Celestial Park puts the “park” in “theme park.” (Courtesy of Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations™)

The Successful Opening of Universal Epic Universe

Looking back on day one of the long-awaited theme park.

Jenna Buege Published November 28, 2025

Have you heard the news? Something epic happened at Universal Orlando Resort in 2025. Following years of anticipation from members of the travel industry and theme park-goers alike, the beloved vacation destination celebrated the grand opening of Universal Epic Universe. This is Universal Destinations and Experiences’ most ambitious and technologically advanced project yet, comprising five immersive worlds for visitors to explore: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

With almost six months of operation under the new park’s belt, The Compass took time to chat with Tom Valley, director of travel agency sales for Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations, to look back on Epic Universe’s opening day and what the team is most excited for visitors to experience when they discover the extraordinary worlds that wait within.

Advisor Feedback

“We were excited to welcome many of our U-Preferred and other top travel agency partners to the Grand Opening of Universal Epic Universe in May,” said Valley. “It was wonderful to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from our partners and to hear how excited they are about selling Epic Universe. The ongoing feedback from the whole travel advisor community has been extremely positive. The reviews are fantastic, and that has translated into a tremendous amount of growth in sales.”

Speaking of sales, Valley says there are two resources advisors will want to keep handy to ensure their success selling Epic Universe and all other Universal Parks: 1) UniversalPartnerCommunity.com, a website with virtual training, destination information, sales tools, social media guidance and sales support for travel pros, and 2) VAX VacationAccess, advisors’ go-to place for learning about and booking Universal products for their clients.

Vikings and dragons live side-by-side at How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk. (Courtesy of Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations™)

A Week-Long Vacation Destination

“Now that we have a fourth park and 11 Universal Orlando hotels, it truly makes Universal Orlando Resort a weeklong vacation destination,” said Valley. “We are excited for guests to experience all that Universal has to offer, not just with Epic Universe, but the entire breadth of experiences we offer at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay.”

However, for those who are eager to take the portals at Epic Universe for a spin — yes, you read that right, portals(!) — Valley provided a brief overview of what guests can expect from each world, beginning with Celestial Park: “Celestial Park is the heart of Epic Universe and the first world that guests encounter … they will see acres of rolling gardens, chasing waterways and strolling pathways. This is the world where we intentionally put the ‘park’ back in ‘theme park.’”

Up next is a fan favorite, the third installment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic. “This awe-inspiring world features adventures set in wizarding Paris from Warner Bros. Pictures ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films and the British Ministry of Magic from ‘Harry Potter’ films,” said Valley.

Those looking for a way to “level up” their vacation will find plenty of ways to do so at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, an eagerly-awaited installment that “allows guests to step into the worlds of beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and — for the first time in the U.S. — Donkey Kong,” according to Valley.

Just next door awaits How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, a land based on the “wildly popular ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ film franchise, where guests can explore a vibrant world where Vikings and dragons live together in hilarious harmony,” said Valley.

Finally, park-goers in search of a good fright, no matter the time of year, won’t want to miss a stop at Dark Universe, the shadowy realm where Universal brings timeless monsters like Dracula, The Wolf Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein and more to life in Darkmoor, a shadowy village packed with ominous thrills around every corner.

Originally appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of The Compass magazine

About the Author

Jenna Buege is a Milwaukee-based writer and editor who loves exploring the great outdoors, spending time with her two black cats and jetting off on exciting, sometimes strange, adventures. She joined the VAX VacationAccess team in 2018 and takes pride in being a reliable source for travel advisors as they navigate an ever-changing industry. Her favorite destination so far is Iceland, although Alaska and Germany are close seconds, and she’s always adding new places to her ever-growing travel wish list.