Universal’s newest theme park, Theme Park Shark is covering each of the brand-new lands at Orlando’s hottest new theme park. As we venture into these incredible lands that transport us into some of our favorite worlds, Theme Park Shark is continuing the festivities at the Celestial ark land at Epic Universe. Covering all of the rides, shows, attractions, and details of this land, our very own Dustin Sparage is bringing fans the Epic Experience this week from inside Epic Universe.
Theme Park Shark previously covered the Helios Grand Hotel, The Isle of Berk, Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, and The Ministry of Magic as our journey into the worlds of Epic Universe began. Now it’s time to celebrate the grand opening of Epic Universe with a look into the park’s main hub: Celestial Park.
It’s actually here! After nearly six years from its announcement on August 1st, 2019 – through countless trials, tribulations, construction updates, and an entire worldwide pandemic – Epic Universe is here. It seems like an impossible journey.
Late last night, Epic Universe hosted its media partners and content creators, including Theme Park Shark, who was honored to take part in such a historic opening. The final night time ceremony was an astounding affair that showcased the future of night time shows and what Epic Universe is capable of.
This morning, a second Grand Opening ceremony was held. This, as well as interviews and more can be seen on the official Live Opening at Epic Universe that was streamed by Universal Orlando Resort.
Celestial Park, the main hub of Universal’s Epic Universe and the point from which you dive into the four other fantastical themed worlds within the park, is the first land that greets people when they enter the park. From the grand Chronos tower (Epic’s version of the Universal arches or the Pharos Lighthouse), to the dueling coaster that resides within, Celestial Park is a land with a story larger than life, which helps tie together the other four lands in a seamless adventure worthy of being called Epic.
Without any further ado, let’s take a look at what Celestial Park has to offer its travelers.
Attractions in Celestial Park
This area of the park not only serves as the hub to all of the other worlds accessible at Epic Universe, but as a world of its own, home to a race of beings called the Celestials, who have perfected both time travel and interdimensional travel to bring guests to the furthest reaches of their imagination.
Featuring three major attractions and endless retail options, as well as some of the park’s premier full-service restaurants, Celestial Park is more than just the hub. This land is the linchpin holding together the themed worlds that surround it, and was designed with as much care and enthusiasm as the themed lands it connects, with exceptional storytelling infused into every door, window, and brick used to lay it.
The Astronomica
The Astronimica is a water play area that lies at the heart of Celestial Park, featuring dancing fountains and a gigantic star-map that allows guests to chart their own adventure, whether it be to kick back and enjoy the sites or get the pants scares off of them at Dark Universe. A Kid-friendly attraction, this area allows parents to sit back and relax while the kids play in the fountain area.
“Astronomica is an interactive water play area with dancing fountains in Celestial Park. This giant compass is a star map guiding explorers to the thrills of Universal Epic Universe and Beyond.”
Enclosed by elegant fencing and overlooking the Constellation Carousel, this play ares is the perfect place to take some time and soak in the sights and sounds of Celestial Park. And with no wait times! You can’t miss an opportunity like that!
Constellation Carousel
A standard carousel, Universal’s Epic Universe has given this one a cosmic flair. The constellations themselves have taken physical forms, allowing guests the ride of a lifetime as they board the back of the Capricorn or sail through the stars alongside the Sagittarius.
“On this cosmic carousel, the constellations themselves take physical form, enabling you and your family to ride celestial lights, dragons, bears, and more as you’re whirled in every directions.”
A kid-friendly and downright beautifully designed attraction, this ride brings the stars to you. While no mention of a single-rider line has been made for this attraction, guests can use Universal Express Pass on the Constellation Carousel, and Child Swap is available for those who need it. In addition to Child Swap, however, this attraction has no minimum height requirement and offers bench seats along with the standard horseback-styled carousel seats, allowing guests to experience this attraction even if they are unable to board the Ursa Major.
Take a magical twirl under the constellations on this ride, and be sure to drink in all of the celestial craftsmanship that went into this attraction, because it truly is beautiful!
Stardust Racers
The one everyone has been talking about! Stardust Racers is a brand-new dueling coaster that has everyone excited, and for good reason! This is the first dueling coaster on Universal Orlando Resort property since the removal of Dragon Challenge (previously Dueling Dragons) in 2017, to make room for Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure.
Stardust Racers, which resurrects that thrilling concept, is a high-speed steel coaster that offers an intense adrenaline-filled experience.
“Climb aboard a comet and race across the stars on this dual-launch coaster which blazes through the cosmos at incredible speed.”
Like most of Universal’s large steel coasters, guests will be required to pass through a metal detector before boarding, to avoid any injuries from loose objects accidentally being ejected from pockets. Safety is always key at Universal Orlando Florida, and when you’re racing in close proximity to other cars, it’s a must.
