Epic Universe Is Obviously The Top Theme Park Achievement Of 2025, But I Want To Recognize A Few Others Too

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2025 was a fantastic year for theme parks. While new rides, shows, and food are always being added, it’s rare to see an entirely new theme park open. It really doesn’t happen very often!

When reviewing the best new theme park attractions of the year, Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe is impossible to ignore. It was undoubtedly the biggest – and perhaps the best – addition to the industry. However, 2025 also saw other exciting openings worth mentioning. Let’s acknowledge Epic Universe first, then turn our attention to those other new attractions.

Epic Universe Is Worthy Of The Hype

There was a lot of excitement when Universal Orlando announced it was building a third theme park. It’s tough to live up to that much hype, but Epic Universe actually delivered. Any theme park enthusiast needs to experience it.

I was lucky enough to preview Epic Universe and try out everything it has to offer, and it definitely lives up to the excitement. The park features two truly exceptional dark rides – Monsters Unchained and Battle at the Ministry of Magic – and incredibly detailed lands that fully immerse you in worlds from popular movies and video games. Even the original areas, not tied to existing franchises, are impressively designed and a lot of fun. Overall, it’s a remarkable accomplishment.

The Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic Is Something Special

Moving to a completely different scale, we shift from a huge theme park to the story of a single person: Walt Disney. The exhibit, “Walt Disney: A Magical Life,” presented the founder of the Disney company in a groundbreaking way, but it also sparked some debate.

Okay, so Walt isn’t exactly a perfect look-alike, his face isn’t spot-on, but honestly, when he starts talking and moving, you completely forget about that. It’s so realistic! From a tech perspective, this is a huge step forward for Disney’s animatronics – it’s incredible. And they’re building another one for Disney World, which is amazing. If they can make the next one even better, it’s going to be truly spectacular – I can’t wait to see it!

Fan Fest Nights Was An Incredible New Universal Event

I wasn’t always a fan of special ticket events at theme parks. They often seemed expensive for what you got – limited access to rides and a shorter time in the park. But recently, I’ve gone to a few and changed my mind. These events offer unique experiences you can’t get during regular park hours, and they’re definitely worth checking out.

I recently experienced Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights for the first time, and I especially enjoyed Fan Fest Nights. This event took the same exciting format as Horror Nights but focused on popular, non-horror franchises. It was amazing to explore iconic locations like the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D and the town square from Back to the Future – those experiences alone made the ticket price worthwhile.

The John Wick Experience Puts You In The World Of John Wick

The goal of themed entertainment is to make guests feel like they’ve stepped into their favorite stories. Theme parks are generally very good at achieving this, especially while waiting in line and experiencing rides. While a ride like Tron: Lightcycle Run can transport you to its world, creating a truly immersive experience – like feeling you are John Wick – requires something even more detailed and engaging.

I visited The John Wick Experience in Las Vegas earlier this year, and I loved it so much I’d definitely do it again. It truly felt like stepping into the world of the John Wick movies and the Continental Hotel – much more immersive than a typical theme park ride. You’re not just watching a story; you’re in it, working with other characters, figuring out puzzles, and experiencing scenes straight from the films. You even get to shoot a gun and enjoy a drink at the Continental bar. Consider your room booked!

Disneyland’s 70th Celebration Is The Greatest Hits (And More) Of Modern Disneyland

In 2025, Disneyland will celebrate its 70th anniversary – a milestone deserving of a major celebration! The park is currently hosting a party that will continue until August 2026, largely by reviving beloved classics. Guests can once again enjoy favorites like the beautiful Paint the Night parade and the dazzling Wonderous Journeys nighttime show.

The 70th anniversary celebration also includes some fantastic new offerings. While the new ‘World of Color: Happiness’ isn’t the best version of the show, every ‘World of Color’ is still enjoyable. The real standout, though, is ‘The Tapestry of Happiness.’ Projected onto the side of ‘It’s A Small World,’ this show beautifully tells the story of Disneyland, fondly remembering beloved attractions from the past and the people who created them. It’s the highlight of the celebration and something you definitely shouldn’t miss!

2025 was a fantastic year for theme parks, and 2026 is shaping up to be even better! Universal is building a new theme park, Universal Kids Resort, in Texas. Plus, the popular show Bluey will be featured at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World next year. To mark America’s 250th birthday and the release of The Mandalorian and Grogu, both resorts will also be introducing updated versions of the popular rides Soarin’ and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.

While the Fast & Furious movies are finally inspiring a theme park ride, the most exciting new attraction in 2025 might actually be at Dollywood. I’m already looking forward to it!

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2025-12-30 00:11