Universal is working hard to bring new experiences and attract guests away from their rival Disney. Both Disney and Universal already have theme parks in Orlando, Florida. Disney has Walt Disney World with six parks; Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and, two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. While Universal has three; Universal Studios Orlando, Islands of Adventure, and their water park, Volcano Bay. Well, Universal is turning up the heat in this competition of theme parks as they will open a brand new theme park next year, Epic Universe.
Epic Universe will consist of five themed sections; Super Nintendo World (which is rumored to have Donkey Kong in the land), How to Tame Your Dragon, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe (which will feature Universal Monsters), and the land that Universal has unveiled more details about, Celestial Park.
Celestial Park will serve as the central hub, where guests enter and can walk through to access all the other lands. Universal is quoted as saying Celestial Park, “puts the ‘park’ back in ‘theme park’.” This gateway area will be filled with greenery, pathways, gardens, and water all around it. But that is not all, while Celestial Park will have a roller coaster, carousel, and water play area, it will be the center of shopping and (what we are here for) dining.
Inside a Victorian aquarium, Atlantic will be a stunning “surf and turf” full-service restaurant with views of Celestial Park.
Along with Atlantic, in Celestial Park, The Blue Drago Pan-Asian Restaurant will be another full-service restaurant that will offer authentic Chinese, Japanese, and Thai food.
Other eateries that Universal mentioned in their recent reveal were The Oak & Star Tavern which will serve barbecue, Pizza Moon which will have a variety of pizzas, and Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets for those with a sweet tooth. They also mentioned that there will be more quick-service restaurants and treats than those listed.
Universal will slowly reveal more and more information this year in anticipation of the Epic Universe grand opening in 2025. Reveals for Harry Potter, How to Tame Your Dragon, Dark Universe, and Orlando’s first Nintendo World will soon be revealed.