Inside Universal Studios' brand new Epic Universe – here's what you should see
OUT OF THIS WORLD Inside Universal Studios' brand new Epic Universe – here's what you should see
IT'S been a long time since I've been to Universal Studios Orlando.
The hazy days of 1999 feel much further away than its quarter of a century of distance.
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Even the entrance to the park is epic
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Stardust Racers is all thrills and no filler
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The Isle of Berk brings the classic How To Train Your Dragon films to life
So when I heard about the grand opening of the first new theme park in Florida in 25 years, I just had to be there.
Universal has been working for years to bring the incredible new Epic Universe to the theme-park capital and it was well worth waiting for.
It's home to five brand new hyper-immersive worlds themed on legendary franchises with rides, shows, and experiences unlike anything else in the world.
Travelling over to Florida, I enjoyed the luxury of British Airways World Traveller Plus, which offers lots of comfort and some serious leg room. This is long-haul luxury I could get used to.
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With over two decades since my last visit, it's safe to say things have changed a tad.
I stayed at the thoroughly modern Universal Stella Nova resort, just a five-minute bus journey from the centre of all the excitement in the new park.
The rooms were absolutely huge, with plenty of space for families to use as a base for their trip.
Stepping into Celestial Park, it was clear this was on another level compared to anything I had ever experienced before.
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Acting as a hub and a world in its own right, it features plenty of restaurants and attractions for visitors to explore.
The highlight of Celestial Park, and one of the best thrill rides Universal has to offer, is Stardust Racers, which features two carts that intertwine and loop round each other as they battle to reach the finish.
Most popular treats for Brits on holiday
It goes toe-to-toe with the most hardcore rides in the original park.
To get the full experience, make sure to split your party of riders in two.
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Spinning fully vertical over your friends at 62mph while waving and jeering each other during straight sections makes this one of the most enjoyable coasters on the planet.
My pals and I chose to ride it four times in one day, including twice back-to-back on each set of cars. It was just that good!
Stepping through the entrance to each of the themed worlds is like walking through a portal to a different universe.
Genius theming and brilliant design fully immerses you.
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GO EPIC UNIVERSE
GETTING/STAYING THERE: A week room-only at the 5* Universal Helios Grand Hotel is from £1,449pp and seven nights at the 3.5* Universal Stella Nova Resort is from £829pp on selected dates in January. See britishairways.com.
MORE INFO: Universal Orlando Resort All Park Tickets from £439pp for a week including one day at Epic Universe from British Airways Holidays. For all you need to know before you visit Epic Universe see universalorlando.com.
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The incredible queue for Battle at the Ministry
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
As you rush through the portal to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, you're transported to a picture-perfect Parisian street with cracked cobbles below and towering French architecture.
It's hard to believe you're still in the heart of the Sunshine State.
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Potter fans will lose their minds at the new Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride.
Entering using Floo Powder in the fireplace just like in the films, you find yourself within the Ministry on the day of Dolores Umbridge's highly anticipated trial.
It was like walking on the actual film sets themselves — incredible.
And that's just the queue! Once on the ride, you'll experience the thrilling trial in its entirety with cutting-edge CGI and animatronics bringing every second of the intense battle to life.
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Super Nintendo World feels like a video game come to life
Super Nintendo World
If gaming is more your speed (it definitely is mine), then jumping through the warp pipe to Super Nintendo World will take you to a bright and colourful playground where fun is top of the agenda.
With the much-loved Mario Kart ride melding the game, virtual reality, and traditional indoor rollercoasters, one ride will never be enough, and you'll find yourself wanting to turn back and immediately start queuing again, just like me.
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In a first for the USA, Super Nintendo World offers visitors a chance to visit Donkey Kong Country, a vibrant jungle based on the classic SNES games.
Its main ride, Mine-Cart Madness, captures the feel of jumping from track to track on an old mine cart just like those retro levels.
Even Yoshi's Adventure is a perfect beginner coaster for younger children, if you can pull them away from the hidden mini games and interactive elements scattered throughout the world.
Kids (and nostalgic adults) also have the chance to meet iconic Nintendo characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and Donkey Kong as they explore.
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Hiccup's Wing gliders proved a fast favourite within the group
How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk
How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk is a must for fans of the Dreamworks classic. Easily the biggest of the new worlds, it captures the spirit of the series perfectly.
Hiccup's Wing Gliders sees you soaring through the air on a dragon glider, swooping from left to right as the movie's soundtrack fills the air felt utterly whimsical.
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The park's only water-based ride, Fire Drill, lets you soak your friends, and was a fantastic, if slightly cruel, way to beat the Florida heat.
The show, The Untrainable Dragon, was a real highlight, with Hiccup and Toothless soaring over us, giving a fantastic view of all the attention to detail paid to bring the franchise to life in the new world.
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Visiting Darkmoor in the Dark Universe felt like stepping into another world
Credit: ALL_RIGHTS
Dark Universe
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Easily my favourite of the new worlds was the spooky Dark Universe.
Based on the classic Universal Monsters, horror fans will be delighted to see throwbacks to sorely missed characters like Frankenstein's Monster, the Bride and the Wolfman.
The detail was, once again, on-point, from the austere gothic architecture to the windmill restaurant that bursts into flames as you dine.
Both Curse of the Wolfman and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment rides were just the right mix of thrilling and fun, a love letter to the classic movies.
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The latter's blend of special effects and unique movement had me giggling with joy on each ride.
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The Burning Blade Tavern literally catches fire as you dine
Credit: ALL_RIGHTS
Throughout the parks, dining options were excellent. Isle of Berk's incredible mac and cheese cone and the Dark Universe's Monocane drink in a neon green vial proved to be my personal favourites.
If you're a theme park newbie or someone who just can't get enough of the much-loved original Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay, there are also free buses every half-hour from Stella Nova resort.
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All are well worth a visit, and have a great range of coasters, from the classic Revenge of the Mummy Ride to modern favourites like the adrenaline rush that is Hagrid's Magical Creatures, and the unrelenting thrill-filled Jurassic World Velocicoaster.
And if you want even easier access to the amazing Epic Universe, Loews and Universal have teamed up to create the stunning Universal Grand Helios Hotel which, among other luxuries, boasts its own private entrance to the park.
With rooms themed around worlds like How to Train Your Dragon, it's perfect for families who want to skip the queues or take breaks from the parks throughout the day.
Watching the dazzling fireworks display fill the night sky for the grand opening, it became clear to me that Epic Universe well and truly lives up to its name.
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So if you've been looking for an excuse to explore some epic new worlds and have an absolute blast doing so, now is the perfect time.
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The EPIC grand opening celebrations
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