“I SCREAMED and I prayed”, the stranger next to me recalled as we clambered out of our seats with a dishevelled look.
We hadn’t known each other before this, but within 90 blurry seconds a whirlwind experience had bonded us.
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We had just ridden Stardust Racers, the must-try thrill ride at Universal’s brand new theme park.
Epic Universe, which opened this week [May 22], is the first major theme park to come to Orlando in 26 years, costing a mega £7billion to build.
“This is the most technologically advanced park in the world,” Mark Woodberry, Universal Destinations & Experiences’ Chairman and CEO, says – and he’s not lying.
No cash has been spared on taking each attraction to the next level with smooth tracks that won’t jolt your neck and new-world immersion techniques that take away the woozy feeling caused by old-hat VR rides (something I greatly appreciated).
But with demand so high, Brits will only be able to purchase one-day tickets for this year, so what should you see and what should you skip?
I was one of the first to get a behind the scenes look at all the entertainment, rides and food and drink – and here’s my verdict.
Celestial Park
This is the park’s main hub with a glorious fountain at its centre and main food halls cooking up barbecue dishes, Asian grub and deep-pan pizza.
STARDUST RACERS: HIT (5 stars)
This dual ‘racing’ roller coaster is on par, intensity wise, with Universal Studios’ leading thrill ride, Velocicoaster.
If you’re a roller coaster nut, then you won’t want to miss this.
It’s one of the largest steel coasters in the US and it hurls riders down steep drops and in spiral turns at speeds of up to 62mph for a terrifying 90 seconds. At times l feared my brain may burst through my skull.
Top tip: Both sides of the rollercoaster offer a different experience, (the green side is supposedly more intense – but I was too focused on clinging on for dear life to confirm)
CONSTELLATION CAROUSEL: HIT (3.5 stars)
Tired feet will be all too pleased to climb aboard the theme park’s most relaxed ride that welcomes all ages.
You can ride shiny unicorns, roaring lions and fiery phoenix’s (seating up to three).
Each animal slowly spins in typical carousel-fashion under a starry dome where the ceiling twinkles — it was very peaceful after a long day.
Top tip: head there after sunset – the twinkling lights are amplified by the dark sky
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How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
A fire-breathing dragon and man-made lagoon welcome visitors through the portal into this Viking-theme world based entirely on the hit animation film.
DRAGON RACER’S RALLY: MISS (2 stars)
Although this ride continues for a similar length of time to many others in the theme park, it feels much shorter.
The idea is sound, with riders climbing aboard their own ‘dragon’ which can be semi-steered using the wing controls on either side of your seat which can be lifted up and pushed down.
You can perform some pretty cool tricks, including barrel rolls by tilting the wings at a certain angle, but by the time you’ve figured that all out, the ride is over.
If you’ve queued for anything more than 45 mins, you may feel somewhat cheated.
Top tip: hold the wings steady in opposite directions to perform a barrel roll
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HICCUP’S WING GLIDERS: HIT (4.5 stars)
An all-round favourite. This roller coaster is one that kids (over 100cm) and grown-ups will enjoy in equal measure.
It may be relatively tame in comparison to stereotypical loop-de-loop rides, but that doesn’t take from the thrill which comes in the form of sudden speed boosts, realistic animatronics and swooping turns that give the effect of riding a real dragon.
Top tip: if you’re in need of a brief cool down, sit on the right seat in the second row – you’ll be in the prime spot to be sprayed with water
FYRE DRILL: MISS (unless you have really young kids) (2 stars)
Don’t get me wrong, a water-ride can be great in the searing Orlando heat, but this one isn’t a mind-blower and if you’re tight for time, could be one to skip.
Riders board an eight-seater Viking boat and are tasked with squirting various wooden targets with a pistol as they weave their way through dragon-infested waters.
The squirting and aiming action may be a little tricky for kids to grasp at first, but they’ll sure love getting drenched at spontaneous moments by water-spouting monsters.
Top tip: do this after the show as you’ll get drenched (you don’t want to be sat indoors all soggy)
THE UNTRAINABLE DRAGON SHOW: HIT (4 stars)
Even adult’s jaws will hit the floor when (spoiler alert) they see Universal’s most famous dragon, Toothless, soar high above the audience in a plume of smoke during the show
You don’t need to have seen the film to follow the plot, although it helps.
Top tip: Don’t stress about getting near the front, Toothless flies towards the back of the room
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Super Nintendo World
Step through the portal to the Nintendo World and travel through a Mario-style green tube to possibly the most immersive and colourful land in Epic – it’s laid out just like the old-school games with coins spinning above boxes and piranha plants threatening to chomp at any moment.
MARIO KART: BOWSER’S CHALLENGE: HIT (but only if you’re familiar with the console version of the game) (4 stars)
I was a huge fan of this fully-immersive, amped-up version of hit Nintendo game, Mario Kart, that puts riders behind the wheel in a moving kart.
