Now here we are, the big day, the reason for the trip. We're going to see the shiniest new theme park in Orlando: Universal Epic Universe. The park opened on May 22, 2025, as the third theme park and fourth park overall to open at Universal Orlando. The park features five themed areas: Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Celestial Park, home to a carousel and a roller coaster, serves as the hub from which the other four themed areas branch out.

Rocky is wearing his Power-Up Band at breakfast.  He's ready to power up his fun in Super Nintendo World. Just wait, he'll show you how it works.

Lily is inspired by that big statue of Helios, the Greek god who drives his sun chariot across the sky every day. See him back there about to shoot his arrow?

Now do you see him?

He's proud of his hotel.

There's a Chinese restaurant over there somewhere.

And that's the lake that was all lit up last night.

We are starting the day by visiting Super Nintendo World, which is perfectly fine with Rocky.  This is the part of the park he's most looking forward to.

Rocky was not disappointed..

It's like being dropped into a cartoon.

Oh, this is good, yes indeed, mighty fine.

Bill is pretty impressed too.

Rocky is about to be pounced upon by Bowser, a Really Bad Guy around these parts.

He doesn't seem too worried.

We are standing in line to ride Bowser's Challenge.

• Concept: The ride brings the Mario Kart video game franchise to life, blending physical sets, projection mapping, and cutting-edge augmented reality technology.

• Gameplay: Guests wear special AR goggles integrated into Mario caps and sit in four-person, steering-wheel-equipped karts. The goal is to team up with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach to defeat Bowser and his team in a race for the Golden Cup.

• Interactivity: Using the steering wheel and a button, riders collect digital coins and throw shells at opponents and targets, just like in the game. The experience involves navigating through iconic courses, including underwater landscapes and cloudscapes.

• Scoring: The ride features multiple outcomes and variable scoring, making each experience unique and encouraging repeat rides to improve your score. 

The long line for the ride winds through entertaining displays to keep the crowds from becoming too bored.

We, of course, have paid for special "Express Pass" entry to all the rides, so our waits are shorter. Lily says I've spoiled her and the kids. They'll never be able to stand in a regular line again.

We're almost there.

Joe and Rocky have donned their special headsets for the ride.

Even when you're not riding there's fun stuff to look at.

Don't we look sharp?

People are boarding over there.

Getting ready to do battle with Bowser and his henchmen.

OK, battle gear ready, this is it!

And here we go. Bill got so excited he forgot he was supposed to be pushing that trigger.

Now let's play in the Bowser Jr. Shadow Showdown. Just swing your arms and smash those targets. Bill might've gotten good at this if he'd had a few hours to practice.

Rocky has found another gift shop. No, Rocky, you don't want to carry that stuff around with you all day.

Maybe a fake banana?

We are about to be entertained.

Rocky is using his Power-Up Band. Told you he would show you how it works.

Here's what  it sounded like. He needs a little more practice.

There are other people here, but no big crowds.

Can Rocky play the drums?

Of course Rocky can play the drums.

Mario Cart Madness is a roller coaster. Rocky is not fond of roller coasters.

Bill and Lily rode Mario Cart. Joe and Rocky just left them to their madness. Here's what the boys missed.

Rocky wanted a picture here.

Bill too, apparently.

Another place to try out the Power-Up Band.

That boy can jump!

Yoshi's Adventure ride was closed for the day but that did not dampen Rocky's enthusiasm for Super Nintendo World.

Here's what we would have seen if Yoshi had been running.

We all had a fine time here.

Even if we occasionally had to stand in a short line to use the Power-Up Bands.

Is everybody getting tired of this?

One more stop.

The bricks would light up and you had to slap them.

Is that Mr. Bill about to eat Mr. Bill?

Super Nintendo World got the Rocky Seal of Approval.

Let's go to Celestial Park and ride a carousel.

Rocky likes carousels.

So does Lily.

Even Joe back there.

And expecially Bill.

Rocky rode a polar bear.

And Lily rode a lion.

And round and round we went.

I think that's the entrance to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic.

 Unlike other Harry Potter areas, this one is divided into two distinct time periods: the 1920s wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts series and the 1990s British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series. Visitors enter through a "portal" from the park's central hub, Celestial Park, to explore both immersive worlds.

Did you get all that?

This will be Bill's second trip to Paris this year!

And it's just like he remembered it.

Except this time there are young wizards casting spells at storefronts everywhere you look.

Rocky is figuring out how this works.

Yes! Rock's spell made the cauldrons steam.

It looks exactly like Paris. Somewhat.

Joe is pretty good at casting spells too. But he's had more practice being a wizard.

Let's check out the Circus Arcanus. Should be interesting.

There are animatronic house elves up there.

And live performers, too.

Even a fantastic creature or two.

There were acrobats.

And a lovely green dragon to close the show.

Let's have lunch in a fancy French bistro.

Now Rocky does have a healthy appetite, but even he won't be able to finish those desserts!

Joe isn't even going to try.

Nice place.

We're hungry. Let's eat!

What good is a fancy restaurant if there's no food on the table?

Now we're talking!

It was something like a ratatouille in a pastry shell and it was delicious!

But even better was the quiche Lorraine. Now this is fine French dining!

Joe shows Rocky how to cast a spell.

Those boys aren't the only spellcasters around here.  Just watch this wise old wizard at work.

Sometimes the best wizards can use a little instruction.

Lily and Rocky have spotted some familiar characters from the Harry Potter movies.

That wizard seems impressed by Rocky's abilities.

Bill never did figure out what secrets the wizards were passing along to Rocky and Lily.

But those weren't the only friends Rocky made. He carried on a lengthy conversation with a very nice lady who lived in a picture frame.

Careful! That thing will whisk you away to the Ministry of Magic.

