Epic notebook: More tidbits from Universal’s new theme park

[Disney4me]

A couple of my professional colleagues teased me because I used a pen and a tiny notebook during a recent media tour of Epic Universe. For me, it’s faster that way, keeps me organized and doesn’t drain any batteries.

My little notebook slipped into a back pocket and was acceptable for most rides. It has seen things. That notebook is the source for these quick and sweaty odds and ends that didn’t fit into my first impressions story.

The usual disclaimers: The park is still in “technical rehearsal,” so hiccups and mysteries may continue. Remember the official opening day of Epic Universe is May 22. Oh, and there shall be (mild) spoilers in the paragraphs that follow.

Super Nintendo World is not only bright, you can dance to it. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

• Mercy, there’s a lot going on in Super Nintendo World. Not only is it extremely visual, the soundtrack is relentless, but in a way that has everyone bobbing their heads, about to start a videogame dance party. It’s a bop, as the kids used to say. On an earlier visit to Epic, a man who eventually found the bathroom exclaimed, “I feel like the victory music should be playing.”

• The crowds are limited during Epic previews, so the queues are nowhere near capacity, and the empty long and winding ways are a sobering indication of expected demand. This is especially true for Mine-Cart Madness in Super Nintendo World and Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. (I came away a little worried about the black chains that are practically invisible in the ministry queue, but maybe having people there will make the conga line clearer.)

Universal Orlando adds Terra Luna hotel to Epic Universe neighborhood

• Another good but dark queue is for Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Dark Universe. There’s good reading and the blue light through-line carries onto the actual ride.

• Directional signs in Darkmoor, the setting for Dark U., point toward a handful of cities. My favorite: Duskborough.

• The bell that tolls occasionally in Darkmoor is a shout-out to Quasimodo. The on-ground characters in the neighborhood were strong, including the bandaged-up Invisible Man, who may be using Halloween Horror Nights lurking methods.

An actor playing Hiccup poses for photos with Toothless the dragon and guests in the How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

• A favorite effect involves faux fire in “The Untrainable Dragon” show in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. Of course, it’s no flying dragon, a big crowd-pleaser. The buzziest part of Berk is probably the Toothless meet and greet.

• New park, new names to learn. That cold-blasting animatronic in Berk is the snow wraith; Apollo and Luna are the gods at opposite ends of Celestial Park (they have day and night shifts, respectively); the tracks for Stardust Racers coaster are called Pulsar (the green one) and Photon (yellow).

The queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry features Dolores Umbridge, whose trial is the focal point of the ride. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

• It might be a little lazy to compare new rides with known attractions, but here’s my description of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. It’s Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man ride plus Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (Islands of Adventure) with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios) stirred in.

• Tip for coping with Epic waits: Look up. There are interesting design touches all over the ceilings, including the Constellation Carousel, Oak & Star Tavern and the queue to Curse of the Werewolf, among others.

• Most murmured at Epic Universe media event: What about fireworks?

Epic Universe preview: An early walk (and rides) in the park

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.

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