A huge thanks to NBC, Universal, and Peacock for allowing me to see this documentary well ahead of its September 29th debut on Peacock. Let’s dive right into my thoughts on Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks.
Split into three distinct episodes, the series begins with The Build. This episode leans heavily into the backstory of Universal Studios’ theme park—a welcome addition for fans like me. However, with Epic Universe being Universal’s newest park and the main draw, it feels like the first episode spends more time on history than on Epic Universe itself.
When we do get to Epic Universe, the focus lands squarely on the later stages of construction. We don’t see early concept designs, detailed breakdowns of the lands, or development plans. Instead, the cameras place us in the thick of final construction, with only brief flashbacks showing glimpses of earlier progress.
Episode 1 dives into Monsters Unchained, showcasing some fantastic behind-the-scenes material from what’s touted as one of the most complex indoor dark rides in the world. We see staff meticulously combing through details, but by the end of the episode, one question still nags at me: why does the robo-arm ride system face a plain, unthemed metal catwalk during the run-through instead of the beautifully crafted environment right behind it?
The mind wanders.
Episode 1 also highlights the costuming department—showing wardrobes, the creation process, and how performers step into character mindsets to inform their costumes. From there, the spotlight shifts to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For me, this land feels like the weakest addition to Epic Universe.
Based on Fantastic Beasts, the Battle at the Ministry ride is a technological marvel, but I can’t shake the feeling that the queue outshines the ride itself. The attraction leans far too heavily on screens, and while some innovative elements are there, they’re hidden from the average guest. Despite its dazzling queue, the ride itself falls flat.
The documentary sprinkles in interviews with notable figures: Jay Stein (former MCA/Universal president who helped found Universal Studios Florida), Steven Spielberg, current CEO Mark Woodbury, Vin Diesel, and others. One surprise appearance is Jon M. Chu, director of Wicked, in Episode 2. Unlike others interviewed, he doesn’t yet have a Universal attraction tied to his work—but considering Woodbury once described Wicked as “a theme park waiting to happen,” this feels like a strong hint of things to come. Perhaps an Epic Universe expansion?
The documentary shines brightest in moments like Spielberg marveling at the park’s scale model (now on display in the Epic Universe store at CityWalk). But overall, the pacing feels scattered, bouncing between topics so quickly it’s hard to follow. It seems the filmmakers tried to pack in as much as possible, but at the cost of a natural flow or deeper exploration. Each near-hour-long episode rushes across the surface, leaving little time for richer detail.
The timeline jumps are especially jarring. If you watched the episodes out of order, you might struggle to tell them apart. For example, while the maintenance of Stardust Racers is fascinating and painstaking, the show doesn’t linger long enough to give the team’s work the credit it deserves.
Because of this, Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks feels like a glossy surface-level piece rather than an in-depth “making of” documentary.
By Episode 3, the focus shifts to team member previews and early public previews. This period was rocky—frequent ride downtimes, closures, and refunds were common. I should know; I attended several Epic Universe preview days and was refunded for all but one. The documentary briefly nods to these struggles, but glosses over them in favor of a more polished narrative.
We do learn a little about operational rehearsals, such as team members intentionally breaking down rides to test evacuation procedures. This could explain the high downtime during previews—but it’s never explored in depth. By opening day, attendance was heavily capped, creating what turned out to be one of the smoothest theme park openings I’ve ever experienced.
One glaring omission across all three episodes is Super Nintendo World and Donkey Kong Country. Aside from a very small mention in Episode 3 (with only preview-day footage shown), these lands are completely absent. Rumours suggest a repainting issue with the land’s colour palette, which may explain the lack of construction footage, but for fans expecting a detailed look, it’s disappointing.
I did enjoy seeing Chris Frisella—assistant director and executive producer on Dark Universe—featured in the documentary. I had the chance to spend time with him during preview days, and his passion for Monsters Unchainedreally shines through.
Ultimately, the documentary highlights the passion of those who brought Epic Universe to life, but it skimps on the deeper, more technical stories. With a better structure—perhaps an opening episode on Universal’s origins followed by dedicated episodes for each land—it could have struck a stronger balance between history, storytelling, and detail.
For casual fans, the behind-the-scenes glimpses will be a delight. But for hardcore theme park enthusiasts? You may be left craving more detail, more honesty, and—without a doubt—more Nintendo.
Our Rating
Summary
All the hallmarks of a great documentary are sadly let down by jumpy timeline editing and quite surface level deliveries leaving the most technologically advanced theme park of our time without a solid show to back it up and really showcase it to its fullest potential.
