For well over a year, Floridians and theme park fans have heard nearly every detail about
Epic Universe 's high-speed roller coasters and immersive thrill rides. But can
guests of all ages enjoy Universal Orlando Resort's new park? The theme park opened on Thursday, May 22 with five worlds for guests to explore and fully immerse themselves in:
Celestial Park ,
Dark Universe ,
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk ,
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and
Super Nintendo World . Is Epic Universe actually family-friendly? Universal officials say it is, with many saying accessibility for all guests was critical when designing the theme park and its five worlds. "We make sure that (interactive experiences) can be accessed by children, or anyone of any age, and that they will have the same enjoyment that everyone else has," Chris Bromby, Director of Immersive Experiences at Universal Creative, said about SUPER NINTENDO WORLD's gameplay around the world. "Our product at Universal Destinations and Experience spans all age groups, from little kids all the way up the chain," Scott Verble, executive producer of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, said. " … Having that mix of experiences really makes sure that we can have all Harry Potter fans enjoy something here." For families heading to the theme park soon, here are 11 experiences and attractions younger guests can enjoy.
Viking Training Camp in the Isle of Berk
Aspiring Vikings can let off some steam at the
Viking Training Camp ; a shaded, interactive play structure for kids. This multi-level themed playground offers an agility course, Viking drums and chimes to play, an interactive sheep launcher game, as well as slides and activities for younger park goers. There is a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the second level and stairs to the third level. There is also a restroom and water fountain within the training camp for easy access. Families can find this area by turning left when going through the portal and spotting the colorful dragon arch.
The Untrainable Dragon in the Isle of Berk
"The Untrainable Dragon" is a live show inspired by the popular
“Untrainable” show at
Universal Beijing Resort and is sure to be hit among all age groups, especially children. “This dragon-filled live spectacular takes guests on an unforgettable journey with beloved characters Hiccup, Toothless, Gobber, and Astrid as they work together to solve the mystery of The Untrainable Dragon,” according to Universal. USA TODAY notes there is acting, singing, choreography, puppetry and more, but the
most mesmerizing moment is when Hiccup and Toothless soar into the theater above guests' heads, in the clouds.
Fyre Drill at Isle of Berk
Not only is this ride kid-friendly, but you can also get a break from the intense Florida heat. Over at Fyre Drill, Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut will invite teams of Vikings to compete to outscore and out-soak each other on this water ride. Guests will board a colorful dragon-headed boat and blast water cannons at flame-like targets to practice putting out fires. There are no drops of any kind on this water ride; it is slow and smooth. You can also either stand the entire time or take a break and sit down. Just know that you will get wet on this ride! Children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a companion while holding infants is not allowed, according to Universal's website.
Interactive Wand Experiences in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
There are certain marked places in the parks where guests can wave an
interactive wand to illicit a touch of magic in their surroundings in
Hogsmeade and
Diagon Alley , and Wizarding World of Harry Potter –
Ministry of Magic . With the addition of Epic Universe, there are now over 44 interactive wand locations across the Universal Orlando Resort.
Le Cirque Arcanus at the Ministry of Magic
A live, full-scale theatre experience is located in the heart of the land with Le Cirque Arcanus. This spectacular show features live performers and aerialists, puppetry, special effects and more, according to Universal. "The show follows Ringmaster Skender, who has stolen Newt Scamander’s suitcase, where Demiguise, Diricawl, Mooncalves and more reside, to try and bring the failing Le Cirque Arcanus back to its former glory. It’s then up to circus employee Gwenlyn to rescue these creatures before they end up in Skender’s greedy hands forever."
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience
While Dark Universe is designed to be scary and thrilling, there are some family-friendly elements suitable for younger parkgoers. One of these experiences is the
Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience , housed beside Pretorius' Scientific Oddities shop. Skilled artisans will apply face makeup to "experiment or transform" guests into Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and more.
Power-Up Bands at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Universal describes SUPER NINTENDO WORLD as a “multi-sensory environment where guests can experience the fun and adventure of Nintendo games in a whole new way" in a previous news release. One of the ways guests of all ages can participate in the gameplay is with
the Power-Up bands , which are RFID silicon wristbands that connect to the Universal Orlando Resort app. “With the Power-Up Band, guests can collect digital coins by punching '?' Blocks and playing interactive activities; collect digital stamps on attractions; earn digital keys to unlock an exclusive showdown against Bowser Jr.; and discover other hidden surprises,” Universal said last year. These bands cost $45 plus tax and feature six main styles based on the Mario characters.
Yoshi’s Adventure at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Yoshi's Adventure gives guests “breathtaking views of Super Mario Land as they join Yoshis and travel through Mushroom Kingdom landscapes in search of glowing eggs — encountering many familiar characters along the way,” according to Universal. This family-friendly ride is suitable for most parkgoers. The minimum height requirement to ride is 34 inches; however, all those under 48 inches will still need to ride with a companion.
Constellation Carousel
Celestial Park's Constellation Carousel allows guests to whirl and twirl across the Milky Way. The carriages include celestial lions, dragons, peacocks and more. Each carriage turns 360 degrees while lifting riders up to 6 feet in the air. Children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a companion while holding infants is not allowed, according to Universal's website.
Astronomica Splash Pad in Celestial Park
Located in the middle of the world is the Astronomica Splash Pad, an interactive wet-play attraction for park goers to cool off at. According to officials, it is designed as a compass that points to the portals and attractions around Epic Universe. They also note to return to the area at night, saying it is "extra impressive" when completely lit up.
Character meet-and-greets in multiple worlds