On October 5th and 6th (my birthday), we experienced two intense and unforgettable days at Universal Orlando. On the 5th, my wife Fernanda and I dove into the grandeur of Epic Universe, Universal’s newest theme park, and, without exaggeration, the most breathtaking one ever built. The visuals are stunning: Celestial Park feels straight out of a sci-fi movie, with celestial architecture, dancing lights, and hypnotic fountains.

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But it was at the Isle of Berk, the area inspired by How to Train Your Dragon, where the magic truly came alive. Everything there is perfect, from the Nordic-style cliffs to the dragon statues adorning the village. It’s the kind of place you never want to leave. Fernanda found her pure adrenaline rush on Stardust Racers, the cosmic duelling coaster. She went twice, once in each car, and came out with that glowing smile only a truly unforgettable ride can bring.

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My favourite attraction in the park was also in Berk: Hiccup’s Wing Gliders, a family coaster where you actually feel like you’re flying alongside dragons. It features launches, gentle climbs and drops, and sweeping panoramic turns. It’s more family-friendly than Stardust Racers, of course, but still full of thrills. We also tried Fyre Drill, hoping to get soaked, but it didn’t work out, as our “rivals” weren’t too enthusiastic. The ride could definitely use a scoreboard to make hitting targets more rewarding.

We also met Toothless and interacted with the hilarious twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. Sadly, Hiccup and Astrid left just before our turn for a photo. Still, the character encounters in this area were a highlight.

Another unmissable experience in Berk is the stunning live show “The Untrainable Dragon.” It tells the story of a new dragon arriving in Berk, challenging Hiccup’s training skills. I won’t spoil the surprise, but trust me, your jaw will drop.

Our first ride of the day was in Super Nintendo World, specifically in Donkey Kong Country. We had an Express Pass and wanted to use it early since the ride could close due to incoming rain (which it eventually did later that day). I loved it, minimal intensity, maximum fun, and visually flawless. The leap simulation technology is simply genius.

Next, we headed to Dark Universe, where we prioritized Curse of the Werewolf, another outdoor attraction that could shut down in bad weather. It’s a family-friendly coaster themed around werewolves, combining dark settings and surprise elements. Less intense than the big coasters, but still exciting. It did make me a bit dizzy from all the spins, and we even “saw someone turn into a werewolf.” Just kidding!

After that, we entered Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride that immerses you in the world of Universal’s classic monsters, Frankenstein, Dracula, and more. It’s heavy on storytelling, special effects, and animatronics, delivering a dark and theatrical experience. The technology reminded me a lot of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure. We tried to ride it again at night, but it went down for maintenance, and since it was our last bus back to the hotel, we had to skip it.

Harry Potter and That “Déjà Vu” Feeling

After exploring Dark Universe, we headed to Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, in the area themed around Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts. Honestly, it feels much more like the Fantastic Beasts’ version of France than the classic Wizarding World of Harry Potter, something that might leave hardcore fans a bit nostalgic. Still, as with everything at Epic, the 1920s Paris setting is absolutely gorgeous. Don’t skip dining here; the themed restaurants are a must.

The dark ride takes you into the British Ministry of Magic, mixing simulation, physical sets, and motion effects. The story follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they try to capture Dolores Umbridge, who is attempting to flee her trial. Expect appearances from a few magical creatures along the way. It’s a solid, immersive attraction that fans will love, though I’m glad I saved it for early afternoon.

After that, we hit Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a dark ride that combines augmented reality and rich physical environments. You wear a visor and hat to compete alongside Team Mario, but aim carefully or you’ll hit your teammates and lose points. It’s fun and visually impressive, though I felt it could use just a bit more excitement.

Room for Improvement

The park is visually flawless, but there’s room to grow: the Harry Potter area and Celestial Park could use more secondary attractions. The merchandise is amazing, but the prices were quite steep. Still, Epic Universe lives up to its name, truly epic, both in scale and emotion.

Volcano Bay

The next day, October 6th, we took on the heat and dived into Volcano Bay, thanks to Universal Destinations Brazil. We only stayed four hours since it was our hotel transfer day, but that was enough to make unforgettable memories.

We started with the legendary Krakatau Aqua Coaster, and rode it three times. It’s impossible not to fall in love with this fusion of roller coaster and water slide that races through a glowing volcano. Then came Kala & Tai Nui and the twisting tubes of Taniwha, before rafting together on Maku / Puihi Round Raft Rides.

But nothing beats TeAwa The Fearless River, my second favourite in the park. We went twice, doing two full loops each time, and that massive wave moment was pure adrenaline. To wind down, we floated through Kopiko Wai Winding River, laughing through (unsuccessful) attempts, mostly mine, to climb onto the tube. And finally, the grand finale: Waturi Beach, with soft waves, warm sand, and the majestic Krakatau Volcano in the background. The perfect ending.

Two days, two different worlds: one dedicated to the imagination of the future, the other to the joy of water and sun. Epic Universe impresses with its innovation and storytelling; Volcano Bay delights with its laid-back, tropical charm. Together, they prove once again why Universal Orlando continues to redefine entertainment, and why, once you go, you’ll always want to return.