NEWS: Universal Reveals NEW Epic Universe Secrets, Including "A Very Ridiculously Pink Place Full of Cats"

It’s almost here: the grand opening of Epic Universe.

©Universal

Five NEW lands will open with Universal Orlando’s third theme park, including an original land called Celestial Park, as well as Dark Universe, How To Train Your Dragon — Island of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, and Super Nintendo World. We’ve already learned a lot about all of these lands, but Universal just shared even MORE details about some of the rides with The Hollywood Reporter.

Camille Coladonato, the senior media producer responsible for Isle of Berk and Celestial Park, spoke about what we can expect in How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, talking a little bit about the land’s soundtrack. “We use so much of [the film’s] amazing soundtrack music, but we have things that are new,” she said. “What would be more authentic and immersive than a Viking band?”

Wait, are we talking a LIVE Viking band here?

©Universal

Katy Pacitti, executive producer for the Isle of Berk, also teased the How To Treat Your Dragon sweet shop. The shop will have benches based on some blue sky drawings for the third film. “There was this tiny, tiny, low-res [image] of Astrid sitting on a bench that was carved to look like a Natter [Dragon]. We took that and said, let’s just make them, so we have not only the Natter, we have a Gronkle, a sheep.”

The land will also have a “massive and beautiful” head of Valka’s Stormcutter Cloudjumper in his home, as well as a full-scale Grump breathing fire and a breathing Snow Wraith. Plus, large flying dragon drones. LOTS of dragons, y’all!

©WESH

We also got a little tease about Dark Universe, including what to expect in restaurants in the world inspired by Universal’s classic monsters. “When I say we’re immersing you, it’s from the cutlery and plateware to the napkins,” Sueann Cotanche, vice president of food and beverage at Epic Universe, said. “The cutlery in our universe is black, the plateware is very dark and very worn, and the napkins are not your typical white. They’re red.”

©Universal Orlando Resort

Over in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Minstry of Magic, guests will have to help the Ministry capture Dolores Umbridge, who has escaped right before her trial. There will be a new character introduced during the ride, an animated figure named Higgledy, who will appear in the queue and throughout the ride multiple times.

The queue will also feature details and places from the films, including Umbridge’s office, that Kim Gritzer, creative director at Universal Creative called “a very ridiculously pink place full of cats.”

©Universal

We even learned more about Celestial Park, a land inspired by an original idea. This land is where you’ll find the Chronos, a magical place that opens the portals to the other lands in Epic Universe. The land will be supported by 40 hours of musical content, including 14 original scores with 16 background music zones. The design of the land is inspired by World Fair designs with an eclectic emphasis on aesthetics from the 1850s and 1930s.

©Universal

We also learned a bit more about Stardust Racers, the dueling coaster in Celestial Park. The roller coaster will feature different soundtracks during the day and night.

Speaking of which, @bioreconstruct managed to grab some aerial photos of Universal testing out the nighttime lighting of Celestial Park…and let’s just say the results are STUNNING.

Here’s a video of the lighting test.

Aerial video of Epic Universe at night during lighting testing throughout Celestial Park. With overlapping animated lights.
Also a look at other worlds in the park. pic.twitter.com/50vYl7mB3M

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 9, 2025