Picture It with Priscila

How to Have a “Perfect” Day at Epic Universe

I just went on my first visit to Epic Universe, and wow, is it amazing!!! This is now my second favorite park in the world – Disneyland is still number one (a huge part due to nostalgia and personal history). Epic Universe is massive (can’t wait to see how they grow it), beautiful (you can tell they put money into it), rich in storytelling, boasts great food, and is just overall, one of the best places to simply exist in. Honestly, one of my favorite parts was sitting on the lawn, watching the fountain, listening to one of the most impressive background tracks, and chatting with my friend.

While this park is truly epic (pun intended), wait times can get pretty high. For example, the newest Harry Potter attraction averages a 2-3 hour wait with it having climbed up to 4 hours on 2 of 4 days and causing the attraction to have to close their queue 2 hours ahead of park closing. Therefore, it’s important to be flexible while also building a plan so I think the best way to prepare the “perfect” day is to prioritize the must do’s and then build the rest of the day around those. Another option would be to get the Express Pass, but I know that’s not feasible for every party. 

I wrote the different experiences in the order of “must do” to “nice to do” in the main categories of attractions and shows. For dining, I also went in order of favorites, but by restaurant locations with details of the dishes in the description. This will all be based on what I’ve personally experienced so you have a “buffet” menu to help start building YOUR perfect day while allowing space for your own exploration. I hope this helps you have your “most epic” day at Epic Universe! 

Attractions

  • Harry Potter And The Battle At The Ministry – WOW, this ride blew my mind! I could not believe how this whole thing was happening and how big everything was. Plus, the story was original, but still realistic in the Wizarding World. My jaw fell open and I was just completely mesmerized. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, this might be your new favorite ride in the world. It is for me. However, is it worth a 4 hour wait? No, I think it’s worth a 90-120 minute ride if it’s your first time experiencing it, but there’s too many other great things at Epic Universe for you to spend 4 hours in one queue if you only have a day. Also, it’s motion-sickness approved per my friend! 
  • Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment – This is the other headliner attraction, and it is truly a headliner. There’s multiple animatronics that bring to life the Universal Monsters in a brand new story. It’s just a little bit scary, a whole lot cooler, and surprisingly, it’s another motion sickness approved ride despite using the same ride vehicle as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  
  • Hiccup’s Wing Gliders – This roller coaster was a dark horse for me. On the outside, it looks like a family roller coaster, and while it is, it definitely also has more thrill than what you see. Plus, Universal does the best job with storytelling on roller coasters, and this one is no exception. Paired with the music, it’s a can’t miss. Don’t miss this one – trust me. 

  • Stardust Racers – This is your adrenaline-racing thrill roller coaster although it also does have a backstory. Basically, the Celestians in Celestial Park are inviting us to race on comets which is why the coasters are the ones that are lit up at night instead of the track. How cute is that? I found the yellow side more thrilling, but it’s literally split 50-50 on the Internet so do both and try it both in the daytime and at night! 
  • Donkey Kong: Mine-Cart Madness – This is a shorter roller coaster so while it’s not worth the 3 hour wait it can get to, if you can rope drop this and ride it with a less than 45 minute wait, I think it’s worth doing at least once if you’ve got multiple days. It was less exciting for me as a story since I’m not as familiar with Nintendo World, but I still had a lot of fun.
  • Constellation Carousel – This is like the most epic form of a carousel you can imagine. There’s a double rotation (if you choose those animals), lights, enchanting music, and animals designed after constellations. Best ridden at night which is also signified by the longer lines at night!
  • Curse of the Werewolf – This is a spinning roller coaster, but besides some thrill, I didn’t get as much story so it was less exciting for me. 

  • Dragon Racer’s Rally – While the goal may be to get as many barrel rolls as you can, I found it quite hard! Also, since the load and unload process takes some time, the actual time you spend on the ride is quite short. Fine for a 20 minute wait, but I would not wait more than 30 minutes. However, the queue is cute, showcasing other trophies that dragon racers in Berk have won, and you get a nice aerial view of Berk.

