After years of COVID-imposed delays and a month or so of previews, Common Orlando after all opens the doorways on its Epic Universe Thursday.
The brand new theme park, which reportedly price between $6 and $7 billion to construct, is an escalation of the corporate’s WWE-like combat with Disney to draw theme park guests in central Florida—and it’s prone to have an have an effect on. (If truth be told, each corporations are prone to get pleasure from the outlet, as many households making the commute to Orlando will most likely talk over with each parks.)
That is the fourth of Common’s theme parks in Orlando and it’s unquestionably the biggest by means of scale. Spanning 110 acres (with masses extra to be had for long term expansions), it embraces 4 key IPs, however every of the worlds is so wealthy, you’ll most likely want no less than two days to take them in.
Introduced in 2019, Epic Universe has grow to be a large sufficient danger that Disney has introduced a big improve to its Orlando parks, a part of a 10-year, $60 billion funding in parks and studies.
With one thing so new, there are sure to be plenty of questions. Fortune were given a sneak height on the park sooner than its opening. When you’re desirous about a commute, right here’s all you wish to have to grasp (in addition to tips on what you must journey).
The place is Epic Universe situated?
Epic Universe is ready 2.5 miles to the southeast of Common Studios and Islands of Journey, in addition to Volcano Bay water park and Common CityWalk (all of that are in Orlando).
To move guests from side to side, Common is working buses between the parks. Epic Universe additionally has its personal separate parking house.
How a lot do Epic Universe tickets price?
A one-day grownup price tag will run you $139, whilst kids can pay $135 for a single-day cross. (Florida citizens don’t these days get a cut price.) A two-day price tag could also be to be had for $116.50 for adults, or $112 for youngsters, however some of the two days will have to be spent in a park as opposed to Epic Universe.
When you’re hoping to talk over with the park in its earliest days, despite the fact that, you’ll wish to get a multi-day cross (with most effective a type of days being spent at Epic Universe). Person tickets gained’t be legitimate to be used till June 1.
What are the lands of Epic Universe?
The park’s structure is designed to let guests input a “portal,” which takes them to 4 other lands—with the hub, Celestial Park, performing as a 5th land. Be aware, alternatively, that if you wish to transfer from one land to any other, you’ll need to “go out” the portal after which input a brand new one. The lands don’t seem to be hooked up to one another and there’s no approach to stroll from one to the opposite with out going via Celestial Park.
Celestial Park
This central focal point options eating, buying groceries, and 3 sights, a carousel, a dual-launch coaster and interactive dancing fountains. The Helios Grand Lodge is situated on this house.
The Wizarding Global of Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic
Providing parts from each the Harry Potter and Unbelievable Beasts franchises, this house will let enthusiasts discover the wizarding global in a Parisian surroundings.
Tremendous Nintendo Global
This interactive Nintendo-themed global is loaded with acquainted characters from Mario to Bowser and a number of other rides, which vary from circle of relatives pleasant to intense.
How you can Educate Your Dragon’s Isle of Berk
Discover the Viking village on the middle of the franchise (which has a live-action movie popping out June 13). You’ll additionally be capable of journey a dragon.
Darkish Universe
Common brings old-school creatures—together with Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and Dracula—into the fashionable technology.
What are the most productive rides at Epic Univese for thrill-seekers?
Epic Universe is all about giant studies. And no longer most effective do its coasters provide you with an adrenaline rush, a few of its darkish rides (sights the place riders sit down in guided automobiles) do as smartly. No longer all rides are created equivalent, despite the fact that. When you’re on the lookout for a thrill, right here’s what you’ll need to check out.
Stardust Racers
This dual-launching high-speed coaster isn’t for the feint of middle. The 2 coasters shoot off on the similar time, zipping previous every different and continuously over or beneath every different. It doesn’t glance as intense as it’s from the bottom, however the 62 mph journey is not any comic story. When you’re conversant in the VelociCoaster at Islands of Journey, you’ve gotten an concept of what to anticipate intensity-wise.
Harry Potter and the Fight on the Ministry
You wouldn’t be expecting a movement simulator to rank this excessive on a thrill-seeking record, however Fight on the Ministry will rock you round a good bit in each course. You gained’t be capable of are expecting what’s subsequent, which provides to the depth.
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
If the addition of a movement simulator is sudden, then seeing a depressing journey in this record may rely as surprising. Common calls this “essentially the most chilling journey ever” and the selling hyperbole is beautiful with reference to the reality. Providing main points would break the surprises, however this isn’t just about as sedate an enchantment as chances are you’ll be expecting, given it’s constructed on creatures which are just about 100 years outdated.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
This outside rollercoaster provides some cast thrills, on par with Disney’s Large Thunder Mountain. Like Stardust Racers, it’s a coaster that turns out much more sedate from the bottom, however doesn’t skimp at the thrills. It’s the easiest coaster for those that aren’t up for the ludicrous speeds and turns of Stardust Racers, however nonetheless like some depth of their rides.
What are the most productive rides of Epic Universe for households?
Whilst lots of Epic Universe’s sights may well be just a little a lot for children or individuals who don’t revel in thrill rides, there are nonetheless a number of choices for a milder day on the park. When you or your birthday celebration isn’t taking a look to get your middle pumping, those are the rides for you.
Yoshi’s Journey
The calmest journey at Epic, this one is made for youngsters. Slowly cross scenes from the Mushroom Kingdom in Tremendous Nintendo Global and participate in a scavenger hunt. See an egg? Press a button.
Constellation Carousel
A carousel, situated in Celestial Park, appears to be a staple at each theme park, however Epic Universe does issues a large another way. The animals are spaced out just a little extra, so it’s no longer as claustrophic as some merry-go-rounds. This journey additionally reverses direction and is going backwards. It’s all performed at a leisurely tempo, despite the fact that, making it positive for all riders.
Fyre Drill
Arguably the calmest journey on How you can Educate Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, you’ll board a Viking send and shoot water cannons at objectives. (You’ll additionally most likely shoot at different boats—and be the objective of different visitors as smartly, so be expecting to get soaked.)
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem
This Mario Kart-inspired journey has its percentage of twists and turns, however children are nonetheless prone to revel in it with out getting too scared. The silliness of throwing digital banana peels and shells at combatants is the principle takeaway. Be aware that riders do put on headgear with particular goggles, so in case your children can’t deal with that, this may not be the journey for them.
What are the most productive lodges to stick at if I’m going to Epic Universe?
3 new lodges were opened close to the park so in case your focal point is simply on Epic Universe, you’ll need to keep in one in every of them. The crown jewel is the Grand Helios, which has a devoted front to the park, along side a rooftop bar that overlooks the park. It’s ritzy and glamourous.
Stella Nova and Terra Luna are just a little additional away, however just a five-minute or so bus journey. Each are blank and comfy (and extra reasonably priced), however do lack the pizazz of Helios. If you select to stick close to the unique parks, you’ll be dealing with no less than a 15-minute bus journey via heavy site visitors each techniques.
This tale was once at the start featured on Fortune.com
