ORLANDO -- Universal Orlando Resort is abuzz with one word: Epic.
Executives, media and theme park enthusiasts converged on Central Florida for the May 22 opening of Universal Epic Universe, the third theme park at Universal's Orlando campus, and several days' worth of preopening previews and activities.
"We are so excited to welcome you today -- dare I say, emotional — to Universal Epic Universe," said Brian Robinson, executive vice president and chief creative officer of Universal Creative, during a media event. "This park is a game-changer, folks, and the most technologically innovative park we have ever built."
Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Orlando Resort, said that Epic "changes everything" for Universal's Florida property.
"It truly transforms Universal Orlando Resort into more than a full week's vacation destination," she told media during a reception. "And I think you're going to love it."
Epic Universe is home to five themed worlds, including Dark Universe; How to Train Your Dragon -- Isle of Berk; Super Nintendo World; and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- Ministry of Magic.
The Atrium of the British Ministry of Magic in the queue of Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a ride in Epic Universe. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
And the one world that isn't based on intellectual property is the one that centers them all: Celestial Park.
Guests enter Celestial through the Chronos Tower, Epic's main portal. It's a dynamic structure that hints at astronomical and mythological elements, a theme that follows throughout Celestial.
The backbone of Epic Universe, Celestial welcomes guests at the park's entrance as well as toward the back, through the 500-room Universal Helios Grand Hotel, which has its own dedicated park entrance.
Celestial was purposely designed with plenty of greenery and water features, Robinson said.
"This is the world that put the 'park' back in 'theme park' -- lush gardens, dancing fountains, serene locations," he said.
It is also home to several dining locations, wet-play area Astronomica, the Constellation Carousel and Stardust Racers, a dual-launch coaster with tracks measuring 5,000 feet. The coaster rockets riders up to 133 feet in the air as fast as 62 mph.
Fyre Drill is a water ride in How to Train Your Dragon -- Isle of Berk, one of the five worlds in Epic Universe. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesida
Adam Rivest, vice president of creative management at Universal Creative, spent the past eight years working on Celestial as one of its producers.
"When we approached this project, we wanted to look at something that would be a differentiator for this park," Rivest said. "We looked to the great European gardens and how those have always been a place where people can come together and share experiences and relax and kind of decompress from their week and their days. We felt like that's what Celestial Park wanted to be."
The park boasts not only a high thrill in Stardust Racers but also gardens and waterways, spaces where guests can decompress after Epic's other thrills, Rivest said.
"I tell everybody to make sure that you take the time to actually experience the space," he said. "Don't live through a camera. Don't live through your phone. Put it away, talk with the people you're with. Use Celestial Park as what it was designed for: a place to connect."