ORLANDO, Fla. — May 22, 2025 — Universal Orlando’s highly anticipated fourth theme park, Epic Universe, officially opened its gates to the public on Thursday, marking a major milestone for the resort after years of development and two months of limited previews.
The new park, touted as Universal’s most ambitious project to date, had previously welcomed team members, annual passholders, and preview ticket holders. The official grand opening followed a media event held on May 21.
Executive Message and Ceremonial Openings
Universal Destinations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury addressed fans with a message shared via Universal Orlando’s official Instagram account. The post also included images of the ceremonial “portal” openings for the park’s various themed lands, including those inspired by Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Super Nintendo World, and the new horror-themed Dark Universe.
Celebrity Appearances Highlight Launch
A number of celebrities connected to the intellectual properties represented in Epic Universe appeared during the opening celebrations. Warwick Davis and twins Oliver and James Phelps—known for their roles in the Harry Potter franchise—participated in the launch of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic.
Cast members from the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon live-action film, including Gerard Butler, Nico Parker, Mason Thames, and director Dean DeBlois, were also in attendance. Mason Thames, who plays Hiccup in the film, was seen meeting Toothless and the animated version of his character in a promotional clip shared by the franchise’s official account.
Gaming legend Shigeru Miyamoto made an appearance to celebrate the debut of Super Nintendo World, with photos and videos shared by the official Nintendo X account. Additionally, performers portraying the iconic monsters of Darkmoor featured in the ceremonial opening for the Dark Universe.
Nighttime Spectacle and Special Guests
The May 21 media event featured a fireworks show enhanced by fountains and special effects. Dialogue from director Steven Spielberg accompanied the nighttime presentation, hinting at the future potential for regular nighttime entertainment in the park.
Opening Day Wait Times and Attractions
As expected, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry drew the longest lines on opening day, with wait times reportedly stretching up to seven hours. The ride, which no longer utilizes a virtual queue, is not currently included in Universal’s Express Pass program, further contributing to congestion.
According to data from the Universal Orlando app, the attraction experienced delays as of 1 p.m. ET. In contrast, other major rides saw minimal wait times. Dragon Racer’s Rally peaked at 30 minutes, while Stardust Racers and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge reported just 15-minute waits. Other attractions, including Curse of the Werewolf, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and Mine-Cart Madness, hovered between 10 to 15 minutes, with several rides dipping below the 10-minute mark.
The lopsided distribution of guests across the park suggests most visitors are prioritizing the Harry Potter-themed ride, leaving other areas more accessible.
Looking Ahead
While Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry has earned high marks in early reviews, questions remain about whether guests will be willing to dedicate most of their day to a single attraction. Analysts and fans alike will be watching closely in the coming weeks to see how crowd patterns evolve once the initial excitement settles.
Epic Universe is now open to all guests, adding a dynamic new chapter to Universal Orlando’s offerings and intensifying the competition in the Central Florida theme park landscape.
