Aerial photographer bioreconstruct flew over Universal Epic Universe on February 21, sharing more bird’s eye views of the park before it opens.
Epic Universe
Aerial Overviews
Park operations has reportedly taken control of Epic Universe. The park certainly looks closer to completion, with significantly less construction equipment and materials visible than in our last construction update. There’s little scaffolding remaining, opening up the spaces and making some details clear.
There are colorful, celestial markings on the pavement throughout Celestial Park. The photo above also shows space for expansions to Epic Universe, most notably between Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe.
An arrow in the above photo points to a square of concrete that may be a fireworks launch area. The close-up shows the pad in an otherwise empty area between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and Stardust Racers.
The main fireworks launch area is behind Universal Helios Grand Hotel. Universal tested Epic Universe fireworks earlier this month.
Celestial Park
Bioreconstruct caught a blue Universal bus seemingly dropping off Team Members backstage at the entrance to Epic Universe. The windmill in the foreground is part of How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. In the upper right is the park’s main entrance.
Guests enter through a large golden portal, which is now seemingly complete. A green tower above the portal features elements representing each land and the golden Chronos, which powers the magic of Celestial Park. Beyond the entrance portal is the Luna Overlook, where guests can view some of the park’s water features and a statue of the goddess Luna.
The inscription on the front of the portal reads, ““Beyond this gate, find gardens green and epic worlds to fill your dreams.”
The inscription on the back of the entrance portal reads “You wonder next which path to chart, the answer lies within your heart.” A few crew members were outside the entrance and on a nearby roof during Bio’s flyover. Facial recognition kiosks are under the green plazas in front of the park. On archway to the right reads, “Park Exit.”
A figure was recently added to the side of the Chronos tower. This bronze-gold statue has its arms raised to the sky. A starburst is on the figure’s chest, with a line of silver leading down.
The exterior of Atlantic Restaurant is almost complete. Green-blue panels of glass make up the walls of the restaurant. To the right and left are green domed roofs, which guests will walk under to reach different areas of the park.
The marquee of Atlantic remains an unfinished framework. Many patches of dirt around the restaurant are also still empty. A few crew members were standing in the empty basin, which will eventually be filled with water for diners to view.
There is some water in the following basin. Chains of fountains run through both and will entertain guests with water shows.
Another restaurant’s overhang is still being completed. It’s currently covered in sheathing but not final paneling. Crew members were on scaffolding below the marquee. A small stone staircase leads down from the restaurant to a pathway heading towards How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
This building houses a pair of restaurants. Note the two large rounded overhangs and a smaller one in between. There will be indoor and outdoor seating.
Outside the restaurants, the pavement is decorated with large dotted circles and pale orange swirls. The sidewalks on the right lead through the water features of Celestial Park.
Another large water basin is next to Constellation Carousel, one of the land’s main attractions. It also has a series of fountains running through it. There are green and gold lampposts along the nearby bridge. Across the water is Astronomica, a splash pad.
Constellation Carousel is made up of two large domed structures. The smaller one is the queue, while the larger is the actual attraction. Outside is another patch of colorful pavement, this one featuring overlapping circles.
A gold tower will soon hold the Constellation Carousel sign. The gold circular frame to the side is the ride’s main entrance. Behind the entrance is the dome of the attraction, with starry glass panels casting colors and patterns on the ground.
Across from Constellation Carousel is the entrance to Super Nintendo World, where a rainbow is painted on the pavement. The buildings to the right are a Nintendo gift shop and Pizza Moon.
The front of The Oak & Star Tavern is complete, with a golden leafy archway curving over windows, including a circular window inspired by the moon. Crew members were working on a the walls of a flowerbed currently holding a tree.
Pizza Moon has golden celestial elements atop towers, and a sign inspired by Georges Méliès’ “A Trip to the Moon.” Between the restaurant and the Super Nintendo store is a blue brick wall. This will be a set of restrooms. Crew members in a lift were working near the top of the façade.
