Epic Universe: A Portal-by-Portal Adventure You Can’t Miss

From the moment I stepped into Epic Universe, I was so excited to explore! It was clear this isn’t your average theme park. Each portal transports you to a completely different world, packed with rides, shows, and food straight out of your favorite stories. Over the day, we explored every portal, experiencing thrilling roller coasters, unique snacks, and unforgettable live shows.

Having the Express Pass made everything even better, letting us ride more attractions and spend extra time soaking in all the details without worrying about ride wait times!

I’m taking you portal by portal, sharing what we did, what we loved, and what you absolutely can’t miss. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, foodie, or just looking for family fun, Epic Universe delivers on every level- and I’m giving you the inside scoop!

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk

This was the very first portal I entered, and I was immediately blown away- it truly transports you into an entirely new universe! Isle of Berk has three rides, and we started with Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a smaller roller coaster. But the highlight for me was WOW- it was insanely fast, full of surprises, and an absolute blast. I was expecting a kid-friendly coaster, but it completely exceeded my expectations.

For food, we couldn’t resist the PB&J Weaves in BBQ Harissa Pulled Pork, complete with peanut bacon jam and a parsley mac & cheese cone. This is a MUST-try. One of the best theme park snacks (or meals) I’ve ever had! It’s filling, flavorful, and easy to share.

To wrap up the portal, we caught The Untrainable Dragon show. At around 20 minutes, it was just the right length for kids and packed with fun, music, and even a real dragon flying. It was the perfect end to our first adventure!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The next portal we visited was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and as a HUGE Harry Potter fan, this was the one I was most excited for. Walking in, you’re transported straight into 1920s Paris, and it is absolutely beautiful. I immediately knew we had to come back at night, and spoiler: it’s even better at night!

We spent some time walking through the shops, and they truly have everything a Harry Potter fan would want- robes, shirts, pins, sweet treats, and so many fun things to look at. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s worth going in just to see all the details.

The main attraction here is Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, which is the most popular ride in Epic Universe, and I completely understand why. This ride is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. From the moment you enter the queue, you feel like you’re in the movie. It’s one of those rides you just have to experience yourself because it’s almost impossible to describe.

After the ride, there were street performers outside by the shops, which made the whole 1920s Paris atmosphere feel even more alive. This entire portal was incredibly immersive and definitely one of my favorites in the park.

DARK UNIVERSE

The next portal we explored was Dark Universe, and we knew right away we had to try some of the snacks here. We mobile ordered on the Universal Orlando App (which is such an easy and quick way to order) at The Burning Blade Tavern, and it did not disappoint.

The tavern itself is so cool, with indoor and outdoor seating plus a full bar. The theming here is insane- very dark, moody, old-world pub vibes that fit perfectly with the whole portal.

We ordered the Hunter’s Garlic Stake (a crispy garlic butter pretzel with garlic dipping sauce) and the Burning Cheddar Bites (crispy fried jalapeño pimento cheddar bites with sriracha ranch). Both were really good, but I definitely preferred the cheddar bites. The pretzel was a little on the greasy side, but still worth trying.

The main attraction here is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and OMG… this ride is SO good. The animatronics, the pre-show, everything about it was incredible. We actually ended up riding it twice because the wait time stayed around 10 minutes most of the day, which was amazing.

The second ride we did was Curse of the Werewolf. I went in with no expectations, and woah- it was way more thrilling than I thought! My only downside is that the ride itself is really short (like 30 seconds), so I would probably skip it if the wait is over 30 minutes.

This portal is an absolute must at night. It feels completely different than during the day and really leans into that spooky, eerie vibe. I went from being terrified of Universal Monsters as a kid to now loving them, and I definitely have a soft spot for Frankenstein after this.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

The next portal we visited was SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, and walking in felt like stepping right into a classic Mario game. You enter through a green pipe, and as a lifelong Super Mario fan who’s been playing since I was five, it honestly felt like a dream come true.

There is so much to see here- everywhere you look, there’s something happening, and the attention to detail is incredible.

There are three rides in this portal: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Mine-Cart Madness, and Yoshi’s Adventure. I had heard some negative reviews about Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, so I was a little nervous, but I LOVED it. It’s so nostalgic and fun, and there’s so much to look at during the ride. It’s different from your typical 3D Universal ride and is now a must-do for me every visit.

Mine-Cart Madness was also a lot of fun, though the wait time was long. Luckily, with our Express Pass we only waited about 25–30 minutes. If I didn’t have the Express Pass, this one might be a skip for me. Yoshi’s Adventure is a very cute, slow “dark ride” type of attraction. It’s relaxing, and I can’t get over the pink Yoshi ride vehicle, it’s adorable!

The only food we tried was from Yoshi’s Snack Island: the Green Shell Calzone, filled with vegan Italian sausage, marinara, and vegan mozzarella. It was just okay- not bad, but not something I’d go out of my way for again.

This portal is the kind of place you could easily spend hours wandering, taking in all the sights, and discovering all the little details. It’s playful, immersive, and such a fun escape into the world of Mario.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON EPIC UNIVERSE

Overall, Epic Universe completely exceeded my expectations. Each portal feels like its own fully realized world, and the attention to detail in every corner is just incredible. From the breathtaking adventure of How to Train Your Dragon, to the immersive magic of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, to the spooky thrills of Dark Universe, and the playful, colorful energy of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, there’s truly something for everyone.

Honestly, this park is a must-visit, and the Express Pass is SO worth it. The rides, snacks, and theming make it easy to spend an entire day (or more!) exploring!

Ready to plan your Epic Universe vacation? Let us create a personalized itinerary just for you! Visit www.thepixieplanner.com/blog1 or contact your favorite Pixie Planner to request your free quote today.

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