Disney4me Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago One distinguishing look of Epic Universe is its portals, the physical gateways that lead into its themed worlds. They are rounded walk-through chutes topped by spires with symbols corresponding to the upcoming land. At the top of each curve is a bit of prose. The first portal stands at Epic’s entrance and opens up to Celestial Park, the theme park’s introductory land. From there, four more portals connect to Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. The ceilings and walls of the tunnels include striking lighting and digital screens with special effects but, with the exception of the Super Nintendo World escalators, there are no moving parts in these symbolic transitions. But they are striking photo opportunities, already an Epic trademark. Universal Orlando’s newest theme park opens May 22. Here’s what you’d see on a clockwise tour of Epic portals. The entrance portal and Chronos welcome guests into Orlando’s newest theme park during a preview day for Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Entering Celestial Park Up top: The main portal, which Universal has dubbed Chronos, is topped by a spinning armillary, an old-timey astronomical tool. Symbols of the other four lands descend the 78-foot structure – the “Harry Potter” time turner, Mario, a shadowy dragon and a purple sphere for Dark Universe and its classic monsters. It is written: “Beyond this gate find gardens green and epic worlds to fill your dreams.” Around the edges: The circular motif that repeats throughout Epic flanks the tunnel. On the inside: More armillary imagery, which looks similar to the gears of a clock. This is seen in smaller amounts in the other portals. On the other side: Pass through and see Celestial Park, including the Helios Grand Hotel in the distance. The back side of Chronos includes final words for departing visitors: “You wonder which path to chart, the answer lies within your heart.” A portal with Super Mario imagery and other game symbols leads Epic Universe visitors into Super Nintendo World. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Bounding into Super Nintendo World Up top: Three stars emerge from colorful tubing, alongside a power-up mushroom, a gold coin and a fire flower. Right over the entrance, a round badge flips between an 8-bit Mario character and the more modern animated Mario. It is written: “Here we go!” – one of Mario’s catchphrases in video games. Around the edges: The heads, in golden medallion format, of characters such as Princess Peach, Luigi and Donkey Kong. On the inside: Astronomical symbols, then a blue-green screen, then a green warp pipe wrapping side-by-side upward-bound escalators. On the other side: Visitors arrive inside Princess Peach’s castle and then step out into the multilevel videogame surroundings. Lightning and other effects provide a spooky introduction to Dark Universe at Epic Universe, which debuts May 22. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Lighting up Dark Universe Up top: An electrical contraption with ties to Frankenstein Manor, bolstered by stone and roots. The power source pulsates through the land. It is written: “It’s alive! It’s alive!” – exclamation by Henry Frankenstein in 1931 movie “Frankenstein.” Around the edges: Curved architectural flourishes (and screaming skulls). On the inside: Astronomical symbols, then purple screen with lightning effects, then wooden rafters. The audio may be cranked up a notch here. On the other side: Village of Darkmoor, starting with an entrance to the catacombs and a graveyard. A portal serves as the entrance to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Whirling into Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic Up top: Extended arm and wand, pointed skyward, atop a single column. It is written: “For in dreams we enter a world that is entirely our own.” – Dumbledore to Snape regarding a sleeping Harry in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” Around the edges: An array of eight elder wands. On the inside: Astronomical symbols, blue screen effects, then tile. On the other side: 1920s Paris, including the monumental Phoenix Arch, the far side of which portrays animals from the Potterverse and the “Fantastic Beasts” films. Dragon symbols are incorporated into the design of the portal for How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk at Epic Universe. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Flying into How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk Up top: A symbol representing Toothless, the alpha dragon, atop a Viking lookout structure. It is written: “We, my friends, have dragons!” – a variation of the last line of 2010’s “How to Train Your Dragon” movie. Around the edges: Various dragon symbols, Viking style. On the inside: Astronomical symbols, blue screen effects, then tile. On the other side: A slab of engraved stone (noting “lots and lots of dragons”), followed a lagoon with giant statues of a dragon and a Viking, symbolically living in harmony. Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters. 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