Epic Universe Opens With Four Innovative Roller Coasters in Orlando
The arrival of Epic Universe marks the first opening of a major theme park in Orlando in more than two decades. Highly anticipated by both the entertainment and tourism industries, the park opens its doors – or rather, its portal – to five immersive worlds. Among the attractions, four roller coasters promise to please different types of adventurers.
Epic Universe's menu includes a double-launch roller coaster that reaches 60 mph and another that spins on its own axis with a cursed storytelling . By all accounts, these are already among the park's most popular attractions. The lines, which can last more than an hour, show that the adrenaline rush is something many seek.
The new additions add to the already beloved roller coasters at Universal Orlando Resort , such as VelociCoaster, which has already become a favorite among visitors; The Incredible Hulk Coaster, considered a classic; and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which pleases both children and adults on a route full of twists and turns.
Here are the four roller coasters opening with Epic Universe on May 22:
Stardust Racers: Double Launch and Strong Adrenaline
This is a double launch roller coaster that reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h and has a peak height of 40 meters. The ride lasts a minute and a half, enough time for the cars to cross 1.5 km of track.
During the attraction, adventurers are subjected to various “airtime”, a sensation of weightlessness. The most radical maneuver even has a baptismal name, the “Celestial Spin”, when the two cars cross paths while accelerating in the air and performing an inversion .
The storytelling says that the roller coaster simulates a race of shooting stars. This is most evident at night, when the lights of the vehicles are turned on, making them look like celestial bodies.
Tip: If possible, try both rides, since the right side is slightly more extreme than the left. If you want more excitement, choose the last row, which is more “pulling”. And be careful: it is forbidden to take loose items. You must leave objects in the free lockers and go through a metal detector before getting on the ride.
Technical sheet:
- Where is it: Celestial Park
- Category: Double Launch Coaster
- Top speed: 100 km/h
- Minimum height required: 1.22 m
Also a new release, Hiccup's Wing Gliders is considered a family thrill coaster . In other words, in addition to being family-friendly, it also offers extra touches of excitement.
Set in the most familiar world of the Epic Universe , the Isle of Berk from “How to Train Your Dragon”, the roller coaster is highly themed and will appeal to even those who are not familiar with the adventures of the characters Hiccup and Toothless.
It reaches speeds of 72 km/h and can reach heights of 15 meters. The launches make visitors go through curves and even a stretch over water, as if they were flying over the village. In fact, that's the story: it's a flying machine with wings that launches aspiring "dragon riders" into the air.
Technical sheet
- Where is it: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Category: family and launch
- Top speed: 72 km/h
- Minimum height requirement: 1.02 m. However, people under 1.22 m must be accompanied by a guardian.
Located in the scariest area of the park, in Dark Universe, this roller coaster delivers the opposite: it makes you laugh along the way while the cart spins on its own axis.
It reaches speeds of 60 km/h and has some launches along the way, where visitors pass through a “dark forest” to escape from a pack of werewolves. It doesn’t reach high peaks, but it goes back and forth along the same stretch at times, playing with the senses.
The ride lasts two minutes and you'll want to do it again, but do it sparingly, as the spins can make some people dizzy after a few spins.
Technical sheet
- Where is it: Dark Universe
- Category: Steel Spinning Roller Coaster
- Maximum speed: 60 km/h
- Minimum height required: 1.02 m
Set in the Donkey Kong area of Super Nintendo World, Mine-Cart Madness is as stimulating as its surroundings. For a few minutes, it feels like you're actually playing a game.
The fun is in the theme, where visitors climb into a mine cart to help protect the “golden banana” in the middle of the jungle. Some illusions take adventurers by surprise: the rails disappear and there are holes in the track. The attraction is the same as Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan .
The carts are individual, accommodating four passengers at a time, with two in the front row and two in the back row. The roller coaster has indoor and outdoor sections and moments that are more shaking than others.
Technical sheet
- Where is it: Super Nintendo World
- Category: Steel roller coaster with indoor and outdoor moments
- Top speed: undisclosed
- Minimum height requirement: 1.02 m. However, people under 1.22 m must be accompanied by a guardian.
*The journalist traveled to Orlando at the invitation of Universal Destinations Brazil to check out Universal Epic Universe
Universal Orlando opens first resort next to Epic Universe park
CNN Brasil