Another large water basin is between Astronomica and Universal Helios Grand Hotel. This will be a show fountain. Some green construction walls are at the edge of the tiered grassy seating around the fountain. The walls are an indicator of the change from construction to park operations.
Some bronze and gold metallic elements are being installed around the edge of the basin.
Behind the construction walls are some patches of dirt within the sidewalk. At the bottom of this photo is a bandstand, where some crew members were working. There’s a shooting star in the nearby pavement.
One of the park’s many green-roofed kiosks has a new sign reading “Concierge.” It’s located right outside the Dark Universe entrance portals. An empty “Information” board is outside the kiosk. The fabric barriers in front of the kiosk feature the five portals of Epic Universe.
Outside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, a small kiosk with a green and red roof is topped by a golden figure. Another “Concierge” kiosk is to the right of the entrance portal. The lampposts in this area have yet to be topped with lamps.
This nearby building is Meteor Astropub and Bar Zenith. The marquees and roofing of Meteor Astropub are nearly complete. Atop the circular Bar Zenith roof is a silver orb and a golden ring.
Stardust Racers is a dual-racing roller coaster in Celestial Park. Some scaffolding remains at the front of the coaster’s load building, around the tail of a comet decoration. The unfinished green roof on the left is the future attraction entrance.
Most structural elements are complete but crews are adding final touches. The ground around the coaster will likely get more plants. The rockwork around the comet element might be painted with more fake moss.
The pavement outside the Stardust Racers entrance features more celestial shapes. The building at the top left of this photo is believed to be for private events.
A flowerbed in front of the entrance roof features a Stardust Racers sign. It depicts two comets, similar to the decoration on the front of the building, shooting above a green element. A wall around this flowerbed is not yet complete.
Stardust Racers is located between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Landscaping is underway in several areas outside the Isle of Berk portal. There are rows of freshly-planted shrubs ready to grow into their space.
On the other side of the portal, guests are met by Viking and dragon statues in a bay. Not unlike the entrance to Epic Universe, they have to go right or left to reach the rest of the land.
The Viking Training Camp, a play area for young guests, is almost complete. It features colorful tents and awnings over dragon-inspired elements. At the entrance are several dragon-shaped columns arching towards each other. A crew member to the left was working on a short rock wall.
Crew members were weathering the blue roof of the Hiccup’s wing Gliders station. To the right in this photo is one a train at the ride’s first launch. Here’s the ride description:
From Hiccup’s workshop comes his latest contraption: a winged flying machine that launches aspiring Dragon Riders into the air, swooping and soaring and encountering Hiccup and Toothless along the way. Get ready to board Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a fun coaster that invites Vikings to prove they’re brave enough to speed through the sky with dragons.
Crew members in lifts were working on the coaster’s entrance and adjacent gift shop. The scaly entrance building features a large dragon head jutting out of the front. The exit gift shop is Hiccup’s Work Shop.
A series of hills and cliffs are dotted with colorful dragon houses. Guests will see dragons poking their heads and tails out of some of these houses. You might spot a few in these pictures.
A long stretch of concrete is freshly painted to make it look more like dirt.
Across from the dragon houses is the entrance to Mead Hall. It features Viking statues flanking the front doors. There are two entrances — or an entrance and an exit — plus a ramp. The doors appear to feature dragon iconography.
Crews finished installing the canopies over the Spit Fyre Grill seating. The patchwork canopies are mainly beige with colorful sections. A life-size dragon is visible peeking out of a nearby building, with icicles around it.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk will also feature “The Untrainable Dragon” stage show, Dragon Racer’s Rally spinner, and Fyre Drill water ride.
Dark Universe
Dark Universe is a Universal Monsters-inspired land featuring the village of Darkmoor. Guests will enter the village under a decrepit tree. The attractions are Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf.
Curse of the Werewolf is an outdoor roller-coaster. Here is the ride’s description:
Maleva, leader of The Guild of Mystics, welcomes you to a secluded wagon camp. Here you’re warned of the creatures who prowl the deep woods. Before long you’re riding Curse of the Werewolf – surrounded by glowing eyes and gnashing teeth, you’ll spin and weave through the forest as you attempt to escape a pack of werewolves.
