Universal Epic Universe was first officially announced back in 2019. Fast forward to now, and we can hardly believe we're less than two months away from the grand opening! We only really started to learn more about the new theme park at the beginning of 2024, and with each Epic Universe news announcement, it's getting more and more real. Below, you'll find a quick timeline of Universal Epic Universe news drops, with the latest news first.
Hoppin’ news! Universal Epic Universe will open May 22, 2025 — and you can save on your Universal Orlando Resort tickets when you purchase through Undercover Tourist, up to $124 per ticket!
April 8, 2025: Universal Helios Grand Hotel to Open Early & Previews Announced for Passholders & Hotel Guests
Universal Orlando has bumped up the opening date for Universal Helios Grand Hotel to April 16, 2025! Plus, following the Media Preview Day held on April 5, Universal announced that all Universal hotel guests, including those staying at Helios Grand Hotel starting April 16, and annual passholders can now purchase Preview tickets, with availability from April 17 to May 8, 2025, at this time. Hop over to our Epic Universe Previews post for more info!
March 31, 2025: National Epic Universe Portal Tour
To celebrate the debut of Epic Universe, Universal is launching the National Epic Universe Portal Tour across select cities this spring. The tour includes stops in Atlanta (April 11-13), New York City (April 23-26), Philadelphia (May 16-18) and Chicago (June 13-18) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (subject to change). The centerpiece of the tour will be a replica of the 30-foot-tall Chronos tower and gateway portal. Fans can take a photo beside the portal and visit once the sun goes down for a special night show.
March 27, 2025: Express Pass, VIP Tour Experience and More Available
New optional upgrades are here! Express Passes will be available for Epic Universe upon opening day. Express includes one-time access to participating rides and attractions, including the following:
- Constellation Carousel
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Fyre Drill
- Hiccup's Wing Gliders
- Le Cirque Arcanus
- Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
- The Untrainable Dragon
- Yoshi's Adventure
(Express is not available for Dragon Racer's Rally, Mine-Cart Madness and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Offerings are subject to change.)
The VIP Tour Experience is also available to book for Epic Universe, as well as Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience reservations and My Universal Photos packages. Theme park admission is not included with any of these add-ons.
March 25, 2025: Universal Terra Luna Resort Opens!
The second Prime Value hotel hosted its grand opening on March 25. Inspired by the diverse and awe-inspiring planetary elements of the universe, Universal Terra Luna Resort is another budget-friendly option to consider when planning your Epic Universe visit.
March 17, 2025: First Official Photos Shared
Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort
No longer concept art — Universal shared the first official photos of the worlds brought to life! The details of each world look AMAZING. I mean, look at the fog coming out of Frankenstein's Manor ... and it feels like the actual streets of Paris in the wizarding shopping district, Place Cachée! We cannot wait to step inside and explore all the details of each world.
March 13, 2025: Additional Epic Universe Tickets Released
As part of the second wave of tickets, Universal began offering a 1-day Universal Epic Universe ticket, as well as 2-day tickets that include 1 day at Epic Universe.
March 12, 2025: First Look at Merchandise
To commemorate your visit to Epic Universe, there's no doubt you'll want to bring home a souvenir. We got a sneak peek at the merchandise collections, which surely feature something for everyone. How can you resist taking home your own dragon in a crossbody egg carrier?! Here's our guide to Epic Universe merch, so you can start budgeting for these goodies!
Feb. 11, 2025: First Look at Food & Drink Items
The most mouthwatering update yet — Universal shared delectable details about some of the menu items you'll find in each of the worlds. With themed restaurants and menu items throughout the theme park, you can expect dishes such as a Mario Burger in Super Nintendo World or the Darkmoor Black Wings in Dark Universe. From Butterbeer crepe to Landlubber's Snickerdoodle Loot (pictured above), there's no shortage of sweet treats too! For a full list of items that were revealed, hop over to our Epic Universe food guide.
Jan. 21, 2025: Universal Stella Nova Resort Opens!
We won't froget the first time we officially stepped foot on Epic Universe property. Universal Stella Nova Resort, the first of two Prime Value resorts, opened its doors. Check out our guide for all the details about our stay!