Speaking of which, isn't Ministry around here, somewhere?

Ah, there's the entrance over there. And there's an interesting fountain next to it.

Looks like the entrance to the Ministry is a Paris Metro station.

I see some portals up ahead.

This picture from the internet gives a better view. Looks like the door in the middle is special.

And through the portal we go to the Ministry of Magic.

Fancy.

And a little cluttered.

Apparently the Ministry has been tracking down the nefarious Professor Dolores Umbridge, one of Harry Potter's instructors at Hogwarts.

Let's take a seat in this sideways-moving elevator and see if we can find Dolores somewhere here in the Ministry.

Hang on! It's quite a ride!

We survived! Even Rocky!

The scale of this attraction is huge.

Joe pointed out that they play tricks with optical illusions that make the place look bigger than it really is.

But it's pretty big anyway.

Remember that fountain outside the front door?

The plaza in front of it appears suspiciously wet.

Rocky and some other kids cast some pretty good spells at the fountain, but the fountain cast squirts of water back at them.

The sun is getting low in the Paris sky.

Time to exit through the Arc de Triomphe.

And head for How to Train Your Dragon -- Isle of Berk.

How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk is themed to the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, and is set between the second and third films. The area is the largest of the four IP-based lands in the park, and it features three rides: Hiccup's Wing Gliders, a launched roller coaster manufactured by Intamin, Dragon Racer's Rally, a pair of Gerstlauer Sky Fly rides, and Fyre Drill, an interactive boat ride manufactured by Mack Rides. There is also a children's play area called the Viking Training camp, as well as large free-flying dragon drones.

The area's notable dining options include Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill, and Hooligan's Grog & Gruel. Mead Hall serves "Yaknog", a themed drink made of malted chocolate, cinnamon, and whipped cream.

Bill regrets we didn’t know about Yaknog because now that he’s home and reading about it he wants to go back and try some.

Looks interesting.

Bill has always thought of himself as a fierce Viking.

Those boys look fiercer.

Uh oh. I didn't bring my umbrella.

We're about to board a Fyre Drill boat and we've been warned to watch out for water cannons.

Rocky is planning where to hide.

Here's how it works.

And here is a thoroughly soaked Bill at the end of the ride.

Look! Dragons in their fancy nest houses!

"The Untrainable Dragon” is a live stage spectacular featuring actors, music, and advanced technology to bring the story of Hiccup and Toothless to life as they work to solve the mystery of a new, "untrainable" dragon. The ~20-minute show includes impressive visuals like dragons flying overhead and is described as a heartwarming, action-packed, and magical experience for all ages

Let's go have a look.

Well of course she's untrainable. Somebody stole her egg and she's red hot furious.

Not to worry, they found her egg and the baby hatched and everybody lived happily ever after.

Look out! Dragon incoming!

The Isle of Berk's roller coaster is called "Hiccup's Winged Gliders." Joe and Bill just had to ride.

And of course Bill insisted on sitting up front.

Much to Joe's consternation.  But we survived and it was a great ride.

Now it's really starting to get late. The sun is just about to disappear.

Oh boy. Stardust Racers. Bill and Lily are going to have to come back for this.

But now it's dusk and time to enter the Dark Universe.

Dark Universe: Home to the Universal Classic Monsters and intended as a modern-day follow-up to the classic era of the films, Dark Universe is set in the dreary Darkmoor Village. The area's backstory focuses on Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-great granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein, a character that appeared in Frankenstein (1931) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Victoria has assembled together various creatures for experimentation, including Frankenstein's monster and Count Dracula, but they break free and terrorize the brave volunteers inside the catacombs underneath Frankenstein's manor. Ooooh, sounds creepy.

Looks creepy too.

It was so dark here we could barely see anything, but the iPhone camera makes it all look well-lit. It's so creepy maybe it's better we couldn't see.

We rode Monsters Unchained: the Frankenstein Experiment. Frank was there to greet us himself.

There was a Dracula coffin and a Mummy coffin and all sorts of spooky stuff.

Here's what the whole experience was like. Rocky took a pass.

The park's big roller coaster is called Stardust Racers.  Two coasters go at the same time and their tracks wind in and out of each other. Of course Bill and Lily had to ride.

Do they look like they're having a good time? Yep, they were. This was one terrific roller coaster.

When Bill and Lily found the boys waiting somewhat patiently outside the Stardust Racers exit, they decided to split up temporarily. Joe wanted to revisit the Ministry of Magic ride and Rocky wanted to revisit the Super Mario World gift shop. He really wanted that big green hat.

So Bill walked back to his hotel room for a brief siesta.

This is what the park looked like from his room.

While Lily, Joe and Rocky got to see what Super Mario World looks like at night.

It all looked fine to Rocky.

And he got the hat.

It's a humdinger hat. The L stands for Luigi, Mario's brother.

Back to the Ministry.

But this time with a hat.

Ah, dinner at last.  Bill rejoined the group at Pizza Moon.

It was Bill's first but hardly last look at Rocky and the hat.

They have a neat system at all the restaurants.  You point your iPhone camera at the code and a menu pops up on your phone and you place your order and pay and eventually your food shows up.

Pizza Moon is a fancy place.

And the pizza is pretty good.  Do you see any leftovers?

It's nearing 10:00 PM and we're about to see that light show we saw the first night from the hotel balcony. But this time we'll see it from a much better vantage point. There's a little amphitheater right on the edge of the lake.

It's been a long day, and we're ready for a grand finale.

And there she goes.  It was a great way to end a fantastic day.

Did we like Epic Universe? Look at those faces.

So nice.

Rocky wanted pizza instead of Chinese for dinner, but he did want his picture made with the restaurant's dragon.

And then he crashed, as did we all.

billanderson601@yahoo.com