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For nearly ten years, I’ve been writing about theme parks, witnessing exciting new rides being unveiled, food festivals starting up, and more. Yet, nothing has ever approached the grandeur of Universal’s Epic Universe. This indicates that a red carpet event was held to invite numerous celebrities for an exclusive sneak peek at some of the park’s rides and attractions prior to its official opening after a preview period.

I’m almost always engrossed in theme parks, giving me a keen sense of what insiders find interesting. Yet, one advantage of speaking with celebrities is that they often aren’t as immersed in the same information. It’s fascinating to hear their unique take on what excites people.

I had conversations with individuals involved in “How To Train Your Dragon,” the Phelps twins from “Harry Potter,” and WWE star Cody Rhodes about their park excitement, and their responses varied greatly. Here are a few things you shouldn’t miss out on.

There’s Lots Of Love For The Dark Universe From Cody Rhodes (His Wife Brandi), Jeremy Slater And More

Despite lengthy queues wrapping around the land at the Ministry of Magic, it’s frequently overheard that influencers are particularly thrilled about Dark Universe and the cutting-edge Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride. I was fortunate enough to experience it twice, and it was an absolute joy, with even some of the celebrity guests Universal invited expressing similar excitement.

During my conversation with WWE star Cody Rhodes, he shared that he and his wife take delight in Halloween Horror Nights. In fact, they had a special date there at some point. With his recent break from television since Wrestlemania 41, the couple found themselves with some free time and decided to visit, as Brandi was particularly excited about the Frankenstein-themed roller coaster ride.

She [Brandi] wants to go ride Frankenstein, the Monsters ride. That’s [why we’re here].

Among all, Jeremy Slater, renowned for his work on Mortal Kombat 2, Moon Knight, and Umbrella Academy series, demonstrated exceptional eagerness towards Dark Universe. While it wasn’t unexpected that the Thread: An Insidious Tale co-writer would be excited about exploring Darkmoor, it was still delightful to hear such fervor from a celebrity concerning this specific park attraction.

I was raised as a fan of Universal Monsters, so experiencing these iconic characters being brought to life with such affection and respect on an exhilarating ride was truly special. I rode it over a dozen times. In my opinion, this park is unparalleled; it hosts the best rides I’ve ever come across. Having visited virtually every theme park worldwide, I can confidently say that Epic Universe stands alone in its unique charm.

Slater and his wife Melissa mentioned that they had been on each ride approximately a dozen times prior to our conversation, given that Epic Universe has been open for some time. Being avid theme park fans, they even got married on the Universal Studios backlot; however, it’s Monsters Unchained that consistently draws Slater in. It’s worth mentioning that she particularly enjoyed the How To Train Your Dragon area, though.

Ultimately, I had a conversation with Antonia Carlotta, who is a great grandniece of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle and currently involved in the park projects. Interestingly, she mentioned the familial connection to the plotline in Monsters Unchained, where Victoria Frankenstein endeavors to uphold her family’s tradition. Therefore, there’s a very personal relevance for her in this story.

Today, I visited the enigmatic realm known as the Dark Universe. I must admit, I’m smitten by this place. The way the monstrous creatures seemed to leap from the pages of a storybook was nothing short of captivating. I encountered Doctor Jack Griffin, the Invisible Man, out and about. I had the thrill of riding Monsters: Unchained not once, but twice! I’m completely smitten by it all. There’s something about Victoria Frankenstein that resonates with me deeply. She’s carrying on her family’s legacy and furthering the work of her great grandfather, and I find myself drawn to her mission.

Strolling through the mysterious cosmos is also a delight, and it’s fortunate that she encountered The Invisible Man. Encountering Igor is enjoyable as well.

