Epic Universe Wows Visitors, But It’s Not Without Flaws

Posted on May 30, 2025 by Lou P. Rider

🖼️ Photo by Gfgbeach - CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Grand Debut with Room to Grow

Epic Universe, the newest addition to Universal Orlando Resort, is easily one of the most visually ambitious and technologically advanced parks ever built. With five fully themed worlds, state-of-the-art attractions, and immersive storytelling at every turn, it’s the kind of place theme park fans dream about. For users of Loopr, the ultimate roller coaster tracker and theme park companion app, it’s already generating serious buzz—and deservedly so.

That said, as many guests and reviewers have pointed out, Epic Universe still has a few hiccups to work through. If you’re planning to log your first Epic visit in your roller coaster app, be prepared for some amazing highlights, but also a few not-so-magical realities.

Accessibility: An Immersive World That’s Tough to Navigate

For able-bodied guests, Epic Universe is a joy to explore. But for those using mobility aids, it can be frustrating. While Loopr lets you easily check which attractions you’ve conquered, physically getting to those rides might be a challenge for some.

Super Nintendo World is a perfect example. Guests enter via a Warp Pipe and are quickly faced with escalators, followed by stairs. The design, ported over from Universal Studios Japan, feels out of place in Florida’s flat landscape. Elevators exist but aren’t always intuitive to find or large enough to handle crowds, and narrow queue pathways can make navigation on scooters or wheelchairs difficult.

Universal has put serious thought into making Epic feel cinematic and epic in scope. But it would benefit from more practical thinking when it comes to inclusive design. After all, an epic day shouldn’t require an epic effort to move around.

Shade: Missing in Action

Every seasoned theme park-goer knows that Florida’s heat is no joke. And when it comes to escaping the sun, Epic Universe doesn’t offer enough relief. As Loopr users log ride times and navigate between lands using the app’s interactive map, many will find themselves doing so under the blazing sun.

Celestial Park, the hub of the park, is stunning in the daytime. But its wide-open design leaves little in the way of shade. Super Nintendo World is even worse, with most of its walkways and even ride queues fully exposed. Attractions like Yoshi’s Adventure are charming, but waiting outside in the midday heat can quickly drain your energy and enthusiasm.

Universal says more shade is coming in the form of umbrellas and additional structures, but as of now, planning a visit during the cooler months might be your best bet.

Attractions: Stunning But Sparse

Using a roller coaster tracker like Loopr, visitors can easily see how Epic Universe’s ride count stacks up to other major parks. Spoiler: it’s on the lighter side. With only 11 attractions and two indoor shows spread across five lands, it can feel a bit thin once you’ve hit the big names.

Luckily, the rides that are here pack a punch. Monsters Unchained in the Dark Universe is already earning rave reviews for its immersive effects and animatronic-driven story. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in the Isle of Berk delivers a smooth, joyful flying experience that’s perfect for families. And Stardust Racers, a dueling roller coaster that soars across Celestial Park, is a must-track thrill for any coaster fan using Loopr.

Still, many of the attractions—especially the innovative but slow-loading Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness—aren’t designed to handle high-capacity crowds efficiently. Lines can get long quickly, and once peak summer crowds arrive, ride times are expected to spike.

The park could really benefit from more mid-range attractions: calm dark rides, family-friendly boat rides, or even scenic transport options to help disperse the crowds. Fortunately, Universal left room to grow, and early chatter suggests new rides and expansions may already be in the pipeline.

Should You Go Now?

Without question, Epic Universe is worth a visit. It’s already packed with memorable moments and next-level immersion, and the level of detail in each land is something Loopr users will appreciate as they track their progress and revisit favorites.

But don’t go in expecting perfection. Come prepared for the heat, know that accessibility may be an issue in certain areas, and expect longer wait times for some attractions. If you’re using a roller coaster tracking app like Loopr, it’ll help you plan your day, monitor wait times, and even find nearby spots for a break when needed.

It’s clear that Epic Universe isn’t just another park—it’s a game changer. And while it has a few bugs to iron out, Universal has built a foundation that could easily support one of the best theme park experiences in the world. For now, consider it a work in progress that’s still worth celebrating. And don’t forget to bring your sunscreen.