Epic Universe: A Guide to Celestial Park and Ministry of Magic

Intro

I was finally going to Epic Universe, on my Orlando Trip, after exploring for the first time a Disney Water Park, doing 4 Disney Parks in one day, and enjoyed the now old Universal Parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. But after all days I had not been able to come to the newest park in the world and probably my favorite: Epic Universe. Yes, so far I had been in every Universal Park in the entire World, and now I was in their newest. I came here for the Passholder Previews, and had a blast, but let’s see how it compares to after it officially opened. Let’s get started.

Getting into Epic Universe

As I mentioned in my previous post, I stayed in Stella Nova Resort, which is only steps from Epic Universe. I woke up early, got ready, got a coffee from Cosmos Cafe and Market, and walked to the park, relatively early. But even getting there 40 minutes before Early Entry started (or one hour and 40 minutes before regular opening), the lines were already long.

I went 2 days in a row to Epic Universe, and every morning was the same. 2 or 3 lines that would go out to the parking lot, and then they would form a few other lines to pass security, and then the lines to scan the tickets. It gets tricky, but once you get the portal is just minutes to park opening. Be ready from early in the morning to fight the heat and the Sun. I wore sunblock from hour 1, had a hat, and occasionally I would use an umbrella when the UV Index was getting worst.

Celestial Park

The first and unavoidable world of Epic Universe is Celestial Park, located at the entrance, and acting as the HUB for all the other worlds. You basically have to pass by it to go from one world to the other. It’s the world between worlds, as Universal describes it.

But it does not mean there is nothing to do in there. As I described in my original post from my visit in May, there are 2 attractions: Stardust Racers, and Constellation Carousel.

This thrilling dual coaster is amazing. I prefer the green side a little bit more, since it is more smooth. As per Constellation Carousel, in the 5 visits I have done to this park, I have not ridden it yet. I do not know, I think it is a little silly lol. I have not ridden any carousel to be fair, since like I was a little child tho.

One of the attractions for this world is probably the food options. They have:

• Atlantic
• The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant
• The Oak & Star Tavern
• Pizza Moon
• Meteor Astropub
• The Plastered Owl
• Star Sui Bao
• Frosty Moon
• Comet Dogs
• CelesTiki
• Bar Zenith

With so many options I can only imagine this area as a buffer or replacement for CityWalk, with the difference that it comes with the ticket price, and closes when the park closes.

I have been lately very into Asian food, and I had to try the Pork Soup Dumplings from Star Sui Bao, and believe me when I say they were amazing. Get them as your prize after riding Stardust Racers lol.

But probably the main focus of this world, is the Fountain show at Celestial Park and view of the Helios Grand Hotel, which has an entrance that goes directly into the park.

Definitely enjoy the Fountain show when it happens, enjoy the music around, and also, they have a full time water show when the park closes. It is really beautiful.

And talking about park closing, Epic Universe is amazing at night. I know that in winter when it is not super hot outside, and it will be dark earlier, the park will be more worthy and fun. The photo props are everywhere, and I would recommend to take some pictures on the way out. I will be back in October just to feel the shift in the vibes when the weather gets a little bit less warm.

And just like Celestial Park welcomes us, this same world would say bye to us: “You wonder next which path to chart / the answer lies within your heart”.

Helios Grand Hotel

On one of my days in Epic Universe, I took advantage of the entry into Helios Grand Hotel, and went all the way up to Bar Helios, only to find that there was no availability at the moment, but I could at least check the views of the park from up here. I could see from left to right: Stardust Racers, the fountains, Constellation Carousel, Super Nintendo World, and the portal to Dark Universe.

My hotel, Stella Nova, was just there, and I could see a little bit of Donkey Kong and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. A big empty lot is next to this land, I wonder if it would include some expansion of SNW or Dark Universe, or maybe a full new portal.

Isle of Berk is barely visible but is there, as well the main portal of Epic Uiverse.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry

The third Harry Potter world in the Universal Orlando Resort is definitely the most immersive, especially when you are inside the Battle at the Ministry, the only ride in this land. You feel like you are in the movies. It’s just amazing how spacious and magical this place is.

This is definitely the Rope Drop strategy for many people, even though it could not be open at park opening yet. I did it as my first ride on Day 1 and was out by 9.30, whereas when I did on Day 2 it took way longer for the ride to come live, and was out like 2 hours later. So be careful when you decide to go on this ride.

You can also go from noon to 2 PM when many people are having a break for Lunch, or can also just go to see the Ministry of Magic lobby without having to do any lines.

But be prepared for a long wait in case the ride goes down and you are stuck in line.

If you are stuck in the queue is not the end of the world either. You are inside, in the shade with a good amount of AC, and in the most immersive and easter egg driven queue of all the Harry Potter attractions. It would keep you entertain while you slowly move towards the actual ride.

There are animatronics, like this one of Higgledy, the house elf of Dolores Umbridge, the antagonist of the attraction. I mean, you are in her trial anyways.

The attraction is amazing. The use of animatronics, screens, and all degrees movement is insane. The first time I rode it I felt I was part of it. I exclaimed in my mind WTF did just happened? I was in awe, and wanted to be part of that world so bad. But after riding it a few times after it feels great but never like that first time. It is still my favorite attraction of this park tho.

Got out and now the wait time is 240 minutes. I would not recommend to go on this ride with this wait time. Use the Universal App to alert you when the way time goes down. Go at Rope Drop if you have early entry, around 2 pm if the wait is shorter, or like 1 hour and 30 minutes before the park closes and the ride switch to At Capacity (so no one would join at the very end of the night).

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic: Food Options and other entertainment

Besides this amazing attraction, and despite it is the only ride in this world, you could spend the entire day here. There are 3 amazing food and drink options:

• Café L’air De La Sirène™
• Le Gobelet Noir™
• Bar Moonshine

I went first to Bar Moonshine to experience the viral Limonade à la Lavande: Lavender Lemonade. When you add the cotton candy it comes with, it turns into a shiny purple drink. Very nice.

But the most notorious restaurant is Café L’air De La Sirene. Entering here feels like you are in the real Paris. One of the viral dishes they sell is the Bieraubeurre™ Crêpe or Butterbeer crepe. 100% recommended.

And nothing like accompanying this already very sweet crepe with the actual real butterbeer, frozen of course for this Florida heat.

The third and less know dining option in this world, is Le Gobelet Noir, located in the darker area of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I came here on Day 02 and got my daily fix of Butterbeer. But this restaurant is also huge, and has a full menu.

Along Place Cachee you can do Wand Magic in Wizarding Paris or see one of the many shows in the day for Le Cirque Arcanus™. This cute show is more focused on the Fantastic Beast movies but the effects and animatronics (plus the AC) make it a good option to spend sometime in the day.

The night at this land is amazing. All worlds in Epic Universe have a different vibe when the sun goes down, but in this world it just feels like you are in an Alternate Universe Paris. It feels amazing.

And with that we leave Epic Universe for today, but there are 3 other worlds left to explore. Come with me on the next entry to go to Super Nintendo World, Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.