With family all over Florida, I’ve always been a theme park person. So when I found out that Universal was opening a third park with lands dedicated to Nintendo, Harry Potter, How To Train Your Dragon, and classic Universal monsters, I was beyond excited. In the months leading up to opening day, I consumed every piece of news I could find—sneak peek images, influencer reviews—all in anticipation of Christmas break, when my mom and I got to spend a day exploring Universal Epic Universe.
In just one day, I was able to do pretty much everything: every ride, show, and experience. I have overwhelmingly positive things to say about all of them, but there are still some key reminders that families—especially those with young kids—should know before visiting Universal Epic Universe. Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide to all five lands at Universal Epic Universe, including where to eat and what rides are appropriate for little ones. Plus, I’ve added some additional tips and tricks for your day at Epic to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
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Isle of Berk: How To Train Your Dragon
Packed with vikings and dragons, Isle of Berk is one of the most extensive lands in Universal Epic Universe, and—in my opinion—the most accurately themed. There are three rides, a show, and a playground for little ones all packed into this land. For those dedicated How To Train Your Dragon fans, there is also a meet and greet with Toothless the dragon. Read on for step-by-step guide for those visiting for the first time.
Hiccup’s Wing Glider:
- Height Requirement: 40”
I found this to be the smoothest roller coaster in the park, with tons of nods to the films. With a lower height requirement, this is an excellent choice for an elementary schooler who may be just getting comfortable with bigger rides. Depending on which track you pick, you may hear different dialogue—so if you can, ride more than once.
Dragon Racer’s Rally:
- Height Requirement: 48”
For those prone to motion sickness, this may be one to avoid. Riders are strapped into a seat and instructed to move their dragon wings themselves as the ride maneuvers them up and down. This means you can make it as thrilling (barrel rolls are encouraged) or non-thrilling as you’d like. But beware: it’s short. My mom and I waited a while for this one, and then decided not to ride it again because it was over in thirty seconds.
Fyre Drill:
- Height Requirement: no minimum height, but children under 48” must ride with a supervising adult!
- No handheld infants
For those braving Epic on a hot summer day, this ride will be just what you need to cool off. It takes place smack dab in the middle of the land, so onlookers can view your boat as it traverses the river. You can also control how wet you want to get. Pro tip—if you want a drier experience, avoid the targets with a blue “X” on them.
Pro tips:
- The Untrainable Dragon has multiple showtimes throughout the day and is a must-see! Special effects were amazing and it’s a great way to cool off and rest in the afternoon.
- For dining: Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel offers mac & cheese cups that may be the most Instagrammable dish at Epic, but they are also a lot. Prepare for leftovers or share amongst your family.
- Talk to the characters! Characters like Astrid (and maybe even some extra dragons) from the movies are ready and willing to interact with guests throughout the land, so introduce your child for a wait-free meet and greet.
- Be patient to meet Toothless. The line moves slowly because Hiccup and Toothless spend a lot of time with each guest (so lots of photo ops!) but animatronic Toothless is worth it.
Super Nintendo World
Stepping into Super Nintendo World truly was overstimulating in the best possible way. Bigger than its counterpart in California, this land is themed to feel like a replica of your favorite video game. There are question blocks to hit, snapping piranha plants, and tons of hidden nods to the Nintendo multiverse. With three rides, several massive gift shops, and lots of secrets to uncover, there’s a lot to see here.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Height Requirement: 40”
Strap on your goggles and transport yourself into your favorite Mario Kart tracks. Though slow moving, riders get to compete for coins on this ride, making for a high-energy, competitive experience. That being said, the line for this one was our longest wait of the day, and there are lots of stairs, so plan accordingly. The best time to ride this one is probably after everyone has had some food and rested, so that spirits are high.
Yoshi’s Adventure
- Height Requirement: 34”
- No handheld infants
I was surprised to see that there was even a height requirement for this one, considering it’s a slow moving track largely designed to give guests panoramic views of the entire land. It seems to be made for young children and babies, but parents of little ones should know—babies cannot ride, even in your lap. The line can vary depending on time of day, so consider how long you’re willing to wait for this one before joining the queue.
