ORLANDO, Florida. – Similar to the first ride on the roller coaster itself, there was an energetic atmosphere at the opening of Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park.

Epic Universe – billed as the most immersive and innovative park ever – will open in 2025. Since early 2024, Universal has been releasing details about the park’s five worlds, connected by mystical portals – just some of the groundbreaking technologies guests can experience.

There are restaurants, shopping and, of course, over 50 attractions, many of which promise plenty of thrills.

In celebration of National Roller Coaster Day on August 16, here’s a look at the roller coasters opening at Universal’s largest theme park in the United States.

Epic Universe will open in 2025 and test runs of all of these roller coasters are already in full swing.

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Hicks’ glider

In How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Universal doesn’t skimp on dragons, and Epic Universe combines dragons with what has become a growing trend in amusement parks: the family roller coaster.

From Hiccup’s workshop comes his latest invention, which challenges Vikings to prove they are brave enough to fly dragons through the skies.

According to Universal, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is “a winged flying machine that takes aspiring dragon riders into the skies, where they swoop and soar, meeting Hiccup and Toothless along the way.”

Guests reach speeds of up to 72 km/h and the minimum height is 102 cm, which is typical for a family-style roller coaster.

Minecart Madness

Epic Universe is launching another family roller coaster in Super Nintendo World, billed as “the first of its kind.”

At Mine-Cart Madness in Donkey Kong Country, guests can “jump into a minecart and race through the jungle to help Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong protect the coveted Golden Banana.”

The minecarts also perform maneuvers seen in the video game Donkey Kong, such as being thrown out of a barrel.

A long “arm” attached between the “fake tracks” visible to the drivers and the “real” tracks below allows the mine carts to simulate jumps over gaps in the wobbly track.

The minimum size is 36 inches, but Universal has not provided any information on the maximum speed.

The Curse of the Werewolf

In the mysterious world of Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, guests will confront the curse.

“Curse of the Werewolf” in the Dark Universe is inspired by “The Wolf Man” and is another roller coaster for the whole family. To escape a pack of werewolves, however, visitors must whirl through the forest.

The experience begins as guests enter the Guild of Mystics’ camp, where Maleva greets them. In the classic 1941 film, Maleva is the fortune teller and mother of the Wolf Man who then transmits the curse. It is she who warns guests that they bear the mark of the werewolf.

Curse of the Werewolf reaches speeds of up to 60 km/h and offers over 2 minutes of thrills as you race through a dark, spooky shed with mysterious figures baring their teeth and claws. Minimum height is 101 cm.

Stardust Racer

Of all the new roller coasters available in Epic Universe, one stands out from the crowd.

Actually, it stands above pretty much everything.

With top speeds of 60 mph, Stardust Racers in Celestial Park is one of the largest roller coasters Universal has ever built. It’s a cosmic journey with double racing trains. A cylinder, hills and several launch pads form a 5,000-foot-long track with heights of up to 135 feet.

The Star Maneuver is an inverted cruise known as a “Celestial Spin.” On the second launch, one vehicle turns the other around so guests can look at the train below them. Then the trains switch places.

There is an original soundtrack and experiencing this roller coaster at night is a completely different experience. The comet-like trains feature bright colors that really pop on the unlit track, making the roller coaster look like actual shooting stars in the dark.

The minimum size is 48 inches.

Enjoy!

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