Oct. 17, 2024: Universal Epic Universe Opening Date and Tickets
Universal Orlando Resort revealed that Universal Epic Universe will open its gates on May 22, 2025! Plus, the first phase of tickets featuring Universal Epic Universe went on sale Oct. 22, 2024. Options included multi-day/multi-park tickets with 1 day at Universal Epic Universe.
Aug. 22, 2024: Universal Helios Grand Hotel
As the "crown jewel of Epic Universe," Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel is the first Universal hotel inside a theme park, located at the end of Celestial Park. With Celestial Park being a world between worlds, Helios Grand Hotel is the palace for its namesake, the Greek god of the sun. While planning, Universal Creative teams wanted to ensure the theming blended seamlessly between the theme park and hotel.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel will have 500 rooms and 35 suites, so the majority of the rooms will be two-queen-bed rooms. For suites, there will be King Suites, Hospitality Suites, Presidential Suites and "How to Train Your Dragon"-themed Kids' Suites.
July 31, 2024: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
Last but certainly not least, Universal released details on the fifth and final Epic Universe world on Harry Potter's birthday (happee birthdae, Harry!). The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic brings wizarding 1920s Paris from the "Fantastic Beasts" films to life ... as well as the British Ministry of Magic in the 1990s from the "Harry Potter" films. That's right — we'll get to take the Metro-Floo to travel between timelines and countries! (Mind. Blown!) The buildings in wizarding Paris are to scale — which means even the shortest building in the Ministry of Magic world is taller than the tallest building in Diagon Alley. You'll find new couture wands, come face to face with some fantastic beasts AND get to experience an all-new, groundbreaking attraction. Get ready for grandeur, new creatures and of course, magique.
June 20, 2024: Dark Universe
It's alive! Universal is unleashing its classic monsters to the present day in the village of Darkmoor within the mysterious Dark Universe. This foreboding world will feature legendary monsters including Dracula, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein's Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein — as well as introduce a new generation of characters, such as Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein. Guests can step into the portal and explore — if they dare — attractions, dining and entertainment experiences.
May 2, 2024: Super Nintendo World
Here we go! Super Nintendo World is finally coming to Orlando, after making its debut at Universal Studios Japan in 2021 and Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. We're so frogcited to jump in the green warp pipe and enter not only the Mushroom Kingdom but also Donkey Kong Country! In this immersive world, you'll find three adventurous attractions, interactive challenges, character greetings and plenty of dining and shopping experiences.
At the edge of Super Mario Land, enter the tropical Donkey Kong Country, where you'll discover tall trees, waterfalls, The Golden Temple and more.
Throughout Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country, you can level up the fun with Power-Up Bands that interact with the world. Complete challenges and collect coins and digital keys so you can unlock a showdown with Bowser Jr.
March 28, 2024: How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk
Universal shared a first look at How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk. Guests will be immersed in an eighth-century Viking village, complete with iconic locations from the films such as Gobber's Forge, Hiccup's House and the Dragon racing bleachers. The world's storyline takes place between the second and third "How to Train Your Dragon" films. After Celestial Park, it will be the largest world in Epic Universe and features five attractions along with character greetings, shopping and dining.
Jan. 30, 2024: Celestial Park
Universal gave us an in-depth look at the first world, Celestial Park. Starting with the Emerald Gate and the Chronos device at the park entrance, guests will step inside Celestial Park, which features "rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways" and "stunning architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological elements."
Celestial Park serves as the gateway, featuring themed portals to the other four worlds, as well as Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which is located inside Epic Universe. The hotel will have 500 guest rooms, incredible views and its own dedicated entrance into the park.
As of Jan. 21, 2025, the first of the new Universal hotels — Universal Stella Nova Resort — opened. Universal Terra Luna Resort followed, debuting March 25, 2025. And of course, Helios Grand AND Universal Epic Universe will both open May 22, 2025.
Which Universal Epic Universe news announcement has you the most excited? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Everything We Know So Far About Universal Epic Universe
Hoppy planning!
