Epic Universe ICYMI has been open for over a year now, and it’s safe to say that Universal’s new park is already a hit. Spanning five lands — Celestial Park, Dark Universe, How to train your dragon: Berk Island, Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World — Adds 11 super fun and immersive rides to Universal Orlando’s lineup. However, if you’re planning a trip to Epic, logistics are key, especially if you want to carve out time at other parks. Which Epic rides can a 42-inch child actually ride? Where can Express Pass be used? And what should motion-sensitive riders skip?
For comparison, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure have a total of 31 rides. Universal Studios Florida (approximately 108 acres) has 14 rides, and Universal Islands of Adventure (approximately 110 acres) has 17 rides. With 11 rides on 110 acres, Epic feels like a third division of Universal’s existing parks, both in size and number of rides. But trust me when I say it feels completely different than any theme park I’ve ever been to.
This guide will explain everything else, including height requirements, intensity levels, and other things to keep in mind. So here’s what you need to know before traveling here. This has to be said, it’s just *epic* (tsu) theme park. Oh, and if you’re wondering which rides are actually worth the longest wait, check out our rankings. the best Epic Universe Vehicles.
Before we get into it, a note about Express Passes.
When Epic Universe opened in May 2025, three rides were not available as Express Pass options. Two of them, Harry Potter and the Ministry of Magic and Trolley Madness, were later added, leaving Dragon Racers Rally as the only survivor.
Epic recently added some exciting new features to the Express Pass family. With Express Pass Now, you can purchase a one-time Express Pass to select attractions for $25. Express Pass Now is only available through the Universal Orlando Resort app after entering the park on the day of your visit. We would also like to point out that they are subject to availability and will only open if a particular attraction has capacity.
Epic Universe Ride Information
Stardust Racers (in Celestial Park)
- Height requirement: minimum 48 inches
- Express Pass: Yes
This giant dual-launch coaster lets riders “rocket aboard a comet to the farthest reaches of the stars.” That means you’ll travel up to 133 feet over a 5,000-foot course at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. I’m a coasterhead, but I can definitely say that this is a piece that enthusiasts will go wild for. It’s not quite as fast as Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s Velo Coaster, which reaches top speeds of 110 miles per hour, but it’s pretty close. Combined with the upside-down cross action and the second coaster blazing all around you, it’s a bit confusing. According to guides in the park, the coaster’s two tracks represent different intensity levels (much like Mission Space at Disney’s Epcot). I went for the yellow side, which is considered less intense…and it was pretty intense!
Other interesting facts: Stardust racers do not have external track lighting. This means that only the ride vehicle is illuminated at night. So they look like real comets crossing the night sky in Celestial Park. And please pay attention to the “magnetic flux capacitor” on the back of the coaster. back to the future easter egg.
Dragon Racers Rally (Bark Island)
- Height requirement: minimum 48 inches
- Express Pass: No, this is currently the only ride from Epic that is not included in the Express Pass.
fan of how to train a dragon We know that dragon racing is a famous pastime on Berk Island. This fun aerial ride lets you become a new Viking and practice aerobatics on a dragon. Each wing has a handle so you can control it individually (basically, you can flap the wings) and adjust the intensity of the ride accordingly. It is possible to do a barrel roll, but only one person in our group accomplished it. But one of Ride’s team members said his record was five.
The information I received is that it is much easier to flip if you sit in the front or back when riding the glider. The center glider is perfect for riders who just want to cruise and enjoy the scenery. You can reach heights of up to 67 feet, so you can see a lot.
Fire Drill (Bark Island)
- Height Requirements: There is no minimum height, but children under 48 inches must be supervised
- Express Pass: Yes
In the Epic Universe’s only water ride, Viking twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut turn Berk’s fire squall into a soggy boat battle. After all, there are fire-breathing dragons around. You have to be ready to erase whatever happens. In this interactive experience, board the ship, take a seat, and take the wheel of a water cannon. There are three types of targets: red/flame, orange and green, and blue. The first hit earns you a point, the second hit shoots water at your opponent’s boat, and the blue one shoots water. The boat with the most points wins bragging rights and becomes a full-fledged Viking firefighter.
Pro Tip: Fire cannons at least 8 feet into the air. So if you’re feeling a little cheeky, you can shoot right over your target and hit the Vikings in the opposing boat directly. You’ll get soaked either way, but on a hot day this ride will definitely be at the top of your to-do list.
Hiccup’s Wing Glider (Bark Island)
- Height Requirement: Minimum 40 inches, children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervisor
- Express Pass: Yes
This super fun coaster is Hiccup’s newest contraption. You see, he’s trying to build a winged flying machine to launch dragon riders into the dragon-less skies. I didn’t know what to expect from this, but it ended up being one of my favorites. First of all, it’s faster and steeper than you’d expect. Plus, you can wander over and around Burke Island or soak in the lagoon (the best!). You’ll also get to see animatronic Hiccup and Toothless, and there’s never been a better time for a Toothless cameo.
Harry Potter and the Battle of the Ministry of Magic (Inside the Ministry of Magic)
- Height requirement: minimum 40 inches
- Express Pass: Yes, added to lineup in August 2025
I’m going to say the same thing as you here: I don’t even know how to properly describe this ride. The scale of it is completely different from anything I’ve ever been a part of. For die-hard Potterheads, this is a ride they’ll remember long after they disembark. What’s the point? Dolores Umbridge is about to go on trial, so she must travel by metro flow from Paris to the British Ministry of Magic to meet Harry, Ron, and Hermione. However, as you travel deeper into the many departments of the Ministry, you will encounter several uninvited guests.
