Islands of Adventure January 2025

What’s New at Universal Studios an Islands of Adventure January 2025

by william
September 12, 2025

1. Introduction

Why 2025 is historic: Largest expansion year since the debut of Wizarding World in 2010.
Core themes: Innovation, immersion, and global expansion.
Key milestones: Epic Universe opening, hotel launches, and seasonal event growth.
Visitor impact: Expanded capacity, upgraded guest experiences, and more year-round entertainment.

2. Major Openings and Expansions

2.1 Epic Universe Opening May 22, 2025

Overview: Universal’s 4th Orlando theme park; five immersive worlds; 50+ new experiences.
Celestial Park (hub of Epic Universe):
- Attractions:
  - Stardust Racers: Dual-launch racing coaster (62 mph).
  - Constellation Carousel: Mythical creatures in motion.
  - Astronomica: Interactive water-play zone.
- Dining: Atlantic (Victorian aquarium restaurant), Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant.
- Entertainment: Fountain shows, nighttime lighting displays.
- Shopping: Nintendo Super Star Store, Epic Universe merch hubs.
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk:
- Attractions: Hiccup’s Wing Gliders coaster, Untrainable Dragon live show, Fyre Drill boat battle, Dragon Racer’s Rally aerial ride.
- Kid-friendly: Viking Training Camp, Toothless meet-and-greet.
- Dining: Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill.
- Theming: Viking village architecture, dragon statues, seaside lookouts.
Super Nintendo World:
- Returning attractions: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Toadstool Café.
- U.S. debuts: Yoshi’s Adventure, Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness.
- Interactivity: Power-Up Bands, interactive blocks, hidden character encounters.
Dark Universe:
- Atmosphere: Gothic village of Darkmoor.
- Headliner: Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment dark ride (14 animatronics).
- Secondary ride: Curse of the Werewolf spinning family coaster.
- Experiences: Darkmoor Monster Makeup, live monster meet-and-greets.
- Dining: Das Stakehaus (vampire-themed), The Burning Blade Tavern (monster hunter tavern).
Wizarding World – Ministry of Magic:
- Theme: 1920s Paris (Place Cachée) + British Ministry of Magic.
- Main attraction: Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry.
- Entertainment: Le Cirque Arcanus magical show.
- Shops: Wand shops, French wizard goods.
- Dining: Café L’air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir, Bar Moonshine.
- Signature feature: Butterbeer cart in Paris.

New Hotels

Universal Stella Nova Resort Jan 21, 2025
Theme: Space, galaxies, cosmic mystery.
- Rooms: 750 double-queen rooms.
- Dining: Cosmos Café, Galaxy Grill, Nova Bar.
- Amenities: Fire pit, game room, resort store, 10,000-sq ft pool.
Universal Terra Luna Resort Mar 25, 2025
- Theme: Unknown planets and exploration.
- Rooms: 750 rooms with “spaceship” windows.
- Dining: Omega Café, Moonrise Bar & Grill, Luna Bar.
- Similar amenities as Stella Nova.
Universal Helios Grand Hotel May 22, 2025
- Theme: Mediterranean + celestial design.
- Rooms: 500 luxury accommodations, dragon-themed kids’ suites.
- Dining: Flora Taverna, rooftop Bar Helios, Aurora Market, Lotus Lagoon poolside.
- Amenities: Direct park access to Celestial Park, zero-entry pool, underwater speakers, cabanas, poolside movies.

2.3 Universal City Walk Expansion

Universal Studios Store:
- New themed wings: Wizarding World + Super Nintendo World.
- First-ever Butterbeer counter outside the parks.
- Donkey Kong, Mario, Luigi, and Harry Potter merch hubs.

3. Seasonal Events and Festivals

3.1 Winter/Spring

Rock the Universe (Jan 24–25): Florida’s largest Christian music festival.
Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval (Feb 1–Mar 30):
- New Orleans floats + 6 new parade floats.
- Food booths, international dishes, beignets.
- Concerts: T-Pain, Joe Jonas, TLC, Kool & The Gang.
Butterbeer Season (Mar 1–May 31): Hot, frozen, vegan Butterbeer + desserts.

