Come with me on a Journey to a Far away place inhabited by Mythological Gods and Constellations. Through the Portals we go to an Epic Universe.

[Robo56]

HTTYD was my favorite land in the park. I think I spent half of my first day there.

I have to say it really won me over a bit too…..Although my favorite is still Dark Universe.

The land is there, as long as they get the numbers to work, assume it's a done deal

I think they will have to recoup some of the initial investment of the current park as it is now……I look forward to seeing what they might add in the future.

Seriously, so much new merchandise

I’am impressed by all the merchandise they have. Someone with a keen eye for choosing merch for all the Worlds did a great job.

I've been walking that line of trying to avoid spoilers pre trip

It is hard to do……Honestly with looking at the videos on Youtube and reading some of what others shared online. All that considered I was still awed by what I saw in all the Worlds.

Would hate for the GD to miss them Can u give me an inkling when to look for them during the show? Either here or PM

It is an incredible stage production to watch. I knew that Hiccup was supposed to fly over on Toothless because of a video I saw.

I was there during the preview time so there were obviously issues with the fly over.

Hopefully on the day you go you will see it. There is no way you will miss it as it is part of the production if everything is working.

So detailed, I thot it would be more of a lessor world there

I did too……but I was pleasantly surprised.

Admittedly, only saw 1st one as my kids had aged out by that point. DH hasn't seen any of them

Not sure if everyone knows, but there is a new live action “How to Train Your Dragon” movie out tomorrow or Friday.

The actors that played Hiccup, Astrid and Stoick the Vast (Hiccups dad, Gerard Butler) where at the grand opening extravaganza at Epic Universe.

I think this new movie will really pick some interest in Isle of Berk perhaps.

For those who have visited, do you think just viewing the original movie would be sufficient to follow the land's storyline?

I’am not much on watching animated films and I did not see any of the movies, but did read up a little on the movies so I could understand who the characters were and get an over view before I visited Isle of Berk.

I had read that HTTYD Isle of Berk at Epic really covers the second and third movies.

Movies one through three are all animated films.

I’am looking forward to seeing the Live action HTTYD that will be out in the cinema this weekend.

So enjoying this trip report! Thought I’d chime in here on httyd. If you see the show, there is absolutely no way to miss hiccup and toothless flying if they are working. I’m 56 and my sister 62 and we loved this land! My sister had me watch all three movies before our trip last week and I loved them all with the last one probably being my favorite. Definitely worth a watch.

Thank you, so glad you are enjoying the trip report.

It would have been nice to see Hiccup fly over on Toothless when I saw the show. It is wonderful production for sure.…..Hopefully I will get to see it on my next visit..

I will try and see the live action HTTYD this weekend and then watch the animated films at some point.

I will be able to better appreciate the Isle of Berk more when I see it again after watching the movies.

Thank you for chiming in……you are always welcome to do so.

Thanks so much for reviewing Helios including the breakfast buffet as we're considering trying that on our checkout day. Do you feel like it was a good value for the price? Also the real pics of the Monsters land jewelry were so helpful. I like the scarab necklace but I'm worried it might be a bit too Countess Luann (IYKYK). I think the red beads on the Dracula bracelet are clever but realistically I'll never wear it. A friend of mine attends a vampire dress up ball every year so it would be perfect for her event though! What was your favorite thing that you ate/drank while at Epic?

I enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Flora Taverna at Helios Grand. It is a beautiful restaurant.

I feel it was a good value when you consider what you pay for meals inside park.

There was a nice selection of hot and cold items to choose from. I had the best omelette I have ever had there.

There was endless coffee and juice. The coffee was very good.

The waiter I had was wonderful and attentive. I never felt rushed and I really enjoyed my breakfast there.

Have a good look at the jewelry in the Manor House store when on your trip. The TM was so nice to take out the various pieces of jewelry I wanted to look at. It is all kept behind the cash register and they take it out for you.

The pictures do not do the jewelry justice. It is kept behind a locked plexicase that reflects the light on it so it is hard to really appreciate the fine details.

