Exciting Updates from Universal’s Epic Universe

First, there were the artist’s impressions; then there was the video; that was followed by highlights of the food; and now we have the merchandise and shopping details. The avalanche of tantalising glimpses of what’s in store has reached truly Epic proportions. And Epic Universe is still two months away!

But it’s hard to ignore the welter of information and insights into Universal Orlando’s forthcoming new theme park – opening May 22 – when there is just SO much content flooding the internet and social media in recent weeks.

True, it has been fairly steady since January last year when Universal released a series of renderings that provided the first in-depth visuals of what to expect from this 750-acre, multi-billion-dollar project taking shape two miles from their current theme park site. But it has become a veritable flood thanks to social media, which has provided us with some unique views of what to expect.

And, having trawled the likes of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook in the last month or so (to save you having to do all the work!), we can definitely say Epic Universe is shaping up as the most exciting new development in Orlando possibly since the Magic Kingdom first opened in 1971.

The Epic flavour

It is certainly the first new fully-fledged theme park since Universal’s Islands of Adventure made its 1999 debut, along with CityWalk and the Portofino Bay Hotel. But the sheer drama of Epic and its three attendant hotels – including the towering Helios Grand Hotel which runs along one side of the park – have an extra element of grandeur and glitter that are unmatched in recent decades.

That sparkle has been enhanced and underlined by a series of videos, both from Universal themselves, but also from local TV stations and the social media account that goes by the name of Bioreconstruct, which has a dazzling series of superb aerial videos of the park that go a long way to explaining the sense of excitement building for this May. In addition, there have been a blizzard of TV adverts for the new theme park so far this year.

The literal flavour of what we can expect was also delivered last month, when Universal revealed a mouth-watering look at the food and drinks we can expect inside the five different “lands” that make up Epic Universe. Here are the menu highlights (with the restaurants they will appear in):

Celestial Park:

• Sea Bass (Atlantic) - A delectable portion of Sea Bass is nestled amid the sweetness of carrot mochi and crunch of fresh sugar snap peas. Aromatic lemongrass broth complements the bass, while starfruit slices add a splash of tropical citrus notes. • Tonkotsu Ramen (The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant) - delicate ramen noodles immersed in a rich pork broth, topped with tender chashu pork, tare egg, shiitake mushrooms and fragrant togarashi oil. • Platter with Mango Bread & Pickles (The Oak & Star Tavern) - Choose from smoked brisket, smoked ribs, pulled pork, cheddar jalapeno sausage or spit-roasted herbed-infused chicken. Pair with sides like braised greens and mac and cheese. • Harvest Moon Pizza (Pizza Moon) - this vegan masterpiece features rich tomato sauce adorned with grilled artichoke hearts, tomatoes and roasted peppers, topped with olives and arugula for a crisp finish.

• Landlubber’s Snickerdoodle Loot (Atlantic) - Young explorers will love this fun beach-style dessert. Snickerdoodle cake served in a beach pail with cookie butter ganache, surrounded by edible sand. Gummy sharks complete this fun ocean whimsy. • Grand Atlantic Martini (Atlantic) - With dry gin, aperitif wine and a gilded lemon twist for garnish. • Waturi Punch (Celestiki) - blend of rum, bitters and fruit juices. • The Plastered Owl (The Oak & Star Tavern) - Crafted with dark rye whiskey, simple syrup, cherry syrup, lemon juice, lemon wedges and muddled cherries. • Meteor Strike (Bar Zenith) - light rum, triple sec, zesty lime and pineapple juices, topped with lemon lime soda and edible gold glitter.

Super Nintendo World:

• Mario Burger (Toadstool Cafe) - all-beef patty, topped with savoury mushrooms, fresh lettuce, tomato and melted American cheese, served on a brioche bun. Served with a side of Truffle French fries. • Luigi Burger (Toadstool Cafe) - grilled chicken topped with basil pesto, melted Swiss cheese, green peppers and fresh spinach, served on a soft brioche bun with a side of Truffle French fries. • Bowser’s Fireball Challenge (Toadstool Cafe) - Step up to this challenge featuring a towering 1lb meatball topped with gooey mozzarella cheese in mushroom marinara sauce and fresh parsley. Served with a Bowser-inspired puff pastry and hot sauce. • Yoshi’s Smoothie (Yoshi’s Snack Island) – cool off with a refreshing blend of tart apple and sweet honeydew syrup, frozen to creamy perfection with milk and topped with whipped cream and green-apple-bursting boba.

Dark Universe:

• Stakes (Das Stakehaus) - scrumptious meal on a stake! With three frightfully tasty protein options, including blackened salmon steak, grilled dry rubbed chicken tenderloin or seared and glazed wild mushroom brisket meatloaf, each served with roasted veggies and charred green onion mashed potatoes. • Darkmoor Black Wings (Das Stakehaus) - Dare to try our Darkmoor spicy, chilli-dusted fried wings with smoky cheddar, coleslaw, charred scallions and soy chilli garlic sauce. A pimento cornbread skull adds a charmingly creepy touch.