You’ll don a special Mario cap alongside an ultra-high tech pair virtual reality glasses so that every rider is playing their own game and racking up coins.
You can fire shells at characters like Yoshi and Princess Peach, simply using your high-tech glasses to aim, plus you’ll come face-to-face with a fire-breathing Bowser.
As a Mario Kart fan, I loved it; pals who had never played the game, however, were much less enthusiastic and struggled with the controls.
Top tip: secure your hat as tightly as is comfortable on your head, that will make your shell shots more accurate
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YOSHI’S ADVENTURE: MISS (2.5 stars)
Great for little ones and those who want something gentle.
You’ll board a colourful Yoshi and slowly plod through Mario World with epic views of the park below.
The only downside is it can be a struggle in the searing heat, with much of the ride outdoors.
Top tip: don’t go in the middle of the day, the ride passes outside a lot and it can get very hot
My top hacks for first timers in the park
- Bring your own water bottle and use refill stations. A bottle here costs around $6. If you forget your water you can ask for a cup at Starbucks or use fountains.
- Don’t buy a wristband or wand unless you’re a mega fan.
- Avoid queuing for the character meet and greets, you may just catch them at the right time and if not, you’ll get to see them at the shows
- Pick your land – face reality, you’re unlikely to get through everything in just one day. Prioritise your two must-see lands
- Dark Universe is so much more immersive at night so save it for the end of the day.
- It pays to stay in a Universal resort – it gets you access to park an hour ahead of everyone else.
- If you’re feeling overheated, head to Astronomica in Celestial Park – this wet-play area has mini fountains that kids can run through and splash about in
MINE-CART MADNESS: HIT (4.5 stars)
A crowd-pleaser. Despite not having loops or reaching spine-tingling speeds, this roller coaster will still impress even the biggest adrenaline junkies, thanks to the immersive chaos of Nintendo themed music and realistic animatronics.
You board a rickety minecart to ride a seemingly broken track that jerks and judders. I felt as if I could tumble off any moment which only added to the thrill.
Top tip: don’t go straight after lunch – this one is jolty
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Dark Universe
If the park is open late when you’re visiting, save this world, crawling with Universal’s well-known monsters and villains, until the evening to make it fully immersive. Everything feels much creepier in the dark, and you’ll be able to spot things you may not notice in the light of day.
MONSTERS UNCHAINED: THE FRANKENSTEIN EXPERIMENT: HIT (4.5 stars)
Theme park fans say that this is one of the best dark rides ever created, thanks to its storytelling and advanced technology – and I agree.
There’s some very strong theming here and even the queue is factored into the experience, with riders entering through the gruesome manor gates, passing through creepy corridors with eerie pictures and sketches of lab-tested creatures adorning the walls – a hint at what’s to come.
The main ride places visitors on a row of chairs attached to a robotic arm which then twists and turns as you try to escape the grasp of some pretty terrifying creatures.
Due to fewer videos and more animatronics, the ride didn’t cause as much motion sickness as I often experience with a ride like this .
Top tip: pay attention to everything around you as you make your way through the creepy manor, it will add some context to the storytelling
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CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF: HIT (3.5 stars)
This cart-twisting roller coaster is very good fun if you’re into the theme, but I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as similar rides like Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and Mine-Cart Madness.
The fun lies in the fact that you’re not sure what to expect, no matter how many times you ride, with carts spinning at random paces.
Top tip: normally the back of the roller-coaster offers the most thrilling experience, but for this ride, head to the front
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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
There may be only one ride in this world, but the elements surrounding it took my breath away. You’ll be transported from Orlando to 1920s Paris in mere seconds (a nod to the Fantastic Beasts films) and everything here feels wholly authentic from the old-fashioned wine bars lining the cobblestone streets through to the rustic-looking Metro signs.
HARRY POTTER AND THE BATTLE AT THE MINISTRY: HIT (but be prepared to queue) (5 stars)
Mega fans have been brought to tears upon seeing the entrance to this ride, the British Ministry of Magic – an exact replica of the one in the films featuring bottle-green glossy tiles and posters with moving images.
I was blown away by the magic, especially the entrance to the Ministry via the Metro-Floo, which makes riders disappear in a cloud of smoke.
The ride itself is very advanced and much longer than the others so you feel like you’re getting your queue’s worth.
Top tip: The queue can hold around four hours worth of guests and there were reports of five-hour queues on opening day, so if you’re going to go, try and book a night in a Universal Resort (more on that in the Hot Hacks above) and race straight there when you enter.
LE CIRCUS ARCANUS SHOW: HIT (4.5 stars)
There’s a pre-show to this circus-themed experience that keeps you on your toes. Then, magical creatures are brought to life with on-stage tricks really will have you guessing just how they did it.
It was 20 minutes very well spent.
Top tip: Go at lunchtime to avoid the queues and crowds
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