SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with Bio vol 8 (EPIC Universe Taking Shape + Night Shots!)

Derek Burgan December 14, 2024 0 Comments Flights with Bio

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This week’s SATURDAY SIX returns to the sky with the one and only @bioreconstruct to get a bird’s eye view of the latest construction of Universal’s latest theme park, Epic Universe. First, let’s take a look at where Epic Universe sits as compared to the rest of the Universal Orlando Resort. In the photo below, the arrow at the top center is pointing at Volcano Bay, while the arrow on the right is pointing to Dockside Inn & Suites.

Aerial overview of Epic Universe construction. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Now let’s head over to the front of the park, and take a look at Epic Universe’s icon, Chronos Tower.

Aerial look at the front area of Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Okay, remember that clicking on any photo in the article will bring up a larger version, and let’s start our journey by heading to an area which will draw many families at rope drop…

# 6 – Super Nintendo World

Each area of Epic Universe will be accessed by guests walking through a portal, transporting them to the land. Super Nintendo World is the only area in which guests will access the land by entering on the second level.

Aerial overview of the portal to Super Nintendo World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of the portal to Super Nintendo World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

The amount of color in the land once guests exit the portal will be the closest most of us get to experience how Dorothy felt when she left Kansas and landed on Oz.

Aerial overview of part of Super Nintendo World. Mario Kart show building at left. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at current paint at Peach’s Castle in Super Nintendo World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

1UP Factory sign recently added to a store in Super Nintendo World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of Bowser’s Fortress. Entrance of Mario Kart. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

This aerial photo shows the elevation changes in the Yoshi’s Adventure ride track. Up at left, and then back down at right. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Super Nintendo Land will be split up into two separate areas. We’ll enter through Super Mario Land, with the other area of the land being Donkey Kong Country.

Aerial overview of Donkey Kong Country. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at theming in progress at Mine Cart Madness in Super Nintendo World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of current theming of The Bubbly Barrel and Kong’s house in Donkey Kong Country. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of Funky’s Fly ‘n’ Buy shop in Donkey Kong Country. Also work in progress for theming at the warp pipe to Super Mario Land. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Love this view of Super Nintendo World in its relation to other areas of Epic Universe.

Aerial look at Super Nintendo World and nearby areas of Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

# 5 – Isle of Berk

Next up is the land which I think will be the show stealer of Epic Universe: How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.

Aerial overview of the portal to The Isle of Berk. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of the front of The Isle of Berk. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

I’ve said many times that the two things that never go out of style are dinosaurs and dragons, and this land has dragons EVERYWHERE.

Aerial look at dragon houses in The Isle of Berk. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

The Untrainable Dragon stage show may instantly become the best show in any North American theme park once it makes its debut.

Aerial photo of the Untrainable Dragon theater in The Isle of Berk. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Theming in progress at the shop near the Untrainable Dragon theater.

On the side of the Untrainable Dragon show building is an area being built for meet and greet characters. One thing I noticed during this flyover by Bio is the amount of structures Universal seems to be adding throughout the park to provide shade for guests and Team Members. This probably won’t be talked about much once the park opens next Summer, but it will be appreciated by all the people standing in the Florida sun.

Aerial photo of a shop and meet and greet area in development in The Isle of Berk. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Canopy and theming installation underway at the Haddock Paddock. Meet and greet with Toothless, Hiccup, and other characters.

Universal is already the theme park leader in play areas with Camp Jurassic in Islands of Adventure, but we’ll see if the Viking Training Camp can give it a run for its money.

Aerial look inside the Viking Training Camp play area in The Isle of Berk. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial overview of the Fyre Drill water shooter targeting game. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Love this logo taking shape for Spit Fyre Grill.

Aerial photo of theming in progress at Spit Fyre Grill. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of the canopy over the Hiccup’s Winged Gliders queue.

Aerial look at Hiccup’s Winged Gliders near Dragon Racer’s Rally.

# 4 – Dark Universe

Still seems almost impossible to believe there is going to be a fully immersive land dedicated to the world of Universal Classic Monsters. This is a true “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment for many of us long time Universal fans. The details of Frankenstein Manor are just incredible, and Rumors & Innuendo suggest the ride inside this massive show building is going to blow people away.

Aerial look at recently added wiring and electrical effects at top of Frankenstein manor in Dark Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

A vampire themed steak house seems like something we would see in a park located in Germany or Spain. The fact that it is going to be in Orlando, Florida is still something I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around.

