Theme park goers are used to parks being split equally to appease both adults and children, making them an entirely family-friendly atmosphere. For Universal Orlando, which I personally have been visiting since I was a child myself, that is definitely the case. As I’ve grown up, I’ve found joy in discovering new things to enjoy with each age, and visiting time and time again provides both nostalgia and new thrills.
This week, I visited Epic Universe for the very first time, on the day of its first anniversary. While there were definitely spots that were highly geared towards children and families, I found the park an incredible place to visit for adult travelers, too.
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The Alcoholic Drinks Are Top Tier
Melissa Cabey
Forget the boring old beer from a quick-service stand. Epic Universe has tons of dedicated bars and restaurants where you can enjoy specialty cocktails, beers on draft, and much more. Some of these spots allow you to take your drink around the park, indulging in something a little bit more elevated than a bottle of Coors Light. Others offer you a nice spot to sit and relax, take in the ambiance, and enjoy an immersive drinking experience.
One of my favorite places to get a cocktail was at Bar Moonshine in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The bar itself is located in a far corner of the park, where there isn’t a lot of foot traffic. It feels like it transports you directly to Paris, and the drinks help do that even more. I had the Lobe Blaster, which is made with absinthe, moonshine, limoncello, lemon juice, and club soda. Let’s just say, after drinking this, I felt like I was riding a broomstick.
Over in Dark Universe, which is hands-down the land that is mostly geared towards adults, there is a bar called Burning Blade Tavern. This bar takes inspiration from the original Frankensteinmovies, and offers a creepy ambiance, especially in the evening. Here, you can get specialty cocktails and draft beers–many of which are incredibly unique and exciting to try. Now, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are five other specialty bars to visit throughout Epic Universe.
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Next-Level, Aggressive Thrill Rides
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Like most theme parks, Epic Universe has a ton of rides that are kid-friendly. For the adults, however, Epic has truly stepped up to the plate in offering aggressively thrilling rides. The most popular rollercoaster in the park is the Stardust Racers. This roller coaster is actually a 2-in-1 situation: There are two separate tracks that race each other, riding right next to the other. Sometimes, the cars are parallel, and you can look over and see the faces of the people you are racing (I highly recommend splitting your party up into two so you can race). Other times throughout the ride, the cars barrel roll, twist, and intertwine with each other. The coaster hits up to 62 miles per hour, and definitely offers one of the best thrills I’ve experienced in a theme park.
Melissa Cabey
For something a tad more frightening, you’ll want to check out Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment. This ride genuinely sent shivers up my spine. It has guests sitting side by side in a four-person cart, and it flips, drops, pulls, and shakes you as you journey through a haunted mansion. This mansion holds famous monsters like Dracula, The Wolf Man, and of course, Frankenstein. Not only is the ride thrilling in the way it moves, but there are also a ton of areas where the monsters jump out and scare you. I’ve never felt so terrified on a ride in my entire life–and I can’t wait to go again.
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Mature And Immersive Atmospheres
Melissa Cabey
Not only does Epic Universe provide incredible adult-geared rides and delicious alcoholic beverages, but it also offers a mature and immersive atmosphere that is perfect for an excursion beyond your usual hangout spots. Whether you’re enjoying a date night or an evening out with friends, Epic Universe is a great backdrop for a fun night.
When it comes to the atmosphere itself, Epic Universe is undeniably beautiful. As I first entered the park myself, I immediately felt like I was in a luxurious, high-end land. It didn’t come off as cheesy, overdone, or obnoxious. Instead, each area is meticulously designed with subtle and immersive music played throughout, allowing you to take a step out of reality. No matter your age, escapism can be a powerful thing, and adults deserve a place to run away to as well.
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