Get ready, movie and theme park lovers: Universal Orlando Resort is making 2025 its most “epic” year yet. Universal Epic Universe, the destination's brand new theme park, opens on May 22, 2025, and while we know kids will love the family-friendly lands like How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Super Nintendo World, there's a pretty good chance Epic Universe will be perfect for grown-ups, too.
Whether you've already bought your tickets for opening day at Epic Universe or you're debating planning a future visit with your sweetie to check out the adult activities at Epic Universe, we've got you covered with our list of things adults will love about Universal Epic Universe.
Step-by-step guide: Single Day Tickets are now on sale.
Best Lands for Adults
1. Dark Universe
Perhaps the most anticipated-by-adults area of Epic Universe, Dark Universe is all about the Universal Monsters and the frightful delights they can bestow on brave guests. We can't wait to experience the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experience attraction and think strolling through Darkmoor Village with our partner sounds like the perfect evening out.
Here, monsters like Frankenstein and his Bride roam the village and guests can dine among vampires at Das Steakhouse or sip drinks at The Burning Blade Tavern. This scary, dark, and brooding theme park land just may be the most adult-friendly theme park land in the U.S., and we're here for it.
2. Celestial Park
The heart of Epic Universe, Celestial Park will offer beautiful places to stroll, a romantic carousel, rides, restaurants, and more. Simply walking around this area full of green trees and dancing fountains will feel romantic enough, but there's so much more.
Paired with dinner at fine-dining seafood and steak restaurant The Atlantic or the bustling, Asian-themed The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, time in Celestial Park alone feels ultra grown-up and date night-worthy to us. And Celestial Park is home to two of our favorite Epic Universe bars.
3. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Adult fans of the Harry Potter franchise will love strolling through 1920s wizarding Paris, then traveling to the British Ministry of Magic for more wizarding fun in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic land. In addition to the new Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry attraction, there'll be shops, cafes, and new ways to use those interactive Wizarding World wands.
Walking through quaint “Parisian” streets sounds pretty romantic to us. We can't wait to experience the thrill of a new Harry Potter attraction with the one we love, though wait times have been multiple hours. On the plus side, the Le Cirque Arcanus™ show is stunning!
Read more: 3 Romantic Spots inside Wizarding World of Harry Potter Epic Universe
For Kids at Heart
4. Super Nintendo World
Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe will have two areas: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. Both will offer exciting attractions and scenery. And, with Nintendo-themed Power Up Bands, you and your date will be able to compete in interactive challenges and track your score to see who's the best at all things Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. The loser buys a meal (or a sweet treat) at Toadstool Cafe — an adorable Mario-themed restaurant that serves up some of the cutest theme park food we've seen.
5. How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
With a coaster, a live show, and quite a few rides, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk delights guests of all ages, even adults. Beyond the adventures of beloved characters like Hiccup and Toothless, there's also a mead hall where grown-ups can celebrate with Viking-style sips and eats.
Romantic Spots at Epic Universe
Read more: List of Romantic Spots in Epic Universe
6. Epic Universe Romantic Restaurants
Celestial Park:
- Atlantic: A full-service surf and turf restaurant set within a Victorian aquarium
- The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant: Serving authentic Chinese, Japanese, and Thai dishes in a vibrant setting adorned with neon dragons and lanterns.
- The Oak & Star Tavern: A quick-service spot specializing in barbecue cuisine.
Celestial Park has some of the best dining at Epic Universe including the Atlantic restaurant – which sits across the shimmering waters of Neptune’s Pool. The Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant – where guests can dine under the constellations alongside two neon dragons adorning the walls, The Oak & Star Tavern – where guests can gather around an oak tree and relish in savory barbecue, and so much more.
Dark Universe:
- Das Stakehaus: A dining hall run by vampire “familiars,” serving kebabs, burgers, sandwiches, and ribs in a setting filled with vampire-themed artwork.
- De Lacey’s Cottage: A snack stand serving cinnamon bread, ice cream, and twisted taters, inspired by the cottage from the Frankenstein story.
While exploring Darkmoor, guests will find the ghastly dining locations Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern and De Lacey’s Cottage – each featuring food and beverage offerings that are to die for.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic:
- Café L’Air De La Sirène: A charming café offering French sandwiches, plats du jour, and desserts, with indoor and outdoor seating.
- Le Gobelet Noir: A mysterious venue where international Dark witches and wizards gather, serving soups, salads, a variety of entrées, and desserts.
7. Bars & Lounges
Dark Universe:
- The Burning Blade Tavern: A hangout for Darkmoor’s monster hunters, offering burgers, wings, bratwurst, pretzels, and drinks, with decor showcasing monster “trophies.”
Celestial Park:
- CelesTiki: It’s the trendiest tiki bar in the cosmos! Explorers can enjoy exotic drinks that can’t be found anywhere else in the universe, like Waturi Punch, a refreshing rum cocktail (and a tribute to Volcano Bay). Sip up and chill out.
- Aquaria Bar: tucked within the Atlantic restaurant with panoramic views of the waters of Celestial Park, this bar featured cocktails and an impressive wine list as fish and aquatic decor dazzle overhead.
- The Tiger Bar: As etheral lanterns glow overhead, exciting cocktails with a Pan-Asian flair make for a refreshing retreat inside the Blue Dragon Restaurant.
Read the full list of our favorite Epic Universe bars.
8. Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Adding to the charm of Epic Universe is its Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a super-romantic new hotel with its own dedicated entrance to Epic Universe. And one of the crowning jewels of it all is the lovely Bar Helios (read our review).
With dining, a rooftop bar with 360-degree views, and a Mediterranean-inspired feel throughout, Helios Grand is bound to become one of the most romantic spots to stay at Universal Orlando Resort. And, like all Universal hotels, Helios Grand will offer theme park perks like transportation and early park admission.
The Helios Grand Hotel is the perfect crowning jewel to the Epic Universe experience!
