Universal Studios’ Epic Universe opens today: Here are 5 hidden secrets in the theme park

Chris Morris

Thu, May 22, 2025, 1:30 PM 4 min read

Epic Universe is massive. Spanning over 110 acres, the new Florida theme park from Universal Studios, which opens today, has created four differently themed lands that captivate the imagination and offer a wide array of thrills for park enthusiasts: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. That count jumps to five if you count Celestial Park, the hub of Epic Universe, with several restaurants and two big rides of its own.

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The park is massive financially as well. Universal spent an estimated $6 billion to $7 billion to create the theme park. Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, estimates it will generate $2 billion for the state of Florida in its first year and create more than 17,500 jobs in year one.

Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal, saw the division’s theme park revenue drop in the first quarter of 2025 due to the L.A. wildfires. But the company expects to see a big boost from the new Orlando park. A one-day adult ticket runs $139, while children will pay $135 for a single-day pass. (Florida residents do not currently get a discount.)

Each of the lands in Epic Universe is painstakingly detailed, creating several different and incredibly immersive experiences. But the grandeur of Epic Universe comes at a cost: crowds.

If you’re planning on going anytime soon, be prepared to wait. During the park’s preview days, some of the lines had wait times of more than five hours—likely to be longer at times in the opening months. If you opt to wait until the lines are shorter (and don’t want to spend an extra $140 for an express pass) or simply are looking for something to do besides shop and eat in your downtime, the park’s developers have included a slew of Easter eggs—little details and hidden secrets that make the experience even more fun. Here are some to keep an eye out for.

Super Nintendo World [Photo: Universal Studios]

Learn the secret drink at Dark Universe

Head to the Dr. H. Jekyll Apotheker in Darkmoor (the village within the Dark Universe portal), and listen closely. You’ll hear Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde arguing. Stick around and you’ll learn the name of an off-the-menu drink, which you can order at the Burning Blade Tavern.

Find a key piece of Harry Potter lore

If you’re willing to shell out $85, you can buy an interactive wand to cast “spells” at certain locations in Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which trigger effects. One of those in Epic Universe’s Ministry of Magic will reward you with a look at the Sorcerer’s Stone, which fans of the books might remember was in Paris in the time frame of this land (set during the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them period). Look in the area of the Le Gobelet Noir restaurant.

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter — Ministry Of Magic at night [Photo: Universal Studios]

Try a ride more than once

If the lines aren’t too bad, it’s worth taking a second ride on several of the roller coasters—not just to get the adrenaline rush once again, but because the dialogue and soundtrack are often different on different tracks. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, for instance, has different dialogue from the dragon trainer, depending on whether you choose the right or left track.

Look for nods to other Universal franchises

Stardust Racers is one of the best and most intense rides in Epic Universe. Located in Celestial Park, it’s not tied with any of the themed properties of the portals, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a link to a well-known franchise. On the back of the coaster, sharp-eyed fans will see a flux capacitor, the device that powered Doc Brown’s time machine in Back to the Future. Maybe that’s what gives the coaster its three incredible bursts of speed through the course of the track.

Not a fan of Back to the Future? The Curse of the Werewolf ride has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nod to the classic 1981 film An American Werewolf in London, with a replica of the iconic red jacket worn by David Naughton hung in the barn you’ll zip through a time or two.

Hiccup’s Wing Gliders [Photo: Universal Studios]

Study the bathroom details

Bathrooms usually aren’t a lot of fun, especially at theme parks. But Epic Universe does things a bit differently. For instance, you’ll notice there aren’t a lot of mirrors in the Dark Universe (since Dracula doesn’t cast a reflection). And Super Nintendo World highlights the pipes, since Mario often uses warp pipes to transport through his world.

This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com
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