The new Epic Universe in Florida marks the first new major theme park in the United States in nearly a quarter century, lives up to the hype created during the years of buildup and ups the ante in Universal’s crosstown showdown with rival Walt Disney World.

I previewed Epic Universe, the new multibillion-dollar theme park from Universal Orlando Resorts. It was well worth the investment for the company.

Universal Epic Universe features five unique, elaborately themed worlds: an original concept world called Celestial Park, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World and Dark Universe, which centers on classic monsters from Universal films.