Exploring Epic Universe with My Kids: A Mom’s Honest Preview of the Magic

After settling into the Helios Hotel (read part one of our stay [here]), it was time to dive into the real reason we came: Epic Universe.

Even during the preview, it was clear this park is something special. The magic isn’t just in the rides, it’s in every little corner. From the choreographed water shows at the entrance fountain to the unbelievable level of detail throughout each world. My two daughters were captivated the entire time, and honestly, so was I.

Super Nintendo World

We started in Super Nintendo World and made a beeline for Donkey Kong: Mine Cart Madness. If this ride is on your list, go there first. Express Pass wasn’t available for it, and wait times were hovering around 60 to 80 minutes. We lucked out with a 30-minute wait. It’s a smaller coaster, but packed with fun and surprisingly smooth. My 5-year-old was scared at first, but she came off smiling.

From there, we explored the Mario side of the world, and this is where the magic hit full force. With kids aged 5 and 8, it truly felt like they’d stepped inside their favorite video game. We met Mario and Luigi and even got lucky enough to meet Princess Peach. She’s not always out, so that was a treat.

The girls’ favorite ride here was Yoshi’s Adventure, a slow elevated ride with zero drops, gentle movement, and adorable interactive egg buttons. You search for specific colored Yoshi eggs during the ride and push your matching button when you find them. The views from this ride alone make it worth it.

I also rode Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a VR-based ride where you steer, shoot turtle shells, collect stars, and compete for points. It was one of my personal favorites. Total nostalgia meets next-level tech.

All around the area are key challenges you can complete using your Power-Up Bands. Once you’ve earned three, you can access Bowser Jr.’s Shadow Showdown, a super interactive mini-game where you jump, move your hands, and hit Bob-ombs. Yes, we won!

We had lunch at Toadstool Café, and it felt like dining inside the Mushroom Kingdom. Monitors show Toads working behind the scenes in the kitchen, and at one point, Bowser’s airship flies by causing a thunderstorm inside with flickering lights. Heads up, shade is limited but there are drink refill stations throughout the park with complimentary ice water and soda stations for souvenir cups.

The Wizarding World: Ministry of Magic

Next, we headed into the new Ministry of Magic, which combines Parisian wizard flair with classic Harry Potter vibes. We grabbed the magical color-changing Occamy Tea from Bar Moonshine and the girls absolutely loved the sparkly surprise.

We watched Le Cirque Arcanus, a magical stage show filled with incredible special effects and beautifully done. Total must-watch if you’re visiting with family.

We also found Butterbeer and the viral Bièraubeurre Crêpe at Café L’air De La Sirène. Highly recommend. Plus, your interactive wands work here with tons of magical hidden elements to discover.

Dark Universe

This world is more compact but very immersive. It feels like classic monsters got a modern cinematic upgrade.

We rode Monsters Unchained and I’ll say it straight. It was one of the best rides I’ve ever been on. Not for the little ones though, so while I rode that, the girls got transformed in the Monster Makeup Experience. They chose the Celestial Mystic look, full of shimmer, glitter, and galactic glam. The best part was when they were done, they got their own announcement and reveal like little superstars.

Characters like Frankenstein, his bride, and The Invisible Man roamed the world and added to the eerie but fun vibe.

Celestial Park

Next, we made a quick stop in Celestial Park, which acts as the central hub of Epic Universe. It’s vibrant, futuristic, and full of cosmic flair.

We grabbed lunch at Pizza Moon, a great budget-friendly spot with whole pizzas starting around twenty dollars. A solid win for feeding hungry kids. There’s a live band that plays throughout the day in the plaza and the girls couldn’t resist dancing along.

Our favorite here was the Constellation Carousel. Each ride vehicle spins in a full circle and rises up to six feet in the air. It’s colorful, musical, and unlike any carousel we’ve ridden before. Sadly, Stardust Racers was down during our visit, but my colleagues say it’s incredible.

Isle of Berk

We wrapped our adventure at the breathtaking Isle of Berk from How to Train Your Dragon. Every inch is packed with Viking and dragon theming and it’s beautifully done.

We had lunch at Mead Hall, where my girls enjoyed cheeseburgers and mac and cheese bites with sausage. I had the salmon and we all shared Stormfly’s Catch of the Day, the viral chocolate mousse dessert shaped like a fish with a cereal crumble coating. The outside was sweet milk chocolate and the mousse inside had a rich dark chocolate flavor.

We tried to meet Hiccup and Toothless, but that line didn’t move so we opted to explore more instead. We caught a bit of The Untrainable Dragon show, which started off strong but had technical issues so we didn’t get to see the full performance. Something to look forward to on our return.

For the little ones, Viking Training Camp was a hit. It’s a colorful, interactive playground with towers, Viking drums, a sheep launcher game, and more. But the true highlight was The Dragon Egg Hatching Ceremony inside Hiccup’s Workshop. The girls got to choose an egg and take part in a sweet little ceremony where they vowed to care for their dragon. It was magical, emotional, and completely unforgettable.

Final Thoughts and a Quick Tip

We visited over the course of two days and having Express Passes on day one made a major difference. We were able to do way more with less waiting and it helped us get the most out of our first day. Day two, without Express, was still fun but required more time and flexibility. If you’re traveling with kids or short on time, I absolutely recommend adding it to your package if possible.

Epic Universe blends immersive storytelling, interactive play, and next-gen rides in a way that hits every age group. It’s the kind of trip that makes your kids light up and reminds you why you planned this adventure in the first place.

Ready to plan your own Epic adventure? I’ve experienced it firsthand as both a travel advisor and a mom, and I’d love to help you create a trip that’s seamless, magical, and packed with memories.

Send me a message to schedule your planning call. Let’s make your next family vacation one for the books.

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