3.2 Graduation Celebrations

Grad Bash (Apr 4, 5, 11, 25): High school seniors, private access to both parks.
Gradventure (May 2, 9, 16, 17): Middle school grads, full-park access at night.

3.3 Summer Highlights

Volcano Bay Nights (Apr–May): Night lighting, short waits, special entertainment.
Fourth of July: Fireworks, patriotic overlays, live entertainment.

3.4 Fall Celebrations

Passholder Appreciation Days (Aug 15–Sept 30): Discounts, special events.
Passholder Nights (Aug 15–16): Exclusive nighttime rides & entertainment.
Halloween Horror Nights (Aug 29–Nov 2):
- Haunted houses (IP + originals).
- Scare zones, shows, themed dining.
- VIP and Behind-the-Screams tours.

3.5 Holiday Season

Holidays at Universal (Nov 21–Dec 31):
- Macy’s Holiday Parade.
- Christmas at Wizarding World.
- Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular.
- Seasonal hotel decor + lobby events.
- Holiday guided tours.

4. Refurbishments Closures and Ride Updates

Jurassic Park River Adventure: Closed, reopening Jan 23 after refurbishment.
Pteranodon Flyers: Testing runs hint at reopening.
Poseidon’s Fury: Permanently closed.
Volcano Bay: Lagoon + Ohyah/Ohno slides closed until mid-February.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit: Closing Sept 2025.
- Rumored replacement: Ghostbusters Intamin double-launch coaster.

5. Merchandise Dining and Passholder Perks

Merchandise Highlights:
- Dark Universe glow-in-the-dark pins.
- Creature from the Black Lagoon back scratcher.
- Celestial Park maps, Christmas ornaments.
Dining Experiences:
- New menus at Confisco’s, exclusive seasonal offerings.
- Epic Universe dining previews in merchandise centers.
Passholder Exclusives:
- Confisco’s Grille private upstairs patio (Jan 6–31).
- Brown Derby Hat Shop 70% off sale (Popeye merch, Loungefly).

6. Beyond Orlando Domestic and Global Expansions

6.1 Las Vegas

Universal Horror Unleashed (AREA15):
- Year-round horror venue.
- Houses: Universal Monsters, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow, Exorcist: Believer.
- Dining + entertainment tied to each haunted house.

6.2 Universal Studios Hollywood

Butterbeer Season (Mar–May).
Universal Fan Fest Nights (Apr–May): Star Trek, BTTF, One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen.
New Summer Event (Jun–Aug): Details TBD.
Back to Hogwarts (Aug–Sept).
Halloween Horror Nights (Sept–Nov).
Holidays at Universal (Nov–Dec).
Year-round Pass Member Perks.

Conclusion

Introduction

Major Openings & Expansions

Epic Universe (Lands, Attractions, Dining, Shopping)

New Hotels (Stella Nova, Terra Luna, Helios Grand)

Universal CityWalk Expansion

Seasonal Events & Festivals

Winter/Spring

Graduation Events

Summer Highlights

Fall Celebrations

Holiday Season

Refurbishments, Closures & Ride Updates

Merchandise, Dining & Passholder Perks

Beyond Orlando: Domestic & Global Expansions

Las Vegas: Universal Horror Unleashed

Hollywood: New Seasonal Events & Experiences

Conclusion:

2025 = Universal’s biggest year ever.
Epic Universe as centerpiece, redefining immersion and storytelling.
Hotel expansions create new lodging tiers and experiences.
Seasonal events ensure year-round excitement.
Refurbishments keep classics fresh while rumors spark anticipation.
Expansions to Hollywood and Las Vegas solidify Universal as a global entertainment powerhouse.
For fans, 2025 is the ultimate year to visit — blending nostalgia, innovation, and world-class thrills.

1. Introduction 2. Major Openings and Expansions 2.1 Epic Universe Opening May 22, 2025 New Hotels 2.3 Universal City Walk Expansion 3. Seasonal Events and Festivals 3.1 Winter/Spring 3.2 Graduation Celebrations 3.3 Summer Highlights 3.4 Fall Celebrations 3.5 Holiday Season 4. Refurbishments Closures and Ride Updates 5. Merchandise Dining and Passholder Perks 6. Beyond Orlando…