  • Yoshi’s Adventure – Cute, but it’s the most simplistic ride at Epic Universe. You ride in a Yoshi, encounter character animatronics, and press buttons when you notice certain eggs. 
  • Fyre Drill – This is the water ride, and unfortunately, it was too cold the last 2 days I was there to ride it. However, I hear great things about it and am definitely excited to try it in the future! 
  • Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge – We didn’t prioritize this as I heard this was the same ride in Hollywood. Great fun, but not a priority at Epic Universe if you’ve been to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Shows

  • The Untrainable Dragon – The thing I loved most about this show was the music. The acting, the props, and the special effects were all great, but the music tied everything together beautifully. Simple story but done really well and a great 20 minute break from the outdoors. 
  • Le Cirque Arcanus – Another simple story done well, but I didn’t love the logistics of how the audience was moved. However, the queue and theater decor are both amazing. Really brings the “small tent, big space” of the Wizarding World to life.

Foods

  • Pizza Moon – This was my favorite quick service restaurant in Epic, and I do think it’s a lot of people’s favorite as well! My recommendation (like many others) is Pizza Lunare – you get roasted garlic béchamel, fromage de lune, ricotta, pancetta, and garlic confit on a purple celestial ube crust. This was SOOOO good – they make the pizzas fresh so it’s hot, cheesy, and has a nice chew. Not sure if it’s the ube, the crust, the pizza oven, or maybe all of it, but the crust texture is really well done! Then, for dessert, I recommend the Lunar Phase Cake – it’s a Meyer lemon olive oil cake with limoncello sabayon, blackberries, raspberry crisps. You get a moist but light cake and it has a beautiful (not artificial) lemon flavor paired with berries – what’s not to love?
  • Atlantic – If you have time, I recommend this table service restaurant. Not only is it beautifully themed, you get an epic view of Epic, and the food is really good. Celestial Park swings it out of the park with the food options. We split the Grouper Sandwich and The Atlantic Burger “Au Poivre” and if you have another person who can split with you, I highly recommend this combo. Both were delicious, well made, and fairly priced. Dessert was less exciting for me. We got El Pulpo and Passion Fruit “Caviar” – I liked the “caviar” more due to the tropical notes (plus, it came with a tin you can take home), but both were fine and very Instagrammable. 
  • Spit Fyre Grill – This spot is great if you’re looking for something quick in Berk. We got Meatlug’s Chicken Bowl which is a great option if you want something light, but the PB and J – Pork, Bacon and Jam mac and cheese cone is indulgent and heartier. Both would pair well with Stoick’s Ale which is a honey white ale, but it’s also a great walking beer. 

  • Mead Hall – We got the Thawfest Platter so we got a nice selection of meat, veg, and fries to eat and all were pretty good with our favorite being the sausage. We also got to try Gronckle’s Bread Pudding which was delightful – you can definitely taste the cinnamon in the bread pudding so if you’re not a fan of that, this might not be for you. 
  • Café L’air De La Sirène – I had to try the Butterbeer crepe! It comes with two so it’s definitely shareable. I loved it as a Butterbeer and Harry Potter fan, but my friend was less of a fan so the fan whimsy might need to be present for this one to be a must have. 

  • Das Steakhaus – The caliber of food is so good at Epic that this quick service is my least favorite even though it is truly a solid food option. It might have had to do with my ordering as my chicken, Bird on a Stake, was drier than the chicken sandwich, “Blood” Orange Chicken Sandwich. The Darkmoor Black Wings were good wings, but not my favorite. The desserts, Labotocotta and Red Velvet Death, felt similar to the Atlantic desserts – fine and very Instagrammable, but not something I would write home about. 
  • How To Treat Your Dragon – This is a bakery case location, and we chose a cake pop. The chocolate cake pop looked so good in videos, but it was too sweet (too much frosting to cake ratio) and too dry. Not sure if it was just our luck or chocolate was less popular, but I was definitely disappointed with this one. 

A note on Universal dining! While a few quick service locations have a mobile order pickup area where you then go find your own table and/or seat, most locations require you to sit at a table and they bring your order out to you. It’s both a pro and a con. Pro: it’s nice to get a table service experience at a lower price point. Con: you may have to get into a queue to even get your order. 

