There are a bunch of rides at Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park opening on May 22, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. As a passholder, I was able to attend during the previews and experience a number of rides. The advantage of having fast passes helped me get on some of the more difficult rides to reach (Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic anyone?). I also returned again for a visit after opening to experience the theme park again.

Epic Universe Rides Ranked by Land

Celestial Park: This is where you start your visit to Epic Universe. If you have early admission like we did and stayed at Universal theme park, one of the first rides to open was Stardust Racers, which is in Celestial Park. There are a number of food stands and restaurants as well as bars in Celestial Park and since the area is not one of the main lands people are running to, the lines were shorter during our visit for drinks.

• Stardust Racers: This is reminiscent of the old Dueling Dragons ride which was one of my favorite rides at Islands of Adventure. You pick a color and when you make it past the initial security line and both the roller coasters crisscross past each other throughout the ride at top speeds. The top speed is 62 mph, but it feels faster with a number of loops and riders on the other coaster coming very close throughout the experience and reaches up to 133 feet in the air. We rode this coaster first in the morning then came back in the evening around sunset to ride again on the other side. It’s fun and quick. The line steadily moved both times. I liked it overall and recommend. Score: 7/10
• Star Sui Bao: This is a food stand in Celestial Park. We grabbed a quick bite here so we could keep moving to the next land. I loved my Tteokbokki Skewer, which featured a grilled hot dog and rice cake wrapped in a cheese crust with yuzu aioli, Japanese BBQ sauce, and scallions. It was delicious. I didn’t love the bao. Prices are a little steep, but make sure to use your pass for a discount and it is filling. Score: 6/10
• Celestiki: I needed a cocktail at the end of the day, while my friend was riding the merry go-around and the bartender made me an excellent tiki cocktail that hit the spot. Definitely should’ve gone there earlier in the day as well. Fully recommend. Score: 9/10

Super Nintendo World

Super Nintendo World: No doubt one of the biggest reasons people will visit Epic Universe and as a video game nerd, a great addition to theme park. Everything feels lifelike from Peach’s Castle to the characters running around the land. I loved all the thought and effort putting into every detail in this land, it’s a big step up from prior theme parks. I didn’t get to enjoy a few of the other rides because of rides so I still want to return to this land once the theme park opens.

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: This ride is part kart, part virtual reality experience with goggles that let you shoot shells at enemy racers and Bowser himself. Mario Kart fans will love all the attention put into this ride, but the ride is definitely a little overwhelming with both the virtual experience and moving ride happening concurrently. My googles wouldn’t stay fastened to my head so it was hard to play for me (maybe I just have a big head). I still had plenty of fun. It’s even better if you buy the Power-Up bands and use them on the ride, which will save your coin score tracked by the ride and add it to the leaderboard around Super Nintendo World. Overall, a fun ride but not my favorite. Score: 6/10
• Yoshi’s Adventure: Everyone knocks this ride for being slow or boring, but it does a few things that are necessary a theme park, which is show you Super Nintendo World and also offering parents an option for kids. As an adult, I had no problem riding this ride after it rained a little and cooled off, but beware that it be really hot if you ride this in the sun. Maybe try the evening or nighttime during hotter weather. That being said, the ride could’ve been longer and had more interaction, which was a miss in the design. Score: 4/10
• Mine-Cart Madness at Donkey Kong Country: LOVED this ride. The lines are long even when you get there quickly, but the ride itself is an experience that I loved. It DOES bounce quite a bit so prepare for a bumpy ride. I would ride this one again and again. I loved the speed and the thought behind the ride. Score: 8/10

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk: This was a land I didn’t expect to enjoy, but it had so many rides and attractions and felt fully developed. We didn’t even get to get on everything there and it was a great way to spend a few hours at Epic Universe.

