Why Celestial Park Is The Glowing Heart Of Epic Universe (especially After Dark)

Celestial Park: A gateway to Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe

Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe theme park will have five new lands, including Celestial Park, the "cosmic heart” at the front of Epic Universe.

ORLANDO, Fla. – From classic monsters to Super Nintendo to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and “How to Train Your Dragon,” Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park has a lot of deeply loved intellectual property — but one of its five worlds is entirely unique to Universal Orlando Resort. 

Celestial Park is an original concept world, which Universal likes to say puts the park back into theme park. With elegant landscaping, shimmering fountains and fanciful art nouveau-inspired architecture, it runs through the heart of Epic Universe and serves as a thoroughfare to the other worlds as well as a place to rest and reset between them.

As the first world guests enter, either from the park's main entrance or rear entrance exclusive to Universal Helios Grand Hotel, there’s no way to miss Celestial Park, but guests would sorely miss out if they don’t experience it at night. 

All five Epic Universe worlds are a sight to behold after dark, but Celestial Park was made for it.

At dusk, its synchronized lighting begins to glow with an ethereal warmth, transforming the already otherworldly scenery into a heavenly landscape.

Illuminated cars on the massive dueling coaster Stardust Racers resemble shooting stars as they speed along unlit tracks at night.

Constellation-inspired animals on glass-domed Constellation Carousel sparkle as they swirl like a cosmic ballet. 

"If you think of the modern theme park, a lot of them are fantastic experiences, but a lot of them don't have the park-like experiences where you can meander and be in the shade and see water fountains and all these other very park-like experiences, which are super enjoyable, particularly for people who don't want to go on thrill rides," Steve Tatham, executive creative director for all of Epic Universe, told USA TODAY.

Meandering through Celestial Park at night is a must.

The reporter on this story received access from Universal. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.