Surprise, The Harry Potter Guys Liked An Attraction More Than Ministry Of Magic

Without a shadow of a doubt, Battle at the Ministry of Magic is an exciting, immersive experience (assuming you can board it), but should you inquire from the Phelps brothers, they’d likely steer longtime Potter enthusiasts towards another attraction in Epic Universe’s Paris-themed area. Rest assured, I’m not referring to butterbeer crepes. When I first inquired, James was quite keen to discuss the Ministry due to its thrilling nature; however, there seems to be something else that catches his attention.

I planned on praising the Ministry, as it was incredible. Particularly, I admired “Monsters Unchained,” specifically the technology they employed. Additionally, I’m a big fan of the show in the Wizarding World, with its enchanting creatures!

Nevertheless, upon further discussion, both brothers seemed to agree that Le Cirque Arcanus stood out as the most noteworthy attraction. Oliver Phelps provided an explanation for its appeal.

You should definitely revisit it. I strongly suggest you do so. It’s worth your time. This production is meticulously crafted. It offers more than just amusement park rides; it’s an interactive journey. In essence, it’s not just a show, but a unique and immersive experience.

During the entire day, various shows are on, providing ample opportunities for viewing. In case you find yourself with some spare time, you might consider buying a wand and utilizing that moment to experiment with a few spells.

The How To Train Your Dragon OG’s Absolutely Loved Isle Of Berk Coming To Life

In a chat with some cast and crew members, it turned out that Director Dean Deblois and others were genuinely surprised when they saw the Isle of Berk come to life in the park. Justin Ripple, who plays Tuffnut, expressed his amazement at witnessing his animated series grow into a theme park setting. If he thought it was substantial, he said kids must be feeling that it’s enormous – and indeed, it is! (I can verify, it’s colossal.)

Among all the available rides, it’s clear that he finds one particularly exceptional, even though the Fyre Drill from Ruffnut and Tuffnut shares his name.

In simpler terms, My character possesses two rides, one named Fyre Drill and another known as Hiccup’s ride. However, I personally prefer the latter, which are those winged gliders that motivate you to perform tasks. To put it plainly, Hiccup’s ride just excels in every way.

Experience the exhilaration of flying on Hiccup’s Night and Day Wing Gliders – an adrenaline-pumping, moderate-speed roller coaster journey filled with unexpected delights (no spoilers!). And if you dare to take the Fyre Drill ride, be prepared to get drenched on a sweltering day. Just a friendly warning, enjoy the ride without any negative comments!

‘a thrilling ride where you can control the pace and decide whether to perform death-defying stunts or take it easy.’

In my recent cinematic adventure, I found myself face-to-face with none other than Hiccup. And let me tell you, meeting Toothless was an experience that left me yearning for more! While I haven’t yet dared to soar on the back of this winged wonder, I’m determined to rectify that soon. They say it’s the closest thing to riding a dragon – and who am I to argue with that? So, mark my words, tomorrow I plan to give it a go!

During the initial presentation, many attractions from the world of HTTYD received attention, and it’s important to note that this doesn’t include the “Untrainable Dragon” performance or the opportunity to interact with Toothless personally.

Previously, I found myself a tad taken aback by the relatively modest adoration for the Stardust Racers coasters, but during my time with America’s Got Talent and How To Train Your Dragon, both Howie Mandel and Ripple expressed their fondness for the ride. They declared their unwavering affection for it, having only experienced one side, yet they eagerly anticipated revisiting it under the cover of night when the ride transforms into a spectacle of glowing brilliance.

Now [it’s dark] you’ve got the lights and music!

Overall, a lot of different big ticket Epic Universe rides were getting a lot of love.

It’s quite extraordinary to unexpectedly find myself on the Ministry of Magic ride, seated beside Joe Manganiello from Deal or No Deal Island. Yet, it’s reassuring to realize that even celebrities who frequently experience extraordinary events still appreciate the ordinary joys we all enjoy. Theme parks have an incredible ability to evoke wonder and make us feel as if we’ve stepped into a magical, novel world once more.

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2025-05-23 19:19