🎢Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks – A Celebration of Imagination | Peacock Original Review

"The ride of a lifetime... built one world at a time." 🌎✨

Get ready to fasten your seatbelts, movie lovers and theme park dreamers — because Peacock is taking you behind the scenes of cinematic magic itself! Premiering November 17, Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks is a three-part documentary series that celebrates the past, present, and future of the legendary Universal theme parks — the playgrounds where monsters, minions, and movie icons come to life.

Streaming exclusively on Peacock, this series is not just about rides and roller coasters. It’s about the creative vision, technical innovation, and emotional storytelling that transformed Universal’s parks into worlds where film becomes reality.

🎬 “The Movies Made the Parks. The Parks Made History.”

Produced by John Marks and Jon Strong for Universal Television Alternative Studio, Epic Ride gives fans unprecedented access to the Universal story — from the roaring studio tours of the 1960s to the groundbreaking worlds of today.

Featuring rare archival footage and intimate interviews with directors, producers, executives, and A-list stars, the series dives deep into how Universal’s parks became the ultimate celebration of imagination.

“This isn’t just a park. It’s where the movies never end.”

Each episode is a love letter to cinematic dreams — exploring how attractions like Jurassic Park River Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Super Nintendo World transformed storytelling into a sensory experience.

🕰️ From Backlot Tours to Epic Universes

The docuseries doesn’t just reminisce — it builds anticipation. The final chapter counts down to the opening of Universal Orlando’s newest masterpiece — Epic Universe, officially launching on May 22, 2025.

It’s more than a park; it’s an entirely new world — one where fantasy, nostalgia, and innovation collide.

Here’s what fans can expect inside this next-generation theme park:

🌌 Inside the Epic Universe

1️⃣ Celestial The glowing “cosmic heart” of the park, featuring the dual-launch coaster Stardust Racers, the magical Constellation Carousel, and the Mediterranean-style Helios Grand Hotel — offering exclusive guest access to the stars.

2️⃣ Super Nintendo World 🎮A gamer’s paradise! From Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge to the thrilling Mine-Cart Madness Coaster, guests can literally jump into their favorite games — and snack on Nintendo-themed delicacies that would make even Toad jealous.

3️⃣ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic 🪄Blending 1920s Paris and 1990s London, this area conjures a darker, more mature era of magic. Step inside Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, a high-tech dark ride full of spells, secrets, and cinematic grandeur.

4️⃣ How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk 🐉Soar with dragons in a Viking-inspired world filled with live shows, fire-breathing spectacles, and play zones for all ages.

5️⃣ Dark Universe 🧛‍♂️Where legends come to life. Home to the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment and Curse of the Werewolf, this gothic land resurrects Universal’s iconic monsters in breathtaking, terrifying fashion.

“Every world tells a story. Every story becomes a ride.”

🎥 Why ‘Epic Ride’ is a Must-Watch for Fans

Whether you’ve screamed on VelociCoaster or cried at E.T. Adventure, this documentary feels like stepping into your childhood. It’s nostalgia fused with innovation — a cinematic thank-you to the people who dream bigger so others can believe.

The production quality is top-tier — sweeping drone shots of Orlando, behind-the-scenes glimpses at model construction, and personal reflections from the creative visionaries who make magic tangible.

From Jaws to Jurassic World, Epic Ride is a tribute to the timeless bond between movies and the fans who live them.

📺 Series Details

Title: Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks

Streaming on: Peacock

Release Date: November 17, 2025

Episodes: 3-Part Docuseries

Genre: Documentary | Theme Park | Behind-the-Scenes

Executive Producers: John Marks, Jon Strong

Studio: Universal Television Alternative Studio

Focus: History of Universal Parks + Countdown to Epic Universe

🏁 Final Verdict: A Journey Worth Taking

⭐ Rating: 9/10

Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks is more than a documentary — it’s a celebration of storytelling itself. For fans of theme parks, filmmaking, or the spirit of adventure, this is a front-row seat to wonder.

It’s a reminder that every laugh, every scream, every wide-eyed child in a theme park owes their joy to a dream that started behind a camera lens.

So grab your popcorn — or maybe a butterbeer — and take the epic ride of a lifetime.