Universal Orlando Resort’s $6 billion Epic Universe park is opening this Thursday after six years of construction.
But here we can spill some of the park’s secrets ahead of the big day, thanks to a group of travel experts who got an early sneak peek of the attractions.
The team, from AttractionTickets.com, explored all five of the park’s worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk; Dark Universe and Celestial Park.
And then they compiled their insider findings.
Marketing Director Chris Bradshaw reveals the 30-second audio cue for a secret fire show; hidden, themed sodas; a hack for picking a milder or more intense ride on the dual-track showpiece roller coaster, and the best hotel room floors for perfect park views.
Tickets for the park cost between $139 and $199 — these tips will help you get even better value for your money.
Listen for the Bells
There’s a trick to knowing when the Burning Blade Tavern will burn.
The Burning Blade Tavern quite literally bursts into flames (AttractionTickets.com)
Chris declares that one of the “coolest” hidden experiences that was spotted takes place in the Dark Universe section.
He reveals: “Just before the Burning Blade Tavern quite literally bursts into flames, you’ll hear bells chiming across Darkmoor village.
“Once those bells ring, you’ve got about 30 seconds to walk towards the tavern and see the fire effects live.
“There’s no big announcement, so unless you know to listen out for it, you might miss it. It’s a fun bit of atmosphere-building that brings the land to life in a way we’ve never really seen before.”
Secret Drinks?
Find the hidden drinks at the portals in Celestial Park, above (Universal Orlando Resort)
There are four portal structures that guests will walk through from the central Celestial Park to reach The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, the Isle of Berk and Dark Universe – and Chris and his team discovered a secret drink in each one.
Chris reveals: “In each of the four portals that transport you to different lands within Epic Universe, we discovered that the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines [in them] include a hidden drink that matches the world’s theme.
“For example, in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, there’s a tropical soda called ‘Dragon Splash’ that doesn’t appear on any other menus.
“In Dark Universe, the horror-themed portal, you’ll find a purple, berry-based flavour called ‘Screaming Berry’.
“These drinks are exclusive to their portals. So if you’re into collecting themed items or just love a surprise, it’s a brilliant detail to look out for.”
Custom Stardust Racers Intensity?
It’s possible to choose the intensity of your ride on Stardust Racers (AttractionTickets.com)
The flagship coaster at Epic Universe, claims the preview team, is Stardust Racers, a double-track, colour-coded racing coaster with different personalities.
Chris explains: “We found that the green side is the much more intense of the two, while the yellow side offers a slightly gentler experience.
“Slightly being the keyword, as it’s definitely still a thrill. Unbeknownst to us, you could actually choose which side to ride when you enter the queue, so if you have a preference, you can pick. Being able to tailor the ride experience is a big win in our book.”
Greatest Park Views
The rooms on the third or fourth floor of Helios Grand Hotel have a bonus feature (Universal Orlando Resort)
Helios Grand Hotel sits inside the park’s boundaries – and some floors offer better views of the attractions than others.
So claim the insiders.
Chris says: “The new Helios Grand Hotel is unlike anything we’ve seen before because it sits inside the park boundaries, with views directly over Celestial Park and the portals.
“If you’re staying there, we recommend requesting a room on the third or fourth floor, as these floors offer the best elevated views of the park, in our opinion, and especially during sunset or when the rides are lit up at night.
CREDIT: The Independent