The SATURDAY SIX Looks at our favorite CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS at Epic Universe

This week’s SATURDAY SIX heads back into Universal’s newest theme park – EPIC UNIVERSE – to see all the latest Christmas decorations!

We’ve done several articles related to Epic since it opened earlier this summer, including ones dedicated to the worlds of Dark Universe and the Isle of Berk. We’ve also looked at our favorite Epic snacks and merchandise, but today we are going to check out the very first seasonal overlay of the park…and it just so happens to be our favorite season, Christmas!

# 6 – Park Entrance and Shops

Right as you are approaching Epic Universe you are going to see Christmas decorations pretty much everywhere you look. From the bathrooms outside the front entrance, to the Chronos Portal itself and everywhere in between. I’m personally in love with the giant wreaths in this area and would love a small scale version for my house.

We are going to look at a lot of garland throughout this article, because Epic Universe has added design elements specific to each area of the park.

The garland is also lighting, making everything look even better at night (and you know how much we love Epic Universe at night!)

The lighted garland mixed with Epic’s daily lighting package is an incredible 1-2 combo.

While Super Nintendo World does not have any Christmas decorations once you walk through the portal, the large Nintendo shop in Celestial park has some.

Mixed in with the garland are Christmas gift boxes presented like the iconic blocks in the Mario games that you hit to reveal items like coins or fire power.

Even the bathrooms across Celestial Park have some great and unique decorations.

# 5 – Celestial Park Dining

While Celestial Park has some pretty cool attractions with Constellation Carousel, Stardust Racers, and the Cosmos Fountain, the biggest strength of Epic Universe’s hub is the amount of fantastic eateries. This includes premier table service restaurants, terrific quick service options and several kiosks. Every single venue is decorated, including the kiosks like the ones serving popcorn…

The garland on this popcorn kiosk had a whole bunch of circular Christmas ornaments grouped together to appear like popcorn itself. Just a fantastic – and simple – design.

Other venues in the area have much more elaborate decorating, like The Blue Dragon Restaurant, which is pound for pound one of the best restaurants in any theme park.

The wreaths and garland found in and around The Blue Dragon feature the restaurants blue and red color scheme.

Meanwhile, over at the Atlantic Restaurant, Epic’s other table service restaurant, has its garland filled with seashells and other items related to a seafood nature.

Let’s head on over to Meteor Astropub…

…which has its garland loaded with items you would see in space, such as planets, moons, and stars.

From the Coca Cola kiosk to the bars like CelesTiki, wherever you go you’re going to see some fun Christmas decorating.

# 4 – Pizza Moon

Our next two venues are also in Celestial Park, but I think they need to be recognized separately for how amazing they are. What we’ve seen so far has been really good, and above-and-beyond what we are used to in the theme park world when it comes to Christmas decorating.

Let’s head over to my beloved Pizza Moon, which from the day it opened immediately became my favorite pizza place in any park when you factor in its next level bonkers theming along with great pizza (and even better pizza boxes!) Check out the garland that surrounds Pizza Moon…

…are you kidding me!!! A pepperoni planet? Just unbelievable. I also love that the white hanging flowers evoke the look of mozzarella cheese.

Pizza Moon’s garland also looks gorgeous at night.

This next example of theming is one of the best I’ve ever seen. From afar it looks like your normal Christmas theming that you’ve seen in many places, complete with golden bells at the top.

But a closer look reveals that those aren’t bells, they are CHEESE GRATERS. 10/10, no notes.

# 3 – Oak & Star Tavern

The most underrated restaurant in all of Epic Universe is Oak & Star Tavern. It’s the best place to get breakfast in any of the Universal theme parks and has a great bar inside that presents dueling guitarists throughout the day.

The garland outside Oak & Star is filled with small critters, fitting in with the overall nature feel of the restaurant.

How adorable is this?

Inside Oak & Star you’ll find several Christmas trees, and these are also loaded with cute animals!

The theming in and around Oak & Star Tavern is so good, and so easy to accomplish, that its something I’m looking to incorporate into my Christmas decorating at home next year.

2 – The Wizarding World

While there are no Christmas decorations inside Super Nintendo World or Dark Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is loaded with them once you walk inside the portal! One garland features paper-like cutouts of several magical creatures…

…including Mooncalves, creatures you will see in the Le Cirque Arcanus show.

Here we have an Occamy, which is featured in the first Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film.

Next up is a Cornish Pixie, most famously seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

A Demiguise is a peaceful magical creature that can turn itself invisible, and one you will see throughout the Ministry of Magic world at Epic Universe.

The garland at K. Rammelle Sweet Shop features a Demiguise. 

 

The Demiguise here is presented like a Christmas gingerbread cookie version of how it would look, which fits in perfectly with the sweet shop theme.

Other garland in the sweet shop features macarons and sugar cookies.

Christmas elements have been added across the entirety of the Ministry of Magic world.

The sheer amount of lights added to the area is incredible and let’s check out how the areas come alive at night. First let’s check out how everything looks during the day…

…and now at night. Is that amazing or what?!

Digital Maestro Scott Walker has combined our next couple Bio photos to show the striking difference and how much the Christmas lights add to the Wizarding World.

While there are a ton of lights throughout the Wizarding World, almost all of it is white or gold. The only place which features a different color is outside the area’s E-Ticket attraction, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.

Before we leave the Wizarding World, I need to show you some designs that I think are just off the charts. First this gold wreath in which snakes are the bow is just absolutely incredible.

Such a wildly creative idea using keys as the basis of snowflakes.

Love seeing examples at the parks when they are clearly going above and beyond. Having no theming around this lamp would have been perfectly fine, but look how hard they went with this design. Wow!

# 1 – Snoggletog in Isle of Berk

The other world that celebrates “Christmas” at Epic Universe is the Isle of Berk. However, it has already been established in How To Train Your Dragon canon that the Vikings of Berk celebrate Snoggletog as their winter holiday. Accordingly, the Isle of Berk at Epic also celebrates Snoggletog!

In HTTYD storyline, Snoggletog was created generations ago when there was a period of time when dragons left the area during winter (similar to how many birds here migrate south to find more food and warmer weather.) The Vikings rejoiced that this period of time had no dragon raids, so they created Snoggletog.

In today’s age, both Vikings and dragons get along, so they celebrate Snoggletog together.

Snoggletog signage can be seen in the gift shops of Berk.

A snowman-like version of Toothless can be seen in one shop.

There are great details the closer you look, including these frozen fish mixed in with flowers.

I can’t get over how good this Christmas tree design is. Perfectly fits in with the overall aesthetic of the land and everything being built by hand using wood. The Viking shield as the “star” on the Christmas tree is just ::chef’s kiss::

While not a decoration, the biggest surprise of Snoggleton being added to the Isle of Berk was an addition to the incredible mac & cheese cone lineup.

Snoggletog Harvest – creamy mac & cheese cone with pulled maple glazed turkey, spiced lingonberry drizzle, roasted sweet potatoes, sage chimichurri, and crispy stuffing crumbles.

So there you have it: Our Favorite CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS in 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 BlueSky (@derekburgan).

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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.