Behind the Scenes Look at the Making of the Epic Universe Model, Coming Soon to Preview Center – WDW News Today

Ayush June 1, 2024

Universal Orlando Resort has announced that the Epic Universe Preview Center will open in June, giving guests a closer look at everything coming to the new park. A model for the new theme park will be on display in CityWalk, but we have a behind the scenes look at the making of the Epic Universe model.

Epic Universe Model

The Epic Universe model took 9 months to complete, with a team of 10 scenic artists and 7 make up artists. Everything on the model is hand painted, and the make up artists were brought on to paint the tiny details. The models estimated cost was $1 million.

Overview & Celestial Park

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Before placing model buildings and ride tracks, the artists created an outline of the park areas.

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They added themed flooring. The note “F&B” on the table indicates where a food and beverage location will be.

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This is the Chronos device at the entrance of Epic Universe. It’s the magical machine that allows guests to be transported into other worlds. The entrance tower on the model is electrical, with the sun gradually changing to the moon at night.

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Artists created the miniature Chronos device and other elements of the model with tiny panels.

A hand holds a needle above a rectangular piece of green plastic with intricate cut-out patterns, placed on a white surface—behind the scenes of crafting an epic universe model.

They used a pin to poke pieces out of this panel.

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At the top of this photo is Super Nintendo World. At the bottom is part of Celestial Park.

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Celestial Park is the center of Epic Universe. The purple and blue buildings on the water in this photo are Constellation Carousel.

A detailed miniature model of an amusement park, featuring various rides, greenery, water bodies, and buildings, captures the essence of Epic Universe. The roller coaster track is prominently visible in the scene, giving a behind-the-scenes glimpse into this fantastical world.

At the top of this photo is How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk. In the center is the yellow dual-racing coaster, Stardust Racers. Originally dubbed Starfall Racers, it was recently renamed due to trademark infringement.

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The octagon on the water in these photos is Atlantic, a restaurant by Chef Martinez.

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As seen in the model, the pavement of Celestial Park will feature decorative circles. There will be fountains in the water features.

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The empty space in this photo is where the Helios Grand Hotel will be, at the opposite end of the park’s main entrance. A large water feature is in front of the in-park hotel.

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Stardust Racers feature yellow and gold tracks that curve over a body of water.

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Artists used this concept art as reference when creating the model. It depicts two train cars about to pass each other over the water.

A detailed scale model of a roller coaster track winds through a miniature forest scene with trees and greenery on a table. This behind-the-scenes glimpse captures the magic and intricacy that could be part of an Epic Universe attraction.

They dart through dozens of trees over a grassy space.

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Every detail has been planned out, down to the placement of the trees.

Model of a forest with multicolored trees and a yellow roller coaster track winding through, supported by green pillars. Get a behind-the-scenes look at this epic universe, where every detail is meticulously crafted.

The miniature trees are all placed exactly where the real ones will be planted in the park.

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The rides were 3D printed and then painted.

A behind-the-scenes look reveals a model roller coaster with yellow tracks, situated in a meticulously crafted scale model landscape. Various green and brown trees dot the scene, all set inside Epic Universe's expansive indoor space with high ceilings.

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The base of the model was mapped out and then painted in a latex green paint before modeling grass was added.

A scale model of a roller coaster with green terrain, featuring trees and bushes beside the coaster track, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into what could be an epic universe theme park creation.

The modeling grass was added a foot square at a time and took 12 hours to dry.

A miniature model of a roller coaster with a yellow track winding through a landscape featuring model trees and greenery, resembling an epic universe.

Adding grass to the base of the model was a very time consuming.

Model of a roller coaster featuring green and yellow tracks on a tabletop, surrounded by miniature landscape elements, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the design process of an Epic Universe attraction.

The Stardust Racers building features a green rooftop.

Close-up view of a miniature model depicting an Epic Universe theme park ride with twisting yellow and orange tracks and an arched green structure overhead.

Gold and green railings surround the loading platforms.

A detailed architectural model displays a winding road flanked by trees, set within a layout of various land plots and green spaces, reminiscent of an epic universe model. Behind the scenes, photos reveal the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation.

The model includes all the pathways of Epic Universe winding through various types of trees and plants.

A model train layout depicting a curved road surrounded by trees and greenery under indoor lighting offers a charming glimpse into an Epic Universe Model; perfect for behind the scenes photos.

A detailed miniature model showcasing a lush landscape with dense green trees, a grassy area, winding paths, and some taller palm-like trees in the background. This behind-the-scenes glimpse captures the essence of an epic universe in miniature form.

The base of the model is made of thick, firm foam that could be easily carved and landscaped.

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A detailed model of a landscaped area featuring roads, grassy sections, and clusters of trees, including palms and deciduous trees. Photos provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of this epic universe.

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This circle of pavement features a celestial-inspired etched design.

