If you’ve ever explored a theme park, you know they’re often packed with clever details—hidden nods to movies, sly references to other rides, and Easter eggs that only the most observant visitors will catch. Well, Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park is no different! We’re uncovering the top Epic Universe secrets, hidden gems, and fun facts that make this destination a next-level experience.
Not only are there unique finds in each portal, but some secrets tie the entire park together—giving Epic Universe the distinct charm of truly feeling like its own world. There are countless hidden details for those well-versed in Universal lore, but we’ve narrowed it down to our top 15. Let’s take a look!
Secrets in Epic Universe’s Celestial Park
You might be thinking, Celestial Park is a newly imagined area, so what hidden gems could there possibly be? Quite a few, actually! From beloved Easter eggs to clever nods to Universal history, here are some details you won’t want to miss:
- Earl the Squirrel: Inside Northstar Wintry Wonders (look for the falling snow out front), you can spot Earl the Squirrel not once, but twice! Look up to see a conveyor belt of toys that includes an Earl the Squirrel plush. Follow the belt to a screen where the toys are loaded into Santa’s sleigh… and yes, Earl makes it aboard!
- Flux Capacitor on Stardust Racers: Each coaster vehicle for Stardust Racers sports a Flux Capacitor on the back, a nod to the Back to the Future franchise. While the ride feels like it could hit 88 mph, it actually tops out at 62 mph. The ride’s backstory explains that a certain time-traveling doctor once visited Celestial Park and donated his advanced tech to stabilize the racing comets.
- Celestial Park Tales: Many stores, restaurants, and attractions in Celestial Park have their own unique lore explaining their origins. You can uncover these stories by checking out each location’s individual guide (Start here!)
Hidden Gems inside SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
Next up, get those Power-Up Bands on, because we’re headed to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD! If you’re a fan of Nintendo, you know that they are beyond detail-oriented — and this land is filled with secrets and nods to the games you love. Here are a few of our favorite hidden details:
- Shrinking Hallway: On the upper level, you’ll come across a room with a mischievous Bob-omb. As it “explodes” on-screen, the walls, bricks, and power-up blocks suddenly appear larger — that’s because you’ve shrunk, just like in the Super Mario Bros. games! Solve the puzzle at the end of the hall, and you’ll be rewarded with a mushroom to restore your size.
- Pikmin on the Loose: These adorable plant-like creatures from Nintendo’s Pikmin games are hidden all around this realm. Look for them near the portal to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, in the Mine-Cart Madness queue mural, and even near the Nintendo Super Star Store in Celestial Park. How many can you spot?
- Bowser’s Autographed Portrait: Inside the queue for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, one portrait of Bowser features a special autograph from Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator behind Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Pikmin.
Fun Facts from Epic Universe’s Dark Universe
Now, get out your garlic bulbs and wooden stakes, because we’re heading to the village of Darkmoor. This entire area is packed with hidden details and easter eggs, but here are a few of our favorites:
- Maria’s Memorial: In the graveyard at the entrance (where you might even spot Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s assistant, Ygor, wandering), look for a statue of a young girl holding flowers in her dress. This is a touching nod to Maria from the original Frankenstein film—an accidental victim of Frankenstein’s Monster—serving as a quiet memorial to one of Universal’s most tragic characters.
- The Darkmoor Well: The village is said to be built above catacombs where vampires dwell. The well outside Das Stakehaus emits fog by day, but glows ominous red at night to signal that the vampires have awoken. Look closer, and you’ll spot spikes for “feeding” those below, plus a Latin inscription on the metal band that translates to: “Never forget that you exist by our will alone.” Guess that’s the vampire way of saying welcome?
- The Number 428: Spotted throughout Darkmoor, this number is a nod to Carl Laemmle Jr.’s birthday (April 28). As the son of Universal Studios’ founder and the producer behind multiple original Universal Monster movies, his legacy is honored here. Look for “428” on a brick wall across from Das Stakehaus and again on the radio in Pretorius’ Scientific Oddities.
Easter Eggs Revealed from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
Just like Darkmoor, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is teeming with fun finds that fans of the Boy Who Lived will love!
- Muggle vs. Magical Posters: As you enter through the portal into 1920s Paris, the walls are covered in posters meant for Muggles. Once you pass through the archway, and the ads shift to magical ones promoting everything from frog choir auditions to warnings about not confronting Grindelwald—or using the Eiffel Tower as a portkey! Don’t speak French? Grab a translation app and see what else you can discover! One mural needs no translation: a massive vintage perfume ad to your right as you enter. This is an earlier version of Divine Magic, the same wizarding fragrance featured in King’s Cross Station and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
- A Dark Detail: At the first house on Rue Cachee, you’ll occasionally see a green light glowing in the window—a clear sign of the Killing Curse in The Wizarding World. This is believed to be the site of Grindelwald’s first crimes. Look closely in the other windows and you’ll spot the eerie skull pipe he used in the Fantastic Beasts films.
- Secrets of Le Goblet Noir: On a lighter note, if you decide to dine at Le Goblet Noir (and you should), take a moment to look around! Since Nicolas Flamel lives above the tavern, references to the Sorcerer’s Stone and Deathly Hallows are sprinkled throughout. Spot the Deathly Hallows symbol hanging in the corner and the Three Brothers puppets from The Tale of the Three Brothers, like those seen in the Diagon Alley puppet show.
Secrets in Epic Universe’s How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
Now we’ll glide our way to Isle of Berk. According to Senior Creative Director Katy Pacitti, this area is more about immersive details than hidden Easter eggs—but we still uncovered some fun finds for you.
- A Sweet Personal Touch: Universal often slips in nods to the creatives who help bring the parks to life. Inside the How to Treat Your Dragon shop, look toward the upper displays to spot “Katy’s Kandy’s,” a reference to Senior Creative Director Katy Pacitti herself!
- Tug-of-War: Among Berk’s many dragons (including Cloudjumper, Hiccup’s mom’s dragon, who alternates between being asleep and awake), you’ll find two adorable baby dragons playing tug-of-war with a fish. This playful moment is a fun callback to other Universal attractions—like two dinos fighting over a shirt on Jurassic Park River Adventure and a pair battling over a slice at Pizza Predatoria in Islands of Adventure.
- Gothi’s Perch: When visiting Mead Hall, don’t forget to look up—way up! Above the grand 16-foot-7-inch doors is the hut of Gothi, the silent village elder. You’ll spot her standing outside, keeping a watchful eye over the entire Isle of Berk, dragons and Vikings alike.
We hope you’ve enjoyed these little Easter Eggs and fun finds. Besides the exciting rides and attractions, one way to enjoy Epic Universe is to take a moment to look and listen. You might hear jazz drifting through the streets of The Wizarding World, catch a secret conversation in Dark Universe, or spot a clever detail high above your head. Every corner of Epic Universe is packed with surprises that make it feel truly alive—and who knows, maybe you’ll even discover a few secrets of your own!
Excited to check out Epic Universe for yourself? Discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. Purchase discounted theme park admission here and be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.
