Celestial Park: The Cosmic Heart of Universal Epic Universe
Celestial Park serves as the grand welcome and central hub for Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, set to open on May 22, 2025. More than just an entrance, Celestial Park is a vibrant nexus, seamlessly connecting the thrilling narratives and adventures of four distinct worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. While these portals to other realms beckon, Celestial Park itself promises equally captivating experiences.
A Gateway to the Universe
Standing proudly at the entrance of Celestial Park is The Chronos, a mysterious mechanism of unknown origin, even to the park's residents, the Celestians. This device, when fully aligned, acts as a gateway to the universe, inviting guests to step inside and begin their exploration. The Chronos serves as the park's icon and entrance gateway, facilitating interdimensional travel.
The Celestians utilize The Chronos to open portals to other worlds, such as Dark Universe and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic. A specialized group known as the Chronocosmic Engineers is entrusted with maintaining these interdimensional pathways and preserving the integrity of The Chronos. Other Celestians play vital roles throughout Celestial Park, operating its diverse restaurants and charming boutiques, ensuring a seamless and enchanting experience for all visitors.
A Park of Unique Design
Celestial Park is meticulously designed with 26 individual gardens, each boasting unique theming and plants. The park's design incorporates astrological motifs, with walkways, fountains, and ponds enhancing the celestial ambiance. At dusk, a transformative ceremony unfolds, featuring an orchestral display of light and music, adding to the park's enchanting atmosphere. The lights atop each portal send out beams that converge at the Chronos, further emphasizing the park's interconnectedness.
Thrilling Attractions
Celestial Park offers a mix of exhilarating and enchanting attractions:
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- Stardust Racers: This dueling coaster promises an out-of-this-world thrill, reaching speeds of 62 mph and heights of 133 feet on a 5,000-foot track. The ride incorporates unique maneuvers like the "Celestial Spin," where two coaster vehicles perform an inverted crisscross while speeding through the air. The coaster is manufactured by Mack Rides. It is designed to give you the feeling of boarding a comet and racing through the stars. The ride also features a luminous star display and cool music. The ride is impressive in the light of day, but illuminated at night, it's a sight to behold.
- Constellation Carousel: This carousel features a variety of celestial creatures like lions, dragons, and peacocks. As each creature rotates 360 degrees, riders are gently lifted up to 6 feet in the air. This imaginative twist on a classic theme park attraction is designed to captivate visitors of all ages. Carriages whirl and twirl in every direction while lifting riders up to 6 feet in the air. It comes with its own light show and music.
- Astronomica: This interactive water play area is designed like a compass rose. Guests can enjoy splashing around in playful fountains that dance and swirl around them, creating a delightful and cooling experience. It is designed as a compass that points to the portals and attractions around Epic Universe. This area is extra impressive when lit up at night.
Entertainment
- Hemisphere Stage: A variety of musical performers light up the Hemisphere Stage, reimagining well-known songs with their own signature flair.
- Character Experiences: Mysterious Celestians can be spotted roaming the area, bringing Celestial Park to life. One might even resemble a living statue, remaining perfectly still until the moment is right to move. Interacting with them can be a fun and unexpected highlight of your visit, so don’t hesitate to stop and take a closer look.
Dining Options
Celestial Park offers a diverse range of dining options to satisfy every palate:
- Atlantic (full-service): Atlantic offers "surf and turf" dishes within a Victorian-style aquarium setting, complete with views of Celestial Park. Aquaria Bar is available for a quick drink. Situated near a shimmering pool named for the Roman sea god Neptune, Atlantic specializes in seafood, of course, as well as steak. It’s been designed to recall an enormous Victorian aquarium, where illuminated fish swim above you.
- The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant (full-service): The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant provides a culinary experience with Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine, set in a vibrant ambiance highlighted by neon dragons and ethereal lanterns. The Tiger Bar also serves drinks and Asian fare. It features Japanese, Chinese, and Thai dishes on the menu and vivid neon dragons on the walls. Glowing lanterns set a festive mood in the courtyard.
- Pizza Moon (quick-service): Get ready to fuel up with delicious pizza at Pizza Moon.
- Comet Dogs (quick-service): This quick-service eatery takes hot dogs to the next level with bold, flavor-infused creations.
- The Oak & Star Tavern (quick-service): The Oak & Star Tavern is set to tantalize taste buds with its barbecue cuisine.
- Frosty Moon (quick-service): This spot is a paradise for ice cream lovers, offering a variety of sweet treats, including a striking fuchsia ice cream cone crowned with golden orbits.
- Meteor Astropub (quick-service): Beer enthusiasts, cocktail lovers, and burger connoisseurs can blast off to flavor at this meteor-themed hangout.
- Star Sui Bao (quick-service): Located next to Stardust Racers, this Asian food cart serves a unique twist on the classic steamed bao bun.
- Bar Zenith: Tucked beside Meteor Astropub, this open-air bar offers the perfect place to unwind with a refreshing drink while taking in the stellar atmosphere of Celestial Park.
- Celestiki: This outdoor bar blends cosmic charm with tropical flair, offering a menu of island-inspired drinks.
- The Plastered Owl: This whimsical tavern features beer flowing straight from the tap of a majestic ancient tree at its heart.
Shopping
- Nintendo Super Star Store: For fans of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, the Nintendo Super Star Store offers a range of merchandise related to this franchise.
- Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets: This spot provides an array of chocolates and confections to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Sensorium Emporium: Vincent Various, the explorer of Celestial Park, has transformed his workshop into a treasure trove of shops with unique merchandise.
- Other Worlds Mercantile: This marketplace offers rare finds and collected wonders from across the realms of Epic Universe.
- North Star Wintry Wonders: This shop keeps the holiday spirit alive year-round with holiday gifts, toys, ornaments, and more.
- Lens Flare: Freeze your favorite Epic Universe moments in time at Lens Flare, where keepsakes let you relive your adventures.
Additional Services
- Guest Services: Located at a kiosk by Constellation Carousel. Concierge kiosks are also available in front of the portal to each world.
- Restrooms: Located by the front entrance to Epic Universe, next to Pizza Moon, and near the entrance of Stardust Racers.
- Lockers: Daily locker rentals are available to the left of the Chronos. Lockers are also available at the concierge kiosks in front of each world’s portal. Two sizes are offered: Small (12″ x 13″ x 16.9″) and Large (12″ x 16.25″ x 16.9″).
- First aid: Located near the front of Epic Universe, next to the Chronos, and on the opposite end of the park, to the left of the portal to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic. The second location also serves as a family care center.
- Rental services: Strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs are available for rent in this area of Epic Universe, just to the left of the Chronos.
- Lost and Found: Located near the front entrance of Epic Universe, to the left of the Chronos.
- Service Animal Relief Areas: Located beyond the Epic Universe entrance, closer to the parking lot, and near the entrance to Stardust Racers.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Located within Celestial Park, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel offers a Mediterranean-inspired escape with celestial motifs, providing a perfect complement to the Epic Universe experience.
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