Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Universal’s newest theme park promises a groundbreaking experience—but it’s already showing signs of strain. With Epic Universe set to open on May 22, soft openings and early previews have offered fans an early look at the park’s five themed lands. But as the gates opened to limited crowds, so did the opportunity for things to go wrong.
This project is Universal Orlando’s most ambitious expansion yet. Visitors can explore everything from monster lore in Dark Universe to dragon-fueled adventures in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk. There’s even a brand-new Wizarding World area, this time centered around the Ministry of Magic. At the heart of it all is Celestial Park, home to dining, gardens, and a dual-track coaster called Stardust Racers.
Credit: Universal
While Dark Universe and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic are arguably the most hyped lands today, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD isn’t far behind. Based on the wildly successful area first opened at Universal Studios Japan, the land features multiple rides and interactive zones inspired by the Super Mario franchise. Among them is Yoshi’s Adventure, an omnimover attraction that takes guests on a treasure hunt through a cartoonish landscape.
Reports of Damage Begin to Surface at Epic Universe
That attraction is now at the center of early controversy. Visitors have reportedly been pulling the stems off the apples in the Yoshi’s Adventure queue. Though seemingly a very minor detail, the behavior reflects a troubling pattern: props being damaged by guests even before the park’s official debut.
Guests already broke many of the stems off the apples in the Yoshi’s Adventure queue pic.twitter.com/RQeLNNKm9m
— Universal Parks News Today (@UniNewsToday) May 8, 2025
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD also includes Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and Mine-Cart Madness, a Donkey Kong–themed roller coaster. Both are expected to draw massive crowds, with lines already forming at record length during previews. With so many tactile and interactive features built into the land, the challenge of maintaining the environment amid constant guest contact is already becoming clear.
This isn’t the first time Universal—or the theme park industry at large—has faced this kind of issue. Similar reports emerged from Disneyland in 2023 when props inside Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway were broken or removed by guests in the months following its opening. Fans and cast members expressed frustration at how quickly new rides could be affected by careless or entitled behavior.
Credit: Disney
Widespread Behavior Raises Flags
Other lands within Epic Universe are facing challenges, too. Guests in the Isle of Berk section have reportedly made inappropriate comments toward Hiccup, the teenage hero from the How to Train Your Dragon series, during meet-and-greet sessions. Meanwhile, team members have had to deal with line-cutting disputes and minor vandalism near several attractions, including Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.
These incidents have come as preview access has widened to include general guests who purchased early entry tickets. With this broader audience came longer waits—and a noticeable spike in negative behavior, according to those present.
Have you noticed a surge of bad behavior during Epic Universe previews?