• Fyre Drill: This was one of my top rides I experiences at Epic Universe and is a water ride. I was thinking it would be a good idea to cool off, but I loved how this ride really engages the riders. Guests have water cannons they pump and then fire with targets at to “put out fires,” but can also aim at other rides nearby and even people innocently waiting in line. You get soaked and the more targets hit the more water. It’s a great time. I was screaming, laughing, and fully enjoyed the ride. Score: 10/10
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: This is a family-friendly coaster that is actually really fun. The ride was having some issues while we were in line, so it took longer than expected to board, but once we were on, I didn’t regret waiting in line for it. The coolest part is when they add the wings to the coaster (I read no spoilers so I didn’t know what was happening haha) They did a really great job at keeping the ride interesting throughout the whole experience and making it feel immersive to the experience. Score: 7/10
• The Untrainable Dragon Show: We took a break from the heat and went indoors to watch The Untrainable Dragon Show and I am glad we did. This show was created with all the modern bells and whistles and it was nice and cold in the theater. I loved how close the audience gets to experience the show and all the music and live entertainment was excellent. Highly recommend. Score: 9/10

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic: This land is definitely my favorite land, I love the Parisian influence from Fantastic Beasts and as someone who actually been to France and Paris, they really did a great job. I love that the shops are actually cafes and restaurants. That is something I always am a little disappointed in when I visit Diagon Alley at Universal Studios. We spent a good amount of time here eating, drinking, and enjoying attractions. The theme park is still tinkering with the Minister of Magic ride and the virtual line was pretty much a disaster when I visited.

• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry: Universal has come a long way in the quality of these rides and this ride was top notch. Everything felt realistic and immersive like you were actually there with Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione watching the trial of Dolores Umbridge. It does not disappoint. We were lucky we had fast passes that let us make it inside, because few people were able to access this ride. I do really recommend it if you get a chance. Score: 10/10
• Le Cirque Arcanus: This was a show themed around Fantastic Beasts with magicians and some character engagement. We waited a very long time to enter as well. Compared to The Untrainable Dragon show in Isle of Berk it was a step down and honestly pretty disappointing. I really didn’t like the intro where everyone is crammed into a room during the intro sequences without being able to sit. The show itself was not very entertaining. Score: 4/10
• Le Gobelet Noir: We ended up eating here and I like the setup. You just walk in and grab a table. Scan a QR code and order/pay, then the servers bring out your food and drinks. I enjoyed a delicious Jaegar schnitzel and a beer. My friend had the Coq Au Vin and found it very dry and bland. They could still be working out the kinks. Score: 7/10
• Bar Moonshine: Quality cocktails and absinthe? Yes please. I love this bar and just wish they made it bigger so people could enjoy a cocktail inside, because boy was it hot outside. This wasn’t an Instagram gimmick, the drinks were actually good. Next time I’ll start my day drinking here. Score: 9/10

Dark Universe

Dark Universe: This land is focused on monsters form the Universal universe including Dracula, Frankenstein, and more. It’s definitely better experiences at night, but unfortunately the park was not open very late when we visited (they are extending their hours now but should have probably expected that from the beginning).

• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: I wasn’t really sure what this ride was going to be like. It’s similar to Harry Potter: Escape from Gringotts where you are on a ride that is moving around as you experience the ride and watch the monsters battling it out. I was a little afraid on this ride from how dark it was, but I want to say that the monsters were all well done, and I especially loved Dracula. It’s hard to explain what makes this good, but there are a few YouTube videos showing exactly what I mean. This is definitely a top-tier ride and I would ride it again. Score: 10/10
• Escape the Claws of Curse of the Werewolf: This ride is definitely made for kids, but was very underwhelming, especially compared to Hiccup’s Wing Gliders. It is extremely short and almost nothing happens on the ride besides a little spinning. I would rather ride Cobra’s Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. I wouldn’t ride it again and even if I was kid, I don’t think I want to ride it. Score: 2/10

There is still more to experience, but these are my initial experiences I wanted to share with you. Tickets are still available to Epic Universe at UniversalOrlando.com.

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About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com​) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics​.