SATURDAY SIX Presents: Epic Universe at NIGHT

This week’s SATURDAY SIX heads over to Orlando’s newest theme park, Universal’s EPIC UNIVERSE, which will have its official grand opening on May 22nd. Everyone is excited about the upcoming attractions and restaurants, but today we are going to look at one of my favorite aspects of Epic… how the park looks at night.

Epic Universe completely transforms visually once the sun goes down, and this article contains both pictures from blogger-in-the-sky @bioreconstruct along with those taken by people inside the park. Remember that clicking on any photo will bring up a full size version. Without further ado, let’s begin with…

# 6 – Chronos Portal and Celestial Park

The entrance to Epic Universe is through the impressive Chronos Portal.

As colorful as the portal is itself, I’m a huge fan of the lights on the ground as guests walk through.

Once walking through the Chronos Portal, guests find themselves in Celestial Park, the “cosmic heart” of Epic Universe.

Celestial Park features several dining venues, including Pizza Moon, Oak & Star Tavern, and Meteor Astropub.

There are several attractions in Celestial Park, including the Constellation Carousel.

Let’s get an even closer look at what might be the most gorgeous carousel in Florida…

Next to the carousel is Astronomica, the park’s splash pad.

One of the most amazing aspects of Celestial Park is the amount of water features, especially when it looks like several other Florida theme parks are going in the complete opposite direction and taking them away. I’m a Water Guy, and the Cosmos Fountain at Epic is going to be one of the most serene places in any theme park.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at all these aerial photos from Bio is how many flights he had to take in order to cover the entire park. Why? Well because…

That is straight up bonkers! But thanks to Bio’s commitment to the craft, we got to see some pretty amazing things, such as the testing of different lights throughout Celestial Park.

Not only was Bio taking photos, but he was also creating some Must Watch videos during his nighttime flights, including the one below.

We’ll close our section on Celestial Park looking at the area’s E-Ticket thrill ride, Stardust Racers.

We mentioned that this article features photos from the air and the ground, but we forgot to mention it’s also going to have a couple that were taken thousands of feet away from the recently opened Terra Luna Resort!

# 5 – Isle of Berk

While I’m personally a bigger fan of all the other IPs at Epic Universe, I’ve said for years that How To Train Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk was possibly going to be the biggest hit once the park opens. The land truly has something for everyone and just looks AMAZING.

The two giant statues once you enter Isle of Berk are impressive enough from the air…

…but on the ground you truly get that WOW moment. Over the years we’ve seen some truly wonderful reveals in the theme park world, including Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom, Radiator Springs, and Diagon Alley, but Epic Universe has taken that concept to the next level with the portal concept.

There is just so much going on in Isle of Berk that it is a feast for the eyes.

How to Train Your Dragon as a franchise is one of the best at being able to balance thrill with whimsy, and Isle of Berk continues that fine tradition. It truly has something for everyone.

# 4 – Super Nintendo World

When looking at the Big Picture in the air, its easy to see how even in a sea of lights, Super Nintendo World pops like no other.

The portal in Super Nintendo World is going to bring joy to so many people.

It took way to long for Nintendo to be represented in the theme parks, but you have to admit when they finally did it, they did it right.

# 3 – WWoHP: The Ministry of Magic

Since it was originally announced, the latest edition of the Wizarding World drew controversy. Tossing aside the cancel-worthy remarks by The Author, the land itself was based on a movie franchise (Fantastic Beasts) that underperformed (and that’s being generous) and was also the third land based around Harry Potter. Granted the first two were both an incredible success, but could Universal repeat that magic for a hat trick?

Well, it seems from the early previews that Universal once again hit another home run.

All reports from those who have been say that being inside the Ministry of Magic area is even more immersive than Diagon Alley, a feat I didn’t think would be possible.

Let’s take a look at a particular area of this land from the air…

…and from the ground.

# 2 – Dark Universe

As a lifelong fan of the Universal Classic Monsters, the mere existence of Dark Universe as a land is a true “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment. I honestly didn’t think I would ever live long enough to see the monsters properly represented in a theme park. I couldn’t blame Universal, because over the last twenty years every reboot of the monsters to reintegrate them into popular culture has been – at best – “okay” and mostly awful and even disastrous.

Turns out Dark Universe isn’t based on any of that, and instead revolves around the Classic Monsters which have been icons for decades. THIS is what everyone who loves the monsters wanted, and its almost too good to be true that we actually have it.

How GREAT is this nighttime atmosphere for Darkmoor village?!

Now THIS is atmosphere!! (also, creepy af)

The Burning Blade Tavern. I don’t care who you are, that’s cool.

How many absolutely jaw-dropping photos are we going to get in Dark Universe once this park opens to the public and all the Grade A theme park photographers descend upon it?

The main draw to Dark Universe is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment that is located in the gorgeous looking Frankenstein Manor.

We can all see that the façade for this attraction is pitch perfect, but those who have been on the ride have added that the queue is even better and the ride experience itself overdelivers.

Meanwhile I’m here just for the amount of electricity nods in Dark Universe, from lighting strike damage to Old Timey electric signage.

# 1 – Helios Grand Hotel

Readers of this fine blog series know how much I love onsite resorts that are close to the theme parks. My beloved Cabana Bay Beach Resort has a dedicated walkway to Volcano Bay, but Helios Grand Hotel takes that up a notch with a dedicated entrance into Epic Universe for its guests. The Be Fair To Florida movement gets a big win when Epic opens, because until now only Disney’s Grand Californian had this amazing gimmick.

Here is a view of Helios showing how Epic Universe is directly connected to it…

…along with this photo taken from the Epic side looking at Helios. Just terrific and look at all those lighting features!!

Even the statues light up!

Can’t wait to get pictures from those enjoying the view from Helios’ rooftop bar.

How does Helios look from those walking inside the park? I’d say pretty dang good.

So there you have it: The SATURDAY SIX Looks at EPIC UNIVERSE at NIGHT! See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you enjoyed yourself, be sure to check out the THEME PARK ENJOYMENT INDEX, giving a monthly recap of all the theme park news you need to know (and a lot more you don’t need to know, but we’re gonna tell you anyway). You can also follow Your Humble Author on BlueSky (@derekburgan).

If you enjoyed this article, you will surely like the following: 

Theme Park Turkeys of the Year Archives

The SATURDAY SIX Celebrates 10 Years of @bioreconstruct

SATURDAY SIX Tribute to Josh easyWDW

SATURDAY SIX Tribute to Ian Barritt

Special Thanks to The Elite Brandon Glover, Digital Maestro Scott Walker, the bio-est of all reconstructs @bioreconstruct, Captain Cruiseline Scott Sanders of the world famous Disney Cruise Line Blog, my personal protege Hunter “Elvey” Underwood, artist @SonderQuest, the mighty maven of merchandise Hedgehog’s Corner, the SAT SIX Fun Squad of Parkscope Joe and “the Dadalorian” Nick, hot shot Michael Carelli, charter member of the Universal Four @Nitro230, the permit princess Alicia Stella, master cartographer Tommy Hawkins, and Hermione Granger’s tutor Megan Stump for their invaluable assistance with this article. Absolutely no help was added by SeaWorld Influencer @SuperWeenieHtJr. The SAT SIX is inspired each week by goofballs Aengus Mackenzie and LitemAndHide and you Potterheads will enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.