Final Thoughts

I hope this post was helpful for planning your Epic Universe day. Let me know if you have any questions I can help answer!

My Favorite Things at Disneyland

Disneyland just had its 70th birthday on July 17 and she’s never looked so good! As an homage, here are my 2 cents on the best things to do in Disneyland. As a native Orange County girl, I went to Disneyland as often as other kids went to their local park. It was back when Annual Passes were only ~$100 and Fastpasses were still free. IYKYK. It felt so much like my second home that as soon as I turned 18, I started applying to become a Cast Member. All in all to say, I like to think I know the 2 parks fairly well. 

Let’s talk rides first! Because unless you’re a local, the thing you’re probably most looking forward to if it’s your first visit are the rides! My perspective for these ride rankings comes from someone who loves a good adrenaline rush, fantastic theming, and a sucker for nostalgia as well. 

  1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Whether or not you’re a fan of Star Wars, the experience immersion and the technology advancements definitely should make it number 1 on anybody’s list. For the more sensitive readers, the physical adrenaline rush on this attraction is very minimal (just one little drop) so motion sickness should not be an issue! 
  2. Indiana Jones Adventure – This attraction is just the most fun and has been since I was a kid! I know that Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom gets compared to it, but honestly, I think Indiana Jones is way more fun (although dinos are awesome) and definitely should not be missed. 
  3. Space Mountain – What can I say? An absolute icon, a classic roller coaster, and a must do. Still one of the best dark ride roller coasters ever!
  4. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – If I wasn’t an adrenaline junkie, I think this would be my favorite ride. You’ve got Mickey and Minnie (so what’s not to love about that?) and each ride through is a little different since it’s trackless. There’s also a great soundtrack and it’s always fun to try to find a new hidden Mickey!
  5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Another classic and nostalgic roller coaster. Overall, I love this attraction and all of its alternative versions in the other parks. In my experience, they’re also a great introductory roller coaster for kids. 
  6. Matterhorn Bobsleds – Fun but also likely a bit more chiropractic for adults haha. I love the animatronic Yetis – they’re definitely scarier than my childhood Yetis – but another reason that I love this attraction so much is that it’s the only one you can find in any Disney park.
  7. Haunted Mansion – While a classic, I did not ride this often growing up because I had always thought it was scarier than it actually was. Now, I just know it as a classic Disney attraction and one not to be missed. If it had the holiday overlay (mid Sept – early Jan), this would also rank a lot higher on the list! 
  8. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – I love the new story for this attraction. Great animatronics and music! Only rough thing is that you really do get soaked on this so bring a poncho! 
  9. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – Even though I was sad to see Rex go, I do appreciate the new format of this attraction of having a randomized build up of scenes. It’s always fun to see a new scene or character! Note that if you’re prone to motion sickness, this one might be best reserved for last.
  10. Pirates of the Caribbean – A classic Disney boat ride and the last attraction that Walt worked on. It’s not the most thrilling, but it also tends not to have a long wait and it’s uniquely Disney.
  11. “It’s a small world” – Did you know that the small world song is always playing somewhere in the world? While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a thrill attraction, this is the original version and has cute Disney characters added in. 
  12. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish – An opening day attraction that has now had its story changed from a darker version to a lighter version with updated special effects. It’s my favorite classic story dark ride and a lovely homage to the very first animated film. 
  13. Peter Pan’s Flight – Another opening day attraction and probably the most popular one of the classic story dark rides. Unfortunately, due to its slow loading and capacity, this one will always have a 40+ minute wait time so my recommendation is to do this early in the morning or late at night. 
  14. Mr Toad’s Wild Ride – This is the last opening day attraction of the classic story dark rides. This one has less nostalgia for me since I wasn’t as familiar with the original story, but I still have a fondness for it because of its notorious ending.