But don’t worry! If you’re in a rush, and are concerned that a metal detector is just going to slow you down, this ride does accept Universal Express Pass, to get through that queue at record speed! In addition to Universal Express Pass, guests can also use the Single Ride line – though partied will be split – and child swap for this attraction.
And it’s a good thing, too, because the minimum height for this ride is 48”, meaning our littlest cosmic wayfarers might not be able to ride!
With such an intense experience, those who don’t like Universal’s classic steel coasters like The Incredible Hulk or Velocicoaster might want to sit this one out – but the fun is all in exploring! And since this ride is going to be around for years to come, you’ve got plenty of time to scrounge up that courage for a truly interstellar experience.
Retail and Dining in Celestial Park
Theme Park Shark has previously debuted the menus for major restaurants, quick-service food counters, and snack carts throughout Epic Universe with out Shark Bites guide to Epic Universe. Check out full menus with details, info, and pictures for all the restaurants of Epic Universe in our official Shark Bites directory.
In addition to every restaurant that Theme Park Shark has covered in the past, guests now finally have full access to The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, which went unexplored for most of Epic Universe’s preview period. This beautiful neon landscape offers some exquisite Asian flair and fare, creating an almost ethereal dining location that brings guests into a breathtaking new location inspired by traditional Japanese Shinto temples and the enduring spirit of the dragon that plays a significant role in Asian mythology from many different cultures.
Offering a full menu of modern pan-Asian fare, this restaurant is a full-service location within Celestial Park, and offers a wide variety of foods for every palate, including cocktails, mocktails, appetizers, and deserts. The menu is a point of pride for Universal’s Culinary Department, who poured an intense love of food and storytelling through food into this restaurant.
As for retail, guests can find plenty of celestial goods at any of the four major retail locations within this section of the park, which includes a confectionery – Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets, where guests can try sweets and treats discovered from all of the marvelous realms the Celestials have visited, run by the young Maya of the Skies and her marvelous moonship. Keep an eye out for Captain Cacao! He’s a fan favorite, and incredibly cuddly.
Guests can also visit North Star Wintry Wonders for year-round Christmas spirit, featuring gifts, toys, ornaments and more for the holidays. Much like The Christmas Shoppe in Port of Entry, this store offers a wide variety of Christmas merchandise all year round!
Other Worlds Mercantile, which compiles merchandise from the various lands of Epic Universe, and the Sensorium Emporium also offer a wide variety of merchandise, catering to guests looking for last-minute gifts or Epic Universe merch.
If your adventure is just getting started, though, head over to Lens Flare in Celestial Park to purchase your own My Universal photo packages and other photography needs, where you can buy photo packages, physical prints, and other keepsakes of your adventures across the Celestial worlds.
And speaking of those Celestial worlds, don’t forget that Super Nintendo World has its own dedicated shop inside Celestial Park! Instead of going all the way through the portal, guests can find select Nintendo licensed products at the Nintendo Super Star Store in the main hub of the park.
Can’t make it to Universal’s Epic Universe just yet, but want to hit your next big vacation ready-to-go and showing off your favorite monsters the second you step foot on property? Universal’s got you covered! Check out the Universal Orlando Resort online storefront to shop some of the most popular Harry Potter items, including wands, robes, and magical artifacts.
Plus, for a limited time, shoppers on the Universal Orlando Resort web store can get free shipping on orders of 100+ by using the code SHIP100 at checkout. This offer does only apply to domestic shipping, is only valid for purchases made online, and excludes tax and additional discounts.
Shark Favorites
If you’re visiting Celestial Park, you absolutely must stop into Pizza Moon – even if you’re not in the mood for a Pizza, the retro-futuristic (or futuristic-retro?) style of this pizzeria is breathtaking, and the food itself is exceptional, featuring classic and experimental pizzas that are made in-house.
And as mentioned earlier, keep an eye out for Captain Cacao, a cuddly little teddy bear that has been all the rage at Epic Universe since his debut during previews. Available for purchase, he can be a little hard to get your hands on – so if you see him on the shelves, definitely grab one! He’s your best friend bear and cuddly companion through the worlds of Epic Universe!
Check Back for More from Inside Epic Universe
Check back soon, as Theme Park Shark will continue to bring you exclusive views from inside Epic Universe, as well as food reviews, ride reviews, and everything you need to know about the new theme park at Universal Orlando Resort. In the meantime, check out Theme Park Shark on your favorite social media platform, like Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. As Universal’s Media Preview gets under way, expect to see plenty of exclusive footage from Theme Park Shark as we tackle everything Epic, as well as theme park news from Disney, Universal, and theme parks from all across the world!