Crew members were securing safety nets around a tight turn of the coaster over a pathway.
Construction appears to be complete in the village. There are trash cans and recycling bins throughout.
It looks like crews are still putting the final touches on the exit gate to the left of the Dark Universe portal. There are fences around the back of the gate and a lift vehicle in front. Barriers block the pathway.
A production team was in Darkmoor, probably filming for Epic Universe ads.
A cart of equipment was parked under a hanging cage with a skeleton inside.
Another cage seemingly covers a grave site — however, it looks like something has broken out.
At the back of the land is Frankenstein Manor, where the Monsters Unchained attraction takes place. A large show building spreads out behind the mansion façade.
There is scaffolding around the show building. These areas are meant to be hidden from guests, which may mean crews are working on extra theming to hide the walls.
Near the manor is De Lacey’s Cottage, a quick-service location. Snacks will include cinnamon bites and pretzels.
There’s expansion space behind Monsters Unchained. It was recently seeded for grass.
Here is the description of Monsters Unchained:
In Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues the work of her ancestors deep below the family estate. A demonstration of her experiments to control monsters goes awry when Dracula leads a revolt of enraged monsters including The Wolf Man, The Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and more.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is set in 1920s Paris, inspired by “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” Crews have been adding awnings and other final details to the façades over the past few weeks. The red tent in the center of the land is the entrance to Le Cirque Arcanus, a circus show.
Red chairs are lined up under a striped awning outside a hotel façade. Next door is Les Galeries Mirifiques, a gift shop. Look close and you’ll see some vintage-style props in the windows.
Another façade features “Coupe De Quidditch” and Eiffel Tower signage. This is above the entrance to Patisserie Matagot. Blue awnings to either side also feature the patisserie’s name. Down a side street are signs for Cancan Carcolh.
The entrance of Le Cirque Arcanus is complete, with three tapestries on poles creating an archway. The ones to the side advertise the Maledictus and Oni Oni. There are barrels, boxes, and other props outside. A poster is outside the entrance. Here’s the official show description:
In an attempt to bring Le Cirque Arcanus back to its former glory, ringmaster Skender has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase which contains fantastic beasts from around the globe. It’s up to circus employee Gwenlyn to rescue the creatures in this spectacular mix of live performers, amazing puppetry, dazzling special effects and more.
Scaffolding has gone up on the back of a façade, out of guest view. This may mean some structural work is being completed.
A billboard at the end of one street advertises Butterbeer, a.k.a. Bieraubeurre. Paintings on a nearby façade depict the Egyptian pyramids and Sphinx.
In the center of a square is a green structure with a gold domed roof. There are four trees, one in each corner of the square. Crew members were working all around this area.
The awnings of the land have already collected some rain. The arrow in the above photo points at a sidewalk planter staged for installation. Another is by a lamppost on the other side of the red awning.
Inside a courtyard of the land are chairs stuck above an archway. Two globe-shaped signs hang from nearby façades.
A few crew members were working on the green arched exit of the land. A lift vehicle was parked under the portal. Behind the portal is the Phoenix Arch, which acts as the barrier between the muggle world and the wizarding world.
Yellow arrows in the above photo point at newly added signs behind the portal. The signs are still wrapped in plastic.
On the other side of the Phoenix Arch is a giant golden phoenix. Though scaffolding is gone from this area, a crew member in a lift was working on some theming next to the phoenix.
Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World is one land we’re already pretty familiar with. Though the Epic Universe version will have some unique elements, versions of Super Nintendo World already exist at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Outside the actual land is a Super Nintendo store and Mario fountain. The fountain is now operating, with water pouring between spinning gold coins. The store’s exterior features stone carvings of Nintendo characters like Yoshi.