  15. Alice in Wonderland – This is closely tied to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, rank-wise, since I love the tech updates on this attraction and the fact that you get a lovely bird’s eye view of Fantasyland. 
  16. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey – Not an opening day attraction, but I still consider it a classic. Pinocchio is my least favorite movie of all the dark rides so unfortunately, it’s ranking is linked to that! 
  17. Storybook Land Canal Boats – Another opening day attraction although it was a very different version compared to what it is now. I’m a big fan of miniatures so if you are too, I think you would really like this. It’s also one of its kind even amongst all the Disney Parks! 
  18. Casey Jr. Circus Train – Not worth a long wait – I would wait a max of 15-20 minutes, but otherwise, it is really cute. You get a different perspective of what you would see on the Storybook Land Canal Boats and a different narration as well. 
  19. Astro Orbiter – While still a Dumbo-style attraction, I think this one is more exhilarating since you go up higher! You’ll also get a Tomorrowland view compared to a Fantasyland view. 
  20. Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run – Your experience will likely vary depending on what position you get. The best seats in the pod are undoubtedly the pilots. However, if you’re not a pilot, you still have a role as well as less responsibilities so you can sit back and watch the story unfold more easily.
  21. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin – This was a lot longer than I remembered! The structure of it is a combination of Tea Cups and a classic dark ride. However, if you’re not a fan of the Roger Rabbit movie, this might not necessarily be a priority. The standby queue is immersive, but I personally wouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes for this attraction.  
  22. Disneyland Railroad – This one is for the Disney nerds! The best parts of this attraction (for me) are the fact that they exist because Walt loved trains and there’s literal Disney history with the dinosaurs when you go from Tomorrowland back to Main St. USA.
  23. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage – I always thought this attraction was ok, but depending on the day, you can get quite a different experience. I went more recently in the morning, and the water was so clear and blue, it felt like you were snorkeling. At night, you get a more dark ride experience. I personally prefer the daytime experience! 
  24. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – Classic shooter style attraction – a friendly round of competition is always fun amongst family and/or friends!
  25. Jungle Cruise – Another opening day attraction, but I wish they updated the audio equipment. Sometimes, I can’t always hear the pun jokes very clearly. 
  26. Dave Crockett’s Explorer Canoes – If you’re in the mood to do some arm workouts, do I have the attraction for you! Unfortunately, it does close early, but paddling a canoe in the Rivers of America is quite a unique experience. Not something you have to do, but fun if you have time for it! 
  27. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – My least favorite story dark ride since I think the other versions of Winnie the Pooh are better in the other parks. Good for small children if they can’t go on Tiana’s but otherwise, it’s definitely not a must-do.
  28. Mark Twain Riverboat/Sailing Ship Columbia – This is the less exciting version of seeing the Rivers of America. There is a cool story of the Mark Twain Riverboat and Walt Disney for Disney nerds, but otherwise, it’s definitely not a must-do. 
  29. Autopia – An opening day attraction and a family favorite during my childhood, but no longer a current favorite as I’m now an adult who can drive. 😛 I also prefer the previous story, back when Chevron was the sponsor. Excited to see the fully electric version in the future! 
  30. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster – This is likely every Disney kid’s first roller coaster. Short ride, long line, but probably a favorite for kids experiencing a roller coaster for the first time. 
  31. Mad Tea Party – Classic spinning attraction. You know what you’re going to get. Fun if you’ve got time and it’s a short line.
  32. Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Another classic spinning attraction. This one is definitely more popular with kids and families (thank you 90s Disney commercials). Great for the ‘gram, but obviously, not the most innovative attraction.  
  33. King Arthur Carousel – Classic carousel. You know what you’re going to get. Fun if you’ve got time and it’s a short line. 
  34. Disneyland Monorail – Enjoyable ride around the resort, but mostly a means of transportation from Tomorrowland to Downtown Disney, rather than an attraction. 

Now, besides rides, there are a few other things worth noting (i.e. shows and characters) to include in your planning. 

