What Is the New Orlando Theme Park, and Why Is It Such a Big Deal?

Orlando is home to so many different theme parks for tourists to visit.

Universal Orlando

While many people mainly think of Disney World or Universal Orlando, there are also SeaWorld, Fun Spot America, and many other places for vacationers to check out. To stay up to date on the latest trends and to be competitive with different theme parks, these parks add new attractions, lands, and other offerings to draw more people in to visit their park. To keep up with the growing demand of tourism to Central Florida, a new theme park is set to open at one of these resorts in just a few months. Here is what you need to know about the new park and how it could affect one of its competitors.

In May, Universal Orlando is set to open its third theme park (fourth if you count Universal’s water park, Volcano Bay.) This new park is called Epic Universe, and Universal has said that the park is “its most ambitious theme park yet.” The company also announced that “Epic Universe will present a level of theme park immersion and innovation that is unmatched – transporting guests to expansive worlds featuring more than 50 awe-inspiring attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences that come together to create an unforgettable adventure that is nothing short of epic.”

©Universal

At the new park, you will be able to enter different portals and step into the worlds of five themed lands: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe.

©Universal

Demand to be one of the first people to visit the park is high as Universal is limiting the way that tickets can be purchased to visit the park. Demand is high for good reason, as Universal has been teasing parts of the land. Recently, they shared a video of the new animatronics that will be in Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, an attraction located in Dark Universe.

©Universal

Along with the new theme park, Universal Helios Grand Hotel is set to open on the same day as Epic Universe does on May 22nd, 2025. This new hotel will allow guests to “enter a divine escape with dazzling views of Universal Epic Universe. Helios Grand Hotel is not the only new hotel joining the Universal Orlando Resort, as Universal Stella Nova Resort is set to open on January 21st, 2025, and Universal Terra Luna Resort is set to open on March 25th, 2025.

©Universal

Universal’s new theme park is a big deal as many have criticized Disney World for building new lands by replacing and rebuilding rather than building a fifth gate. But It seems that the Walt Disney Company is not too concerned as Hugh Johnston, Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of The Walt Disney Company, said, “The early bookings that we have next summer are positive. The history of other non-Disney parks opening in Florida has been positive for Disney bookings” during the company’s Q4 earnings call in 2024.

The CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, commented during Q&A session at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference back in May of 2024 and said, “We’ve had competition for a long time. I’m mindful of what they’re doing, but I’m confident in what we’ve built and will continue to grow.” This just shows that Disney is very much aware of Universal’s Epic Universe, but they are confident in their future projects and land expansions rather than opening a fifth gate.

Epic Universe

We are so excited to experience Epic Universe when it opens later this year and are looking forward to the projects on the horizon at Disney World. To stay up to date on all the latest theme park news, make sure to continue to follow along with DFB!