When
it comes to theme park buzz in 2025, one event dwarfs the rest: the opening of Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort
on May 22, 2025. This monumental addition — a brand-new theme park in the heart
of the global theme park capital — is poised to shake up the Orlando theme park
landscape. While this massive addition is understandably stealing the
spotlight, there are a few other exciting developments Universal fans will want
to know about, from brand-new hotels to a frighteningly fun addition in Las
Vegas. Here’s what’s happening across Universal’s domestic parks and resorts in
2025.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Epic Universe Opens May 22,
2025
The
wait is almost over. Universal Epic Universe will officially open on May 22,
2025. The park will transport guests to five immersive new worlds; each entered
through themed portals. The first, Celestial Park, which Universal calls
"the heart of Universal Epic Universe," will act as the gateway to
the park's other four worlds: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World and
Dark Universe.
Epic
Universe will introduce more than 50 new experiences across the five worlds,
with each debuting a mix of themed attractions, entertainment, dining and
retail. In addition to themed shops in every world, here’s a rundown of the top
offerings in each world:
Celestial Park
Inspired
by themes of astronomy and mythology, Celestial Park will be home to Epic
Universe's most thrilling coaster, Stardust Racers. The dual-launch racing
coaster will reach top speeds of up to 62 mph. Constellation Carousel and
Astronomica, a water play area, offer family-friendly attractions, and fountain
shows provide entertainment. Dining highlights include "Atlantic,"
set inside a Victorian-inspired aquarium, and "The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian
Restaurant." Shops like the Nintendo Super Star Store and dynamic fountain
shows round out the Celestial Park experience.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of
Berk
Based
on the DreamWorks animated films, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
recreates a vibrant Viking village with dramatic architecture, rocky terrain
and roaring dragons. Highlights include Hiccup's Wing Gliders, a family coaster
that "flies" alongside Hiccup and Toothless at speeds of 45 mph, and
the Untrainable Dragon, a live show featuring life-sized dragons and familiar
characters. Fyre Drill, a water battle by boat instigated by Ruffnut and
Tuffnut, offers a cool-down option, while Dragon Racer's Rally sends thrill
seekers barrel rolling and high flying 67 feet in the air. Viking Training Camp
play area gives littles more to do and a Hiccup and Toothless meet-and-greet
adds more all-ages interactivity. Dining options range from hearty meals in the
Mead Hall to quick service at Spit Fyre Grill. Several themed shops offering
dragon-inspired merchandise throughout the land.
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios. (Photo Credit: Universal Studios Media)
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
SUPER
NINTENDO WORLD opened at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023, but it’s
definitely not a been-there, done-that for Nintendo fans. In addition to Mario Kart: Bowser’s
Challenge and Toadstool Cafe, already popular at Universal Studios
Hollywood, Epic Universe will be home to the U.S. debuts of multiple new
attractions first opened at Universal Studios Japan: Yoshi’s Adventure in Super
Mario World, and Donkey Kong Country and its marquee Mine-Cart Madness ride.
Dark Universe
The
portal into Dark Universe transports guests to the shadowy village of Darkmoor,
where Universal’s iconic monsters come to life through attractions, dining and
character encounters. Not for the timid, Universal Orlando is calling the
land’s anchoring dark ride, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment,
its “most terrifying attraction yet.” The ride through Frankenstein Manor puts
guests face to face with “14 of the most ambitious and life-like animated figures
ever created,” including Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster
and more.
A
second ride, Curse of the Werewolf, sends guests on a spinning family coaster
through the forest on a mission to escape the werewolves before it’s too late.
Guests can undergo their own monstrous transformations at the Darkmoor Monster
Makeup Experience or meet characters like the Bride of Frankenstein and Dr.
Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster. Dine if you dare at Das Stakehaus, a
restaurant run by vampire familiars, or hang and eat alongside monster hunters
at The Burning Blade Tavern.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter –
Ministry of Magic
It’s
as exciting as it is difficult to imagine anything more immersive and screen
accurate than Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at Universal Studios Florida and
Universal Islands of Adventure, but The Wizarding World of Harry Potter –
Ministry of Magic is poised to set a new bar. The bulk of the world is set in a
wizarding Place Cachée shopping district in 1920s Paris. From there, guests
will travel to the iconic British Ministry of Magic to experience the main
attraction, Harry
Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, “Universal’s most impressive ride to
date,” according to a press release.
The
land also features the live show Le Cirque Arcanus, where magical creatures
take center stage, a new wand shop and interactive wand magic throughout the
streets of Place Cachée.
Dining
options include Café L'air De La Sirène, serving French fare; Le Gobelet Noir,
a mysterious inn catering to dark witches and wizards; and Bar Moonshine, a bar
welcoming wizarding American expats. And, even in Paris, there will be a
Butterbeer cart.
3 New Hotels Opening in 2025
Universal
Orlando Resort is expanding its hotel lineup substantially in 2025 with three
new hotels adjacent to Epic Universe.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Opening
with Epic Universe on May 22, 2025, Universal Helios Grand Hotel will join
Universal's Signature Collection as a Mediterranean-inspired retreat with a
dedicated entrance exclusive to hotel guests straight into Epic Universe's
Celestial Park. Designed by Universal Creative and operated by Loews Hotels, a
press release calls the 500-room hotel "the crown jewel of Epic Universe and the
pinnacle of Universal Orlando’s hotel experiences.”
The
luxe lobby features celestial patterns, floor-to-ceiling windows and views of
Celestial Park. Among the accommodation options are tranquil garden-inspired
guest rooms, many with views of Epic Universe, and How to Train Your Dragon-themed Kids’ Suites inspired by Berk.