  • Other Attractions
    • Adventureland Treehouse inspired by Walt Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson – A treehouse walkthrough. Never really a line but also not too much to see. Great if you have a kid who needs to burn energy by climbing up and down stairs! 
    • The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – A Disneyland original and there’s AC! But, unless you’re a big fan of Walt Disney or Disneyland, this might not be worth the time for you. 
    • Main Street Cinema – A quick stop that is just constantly playing old Mickey Mouse cartoons. Fun if you’ve got people shopping on Main Street and want to take a quick peek. 
    • Main Street Vehicles – A fun ride on classic Disney vehicles but not worth the waiting time to save time or steps going from Main Street to Sleeping Beauty Castle. 
    • Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island – An island with exploratory trails and shade but not a must do. Great space for kids to run out their energy though!
    • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough – A castle walkthrough. Not a must do but it’s cute and quick especially if you’ve got little princesses in your party. 
    • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – Another Disneyland original and there’s AC! Unlike Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln though, I do think this attraction is entertaining and a great choice for some rest. You can even eat a Dole Whip while watching the show!  
  • Shows
    • Royal Theatre – It’s either a Rapunzel or Beauty and the Beast retelling. It’s about 20-25 minutes and has live music and a dash of comedy. If you’re in the area at the right time, do it! To amp up the experience more, Maurice’s Treats is super close and also sells amazing snacks that you can munch on while watching the show! 
    • Fantasmic! – I actually love this show more than fireworks. I just have so much nostalgia for it and while it’s not as great without the dragon, it’s still a fantastic show. I recommend the 2nd showing for less crowds (…typically). Also, that way, you can watch the fireworks from Main Street or even Small World! 
    • Fireworks – A classic but not a guarantee since city ordinances and winds can cause cancellations. However, the latest shows have had accompanying projections so even with a fireworks cancellation, there is still a show to watch that’s paired with a great soundtrack.
  • Characters
    • The two major locations are Toontown (Mickey and Minnie at their houses) and Fantasyland (princesses at the Royal Hall). Both close earlier than the park so be sure to double check hours the day of your visit.

While there are always limited time foods and treats at Disneyland, there are definitely core staples that one should consider trying if it’s your first visit! 

  • Beignets – Anything Mickey shaped is delicious, but these beignets are exclusively at Disneyland only and satisfies the sweet tooth every time. 
  • Cold Brews – Lucky for coffee lovers, seasonal flavors of cold brew pop up throughout the parks throughout the year. I think the most popular one (not seasonal) is the Black Caf in Galaxy’s Edge, but I always find a seasonal one that I like a bit more than that fan favorite so I encourage you to try the one that sounds yummiest to you! 
  • Cream Cheese Pretzel – Better than a regular pretzel – it’s a more substantial snack that’s sweet but not too sweet. 
  • Dole Whip – I think this is probably the most iconic Disney treat and it’s worth the legendary connotation it’s garnered over the years. There are multiple soft serve flavors, but for me, a traditional pineapple dole whip float on a hot day is always incredibly refreshing and delightful!
  • Plaza Inn Fried Chicken – This is a solid meal choice for a first time visitor. Is it the best fried chicken you will ever have? No, but it’s good for theme park fried chicken and very iconic to Disneyland.
  • Matterhorn Macaroon – Probably best to be a coconut fan to enjoy this little sweet treat but if you are, you will be a BIG fan! 
  • Popcorn – I never understood how popcorn was so popular at Disneyland, but I’m officially a convert. It’s the perfect amount of buttery and salty! 
  • Turkey Leg – Nothing like holding a giant turkey leg at Disneyland. Salty, meaty, what’s not to love?

Best of Knott’s Boysenberry Fest 2025

Knott’s Berry Farm is a local theme park here in Orange County. I grew up having gone once or twice for field trips (roller coasters are obviously physics-related right?), but it was honestly this year that I rediscovered what an amazing park it is and actually started visiting it on a regular basis.

They’re also known for being the birthplace of the boysenberry fruit! Every year, they have a festival where they create boysenberry flavored items along with speciality shows and characters. It’s one of the most beloved food festival events in the area. This year (2025), it runs from March 28 to May 18, on select days. I got a chance to try some of the items and wanted to share some rankings in case a Knott’s Boysenberry Festival visit is also a part of your spring break. Unfortunately, I learned that I’m not the biggest fan of boysenberry so ratings were pretty low, but just because it wasn’t for me, it might be for you! 

