The Best Underrated Attractions at Epic Universe

Universal Orlando’s newest theme park opened last May and was the first new theme park to open in the Orlando area in 25 years. The amount of detail and the park's captivating atmosphere truly elevate Universal’s offerings to be on par with the storytelling and immersive experiences people love at Disney Parks. This is where Epic Universe truly shines! A lot has been said about Epic's major attractions, but you can spend just as much time enjoying some unique and underrated experiences at the park that (in our opinion) don't get the attention they deserve. Here's our list of the best underrated attractions at Epic Universe you should definitely add to your must-do list:

The Untrainable Dragon

The Untrainable Dragon live show brings the dragons of Berk to life using larger-than-life puppetry, live percussionists, dancers, singers, and visits from Viking friends from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise. The most memorable part? Toothless and Hiccup soaring high over the audience in an epic flight that will wow kids of all ages (and may make you shed a tear). The show is about 20 minutes long, so it's a great way to take a break from an epic day of adventures and the Florida heat.​

Dragon & Viking Meet Ups

Head to Haddock Paddock, the Isle of Berk's primary character meet and greet location, to get up close with the dragons and Vikings that call Berk home. This is the primary location to snap a pic with Toothless, who fully interacts with you throughout your experience. Hiccup will guide you through how to properly approach the dragon and gain approval before petting its nose and taking a picture together. Other Viking friends like Astrid, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and their dragons also appear there. These extremely lifelike dragons create an immersive experience that feels simply magical. You can also spot other vikings and dragons roaming throughout the land at certain times of day. In addition, there are interactive dragon animatronics and images throughout Berk (30 in all) that you can spot while you explore Berk.​

Eats and Treats Inside Super Nintendo World

Mario characters and lifelike game theming are everywhere in Super Nintendo World—including on your plate. From whimsical treats to themed entrées and innovative popcorn buckets, these edible works of art help bring the stories of Super Nintendo World to life. Visit Yoshi’s Snack Island near Mount Beanpole for turtle-shell-shaped calzones. The Green Shell is plant-based, and the Red Shell is filled with Italian meats. Head over to Donkey Kong Country and try the DK Crush Float at Bubbly Barrel. This crazy-sweet float combines banana cream Dole Whip soft serve and Pineapple Fanta soda, and is topped with caramel popcorn, chocolate, and toffee pieces served in a waffle bowl. Get it in a souvenir DK barrel to take home for extra fun!​

Power Up Bands™

These highly themed wearable bracelets give you the power to complete challenges, collect coins, and interact with various elements inside Super Nintendo World. Once your band is activated, you can explore Super Nintendo World and complete challenges like punching brick blocks and mini-games as you earn coins, stamps, and keys. Connect your band to the Universal Orlando Resort app to keep track of your progress, earn digital rewards, and keep track of your scores. The band also keeps "team" scores for everyone who has the same character band that day. Complete three of the five "key challenges" to access an exclusive game: a showdown with Bowser Jr. in a hidden part of the land. The band can also keep track of your scores when you ride Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge.

     Dine at The Atlantic

The newest fish in the pond of Orlando theme park eateries is one of the most underrated attractions at Epic Universe. This fine dining restaurant is located in the heart of Celestial Park, Epic Universe’s central hub and entrance portal. The circular, tiered-story design mimics the ocean: you enter on the top “surface” level with vintage nautical wood carvings that remind you of an old schooner ship’s interior. Walk down a curved staircase into the "sea" where an array of stained glass fish lamps, glass bubble chandeliers, and ocean figures dance over your head. The dining area juts out into Neptune Lagoon and has floor-to-ceiling windows with park views. Book a nighttime dining reservation to see the dazzling multi-colored fish lamps and bubble chandeliers come to life. Pair it with Celestial Park's lighting and ambiance at night for a truly stunning experience.​

Character Interactions at Dark Universe

For a land completely dedicated to Universal’s classic monsters, you’ll enjoy some pretty hilarious character interactions at Dark Universe. This lightens the mood and helps ease the tension of even the most skittish guests. You may run into Victoria’s assistant, Ygor, who is on a mission to collect as many parts as possible for Victoria’s latest experiment. He may ask you to lend your hand for the task. You will definitely want to watch if you see him roaming around. Stop to take a picture with Frankenstein’s Monster and Bride of Frankenstein, who are usually confused about the fashion, customs, and technology of the modern era. You may also spot the Invisible Man sneaking around town and occasional musicians who will tell you legends and lore about Darkmoor.​

Book Your Epic Vacation with Just Add Magic Travel®

There is still plenty of time to plan your trip to Universal Orlando this year! Whether you are looking to plan a last-minute spring break getaway or spend the holiday season at Universal, we can help you plan a stress-free vacation that allows you to experience all the immersive offerings at Epic Universe. Get your vacation quote here to get started. For more updates and travel news about your favorite travel destinations, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.