Day 2 – A Full Day of Magic, Myth & Fireworks at Universal’s Epic Universe
From Mario Kart races to dragon flights, spellbinding magic, and monster mayhem—our full day at Universal’s Epic Universe ended with jaw-dropping Fourth of July fireworks over Celestial Park.
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We spent our second day at Universal Studios Orlando diving into brand new territory—Epic Universe, the resort’s newest park, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. With early entry privileges in hand, we were among the first guests through the gates, and we soaked up every minute from rope drop to park close!
We kicked things off in Super Nintendo World, and it felt like we jumped straight into a video game. The colors, the sounds, and the energy were electric. We raced through Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, explored Toad’s Cafe, and even earned digital coins with our Power-Up Bands. The land was buzzing with excitement, and we could’ve easily spent the whole day there—especially trying to beat our scores on the interactive games!
Next, we headed over to the beautifully immersive How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. This section of the park completely wowed us with its towering cliffs, Viking architecture, and dragon-themed rides. The Hiccup’s Wing Gliderscoaster offered incredible views, and the Dragon Training Camp was a blast for the kids (and kids at heart). Everything in Berk felt alive, from the roaming characters to the flame-breathing animatronics.
As the sun got hotter, we wandered into the cool cobbled streets of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. This new section, themed to the Parisian Wizarding World and the magical Ministry, felt mysterious and grand. The attraction Battle of the Ministry was intense and cinematic—it really pushed the boundaries of ride technology. We grabbed a frosty butterbeer and took in the performances of wizarding street theatre before heading to dinner.
By evening, anticipation was building for the Fourth of July fireworks show, and it exceeded all expectations. Set above the central Celestial Park lake, the fireworks were synchronized with epic music and projections—it was both patriotic and fantastical, with just the right touch of movie magic. Seeing fireworks above the new Epic Universe skyline gave us chills.
We capped off the night in Dark Universe, the land inspired by Universal’s classic monsters. It was spooky in the most stylish way. We braved Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, and wow—what a finale! It was creepy, thrilling, and brilliantly themed. The whole area had a gothic vibe, complete with glowing labs and fog-covered graveyards.
By the time we exited the park, we were exhausted but completely exhilarated. Epic Universe truly is a game-changer. Every land felt like its own world, and the attention to detail was beyond anything we’ve experienced before. From Nintendo to dragons, magic to monsters—it was a day full of wonder, thrills, and unforgettable memories.
We can't wait to come back and do it all again!