Your friend might like the Vampire bracelet and ring. They are well made and would be a nice addition to her attire for the Vampire Ball.




I might be tempted to buy a couple more pieces on my next visit.


I did not have a great experience in the park with my food selections at Epic on this trip, but the Garlic Stake at the Burning Blade was good.

The pasta and meatballs were good at Pizza Moon once more sauce was added to to the dish.

The pulled pork and mango bread were good at The Oak & Star Tavern. There is a nice selection of various barbecue sauces to choose from available on the table.

I’am not much for mixing alcohol and heat. It was hot enough on the two days I was at Epic and I stayed with diet drinks and water while in the park.

I have done a little more research on some cocktails I might like to try on my next visit to Epic Universe.

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, May 6th continued

After leaving Isle of Berk I walked over to Oak & Star Tavern. It should have been open by now.

I stopped for a few photos along the way.


The large area in front of the Concrete Urns is a splash pad that I was told would be on for the little ones sometime in the future. I would venture to guess more then the little ones would be walking through it if it was as hot as it was today.

The Constellation Carousel is really pretty sitting on the water.


A front picture of Star Dust Racers. I think the presentation of this ride as well as some of the other Worlds will be more impressive when all the trees and plantings mature in the future.


I took a picture of Helios Grand from a distance across the beautiful massive fountain area. It has quite the regal exterior.


There are some benches with awnings over them scattered around.


I reached the Oak &n Star Tavern.


There were three TM’s standing outside the doors saying the restaurant was not open to park guests yet as there had been a private event and It would be opening soon.

I saw a few people sitting on the small wall in the front of the restaurant and I decided to sit down and rest for a few minutes. I had put in a few miles and I was ready for a rest. I had decided that if the restaurant was not open soon I would just head back to Helios and have lunch in Flora Taverna.

It was not long and one of the TM’s came over and said we could enter through the right hand side door that was by the bar. He said we could sit inside the bar area and order food or sit on the patio area which was by the bar.

There were table and booth seating in the wing which was considered the bar area. There were stools around the bar and there were tables on the covered patio seating of the restaurant.

You could see through to the main entry of the restaurant and the left wing of the restaurant that the staff was trying to quickly reset the restaurant after the event they had just had.

I did find a table and sat down. I mobile ordered my food. IF you order soda they have someone bring out your glass just like at Das Stakehouse and you go over and choose your drink at the Coca Cola freestyle machine.

Pretty quickly the Bar dining area was getting over loaded with people who had the same idea to stop here for lunch.

I’am not claustrophobic, but if I had not already ordered my food and paid for it on the app I would have left. Let’s just say this bar dining area was not small and it was full of people.

Slowly they were coming and getting folks to seat them in the other dining area that they were cleaning after the event.

It took awhile for my food to arrive.

I had ordered the two meat platter. It was not at all clear that you received the mango bread with your platter automatically. So like a few others around me I ordered a side of the mango bread which I had heard was really good. Only to find out that when my platter was delivered you do get a mini loaf of Mango bread with it.

There are a few sauces provided on the table for you to try on your barbecue. That is a nice option.

I had talked to one of the TM’s about the best barbecue option and was told the that the brisket was slow roasted for 14 hours and was delicious. So I ordered the pulled pork and the brisket.

The brisket was cold and I could not even cut it with the knife provided. The fries were lukewarm. The pulled pork was good. I sampled some of the sauces on the table and found the one I liked and put it on the pulled pork.

The mango bread was cold, but tasty. So I ate some of the mango bread and pulled pork. I was disappointed the brisket had not lived up to the hype and wandered if it had been left over from the event.




After I was done I headed back to the Helios Grand to my room. The hotel is really close and is such a convenience to go back to after a hot first part of the day.

I got back to my room closed the curtains and headed to the bathroom for a nice shower.

I got my house dress on and opened up the curtains again and not long after a hard rain started and I saw folks scurrying for cover in Celestial Park. The rain did not last long.

I was glad to be all refreshed and sitting in the air conditioning.