A rainbow and Super Star on the pavement lead guests into the Super Nintendo World portal. Unlike the Japan or Hollywood versions of the land, guests will enter by going up on an escalator. Some pipe pieces above the portal are awaiting installation.
The tent and tables outside the portal are likely for a Team Member preview check-in.
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe will open with both the Mushroom Kingdom (Super Mario Land) and Donkey Kong Country. The latter area opened at Universal Studios Japan late last year. It’s located behind the Mushroom Kingdom, through another arched entryway.
The Donkey Kong roller coaster is Mine Cart Madness, which Bio caught people riding during a Team Member preview.
The Team Member preview means the land is mostly complete, but there are some final details to be added. For example, a cart next to the ride track appears to be missing a roof.
In the photo above, the platform in front of Donkey Kong’s house will be a meet and greet space. Next door is the Bubbly Barrel quick-service location. And the airplane is the Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy gift shop.
Some of the walls around Donkey Kong Country are painted like a jungle. There are both fake and real trees creating a transition between the murals and the trees of Super Mario Land.
The pavement is painted to look like the sandy desert floor. Water is in a pond that Mine Cart Madness splashes through and steam rises over the track.
In the photo above, three ride vehicles are visible on Mine Cart Madness. The ride is uniquely designed to make it look like the mine carts are jumping broken sections of track, but the real track is hidden.
There was merchandise out at Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy for Team Members to peruse. T-shirts, button-ups, and sweatshirts were all visible from the sky.
The large building behind Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country is the show building for the land’s main attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. Guests will enter the ride through Bowser’s Castle. They will enter the land through Princess Peach’s castle.
Crews recently finished painting the exterior walls of Super Nintendo World with green hills. A few mushrooms are missing tops, but construction is wrapping up.
There were no construction vehicles or materials on site during the preview. It looks like some Team Members were playing the land’s Key Challenges with Power-Up Bands. The one in the center here is Piranha Plant Nap Mishap.
Team Members were entering Bowser’s fortress for their preview. Some Team Members wearing the ride’s race-inspired costumes are visible. To the right is Mario Motors, the ride’s gift shop.
Peach’s castle was finished with a stained glass window and pink banners. The gazebo to the left is where she will meet guests. A staircase leads down to the rest of the land.
Toadstool Cafe is in the lower level. Yoshi’s Adventure, a ride that doesn’t exist at the Universal Studios Hollywood version of Super Nintendo World, didn’t appear to be running for the preview.
Yoshi himself is visible encircling a tree in the upper right of this picture. The land is full of dynamic elements like spinning coins.
Also on the lower level is 1-Up Factory, the main gift shop. The central platform is where Mario and Luigi will meet guests.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Epic Universe will be the first Universal Orlando Resort theme park with an attached hotel. Universal Helios Grand Hotel is at the opposite end of the park from the main entrance. Hotel guests will have their own dedicated entrance. Guests on the park-facing side will be able to view shows at the fountain.
A statue of Helios is among the water features directly in front of the hotel. He’s depicted shooting an arrow to the other end of the park. This is our first good look at the full statue, which has been surrounded by scaffolding until recently. A bird flies alongside him.
Behind the hotel is a wavy pool surrounded by lawn chairs and palm trees. The pool bar with a gold domed roof is Lotus Lagoon.
Guest Parking and Traffic Circle
A walkway cuts through the parking lot of Epic Universe. Palm trees have been planted along the sidewalk but not yet unwrapped to provide shade. Roofs are under construction in one section of the parking lot.
Thirteen buses were parked in the electric bus service area located near Epic Universe.
A bridge is under construction near the entrance to Universal Terra Luna Resort. This will provide access to the bus service area. Terra Luna opens in one month.
Basic construction of the raised traffic circle leading to Epic Universe appears complete, although the road isn’t quite complete so isn’t in use yet. It’s right outside Stella Nova and Terra Luna.
Crews were installing lights along the traffic circle. Lines have yet to be painted on the road. Traffic cones outline the paths below.
Epic Universe opens on May 22, 2025.
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