Mine-Cart Madness
- Height Requirement: 40”
This was, by far, my favorite part of visiting Super Nintendo World. Sitting behind the rest of Super Nintendo World in Donkey Kong country, this coaster is super fast and even appears to “jump the track” at times. My mom and I went during lunch time and were lucky to not wait too long, but the line for this one can get very long. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ride—you definitely should! Just plan accordingly and go at a quieter time in the day.
Pro Tips:
- If you have a video game obsessed little one, splurge on the Power Up Bands. They connect to the Universal app and keep track of how many coins you accumulate from both the rides and the hidden mini games around the land.
- In that same vein, play the mini-games! They’re hidden throughout the land and will help you accumulate coins. Beware, though—some of them are harder than they look.
- For dining: Toadstool Cafe has tons of kid friendly options, like spaghetti and burgers. I would also recommend cooling down with DK Crush Float from Bubbly Barrel. It’s a pineapple soft serve treat that is a perfect companion for long lines in the heat.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Magical Paris
As a reader and life-long Harry Potter fan, I was most excited to see the new Harry Potter land. Unlike the other Harry Potter parks, this one is not constructed to resemble magical England, but instead Magical Paris from the Fantastic Beasts movies—1920s magical Paris, to be exact. Despite only having two attractions, this is one of the larger lands, with plenty to see.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Height Requirement: 40”
If you’ve heard anything about Epic Universe, it’s probably been about this ride. The hype is very real and ongoing, so prepare to be patient. Wait times fluctuated from an hour and a half to three and a half hours throughout the day. There came a point when my mom and I decided to just suck it up and wait it out. Luckily our wait time was on the lower end, but definitely plan accordingly, especially if you have any impatient little ones.
Remember—the queue is an experience in and of itself. The inside of the Ministry of Magic is constructed to be identical to that of the films. Riders get to explore the ministry’s massive atrium, step into the infamous Professor Umbridge’s office, and even try their hand at using the Floo network (magical transportation by fireplace). If you’re a Harry Potter fan in any capacity, you can’t leave the park without riding this one.
Pro Tips:
- See the show: Le Cirque Arcanus, but beware that because there is only one other ride in this land, it will probably be a longer wait than some of the other attractions. Also note that the show starts in what appears to be a standing room only theater, but don’t worry—they move you into a theater with seats for the bulk of the presentation.
- Grab your wand! As at the other Harry Potter parks, wands purchased at the park connect to the Universal app and allow park guests to perform magic in several Parisian shop windows. Old wands work perfectly well, so don’t feel pressured to purchase a new one—they’re not cheap.
- For dining: This may be controversial, but simply go elsewhere. While there are a couple cafe options throughout the land, lines were very long (as expected in any Harry Potter park). Also a note for any parents with picky eaters—food is on theme for Paris, so kid-friendly options are not as diverse as other spots throughout Epic.
Dark Universe
This portal transports visitors to the gothic village of Darkmoor, where Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein, resides. There are two rides in this land and plenty to explore. Here’s how to make the most of your time.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Height Requirement: 48”
Another motion simulation ride, Monsters Unchained is worth it simply for the spooky tour of Frankenstein’s mansion. Plus, because the ride loads on a moving walkway, the wait time isn’t too unbearable. The theming is spooky, dark, and thrilling, so just be cautious for any kiddos who are easily scared.
Curse of the Werewolf
- Height Requirement: 40”
Though early reviews made me think Monsters Unchained would be my favorite ride in Dark Universe, Curse of the Werewolf easily takes the cake. This roller coaster spins in circles as you maneuver the track, so for any motion sickness prone guests, you’ve been warned. That being said, the line moved quickly and I was pleasantly surprised by the length of the coaster. Don’t overlook this one!
Pro Tips:
- The Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience is a must-do for any little ones (or adults) who appreciate the magic of a makeover. You’ll turn out looking like a creature of the night.
