We’re still a ways away from the opening of Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe, but that hasn’t stopped us from being SUPER excited about Universal’s third park.
©Universal
The new park will have a total of five NEW themed lands, meaning new rides — and more importantly — new RESTAURANTS. There will also be THREE new hotels, including one hotel that will be located INSIDE the park. Yep, Universal has BIG things in store for Epic Universe. How big? Well, let’s just say that the size of Epic Universe is now more than twice as big as we initially thought.
According to The Orlando Business Journal, Universal City Development Partners Ltd., a subsidiary of Universal Orlando Resort, recently filed documents with Orange County, Florida, that show that the original 700 acres of planned development for Epic Universe has increased to over 2,000 acres. Yes, that’s more than DOUBLE the land. The plan was reviewed and approved by the Orange County Development Review Committee on June 7th.
©Universal | Epic Universe Concept Art
This new plan also calls for a change of use for whatever Universal wants to develop around Epic Universe’s opening in 2025. The properties are part of a Major Economic Development Project (MEDP) which is county-sanctioned, the Shingle Creek Transit & Utility Community Development District. Here’s what the previous plan from the Shingle Creek district looked like in October 2023.
©Donald W. McIntosh Associates Inc.
To get an idea of how the new plan expands Epic Universe, here’s what that plan looks like now. WOW. That’s a MASSIVE expansion.
©VHB
So what exactly is Universal planning on doing with all this extra land? There’s a good chance some of it will become even more hotels. Although three hotels are currently in the works, it’s likely that there will be even MORE demand for hotel rooms once Epic Universe opens. Two Loews-owned hotels are currently in the works, the Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort. Universal is also building an in-park hotel, Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
©Universal Studios
Although we expect Universal to announce more hotels near Epic Universe at some point, we can’t rule out that the new plan also gives the Epic Universe theme park plenty of room to grow. There could even be a chance that Universal has plans to add more lands to the park in the future. We need to point out, though, that none of this has been discussed yet, and Universal has not yet laid out any plans for more hotels or additional lands for the theme park.
Epic Universe Model at Preview Center on Universal CityWalk
In the meantime, we’re just sitting here and waiting to get an official opening date for Epic Universe: 2025 can’t come soon enough. In the meantime, here’s everything we know about all the lands coming to the park: Super Nintendo World, How To Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, Celestial Park, and Dark Universe.
Stay tuned to DFB for more!
Ok, The NEW Harry Potter Land In Epic Universe Looks So Cool and You HAVE To See It
Which Epic Universe land are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
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This is good, and not so good for Disney. Too many years of inactivity down the road is causing Disney to become the also ran for the next few years. Nothing stellar or groundbreaking over at the Mouse house will cause many loyalists to move up the road for a stay, instead of playing the Disney card. I know I am seriously thinking of going to Universal only on my next vacation there.
Our family is excited for this new park. I just hope they keep this new theme park clean. Universal, City Walk (especially City Walk) have always been horrendous when it comes to cleanliness. Wayyyy below grade on cleanliness. City Walk is like the back alley of Orlando. Hopefully Universal executives will demand a clean experience for its customers when this theme park is completed