It was almost 3 pm so I got on the Universal App to try for one of the coveted places in the VQ for the The Battle at the Ministry ride. Alas, I was able to make it as far as choosing a time and then I was shut out. So much for that. This was the fifth time I had not been able to get a VQ spot. Three yesterday and so far two today.

I had tried for a VQ when I was at Super Nintendo World earlier at 11 am and had not luck.

I had now resigned myself that if I did not make it on a VQ spot for the ride it would not be the be all end all.

I closed the curtains and took a nice nap.


Next up Ministry of Magic

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, May 6th continued

After a nice nap I got ready to go out and continue my discovery of the worlds of Epic Universe. It was so nice to have the opportunity to come back to the hotel for a reprieve from the heat and nap.

I know sometimes folks question whether the extra cost of staying onsite at the resorts at Universal is worth it and I will say yes…….a thousand times……it is worth it.

Staying onsite really gives you the option of enjoying the park during the first part of the day then coming back to the hotel for pool time or a rest in your room.

Then you can head back to the park in the evening and enjoy yourself some more.

Another added plus of staying at one of the Premeir resorts is Unlimited Express. The Resorts that offer this are RPR, HRH, PBR. I’am wondering if in the future Helios Grand will offer Unlimited Express. I’am thinking it should considering the price point.

My goal this evening was to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic. It is not that far of a walk to the left when you exit the door of Helios Grand, but I decided to take the long way around to get a little more exercise.



I made the walk up front and passed Pizza Moon on the way and there were a number of park guests that were not happy that if was closed for an event.

I wanted to have a look inside the Atlantic restaurant and it was also closed for an event. I will just have to go visit for a meal and a look on my next visit.


I stopped at the pretty Starbucks and picked up a cold drink and continued my walk.

I continued on. I wanted to get a up close view of The Stardust Racers. I could see this coaster running from my hotel window.









I stood and watched the two coasters running and could hear the screams of the passengers.

I stopped and and had a seat so I could try again for a VQ for the Battle of the Ministry ride at 6 pm and again no luck…..I was able to get as far as getting the options to choose from times for the ride and again I was shut out….Oh well…there is always next time visit.

Celestial Parks StarDust Racers coasters looks like it is a hit.

Now it was time to move on to the new Harry Potter Park. Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic

 

[Robo56]

Tuesday, May 6th continued

When you approach the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic you look up and see the golden hand holding a golden wand. The wand is the wand of Destiny also known as the Elder wand. The wand was one of three magical objects that made up the fabled Deathly Hallows along with the Resurrection Stone and the Cloak of Invisibility.

Just a few who had the wand were Albus Dumbledore, Draco Malloy, Lord Voldemort and Harry Potter.


You can see this portal top from the park view rooms at Helios Grand.


The saying on the top of the portal entry is a quote by Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter film Prisoner of Azkaban.

You can also see the time-turner which represents the different decades presented in this world between the UK 1990’s times of Harry Potter movies and Paris 1920’s time of Fantastic Beasts movies particularly “Crimes of Grindlewald”.



On the left of the Portal before you enter are the wands of from top Harry Potter, Hermione Grander, Ron Weasley and Lord Voldemort



On the right side of the Portal from top are the wands of Newt Scamander, Porpentina (Tina) Goldstein, Queenie Goldstein and Jacob Kowalski’s (fake) wand.


As you enter the World you come into the walkway that leads to the World.


Then you round the corner and get the first view of the Phoenix Arch and the buildings which are on a grand scale.…….WOW……


Once you walk through the Phoenix Arch you are now in the 1920’s Paris that Newt Scamander went to in the “Crimes of Grindlewald”.


There is a massive Parfumerie painting on the side of one of the buildings.

 

[Robo56]

After you enter under the arch and turn around and look up you see the large golden Phoenix on the inside of the arch. This is what the magical folks see.






On the left side of the arch is a what appears to be a tree of magical creatures.

A Thestral head is on the tree top then an Owl, Dragon, Centaur and on the bottom are Mandrakes.


The right side is of the Arch has what looks like a Dragon Head, Snakes, Nifflers, what looks like an Occamy. Fire Lizards and on the bottom is a Moon-Calf





More to come