Universal’s Epic Universe May Have Learned Some Lessons from Disney’s Recent Theme Park Attractions, and I’m Excited to See the Results

Are you this excited too? Opening day of Universal Epic Universe like me? If you’re reading this story, I’m sure you are, because Universal Orlando Resort’s long-awaited fourth gate is set to expand this destination into what the company hopes will be a week-long destination for guests.

During Epic Universe’s first tickets are selling out fastThe opening in May 2025 will be just the beginning of what’s to come at this spectacular-looking new park. Some of what’s in store seems to have learned some lessons from recent events at Disney Parks’ US locations, and since they’re connected to one of the strongest franchises on offer, I can’t wait to see what the results will be.

The Worlds of the Universal Epic Universe Will Be Completely Immersive

New York Comic-Con 2024 revealed quite a bit about the world upcoming 2025 movies and other forms of entertainment. However, thanks to the session sponsored by Fandom, it also hosted a very stimulating panel. “The Universal Epic Universe: The Creation of Universal’s Game-Changing New Theme Park,” hosted by Gamespot’s Chris Hayner.

As a member of the press, I also had the opportunity to attend the Fandom Party celebrating Universal’s upcoming theme park and the 20th anniversary of its website. Thanks to a scavenger hunt at The Venue on Music Row at New York’s Hard Rock Hotel, my fellow journalists and I were prepared to learn more about what the Universal Epic Universe has to offer.

Thanks to a roster that includes the likes of Universal Creative’s Senior Show Writer Patrick Braillard, we’ve learned that this new theme park aims to deliver complete immersion.

An artist's rendering of Hiccup's Wing Gliders for How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk.

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

using new country How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk As a prime example of this, Braillard created this promise with some familiar concepts. Since CinemaBlend was also present at the panel, I can share that cut with you as follows:

…this is something that becomes a difference in the thought process; You don’t need to be in that world anymore. You actually belong to that world. Any of the people in that world would turn and look at the pass you just passed and see the rest of the forest or the rock wall of a mountain. They do not know anything different from what is in that world. This allows us to differentiate the storytelling and interaction when we do something like a meet and greet, talk to Astrid, talk to Hiccup, or meet Toothless.
Patrick Braillard, New York Comic-Con 2024

This is where lesson number one, like our Dirk Libbey’s, comes into play. the ultimate Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge experience taught him something he felt he should have seen coming. According to him, people do not want to immerse themselves in this themed country that promises the same kind of experience that, when opened, will leave the world outside its walls.

Theoretically, this is a Great idea, but in practice both Galaxy’s Edge and Galactic Starcruiser appeared to be dropped massively below the mark. With that in mind, the lesson I hope Universal Parks and Experiences takes to heart is that while a singular, immersive experience isn’t ideal, a few based on the park’s various IPs will play better with restless guests.

“The Fire of the Rising Moons" Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge fireworks at Disneyland

(Image credit: Disneyland Resort)

Although I guess considering there was a high-pitched voice when Patrick Braillard said how we were going to meet Toothless. How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk It may even disappoint this expectation. And speaking of that defunct Star Wars: Galactic StarcruiserThere’s a new reveal about the Grand Heilos Hotel in Universal Epic Universe that is heavily reminiscent of this special experience.

An artist's rendering of Hiccup and Toothless meets and greets for How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk.

(Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort)

How to Train Your Dragon an immersive suite will be available on Helios

What could be better than sailing to the Isle of Berk in a story described as:How to Train Your Dragon 2.5?” You’ll have to ask the man who made this particular statement during this panel, and that’s Universal Epic Universe’s Executive Creative Director, Steve Tatham.

And luckily, he gave the audience this answer without too much prodding. In another part of this long conversation, Tatham shared this fact with the audience:

…you will be able to stay in this hotel. And guess what? If you’re as much a fan of How to Train Your Dragon as I am, there are How to Train Your Dragon suites. … You can live in that world 24/7. You can go out into the world during the day, then stay in the suite at night. So there are views from inside the room towards the hotel and there are How to Train Your Dragon suites in the hotel. And the theme of the park, specifically Celestial Park, has been extended to this as well. So Helios has astrological, celestial and celestial thematic elements.
Steve Tatham, New York Comic-Con 2024

Considering the audience at New York Comic-Con 2024 erupted in applause and cheers after he delivered this information, I’d say Mr. Tatham got the crowd excited. I may or may not have joined that rabble, because I too am a How to Train Your Dragon A fan who likes to delve into Berk’s ecosystem and tame me some dragons.

Which makes it feel like Universal Epic Universe has addressed the second lesson I hope has been learned: If you’re going to have an immersive stay, you better make sure there’s an option to step outside of that world. With Star Wars: Expensive life of the Galactic Starcruiser Even though it’s still fresh in everyone’s mind, I don’t think anyone will want to spend the expense of a holiday on a completely closed-off experience again.

Rey vs. Kylo Ren in Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

(Image credit: Walt Disney World)

But as Steve Tatham tells us, it could be live in it How to Train Your Dragon 24/7 experience. you don’t to have but you it could be. And that’s not meant to be a knock on the superior experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While I have never experienced this myself and would gladly do so if given the chance, I can see where the problems might have presented themselves.

Helios Grand Hotel concept art

(Image credit: Universal Destinations and Experiences)

Helios Hotel Overlooks the Universal Epic Universe

If you think an immersive suite is impressive, wait until you read this latest information about the Grand Helios Hotel. Explaining further how Helios ties into the theme and storytelling of the Universal Epic Universe, Steve Tatham also shared these hopeful notes:

If you want to know what’s happening at the theme park at three in the morning, get a room at this hotel because you’ll be able to see the inside of that park. So it is right next to the hotel. There is an entrance to the park from the hotel, there is a park entrance. We never did this. There is no park in the United States that we have ever done that has this particular experience.
Steve Tatham, New York Comic-Con 2024

I don’t know about the rest of you, but if there was a hotel that let me fly in and out of the Magic Kingdom via a Tron Light Bike Run themed experience, I’d book it in a heartbeat. Although the Cinderella Castle Suite is available in the same park, it’s not something you can book right away. The Grand Helios Hotel, meanwhile, is a full-service accommodation option built to connect you to the park without having to win a raffle.

Whether you’re talking about the worlds of the Universal Epic Universe or the magical hotel in question, immersion is the name of the game. As Patrick Braillard mentioned How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk After his experience at the New York Comic-Con panel, he said something that can be applied to the entire experience in general:

There are opportunities within each world for guests to make these wishes come true, to go to these places they have only seen on screen or in other media. And that’s a really great thing for us as creators; We can fulfill these requests.
Patrick Braillard, New York Comic-Con 2024

There’s plenty more to see in Universal’s Epic Universe, including the Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and The Wizarding World. Harry Potter – The Ministry of Magic, where the Celestial Park connects everything, awaits eager explorers. While you still have time to prepare for the grand opening on May 20, 2025, you’ll want to reserve your tickets and parking passes as soon as possible. I would dream of this How to Train Your Dragon including suite A lot popular for the foreseeable future.