Aerial sighting of the Das Stakehaus sign in Dark Universe. A restaurant hosted by familiars of vampires. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial sighting of the Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities shop sign in Dark Universe. Blue electricity at sides of the sign. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial overview of continuous testing at Curse of the Werewolf in Dark Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

# 3 – WWoHP: Ministry of Magic

There is a lot of “Harry Potter fatigue” in theme park fandom, and the author of the Potter book series is doing everything they can to drive people away, but I for one am excited for the Ministry of Magic area in Epic Universe. Don’t get me wrong, Hogsmeade Village in IOA and Diagon Alley in USF are awesome, but they are presenting stuff those steeped in Potter lore know like the back of our hands. This new area in Epic will be a chance for Universal Creative to show us something and hopefully knock our Muggle socks off.

Aerial photo of the portal to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

A user on Twitter pointed out that there is a large Time Turner that is part of the WWoHP portal, which is a fantastic way to easily tell the story of how guests are being transported back in time to 1920’s Paris.

Aerial look at the Paris skyline of the Harry Potter world in Epic Universe. The Phoenix Gate at left is partially aged. It’s been a pattern in this park’s theming where the artists step back and assess before continuing and completing. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

We’re all relieved to discover there will indeed be Butterbeer at the new park.

At center of this aerial photo is a Butterbeer cart in the Harry Potter world in Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Those In The Know report that the Le Cirque Arcanus show in WWoHP is going to have that “wow factor” and then some. Diagon Alley delivered in a major way with Celestina Warbeck and the Wizarding Academy of Dramatic Arts street shows, and I have high hopes for what’s coming next.

Aerial photo of the tent entrance for Le Cirque Arcanus. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Getting very excited for the E-Ticket attraction Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry after Universal provided a sneak peek of some of the stuff we’ll see. I didn’t know much of what was going to happen during this ride, but my anticipation level is now at a fever pitch.

Arrow in this aerial photo at a Métro-Floo entrance. Entrance of the attraction: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at the Paris skyline of the Harry Potter world in Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

WWoHP will also employ a little of the “Hollywood magic” that we see in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with parts of the theming having a lot of exposure, but it doesn’t matter because no guest in the land will see that part of it.

Aerial look at rooflines that look like distant landmarks within the Harry Potter World. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

# 2 – Celestial Park

I love everything about the main “hub” area of Epic Universe, Celestial Park. The amount of space themed puns are going to give me life.

Aerial photo of Meteor Astropub. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Universal has been raising the game when it comes to theme park dining over the past few years and let’s hope that Epic Universe continues that trend and takes it to an even higher level.

Aerial photo of current work at Blue Dragon Pan Asian Restaurant in Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at the cascading water feature that flows into ponds in front of Atlantic restaurant. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at food and beverage locations in Epic Universe. Kiosk at right is CelesTiki bar. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Here’s what separates Bio from the pack when you follow him on social media. He’ll post a photo of a structure being built, and follow it up with…

Aerial look at recently added concrete forms in Celestial Park. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

…a picture taken in the Epic Universe Preview Center showing – in scale model form – what that construction should end up looking like.

What the Epic Universe Preview Center shows in the location. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

There will be a couple attractions in Celestial Park including Stardust Racers, a dueling roller coaster.

Aerial overview of the front of Stardust Racers dual-racing roller coaster in Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at current work at the front of Stardust Racers. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of the entrance tunnel of Stardust Racers. To be covered in woody vines. There are two comet-themed statues at front. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of canopies over the extended queue of Stardust Racers. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look a part of Stardust Racers roller coaster in Epic Universe. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

A second attraction in Celestial Park is shaping up to be the most stunning carousel any of us have ever seen.

Aerial photo of the entrance side of Constellation Carousel. Zoom in … a worker has started to add lighting to the recently-added decorative arches. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at food and beverage locations near Constellation Carousel and the Epic Universe show fountain. At center are recently added concrete forms. Outline for a colorful pavement circle nearby. At right of the carousel is a cleared space. Formerly was a stylized berm. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Next to Constellation Carousel is the Epic Universe show fountain.

Aerial photo of the Epic Universe show fountain. Workers are adding turf to a viewing area at left. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

The show fountain sits directly in front of…

Aerial photo of Epic Universe areas near Helios Grand Hotel.