This dark indoor ride uses state-of-the-art technology that allows the ride vehicle to truly move in all directions, moving up, down, forward and backward. I don’t think the “elevator” you’re sitting on actually moves that much, but it really felt like we were going up and down quite a bit, and flying here and there pretty quickly. This ride can have an incredible wait time when the park opens, but fans don’t care because the lines are amazing. you would do that want From the giant atrium with tens of thousands of dark green tiles to Umbridge’s office (complete with moving cat plate) and beyond, you’ll need to line up long enough to take in everything.
The ride itself also marks the first time Universal has created an original ride. harry potter– A ride-themed story makes it even more special.
Curse of the Werewolf (Dark Universe)
- Height requirement: minimum 40 inches
- Express Pass: Yes
Maleva, the omniscient leader of the Mystics Guild, welcomes you to a secluded wagon camp in the Darkmoor Forest for this rolling family coaster. But you will soon realize that you are never alone. Glowing eyes, gnashing teeth, and ghostly howls hint at a terrifying predator about to hunt you down.
You might dismiss this as another “kid’s” coaster, but you’d be wrong. It’s really fun for the whole family, except for the drunkards. It’s fast (57 miles per hour), spins back and forth across the track, and it’s a lot of fun because it’s unpredictable.
Monsters Unchained: Frankenstein’s Experiment (Dark Universe)
- Height requirement: minimum 40 inches
- Express Pass: Yes
This was one of the most exciting rides I had the pleasure of experiencing and it did not disappoint. Once again, you can’t help but marvel at its size and sleek coolness. The backstory here is that Dr. Victoria Frankenstein continues her ancestors’ misguided research and establishes a laboratory on the Frankenstein family grounds to conduct experiments to control monsters. But things go horribly wrong beneath the towering mansion when Dracula leads a rebellion of monsters.
If you’re a horror fan, you’ll totally geek out over the many iconic monsters from Universal Pictures’ classic films. Along with Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster (kinda hot, FWIW), of course, we have the werewolf, the mummy, and the creature from the Black Lagoon. From the crackling of electric ropes as you ride the ride, to the catacomb walls made up of skulls, to passing animatronic monsters, it feels like both the ride and the movie are in one.
It works using the same robocoaster arm as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, but since it’s next-gen only, you can expect a similar feel and less of the discomfort that many people get from using the screen in Forbidden Journey. The ride itself wasn’t too scary (not super fast, a little jerky, but not too violent), but I still think it’s for more mature riders. “Spooky” kids who are attracted to horror will be hooked, but the dark atmosphere will probably scare other young riders.
Trolley Madness (in Super Nintendo World)
- Height Requirement: Minimum 40 inches, children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervisor
- Express Pass: Yes, added to lineup in August 2025
Let’s count how much you like this ride! Your goal here is to help Donkey Kong protect the Golden Banana. That means you have to hop on a trolley and drive through the majestic Golden Temple. If you’re a fan of the Donkey Kong video games, especially the OG, you’ll love this vehicle. The unique track system literally makes it seem like your cart is jumping over gaps and switching tracks while driving, making you feel like you’re really in the game. I was with an all-adult group and can’t wait to see the kids’ reactions when we “jump the truck” with this group.
The only caveat I have here is that this ride is meant to feel like a minecart ride, so there will be a lot of shaking and bumping. If there are people in your party who are sensitive to that, it’s best to be patient or be prepared to deal with it harshly.
Yoshi’s Adventure (in Super Nintendo World)
- Height Requirement: Minimum 34 inches, children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervisor
- Express Pass: Yes
Of all the rides I’ve been on, I think this is the most family friendly. On the Universal system, it is similar to the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. If you’re familiar with Disney, think People Mover. It’s a slow experience where you ride Yoshi and look for glowing eggs. Once you find one, push the corresponding egg into the Yoshi Car and aim to “collect” them all.
Will it appeal primarily to young children? yes. Can older children and adults also enjoy it? absolutely. Includes lots of classic characters such as Kamek, Baby Mario, Baby Peach, Porky, and Paratroopa. There are indoor and outdoor options, each with their own benefits. Being indoors allows you to escape the hot Florida sun. Once you’re outdoors, you’ll discover the true extent of the mushroom kingdom.
Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge (in Super Nintendo World)
- Height Requirement: Minimum 40 inches, children under 48 inches must be accompanied by a supervisor
- Express Pass: Yes
Nothing really surprising here. This ride is awesome. Once inside the cart, you don special goggles (which will make you look hilarious) and are transported to an augmented reality world where you collect coins and throw cannonballs at enemies to defeat Team Bowser. The combination of AR, projection mapping, and 3D sets doesn’t get more immersive than this. You’re basically transported inside Mario Kart, and as a Mario Kart fan, I felt like I had died and gone to a nice big game system in the sky.
This ride, which is also found at Universal parks in Hollywood and Japan, has multiple effects and each ride offers a different experience. Remember: aim with your head!
Constellation Carousel (in Celestial Park)
- Height Requirements: There is no minimum height, but children under 48 inches must be supervised
- Express Pass: Yes
As the name suggests, this carousel is shaped like a constellation in the sky. So you can jump on the celestial creatures and get what looks like a unique merry-go-round. Each carriage rotates 360 degrees and lifts riders up to 6 feet in the air. It’s really beautiful here and gets bonus points for being one of the few shady spots in the park.
Other important things to know
We found the rides to have a fairly wide range of sizes for both tall and large guests. Some of the rides are clearly more snug (coasters like Hiccup’s Wing Glider and Stardust Racer are understandably well-secured to keep you safe). If you are claustrophobic, you should take that into consideration. The rides come with tester seats so you can see how the ride feels before you get in line.
I also thought the family room/kid exchange area was really great if you have kids who aren’t old enough or tall enough for some of the attractions and want others in the group to ride as well. It’s spacious with lots of seating and has cool air conditioning.
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