Discovery Series – Universal Epic Universe

Starbucks has once again partnered with Universal to release a new mug. The Discovery Series – Universal Epic Universe celebrates the highly anticipated theme park opening on May 22, 2025, at Universal Orlando Resort. Spanning 750 acres, it is Universal’s largest park to date, designed to welcome tens of thousands of visitors daily. With state-of-the-art attractions, immersive environments, and a wide array of dining and entertainment options, Epic Universe is set to redefine the theme park experience.

Although Universal Epic Universe hasn’t officially opened to the public yet, selected guests—including influencers and industry insiders—have been given early access to explore and review the park. Their firsthand experiences and sneak peeks are already surfacing online, offering glimpses of the attractions, rides, and themed worlds. These early reviews are generating buzz and setting expectations for what visitors can look forward to when the park opens.

The Epic Universe mug comes in a custom-designed box cover that differs from the standard Discovery Series packaging. You can see it at the end of my post. Featuring the Epic Universe logo, this unique box adds to the collectible value of the mug. It’s recommended to keep the box, as it enhances the presentation and serves as a special keepsake from the park.

Although not all worlds and attractions of Epic Universe park are featured in the mug’s design, here’s what we know about Epic Universe so far:

Celestial Park
Serving as the central hub, Celestial Park welcomes visitors with lush gardens, shimmering waterways, and architecture inspired by astronomical and mythological themes. Key attractions include:

• Starfall Racers: A dual-launch racing coaster reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights of 133 feet.
• Constellation Carousel: A dynamic ride offering forward, backward, and 360-degree movements.
• Astronomica: An interactive water play area featuring a giant compass rose.

Dining options in Celestial Park range from the surf-and-turf offerings at Atlantic to the Pan-Asian cuisine at The Blue Dragon. Retail experiences include the Nintendo Super Star Store and Moonship Chocolates & Celestial Sweets.

Super Nintendo World (unfortunately, it’s missing from the design of the mug!)
Fans can immerse themselves in the vibrant universe of Nintendo, interacting with beloved characters like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong. This world promises interactive experiences that bring popular video games to life.
Attractions:

• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge: A fast-paced, interactive dark ride where guests race through iconic Mario Kart tracks against Bowser.
• Mine Cart Madness: A thrilling roller coaster experience that takes guests on a wild ride through a mine filled with twists and turns.
• Yoshi’s Adventure: A family-friendly ride that follows Yoshi on an exciting journey through colorful landscapes.

How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Inspired by the DreamWorks Animation franchise, this land invites guests into a Viking world filled with dragon-themed adventures, attractions, and character encounters.
Attractions:

• Dragon Racer’s Rally: A thrilling sky fly ride where guests race through the air in dragon-themed vehicles.
• Fyre Drill: An interactive boat ride where adventurers navigate fiery challenges on a mysterious river.
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders: A family-friendly roller coaster that launches riders into the skies for an exhilarating dragon training experience.
• The Untrainable Dragon: A stage show featuring an untrainable dragon and the heartwarming adventures of the How to Train Your Dragon universe.
• Viking Training Camp: A hands-on experience where visitors can train like a Viking in various skill challenges.

Dark Universe
A realm of myth and mystery, the Dark Universe introduces visitors to the shadowy village of Darkmoor, home to legendary monsters like Dracula, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster. Guests can explore Frankenstein Manor and experience some of Universal Orlando’s most chilling rides.
Attractions:

• Curse of the Werewolf: An eerie dark ride that immerses guests in a thrilling tale of lycanthropy and mystery.
• Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience: A hands-on experience where visitors can explore the art of monster creation and makeup.
• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment: A spine-chilling attraction where guests witness Frankenstein’s monster brought to life in a scientific experiment gone wrong.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
This area transports guests to the bustling shopping district of 1920s wizarding Paris, as seen in the Fantastic Beasts films, and the British Ministry of Magic from the Harry Potter series. It offers a collection of experiences, including dining, retail, entertainment, and groundbreaking rides.
Attractions:

• Le Cirque Arcanus: A whimsical circus experience with enchanting performances and mysterious acts.
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry: A thrilling dark ride where guests join Harry and his friends in a magical battle at the Ministry of Magic.