• “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich (Das Stakehaus) - Flash-fried, marinated chicken breast in a tantalising blood orange sauce, served in a sinister black bun with tangy pickles and coleslaw. Crispy fries complement this dish. • Our Favourite Vegan Familiar’s Stuffed Cabbage (Das Stakehaus) - vegan meat wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and nestled in a rich bell pepper tomato sauce, accompanied by beet bucatini. • Hunter’s Garlic Stake (The Burning Blade Tavern) – a crispy, cheesy garlic pretzel perfectly prepared to a golden brown served with a rich garlic dipping sauce

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk:

• Thawfest Platter (Mead Hall) - tender chicken drumsticks glazed in a wild berry BBQ glaze, grilled salmon and succulent sausage served with a medley of roasted carrots, cipollini onions, Nordic fries and side sauces. • Sullen Sea Sandwich (Mead Hall) - salmon with pickled cucumbers and zesty horseradish dill crème on a pumpernickel Kaiser bun and a side of ancient grains with sundried berries. • Nordic Harvest Salad (Mead Hall) - This salad features kale and arugula greens, crisp red cabbage, radishes and hearty ancient grains. Blueberries and crisp apples add a tangy touch, topped off with a raspberry vinaigrette. • Stormfly’s Catch of the Day (Mead Hall) - chocolate mousse fish nestled atop a bed of colourful crispy rice cereal, creating a delightful combination of creamy and crunchy sweetness.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic:

• Baguette de Dinde (Café L’air De La Sirène) - sliced cracked black pepper turkey piled high with arugula, crisp apples and creamy brie. All inside a warm crusty baguette with zesty mustard butter and apple butter. • Alchemist’s Platter (Le Gobelet Noir) - smoked sausage, potato and cheese pierogies, and tangy pickled eggs. Vibrant marinated beets, savoury caramelised onions and a warm pretzel are served with zesty German mustard and cheese fondue. • Butterbeer Crêpes (Café L’air De La Sirène) - Crêpe filled with shortbread cookie butter Bavarian cream, Butterbeer cream and topped with fresh strawberries, Butterbeer drizzle and a Butterbeer shortbread cookie. • Lentil Stew (Le Gobelet Noir) - tender lentils, savoury vegan bacon and vibrant root vegetables, all served with artisan bread. • Quiche Lorraine (Café L’air De La Sirène) - egg custard baked in a flaky pie crust filled with crispy bacon, gruyère and caramelised onions with mornay sauce. A side of fresh berries topped with a lavender honey drizzle to top it off.

The videos & merch

But, as delicious and enticing as those menus may be, they pale compared to the eye-catching videos we have seen recently, all emanating from different sources and looking, well, truly epic once again. Universal has obviously led the way, with both a computer-generated series and then a major new resort-wide highlight video that trumpeted how it will be a full week’s holiday once Epic is open.

Then we had Orlando TV station WESH News showcasing this report of an aerial flyover of the park that included live looks at one of the headline rides, Stardust Racers in Celestial Park, and an animatronic dragon that is sure to be a hit!

And then there is Bioreconstruct. As strange as the name sounds, there is no doubting their ability to produce eye-popping looks at Epic Universe, including several that will be must-see viewing for anyone due to visit in the first few months. They have produced many, many jaw-dropping aerial shots of the park under construction, but the videos are even better. We especially like this video of the roller-coasters, while their latest overview features the park at night, and some stunning lighting effects.

Of course, there is also the little matter of all the new merchandise and other shopping treats in store, and they were highlighted only last week, with a major breakdown by each “land.”

Celestial Park will sell a full range of Epic Universe branded merchandise, including apparel, accessories, home decor and souvenirs like popcorn buckets and wands. The shops include:

• Other Worlds Mercantile, a bustling marketplace with “majestic treasures where all of the worlds come together.” • Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets will sell candies and sweets. • Various Emporia will house a quartet of smaller shops, Sensorium Emporium, North Star, Wintry Wonders and Lens Flair. • The Nintendo Super Star Store will add Nintendo-themed items.

How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk:

• Toothless’ Treasures will have all things dragons, from “blind-box collectible dragon toys, apparel and plush inspired by the larger-than-life dragons in Berk.” The Toothless collection features a popcorn bucket, zip-up jacket, wings, masks, plush headbands and more. • Viking Traders will sell cosplay attire like helmets, shields and swords, plus “rustic swag fit for impressionable dragon trainers” at Hiccup’s Work Shop. • How to Treat Your Dragon will offer themed treats like mystery chocolate dragon eggs and sheep marshmallows.

Super Nintendo World:

• 1-UP Factory and Mario Motors stores will feature character hats and headbands based on Chef Toad, Bowser Jr, Princess Peach and more; character plush like Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong; plus colourful Mario Kart and Yoshi collections. • SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will sell food and beverage accessories, such as the light-up Super Star Popcorn Bucket, 1-UP Mushroom Sipper and Super Mushroom Sipper. • Funky’s Fly ’n’ Buy in Donkey Kong Country features unique items like a banana-shaped bum-bag inspired by Donkey Kong’s favourite food. Other items include a gigantic Donkey Kong coffee mug, Diddy Kong ticket holder and more.

Dark Universe:

• At Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, “guests can become fashionably monstrous with elaborate face paint” and shop for commemorative collections, like the Bitty Monsters, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, Dr Pretorius, The Burning Blade Tavern and Curse of the Werewolf. • Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities will sell more cosplay attire, along with “other eclectic items” at The Manor Storehouse and Guild of Mystics.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic:

• Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique will feature an all-new collection of interactive wands and wand accessories with a Parisian twist. • Les Galeries Mirifiques will sell wizarding gear and memorabilia, including 1920s-era wizarding robes, messenger bags with wand-holders, and jewellery and accessories for the four Hogwarts houses. Fantastic Beasts fans will be able to buy an interactive Niffler. • Tour En Floo offers the Métro-Floo collection, a variety of items featuring the Time-Turner and British Ministry of Magic collection, including apparel and more wand accessories. • Confectionary shop K Rammelle will lure guests with tempting sweets and treats, from potions to Chocolate Frogs and more.

It all adds up to a hugely exciting array of info and visual aids, treats and temptations, and we simply can’t wait for May 22 now. What about you…?!

Photos: bioreconstruct/Universal

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