A behind-the-scenes look at an Epic Universe detailed scale model showcases a landscaped area with a circular concrete path, green trees, shrubs, and grass patches, viewed from above.

A detailed miniature landscape model in progress featuring paths, greenery, and trees sits on a wooden table. A paintbrush lies beside it, capturing the meticulous effort behind the scenes of this epic universe.

The model was constructed in pieces, on wheeled tables that could be moved around and pieces together.

A detailed landscape architectural model on a table, featuring various green terrains, trees, pathways, and water features, with behind the scenes photos and materials in the background.

Three small white figurines stand on a flat white base on a meticulously crafted model terrain featuring gray pathways and green foliage. One figure holds an object above its head, offering a glimpse behind the scenes of this Epic Universe diorama.

Close-up of a miniature diorama showing three white plastic figures walking on a path with a large tree and greenery in the background, capturing behind-the-scenes details of an epic universe model.

Tiny model people help give a sense of scale.

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Vines cover the overhang of this building, which has thin golden columns. It’s located between Stardust Racers and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter entrance. It has a golden domed tower.

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This part of the building resembles a greenhouse with glass walls and golden details. There are brick columns on either side of the doorway.

A detailed miniature architectural model, part of the Epic Universe Model series, showcases a domed roof building, adjacent structures, and a pergola with greenery. Photos hint at a behind-the-scenes workshop environment in the background.

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Artists prepared tiny trucks filled with foliage.

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A “tree legend” was used to place all the miniature trees.

A model construction scene with a green base, small trees, wooden structures, a road, and miniature tools such as a paintbrush and stick showcases the meticulous craft behind the scenes of an epic universe.

Model of a miniature landscape featuring trees, grassy areas, and pathways on a workbench. Several tools and small objects are placed around the landscape, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creation of an epic universe.

A behind-the-scenes tabletop scene featuring model trees arranged on a grassy green mat with some exposed wood visible in the background, showcasing the artistry of the Epic Universe Model.

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Here’s a look at the trees before being “planted” on the model.

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The entire department that worked on the model signed the wooden base before the final piece of foam was glued to the base.

Dark Universe

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These small black trees are for Dark Universe.

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Artists wrapped this green trellis in vines.

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Dark Universe is the world of Universal Classic Monsters. The portal is beneath a large twisted tree.

A detailed miniature model of a park or garden with pathways, trees, a central statue, and benches surrounded by greenery offers a glimpse behind the scenes of Universal Epic Universe wonders.

An overgrown courtyard features cobblestones, statues, and graves.

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The land has a village of dark stone houses.

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A fountain is in the center of a courtyard.

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A wagon sits on a cobblestone walkway.

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Details of Dark Universe have yet to be announced but it has an outdoor roller coaster rumored to be named Curse of the Werewolf.

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This photo shows a miniature windmill atop a building.

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A later photo shows the building covered in rocks and foliage. The windmill also has fake fire. This will be the Burning Blade Tavern.

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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

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One photo shows the Parisian streets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. It’s inspired by Place Cachee of the “Fantastic Beasts” films and the British Ministry of Magic in “Harry Potter.”

Super Nintendo World – Donkey Kong Country

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Model railroad landscape with a jungle theme, featuring tracks, lush greenery, and a section of a building. The table surface is visible in the foreground. For an immersive experience, explore behind-the-scenes photos that capture the magic of this epic universe.

Donkey Kong Country will be at the back of Super Nintendo World, behind the Mushroom Kingdom. It will feature the roller coaster Mine-Cart Madness, which is also coming soon to Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.

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Tiny huts have straw rooves.

A miniature desert town scene with small buildings, a red-roofed cart, palm trees, and rocky terrain. The backdrop includes greenery and pathways, giving it an epic universe feel perfect for model photos.

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Mine-Cart Madness goes through a golden temple.

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The unique ride is designed to look like the mine cart vehicles are jumping over gaps in the track, but they are actually attached to a hidden sideways track.

A miniature model scene featuring dense, jungle-like foliage, a wooden lamppost, a bench, and a pathway captures an epic universe. The foreground contains an out-of-focus object that hints at the intricate attention to detail involved behind the scenes.

A miniature model of a thatched-roof hut elevated on stilts with a sign that reads "KONG," surrounded by miniature greenery and trees, offers an enchanting glimpse behind the scenes of Epic Universe.

One hut features a “Kong” sign.

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There’s a crashed plane in the Donkey Kong Country jungle.

A detailed miniature village scene features a wooden bridge, lush greenery, and small structures underneath a large warehouse ceiling, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into this epic universe model.

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A miniature jungle-themed model viewed through an archway with animal head designs, featuring trees, huts, and various small structures gives a glimpse behind the scenes of an epic universe.

Epic Universe is the fourth Universal Orlando Resort park, scheduled to open next year. More details will be revealed soon, so be sure to stay tuned for updates.

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