Stardust Racers

Universal Epic Universe was first announced on August 1, 2019, as a new third-gate theme park that would double Universal Orlando's footprint.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/universal-epic-universe-opening-universal-studios-orlando-announces-today-new-theme-park-2018-08-01/|title=Universal Studios Orlando announces new theme park, Epic Universe|last=O'Kane|first=Caitlin|date=August 1, 2019|website=CBS News|access-date=January 31, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/universal-new-park-epic-universe/|title=Universal Orlando announces new theme park, Universal’s Epic Universe|last=Tuttle|first=Brittani|date=August 1, 2019|website=CBS News|access-date=January 31, 2024}} No attractions or details were divulged at the time, although a large dueling coaster was predominantly visible in concept artwork. German roller coaster manufacturer Mack Rides subsequently patented a new ride inversion design in the fall, where twin tracks twisted over each other while rising and falling from a peak.{{Cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3685894A1/en|title=EP3685894A1 – Guide device, ride and method for operating a ride|website=Google Patents|access-date=January 31, 2024}} This would later become widely referred to as the Celestial Spin.{{Cite web|url=https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/theme-park-news/epic-universe-update-coaster-top-hat-installed-attraction-rumors-and-nintendo-world-portal/|title=Epic Universe Update: Coaster Top Hat Installed, Attraction Rumors, and Nintendo World Portal|last=Stella|first=Alicia|date=February 22, 2023|website=CBS News|access-date=January 31, 2024}}

Epic Universe was originally scheduled to open in 2023, but parent company Comcast announced in April 2020 that construction would be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2020/04/30/universal-orlandos-new-epic-universe-theme-park-will-be-delayed-because-of-coronavirus-pandemic/|title=Universal Orlando’s new Epic Universe theme park will be delayed because of coronavirus pandemic|last1=Russon|first1=Gabrielle|last2=Hudak|first2=Stephen|date=April 30, 2020|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=January 31, 2024}} Europa Park owner Roland Mack announced in September that Universal had cancelled his company's order for "the largest roller coaster in the world", which was valued at well over 20 million euros and wouldn't be delivered in the foreseeable future. Construction on Epic Universe resumed in March 2021 and the following January Roland confirmed that Universal had renewed the contract as a result, which had been amended to include a second coaster project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/03/universal-set-to-resume-construction-of-epic-universe-park-in-florida.html|title=Universal set to resume construction of Epic Universe park in Florida|last=Whitten|first=Sarah|date=March 3, 2021|website=CNBC|access-date=January 31, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/5xVBsfDOoelySriDWdXfYh|title=Die Zukunft der Freizeitparks – mit Roland Mack|website=Spotify|access-date=January 31, 2024}}

Track and supports for the attraction began arriving in August 2022.{{Cite tweet|user=bioreconstruct

|number=1560651237456236544|date=August 19, 2022|title=Aerial overview of staging area for track and supports of the high speed...}} Construction oversaw groundwork and coaster installation taking place concurrently, with each section being completed in phases. The first pieces were fitted in November 2022 with the initial launch tracks and maintenance bays, with the layout being physically completed in June 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://forums.insideuniversal.net/threads/universals-epic-universe-construction-thread.14219/page-61#post-969861|title=Universal's Epic Universe Construction Thread|date=November 8, 2022|author=Cygnus|website=Inside Universal|access-date=January 31, 2024}}{{Cite tweet|user=bioreconstruct

|number=1672346829223079936|date=June 23, 2023|title=Aerial overview of the recently completed tracks of the dual-racing roller...}} The highlight Celestial Spin element was topped off near the end of May.{{Cite tweet|user=bioreconstruct

|number=1661867915354800129|date=May 25, 2023|title=At #1 in this aerial of the dual-racing coaster in Epic Universe is an...}}

Universal City Studios LLC submitted a trademark application for "Starfall Racers" to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on March 7, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn97827120&docId=APP20230310132955&linkId=10#docIndex=9&page=1|title=Trademark/Service Mark Application, Principal Register|website=tsdr.uspto.gov|date=March 7, 2023|access-date=January 31, 2024}} On January 30, 2024, Universal Orlando formally shared information on Epic Universe and its central Celestial Park precinct.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4u83ncMjuE|title=Introducing Universal Epic Universe|date=January 30, 2024|website=YouTube|publisher=Universal Orlando|access-date=January 31, 2024}} Starfall Racers was also officially announced at this time, with a wide variety of concept artwork and animation released to the public.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/travel/2024/01/31/universal-epic-universe-orlando-details/72419704007/|title=Universal Orlando Resort reveals first details on highly anticipated Epic Universe|date=January 30, 2024|last=Chen|first=Eve|website=Courier Journal|access-date=January 31, 2024}} The coaster is currently expected to open with the park on May 22, 2025.{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Brady |date=February 19, 2025 |title=Disney World braces for ‘small impact’ from Epic Universe opening |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2025/02/19/disney-world-braces-for-small-impact-from-epic-universe-opening/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=Orange County Register}}{{cite web |last=Argueta |first=Brenda |date=February 12, 2025 |title=What rides will be at Epic Universe in Orlando? Here’s the lineup |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/02/12/what-rides-will-be-at-epic-universe-in-orlando-heres-the-lineup/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=WKMG}} In 2024, the name was challenged by the Starfall Education Foundation for "brand misappropriation toward children" and in late May 2024, the roller coaster was renamed to "Stardust Racers", which was a backup trademark name in the event.{{cite news |last1=Tuttle |first1=Brit |title=Starfall Racers Renamed to 'Stardust Racers' at Epic Universe Due to Trademark Infringement |url=https://wdwnt.com/2024/05/breaking-starfall-racers-renamed-epic-universe/ |access-date=31 May 2024 |publisher=WDWNT |date=31 May 2024}}

Each side of Stardust Racers will stand {{convert|133|ft|m}} tall, cover around {{convert|5000|ft|m}} of track, and reach a top speed of {{convert|62|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. The aforementioned peak height will be reached during the attraction's signature Celestial Spin element, where the tracks invert around each other while rising and falling. The top speed meanwhile will be reached using a pair of linear motor launches on each side.

Stardust Racers will run with up to four trains on each track, given that the maintenance bays can hold eight sets. Each train will be made up of five cars where riders sit in two rows of two, for a total of twenty passengers. While the ride structure does not display any lighting at night, the trains will include onboard audio and lights, making the illuminated ride vehicles appear as comets in the night sky. A flux capacitor from the film series Back to the Future can also be seen attached to the back of the trains.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/rides-attractions/stardust-racers Official Website]

{{Universal Epic Universe}}

{{Roller coasters at Universal Orlando Resort}}

Category:Amusement rides planned to open in 2025

Category:Roller coasters introduced in 2025

Category:2025 establishments in Florida

Category:Universal Epic Universe

Category:Roller coasters in Orlando, Florida

Category:Roller coasters operated by Universal Destinations & Experiences

Category:Planned Universal Destinations & Experiences theme park attractions