Note: Sorry about the lack of photos – new to blogging, I definitely ate before the camera a lot more times than I thought. 

  • Deep Fried French Toast stuffed with Boysenberry Cream Cheese (8/10) – I had heard this was a highlight and it really was! Although it looked a little dark and I was worried it was over-fried or would taste like overused oil, it was actually ok. Granted, there was an oil stain on the plate so it probably could have drained a bit more, but it didn’t affect the taste. It had a less artificial tasting boysenberry custard in the sandwich and a cold fresh berry jam on the side that complemented the french toast.

  • Chocolate Dipped Boysenberry Buñuelo with Boysenberry Ice Cream and Powdered Sugar (7/10) – The ice cream was surprisingly good and not artificial tasting (i.e. different from the Dippin’ Dots flavor). The only con was that chocolate and boysenberry is not the best pairing…
  • Boysenberry and Lemon Tart (7/10) – This had lots of buttery crust which is a pro if you like crust like I do! You don’t taste too much boysenberry in this but the lemon curd in it is delicious! 

  • Stuffed Boysenberry Pie Cookie (7/10) – Although this was a really good cookie, I didn’t taste any pie filling despite the name of the item. It was more like a thin layer of boysenberry jam.
  • Boysenberry Sausage on a Hoagie topped with Boysenberry Sauerkraut Slaw (6/10) – I actually would have enjoyed this more without the boysenberry sauce. It made it taste more sweet than savory which is not what I wanted in a sausage. Without the sauce, the sausage was snappy and flavorful and the bread was soft and fresh. 
  • Double Stuffed Baked Potato with Boysenberry BBQ Pulled Pork and Jalapeno Chips (6/10) – While the meat was tender, the potato was really the star. The jalapeno chips added another layer of flavor and slight spiciness. Butter and sour cream were also included to enhance the baked potato experience. A solid choice but I’m not the biggest fan of spicy so again, would be ok not getting it again. 
  • Boysenberry BBQ All Beef Meatball Hoagie with Provolone Cheese (5/10) – I think boysenberry works best in a BBQ sauce for savory items since it naturally adds in that sweetness and slight tartness. This BBQ sauce was definitely sweeter than a typical BBQ sauce but as long as they’re not too much sauce, the balance with the salty meatballs was ok. The only unfortunate thing was that the cheese was not melted. Glad I tried it but would be ok not getting it again. 
  • Creamy Boysenberry Grits with Cajun Shrimp (4/10) – While the boysenberry note did not enhance the flavor of the dish, it oddly didn’t distract as much as I thought it would. The purple grits were a bit of an odd color, but overall, the dish had a sweet and savory taste to it. A couple of the shrimps were good, and a couple were chewy and not so good. It was a bit weird but it wasn’t bad and I’m glad I tried it.
  • Boysenberry BBQ Beef Tips over Mashed Potatoes garnished with Green Onions (4/10) – The mashed potatoes were delicious but the beef was a bit sweeter than I wanted it to be. In addition, the beef pieces were small so the gravy, boysenberry taste definitely outweighed the beef taste. It also started to taste more one-note the more you ate it.
  • Boysenberry Infused Beef Chili over Mac and Cheese with Chili Cheese Corn Chips (3/10) – Similar to the item before, the mac and cheese was good but was completely overshadowed by the boysenberry chili that made the whole dish sweeter than it needed to be. 
  • Boysenberry Honey Garlic Chicken Wings (3/10) – Too much sauce and the skin was too soggy. 

  • Boysenberry Sangria (1/10) – While ok at the beginning, the taste began to get a bit sickening after a few sips. The boysenberry flavor in this was artificial and syrupy. The aftertaste had notes of intense sweetness followed by grape medicine which was not my cup of tea. To improve it, I would recommend adding more fruit juices and brandy to make it lean more into a typical sangria. I sadly could not finish this drink.
  • Boysenberry Dippin’ Dots (1/10) – This had the same boysenberry flavor note as the sangria, artificial and syrupy. Again, not my cup of tea.