Oh my stars and Celestial gardens! 🤩

When I was handed In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops over a year ago, I kept thinking about the day that I’d get to drop one particular newsletter.

That day has come.

Greetings, my theme park people. It’s Haley.

While difficult, I’ve narrowed down some quick takeaways following my first visit to Universal Epic Universe.

The moment you walk in, it’s a different feel versus the familiar bubble that is Universal Orlando Resort. There is no parking garage or CityWalk to bustle through.

The objective for Celestial Park was to bring an essence of a park within a theme park, and it certainly does. If you need to escape crowds during the day (well...more like if you’re able to escape), a fountain view at Celestial Park is a good place to reset.

As for my favorite place to hang out, that award goes to Donkey Kong Country. I was hooked immediately once I heard the soundtrack playing. I also made a beeline for the life-size game of Donkey Konga.

Overall, Super Nintendo World is a hot place to be — literally.

It was unseasonably warm during my visit last week, and I was in Super Nintendo World during the warmest time of the day.

While the heat was manageable, it had me thinking just how hot it will feel this summer.

All those brightly colored surfaces are heat magnets.

While jumping from portal to portal and skipping the lines at rides was a privilege, I felt extremely lucky to have the full experience at Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.

After passing through the Métro-Floo corridor, I was immediately met with the jaw-dropping atrium.

Whether you have an Express Pass or are in the standby line, you will most likely be spending most of your time in this area. The entire queue is massive. In fact, I was told there is six hours’ worth of distance, most of it being in the atrium.

After the atrium, you get on to the other departments like the Magical Archives, the Magical Creatures Department, and Dolores Umbridge’s office.

I was asked how intense the ride portion is. I would put it on the same level as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Buckled into seats, the lift vehicle propels guests up, down, forward, backward, sideways, and more throughout the Ministry.

I was preparing for stomach drops, but honestly, I didn’t find there to be intense ones.

Overall, I give high praise for the thrill rides at Epic Universe. Every one I went on had comfortable seating, even the all-too-familiar KUKA-arm system that was introduced at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey works well for Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

You can read more about what you can expect at the most popular Epic Universe rides by clicking here.

So yes, to say that Epic Universe is epic is no hyperbole. I only scratched the surface, having only experienced most of the rides and taken in the scenery.

You can expect more Epic Universe content and reflection in the weeks to come.

The big Epic news that dropped this week was that preview tickets are now on sale for select guests, like annual passholders. For dates and ticket information, click here.

A majestic escape 🛎️

As part of my Epic Universe weekend, I was able to tour the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which is the backdrop of Celestial Park.

I was most excited to see the views from the rooftop bar, Bar Helios. I was there at sunset and all the views were spectacular.

No matter the time of day, you can gaze at the stars that make up the constellation ceiling above the bar area.

For a grander photo tour, click here. By the way, Helios Grand will start welcoming guests soon. So if you’ve got an Epic Universe preview ticket, you might want to consider staying at this new hotel.

Universal

A park across the pond 🌎

Epic Universe hasn’t even opened to the public, and yet, Universal’s parent company, Comcast, is already announcing plans for another theme park.

And it’s chosen the homeland of Harry Potter.

Targeted for a 2031 opening, the site is located about 30 miles north of London in the town of Bedford.

Universal didn’t reveal details on the attraction themes, but that new art rendering has us wondering.

Jurassic World? James Bond?

Walt Disney World

Holiday lobby 🎄🥚

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is in the midst of a refurbishment, and it’s about to really become noticeable.

Later this month, renovations will begin on the resort’s lobby to make room for a new bar.

With the renovations expected to last through the end of 2025, this means the gingerbread house won’t be included in this year’s holiday display at the resort.

If you’re out at Disney World over the next week, you can check out the resort’s popular Easter egg display.

Steakhouse swap 🥩

It appears Grand Floridian isn’t the only Walt Disney World resort that’s undergoing significant changes.

A longtime restaurant, a name well-known when it comes to steakhouse chains in Florida, is pulling out of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel.

Moving into the Shula’s spot is Bourbon Steak, and its founder knows his way around the steak chopping block.

If you want to dine at Shula’s before it goes, you still have a little time to make a reservation.

Gatorland

Gators! Gators! Gators!🐊

Gatorland loves its gators. So much so, it devotes a weekend to celebrating what makes it famous.

Gatorpalooza is filled with music, craft vendors, and animals.

Best part of all, the event is included in park admission.

That was a wealthy newsletter.

If you’ve been to Epic Universe or are planning to go soon, share your thoughts.

Connect with me by email or reach out to me on my X or Instagram.

See you next week!