For
recreation beyond the theme parks, there’s a fitness center, game room,
zero-entry pool with underwater speakers, cabanas for rent, hot tub and
poolside movies.
Dining
includes the rooftop Bar Helios, which serves tapas, cocktails, and 360-degree
views, as well as a full-service Flora Taverna, grab-and-go Aurora Market, and
a poolside Lotus Lagoon bar and grill.
Aerial rendering of the Universal Stella Nova Resort and the Universal Terra Luna Resort, opening in early 2025. (Photo Credit: Universal Orlando Resort)
Universal Stella Nova
Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort
Universal
Stella Nova Resort, opening January 21, 2025, and Universal Terra Luna Resort,
opening March 25, 2025, are parallel Prime Value resorts, offering a combined
1,500 rooms starting at $147 per night. Stella Nova is inspired by "the infinite
vastness of the universe," while Terra Luna is inspired by unknown planets
"yet to be discovered." Both hotels feature spaceship-styled windows,
perfect for sleeping "amongst stars and planets."
Rooms
and amenities are comparable across the two properties. Each resort has 750
double-queen rooms that sleep up to four guests. Parallel dining locations
include Cosmos Cafe and Market at Stella Nova and Omega Cafe and Market at
Terra Luna for quick-service breakfast, lunch and dinner, the poolside Galaxy
Bar and Galaxy Grill at Stella Nova and Moonrise Bar and Moonrise Grill at
Terra Luna, and lobby Nova Bar at Stella Nova and Luna Bar at Terra Luna.
Amenities
include a nearly 10,000-square-foot pool, hot tub, fire pit, fitness center,
game rooms and resort stores.
Last Chance to Ride Hollywood Rip
Ride Rockit
The
iconic Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster at Universal Studios Florida will take
its final bow in early September 2025 to make way for a new yet-to-be-announced
experience, Universal confirmed
recently on X.
Universal Studios Store Expansion
The
Universal Studios Store at Universal CityWalk will expand in 2025 to include
two new themed areas. A Wizarding World of Harry Potter section will feature
merchandise inspired by Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley and the new Ministry of Magic
at Epic Universe. Butterbeer devotees can swig the fan-favorite drink without a
park ticket at the Butterbeer counter, which will serve all varieties of the
sweet brew.
A
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD section will have a dedicated themed entrance and will
showcase merchandise featuring Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong
and other popular characters.
Universal Mardi Gras:
International Flavors of Carnaval 30th Anniversary
A Mardi Gras celebration 30 years in the making, from February 1
through March 30, Universal Studios Florida will host Universal Mardi Gras:
International Flavors of Carnaval. Six brand-new floats will complement the
traditional lineup of New Orleans-inspired floats in the park's festive parade,
which takes place during regular theme park hours. Guests can reserve a spot
via the Universal Orlando app to ride on a parade float and toss beads to the
crowd, or get a guaranteed float spot by booking the Mardi Gras Float Ride
and Dine Experience. On 12 select nights during the celebration,
artists including T-Pain, Joe Jonas and Lawrence will treat guests in the park
to a live concert. See the full lineup.
Other Seasonal Favorite
Events at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal
Orlando Resort has yet to announce dates or details for its other flagship
seasonal events, Halloween Horror Nights, an after-hours ticketed
event on select nights in the fall, and Holidays at Universal, a resort-wide celebration
of the most wonderful time of the year. If you're eyeing a trip during the
Halloween or holiday seasons, check back for the best ways to experience the
best seasonal offerings.
Universal
Orlando Resort regularly releases new promotions and ticket packages. Check out the latest and keep checking back as
more ticket types and packages are revealed ahead of the opening of Epic
Univers.
Las Vegas
Universal Horror Unleashed
Universal
will debut the company's first-ever year-round horror experience in AREA15 in
Las Vegas this year. Universal Horror Unleashed will feature four haunted
houses, inspired by Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow:
The Reaping and Blumhouse's The Exorcist: Believer. Four surrounding areas will
offer themed dining and entertainment, corresponding to the four houses.
Universal says the experience will be updated seasonally with limited-time
events and merchandise. An opening date and ticketing information has yet to be released.
Universal Studios
Hollywood
Universal
Studios Hollywood released a 2025 overview of the full year of seasonal
festivities and special events, including two brand-new events. Here are the
highlights.
Butterbeer Season (March 1 – May 31): A
celebration of Butterbeer in all its glorious forms.
Universal Fan Fest Nights (April 25 – May 18): Described as “Halloween Horror Nights-meets-comic
book/pop culture convention,” the new after-hours, ticketed event coming
to Universal Studios Hollywood select nights this spring celebrates Star Trek, Back to the Future, Dungeons
& Dragons, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, The Wizarding World of
Harry Potter, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD with immersive entertainment, food,
merchandise and more.
New Summer Event (June 14 – August 10):
Universal Studios Hollywood has announced a forthcoming new event this summer,
but that's all we know so far!
Back to Hogwarts (August – September 1): A
seasonal celebration in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with themed
activities and merchandise.
Halloween Horror Nights (September 4 – November 2):
The iconic after-hours ticket event promises immersive, terrifying haunted
houses, scare zones, live entertainment and themed food and merchandise.
Holidays at Universal (November – December):
Festive decor, entertainment, treats and more
Pass Member Perks (various dates): Pass Members are shown love with periodic perks and special events just for
Pass Members.
From
one-day tickets to VIP experiences to annual passes (they can make sense for
more guests than you might think!), there’s a wide range of ticket packages and
special offers regularly updated at Universal Studios Hollywood. Check out the latest
deals.
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