Universal's new theme park pushes the boundaries of what's being done with animatronics today -- especially in extreme Florida heat. The design teams behind Epic Universe's attractions talk about bringing the tech to life and future stunts for guests (spoiler: it's drones).

We recap the worldbuilding, characters, and rides of Epic Universe: a giant leap forward for theme parks and the next step in innovation.

More than eight years in the making, Epic Universe ups the competition with neighboring Disney World and gives theme-park fans everywhere a new destination for their bucket list.