With epic rides comes epic responsibility to share what to check out first.
Universal Epic Universe is set to open its portals on May 22, with themed attractions spanning across genres, generations and dimensions in its five worlds: Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.
Each area has multiple attractions to choose from, from family-friendly experiences to thrill rides, but which ones are worth putting at the top of your to-do list?
TODAY.com got a sneak peek before the park opens to the general public. Here are five rides and attractions at Universal Epic Universe to check out first — one per each world, in no particular order.
(Universal is owned by TODAY.com’s parent company, NBCUniversal.)
1. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
Location: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic
Height requirement: At least 40”
Potterheads have a new way to get their adrenaline fix inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Ministry of Magic.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry is a motion simulator ride that addresses the fate of Dolores Umbridge following the defeat of Lord Voldemort. While Harry, Ron and Hermione are en route to witness her trial at the Ministry of Magic, things go awry when Dolores escapes, prompting a wild goose chase to make sure justice is served.
There’s also a separate viewing-only line for those who want to walk through the Floo Network and see the atrium at the Ministry of Magic.
2. Mine-Cart Madness
Location: Donkey Kong Country in Super Nintendo World
Height requirement: At least 40”
It’s on like Donkey Kong when you ride Mine-Cart Madness.
Located inside Donkey Kong Country, a new area in Super Nintendo World that’s exclusive to Epic Universe, this thrilling family-friendly roller coaster begins inside the Golden Temple, a nod to the “Donkey Kong Country” video games.
What starts off as a smooth mine cart ride quickly escalates into a rickety adventure, with the goal of helping Donkey Kong protect the Golden Banana. You’re going to want to hang on tight for this one!
3. Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
Location: How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk
Height requirement: At least 40”
Hiccup continues to strive for viking-dragon unity through his new namesake ride, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders.
Located in the world of How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk, this family-friendly coaster takes place on Hiccup’s latest flying invention, with a goal of launching vikings up into the air alongside dragons.
You’ll see Toothless and a few other familiar dragons as you coast around tight corners and over Berk’s bright blue waters. Let’s just say, the views don’t disappoint.
4. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Location: Dark Universe
Height requirement: At least 48”
A quest to avenge a family’s legacy backfires in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.
The pre-show informs you that Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-granddaughter of Henry Frankenstein, is leading an experiment to control Count Dracula in order to put power behind her family name. Dracula, however, appears to have other plans as he fights back, and in the process, sets other monsters free.
Ahead lies an action-packed motion simulator ride with ghoulish creatures waiting around every corner.
5. Stardust Racers
Location: Celestial Park
Height requirement: At least 48”
Reach for the stars on this dual-launch coaster at Celestial Park.
Stardust Racers shoots off two coasters simultaneously, creating side-by-side visual displays while reaching up to 62 mph. This ride also features an inverted crisscross, deemed a “Celestial Spin” by Universal Epic Universe, and has intensity comparable to Jurassic World VelociCoaster in Orlando’s Universal Island of Adventure. This ride is for the true roller coaster junkie!
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