- If you can, visit this land at night—the shops are lit up and the eerie, dark feel of the land is amplified tenfold. You can also interact with characters here, and they know how to turn on the charm for younger kiddos.
- For dining: Das Stakehaus offers typical lunch and dinner food, from steaks to burgers to fries. De Lacey’s Cottage also is an underrated spot for snacks—try the cinnamon bites!
Celestial Park
Celestial Park sits at the center of the four portals, and though not the main event, shouldn’t be glossed over during your visit to Epic. Its numerous fountains make it a gorgeous centerpiece. Plus, it has three attractions of its own.
Stardust Racers:
- Height Requirement: 48”
Topping speeds of 65 mph, this is easily the most thrilling ride at the park. Though likely not suited for younger kiddos, older kids, tweens, and teens will enjoy this one. My mom and I waited until it got dark to ride, and I cannot recommend doing that enough. The tracks light up beautifully, and you even get panoramic views of the park’s glowing fountains as you ride. Going later in the day also meant the wait was not nearly as long, nor did we have to brave it in the hot afternoon sun.
Constellation Carousel
- Height Requirement: no minimum height, but riders under 48” must ride with a supervising adult!
- No handheld infants
Likely the most family-friendly attraction at Epic, Constellation Carousel is perfect for parents with little ones. There are tons of different seats to choose from, and wait times are never too long. We rode it at night to see the constellations on the floor and dome lit up, but during the day lunar phases are projected on the floor for riders—so you really can’t go wrong.
Pro Tips:
- Stardust racers has two tracks to choose from—yellow and green—and both are thrilling in unique ways. If you can, ride twice to experience both!
- Visit this section of the park at night, or at least take a moment to soak it in before you exit. The fountains and glowing flower beds make Epic Universe easily the most gorgeous of all of Universal’s theme parks. There’s even a closing show with the fountains, if your little ones can make it that long.
- For dining: Meteor Astropub or Pizza Moon are the way to go. Both offer classic lunch and dinner options, and we were pleasantly surprised by the short lines and quick wait time. They also have tons of Coke freestyle machines for easy (and free) refills!
More tips and tricks for your Universal Epic Universe trip
1. Get there when the park opens, but don’t stress too much
Universal Epic Universe, unlike the other Universal parks, caps park attendance when numbers get too high. My mom and I got there as soon as the park opened—which I would still recommend doing to beat the rush—but it was not nearly as bad as we thought it would be. Minus Battle of the Ministry, wait times were doable. So if you’re running a half an hour late, don’t fret.
2. Staying on property is helpful, but not a must—at least right now
Universal hotels offer perks like room key fast passes and early entry. That being said, hotel prices are very high right now due to Epic’s recent opening, especially during peak times. Sometimes, it can be more budget friendly to stay on property because you don’t have to spend extra for fast passes, but right now, that’s not the case. So I would hold off on hotel reservations until the excitement lessens.
3. Fast passes are a splurge, but they’re worth it
If you can make it work, fast passes are a huge help. Even the most popular rides—including Battle of the Ministry—offer fast lanes at Epic, and they cut down on wait times considerably. The Battle of the Ministry wait time was listed as two and a half hours when my mom and I got in line, and we waited less than thirty in the express lane.
4. Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk are the best lands for younger kids
For parents travelling with little kids, you’ll want to plan on spending the bulk of your day in Super Nintendo World and Isle of Berk. While the other lands are still worth a visit, these two lands offer the most interactive experiences suited for younger kids, as well as rides that are kid-friendly (and have lower height requirements).
Final verdict: Is Universal Epic Universe worth it for families?
Yes, Epic Universe is absolutely worth a visit for your family. That being said, it’s best suited for families with elementary aged kids or older, as many of the rides are fast-paced and thrilling, or have safety restrictions that do not allow toddlers or babies to ride. However, if you do plan on bringing your little ones to Epic, don’t fret—there are plenty of kid-friendly areas in Epic, from the playground in Isle of Berk to the carousel in Celestial Park. There will be something for every member of your family to enjoy.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Intern
As editorial intern, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content, and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented by contributing to The Everymom.