# 1 – Helios Grand Hotel

The theme park industry has learned a lot since Walt Disney opened the doors to Disneyland back in 1955, and over the years we’ve seen a major expansion in what can be accomplished with onsite resorts. Helios Grand Hotel looks to be – from Day One – the gold standard in Florida in terms of providing the views and access that park fans have wanted our whole lives.

Aerial photo of Helios Grand Hotel with Stardust Racers roller coaster. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Have to say I’m not overly wowed by what I’ve seen of the Helios pool area so far, but I’m willing to give Universal a lot of slack in this area because they have been absolutely killing it when it comes to hotel pools for their premium resorts like Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific.

Aerial overview of the pool at Helios Grand Hotel. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Very wide aerial photo of the pool at Helios Grand Hotel. Frames for cabanas are at both ends. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Years ago, I would have said you were foolish for spending money for a hotel pool cabana with so many free lounge chairs available (and most Universal pools have servers walking around to take your order no matter where you sit) but I now think its a fantastic way to start your theme park vacation off rather than rushing to a theme park after you arrive.

Aerial look at frames for some of the cabanas at the Helios Grand Hotel pool. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

On the side of Helios that is facing Epic Universe there is going to be a cool cascading water feature along with a huge statue of Helios himself.

Aerial photo of cascading water features in front of Helios Grand Hotel. Statue of Helios in scaffolding at center.

There is no truth to the rumors that Universal designed this statue to appear as if Helios is trying to aim an arrow at a certain blogger-in-the-sky getting pics from above.

Statue of Helios. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

BONUS! Epic Universe at NIGHT!

Just as we were about to go to press, our pal Bio surprised us with a late night visit to Epic Universe and we’re happy to present some highlights!

Aerials just after sunset are challenging. One moment it’s photos that are shot nearly in daylight. About five minutes of ideal light where features and their lighting can be seen. It quickly changes to night photography. Time is tight!” – Bio

Aerial look at Epic Universe as night approaches. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial overview of Epic Universe at night. Photo taken 160 days before the grand opening. Much lighting recently added. Constellation Carousel in white lights at center. Chronos tower in blue lights at the park entrance, bottom right. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial overview of the Epic Universe entrance. At center is current lighting of Chronos, the portal of the park. Gardens in the plaza have lighting around their perimeters. Rock work at left has tree lighting. Top left is a peek inside the construction in Atlantic restaurant. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look across the front of Epic Universe to Super Nintendo World at night. Lighting in progress.
Arrow at the road sign marquee of Stella Nova resort. Opens Jan 21. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial photo of a drone flying over Super Nintendo World at night. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial overview of Donkey Kong Country at night in Epic Universe. Lighting in progress. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial overview of lighting in progress at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Aerial look at Epic Universe guest parking and transportation plazas at night. Some areas are in development. Construction worker vehicles are parked in some of the completed areas. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Be sure to watch this great video from Bio giving a wonderful look at Epic Universe at night.

And be sure to check out this one with STARDUST RACERS at night!

So there you have it: Flights with Bio vol 8 – Epic Universe! 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 Twitter (@derekburgan).

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

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @bioreconstruct vol 1 (Starcruiser, Disney Lake Nona Land)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @bioreconstructi vol 2 (EPIC Universe, Tron Lightcycle Run)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @biorconstruct vol 3 (The Destruction of Harmonious, EPIC Universe)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @bioreconstruct vol 4 (Luminous, Journey of Water)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @bioreconstrust vol 5 (DreamWorks Land, EPIC Universe)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @bioreconstruct vol 6 (Back to WDW!)

SATURDAY SIX Presents: Flights with @bioreconstruct vol 7 (Tropical Americas)

The SATURDAY SIX Celebrates 10 Years of @bioreconstruct

The SATURDAY SIX Presents: @bioreconstruct’s favorite aerial photos

The SATURDAY SIX Takes 3 Flights in a Single Day with @bioreconstruct

The SATURDSAY SIX Presents: Our Favorite @bioreconstruct photos of 2023

The SATURDAY SIX Presents: Our favorite @biorconstruct photos of 2022

The SATURDAY SIX Presents: Our favorite @bioreconstruct photos of 2021

The SATURDAY SIX Presents: Our favorite @bioreconstruct photos of 2020

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 LitemAndHyde and you Potterheads will enjoy Meg’s other blog work over at the Central Florida Slug Club.

I guess I never noticed this before, but at the front entrance of the park you are going to be surrounded by this cool rock work. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! Talk about starting your day off right!