Last week, I shared how I prepped for a full day at Universal’s newest park, Epic Universe—with two kids, gear, snacks, and ready to go! This weekend, we finally made it! From softball fields to Super Nintendo World, here’s how the day went, what worked, and what I’d do differently next time
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Getting There & Entry
We drove straight from morning softball, and thanks to Friday prep (see my first post for the full checklist), we had everything ready: changes of clothes, snacks, tablets, and a fully packed “Always Ready” bag.
- Parking: Epic Universe does honor annual pass discounts. Ours saved us 50%—just make sure your pass isn’t buried under everything in the trunk!
- Security: Fast and friendly.
- Water: Bring your own bottle! There are tons of refill stations—especially the sensor-based ones near restrooms. So helpful.
- Shoes: Come prepared! All theme parks require lots of walking, but this one also has tons of stairs!
Isle of Berk
This was our first portal and a favorite! Even though we haven’t seen How to Train Your Dragon yet, the entire area was detailed, immersive, and super fun for the kids.
Mead Hall: We mobile ordered lunch, and the food was fantastic!
Fyre Drill: A boat ride with water cannons. So much fun, and no seat belts means kids can move around a bit. It felt like a cheerier Pirates of the Caribbean with fewer skeletons and more giggles.
Viking Training Camp Playground: Little E loved it. Shaded seating, water fountains, and even a bathroom inside the play area made it a favorite resting spot while the big kids rode some rides.
We relied heavily on our phone charger, water resistant backpack, and sunscreen applicator. All must-haves for Florida parks!
Exploring the Lands: More Favorites from Our Day
Super Nintendo World
Walking into Super Nintendo World felt like being transported inside the game. From the iconic green warp pipe entry to the bright colors and bouncing music, everything was thoughtfully designed and bursting with nostalgia.
We had a blast hitting the Mystery Boxes around the land. You know the sound—the one that takes you straight back to Mario jumping for coins. You can tap your band (if you buy one) to collect digital rewards, but even without one, just hearing that sound and seeing the blocks light up made it magical for the kids and the grown-ups alike.
Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge is still working through some technical glitches (preview period life!), but we were able to ride and it’s a super immersive, virtual reality-style experience. You’re in a kart, wearing an AR visor, and racing through the Mushroom Kingdom—it’s unlike anything else we’ve done. The eight-, seven-, and six-year-olds in our group were all in, and even I found myself leaning and turning like I was in the game.
Dark Universe
This world took us completely by surprise—in the best way. It’s Universal’s tribute to their classic monsters, and it’s eerie, moody, and totally captivating.
Curse of the Werewolf ended up being my favorite ride of the day. It’s hard to explain exactly what makes it so different, but it’s thrilling without being too intense—no loops or drops that’ll leave your stomach behind, just a whole lot of unexpected fun. My husband could actually hear me laughing from the ground while I rode, and that pretty much says it all.
It was also a hit with our group overall. We all left the ride smiling and talking about it long after. So, if you’re visiting, make time for this ride. Trust me—it’s worth it.
Ministry of Magic
The Ministry of Magic area is gorgeous—set in 1920s Paris, it combines a little Fantastic Beasts flair with some traditional Wizarding World magic. We brought our old interactive wands and had a great time using them at the spell spots throughout the land. Watching Little E try out spells in front of those magical windows was a joy.
The one big letdown? We tried all day but couldn’t get a spot in the Virtual Queue for Battle at the Ministry. This is the new headliner attraction, and you can’t just walk up and ride—it’s virtual queue only for now. So while we loved the environment and the show inside, it felt like we were missing a piece of the experience.
What Worked
- Stroller Parking: Easy to find and secure.
- Child Swap Rooms: Clean, air-conditioned, and had water fountains and restrooms inside many of them.
- Celestial Park Carousel: Beautiful and relaxing, not just for little ones!
Pro Tip: If your kid isn’t into thrill rides (like Little E), plan for playtime, snack breaks, and shorter queues. She still had a great time exploring even without riding much.
What I’d Do Differently
- Keep my annual pass in a more accessible spot
- Pack an extra portable fan—it gets sunny fast and there’s not a ton of shade
- Stay at Helios Hotel next time for a midday pool break
- Keep an eye out for Express Pass updates (nothing available yet for Epic Universe)
Final Thoughts
All in all, we had an incredible (and full!) day. Epic Universe is beautifully done, and with the right prep, it can absolutely be a fun day even with little kids. I’m glad we went all-in this time, but next time, I’m booking a Universal hotel and turning it into a pool + park getaway.
Look out for more tips soon here on Trips That Work—I’ll be sharing our packing tips, future trip ideas, and how to keep your theme park visits low-stress and high fun.
R
Sounds exhausting and amazing