a play that's about 'speaking truth to power.' Tune in to CNN on Saturday, June 7 at 7pm to watch the play broadcast live from Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre. 02:13 - Source: CNN Police shut down All-American Rejects backyard gig in college town The All-American Rejects played a backyard gig in Columbia, Missouri, as part of their House Party Tour protesting against expensive arena shows. Police eventually shut it down, but not before letting the band play one final song. 01:05 - Source: CNN Bringing 1950s style to Broadway Costume Designer Brenda Abbandandolo mixed vintage, thrifted clothing with precise recreations of 1950s style to bring the Broadway play Good Night, and Good Luck to life. She tells CNN how she approached dressing George Clooney and Ilana Glazer with historic authenticity. Tune in to CNN on Saturday, June 7 at 7pm to watch the play broadcast live from Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre. 01:53 - Source: CNN Cassie Ventura's friend testifies Diddy held her over a balcony Bryana Bongolan, a friend of Cassie Ventura who goes by Bana, testified today about an incident with Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2016 when she said that she was 'held over a 17-story balcony' by the music mogul. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister reports. 01:48 - Source: CNN Trans high school athlete wins events amid controversy A transgender athlete, whose participation sparked a national controversy and a temporary rule change, took first place in two of her three events in the California High School Track and Field Championship. 01:09 - Source: CNN How fish skin saved this child's life Eliana DeVos received a dressing made with fish skin to help her recover from a serious bacterial infection that left an open wound on her neck. CNN's Jacqueline Howard spoke with Eliana's mom and her health team at Driscoll Children's Hospital about the healing process. 02:30 - Source: CNN Millions of bees buzz around Washington state roads after truck overturns Millions of bees escape after a truck carrying honeybee hives overturned in Whatcom County, Washington, and rolled into a ditch. Local beekeepers were called to the scene. 00:42 - Source: CNN Taylor Swift buys back her entire music catalogue Roughly six years after Taylor Swift protested the sale of her master recordings by her former record label, she now owns her entire catalog of music. Swift announced the news in a letter posted to her website. 01:28 - Source: CNN 108-year-old submarine wreck seen in new footage Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution captured close-up images of a WWI-era submarine lost at sea 108 years ago. 00:40 - Source: CNN Car flies off the road, crashes into a roof Video shows a car fly off the road and into a veterans hall in Missouri, police say as a result of speeding. This is the second time in three months a car crashed into the same building. The veterans hall will be closed for months for a second time after the latest crash, according to CNN affiliate KCTV. 00:38 - Source: CNN 'The Handmaid's Tale' star reacts to parting scene with June O-T Fagbenle reflects on wrapping "The Handmaid's Tale," Luke's evolution, and the emotional final scene with June as the series ends after six seasons. 02:04 - Source: CNN Elephant seal in Cape Town wanders into suburbia, stops traffic and wins the hearts of locals A Southern elephant seal makes a surprise visit to the residential neighborhood of Gordon's Bay in Cape Town, South Africa, and triggers an almost nine-hour rescue effort to return him to the coast. 00:57 - Source: CNN Why e.l.f. just bought Hailey Bieber's beauty brand for $1 billion e.l.f. Beauty is buying Hailey Bieber's makeup brand, Rhode, for $1 billion. Founded in 2022, Bieber's brand racked up $212 million in net sales in its last fiscal year. 01:11 - Source: CNN
Engadget
an hour ago
- Engadget
Engadget Podcast: Answering your Nintendo Switch 2 questions
Sam Rutherford for Engadget The Switch 2 has finally launched, and we've got our systems in-hand to show them off. This week, Devindra, Sam Rutherford and Nathan Ingraham will dive into their first impressions of Nintendo's new console and Mario Kart World. And of course, we'll discuss the chaotic launch experience. Also, we chat about what to expect from Apple's WWDC 2025, where we'll likely see a new naming scheme and facelift for Apple operating systems, as well as more details about their AI plans with Apple Intelligence. This embedded content is not available in your region. iTunes Spotify Pocket Casts Stitcher Google Podcasts The Switch 2 is finally out! Here's our first thoughts – 1:05 Switch 2 display: bigger, brighter, and has HDR! – 8:53 Switch 2 games: Mario Kart world is the king of the castle for now – 12:11 WWDC 2025 preview: what to look forward to after last year's botched AI Siri announcement – 26:02 Working on: how to stop worrying and love the Dad EV – 39:01 Hosts: Devindra Hardawar Guests: Sam Rutherford and Nathan Ingraham Producer: Ben Ellman Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.
