A Photo Tour Inside Epic Universe

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Isle of Berk entrance

Isle of Berk is one of four highly immersive worlds that branch off inside Epic Universe's "home world," Celestial Park. Full of How To Train Your Dragon characters (and dragons), it's enchanting -- and it's just one part of this brand-new theme park's gorgeous attractions that we saw ahead of the May 22 opening.

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Helios Grand hotel bar

Before even entering Epic Universe, we got a little peek at the Helios Grand, a hotel that directly connects to the theme park. This rooftop bar, called Bar Helios, has a planetarium-like dome of stars and windows for guests to view the entire park outside.

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A look at the park from above

This is a view from a Helios Grand hotel window of the park outside at night. Pretty good view.

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Terra Luna hotel room

We stayed at the new Terra Luna hotel, a more budget-priced hotel that needs a shuttle to get to Epic Universe. The retro space themes carry into the rooms, and portal-like windows look outside.

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Heading into the park

CNET's Scott Stein (left) and Bridget Carey (right) get ready to head into the park on a media preview day. The sun was...very bright.

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Epic Universe's entrance gate: the Chronos Portal

The towering gate at the entrance to Epic Universe is made to feel like the park's icon and planetary symbol for Celestial Park, the first world you enter into.

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Celestial Park

The central area of Epic Universe, Celestial Park, is its own space with rides and restaurants, but it's also a chill spot that serves as a breather between hyper-immersive spoke worlds. Seen here: Constellation Carousel, which we didn't get to ride (yet).

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Oak & Star Tavern, Celestial Park

This is where we had lunch between tons of rides. The restaurant serves BBQ, although we tried a buffet sampler instead of the standard menu.

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Stardust Racers

Celestial Park's biggest ride is also Epic Universe's most impressive roller coaster. Stardust Racers pits two sets of cars in close-formation racing through loops, steep hills and accelerations. It's nearly as intense as Velocicoaster in Universal's Islands of Adventure park, and it made our heads spin.

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Entrance to Hiccup's Wing Gliders, Isle of Berk

We rode Hiccup's Wing Gliders, a kid-friendly story roller coaster in the Isle of Berk section of Epic Universe. The ride speeds past dragons and dragon eggs and flies over the water. Our verdict: It's a must-ride.

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Isle of Berk dragons

The dragon designs in Isle of Berk are everywhere, and there's a ton of detail to take in.

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An adorable baby dragon robot

The self-contained walking baby dragon robot, Dart, steals the show at Isle of Berk. It's stunning to watch it pad around and be so cute.

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Isle of Berk vistas

A large mountain village at the center of the Isle of Berk is surrounded by water, while the Hiccup's Wing Gliders ride races past.

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Dragon Racer's Rally

This very kid-friendly ride creates a feel of flying around on a tiltable dragon-shaped ride car. The ride was too short, though, and we would have loved a little more thrill.

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Isle of Berk snack stand

We didn't get to eat here, but we wanted to.

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Exiting Isle of Berk

The portals in Epic Universe are worth lingering around. This large stone has an inscription on the other side.

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The Ministry of Magic, Paris

The city streets in the 1920s Paris-themed Ministry of Magic world at Epic Universe are jaw-dropping. Think of it like Diagon Alley at Universal Studios, but on a far larger scale.

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The Metrofloo

The Metrofloo is your gateway into the Battle for the Ministry of Magic ride, which stands out as one of the park's very best things to do.

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Inside the Ministry of Magic

The Ministry of Magic's entrance area and the waiting rooms beyond are really fantastic, and are rendered at a giant scale. It feels like offices extend far into the distance.

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Map of the Ministry, and new wands

We tried out one of the new wands from Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique, the new wand shop at the Ministry of Magic. The included map shows all the interactive spots around Wizarding Paris.

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Cosme Acajor wand

Another look at the wand box as it's packaged.

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Dark Universe

The portal to Dark Universe, the classic monsters-themed world at Epic. Frankenstein, werewolves, the Invisible Man and Dracula lurk within.

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Burning Blade Tavern

A fiery windmill self-ignites periodically outside this mysterious tavern where character actors lurk as monster hunters. We didn't have time to step inside, but the windmill is great (although not as large as I expected).

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Curse of the Werewolf

The Curse of the Werewolf coaster in Dark Universe spins cars around as you ride. Werewolf signs and statues threaten, but the main ride itself is strangely werewolf-free.

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Donkey Kong Country, Super Nintendo World

The Super Nintendo World part of Epic Universe replicates what's in Japan and Los Angeles, but Donkey Kong's sub-world is only in Japan and Orlando.

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Super Nintendo World plaza

This was our first time in any Super Nintendo World, and the multi-level tiered parts and moving characters everywhere made this feel like a living game.

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Super Nintendo World

There are blocks and other secrets you can tap a Power-Up Band (which is sold seperately) to -- it's a game within both parts of Super Nintendo World.

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Power-Up Band

A look at the Yoshi Power-Up Band, which we tried out in the park. Chunky, but cleverly snaps on your wrist like a snap bracelet.

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Princess Peach's Castle

You enter Super Nintendo World via the castle by exiting a warp pipe. It's a pretty great photo opp.

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Map of Super Nintendo World

In the Power-Up Band box, you get a map of the lands and where to interact. Don't forget to read the manual!

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Time to go

It was a lot to take in. Back through the Chronos we went. Till next time, we hope!

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