ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando Resort is set to unveil its highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park on Thursday, marking the first major theme park opening in Florida in more than 25 years. Launching just ahead of Memorial Day weekend, the park is poised to intensify competition with the long-dominant Walt Disney World Resort.
Epic Universe becomes the fourth park in Universal Orlando’s portfolio, promising immersive experiences themed around globally popular franchises including Harry Potter, Super Mario, “How to Train Your Dragon,” and Universal’s classic monsters. Situated southwest of downtown Orlando, the development signals a new era of expansion in Florida’s amusement sector.
Industry experts estimate that the construction of Epic Universe cost parent company Comcast approximately $7.7 billion, though official figures have not been disclosed. In 2024, Comcast reported $8.6 billion in revenue from its theme park segment, according to regulatory filings.
“Is Epic Universe going to put Disney out of business? Absolutely not,” said Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services. “Is it going to put a chink in their armor? Yeah.”
Originally announced in 2019, the park’s opening is expected to have a significant economic impact on Orlando, which welcomed more than 75 million visitors in 2024. Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, described the launch as “an important milestone” for the city, often referred to as the “Amusement Capital of the World.”
Though Universal Orlando has not disclosed the park’s official capacity, Speigel projects it can accommodate between 45,000 and 50,000 guests daily. Annual attendance is anticipated to exceed six million visitors, with potential to reach as high as eight million, contingent on favorable economic conditions.
Despite the optimism, recent consumer trends suggest potential headwinds. A Bankrate survey indicated that over half of Americans plan to cut back on discretionary spending, including travel and entertainment, this year.
Inside Epic Universe
Epic Universe is organized into five distinct “immersive worlds,” each offering tailored rides, dining, and themed environments:
- Celestial Park – Serving as the entry point and central hub, this world connects visitors to the rest of the park and is described as the “heart of Universal Epic Universe.”
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic – Set in 1920s Paris, this area combines elements from the “Fantastic Beasts” films and the original Harry Potter series. It joins Universal’s existing Potter-themed areas: Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
- Super Nintendo World – Accessible via a signature green warp pipe, this land features characters and sounds from Nintendo’s iconic games. A key attraction is a Mario Kart ride enhanced with augmented reality headsets.
- How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk – Modeled after the DreamWorks animated series, this rugged environment is inhabited by vikings and dragons.
- Dark Universe – Marketed as the park’s most mysterious realm, this area immerses guests in gothic horror stories featuring Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolf Man, and other classic Universal monsters.
Pricing and Operating Hours
Admission prices begin at $139 for adults and $134 for children, excluding taxes. Rates vary based on the day of visit. Operating hours typically fall between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Time, though visitors are encouraged to check daily schedules in advance.
As Epic Universe opens its gates, industry observers and theme park enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to gauge how this multibillion-dollar venture reshapes the competitive landscape in Florida’s entertainment sector.
