As the summer of 2025 approaches, theme park fanatics eagerly await the grand opening of Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park: Epic Universe. This ambitious project promises cutting-edge attractions designed to captivate guests of all ages.

Epic Universe will become Universal Orlando’s largest park, sprawling across 750 acres and featuring five themed lands, all of which feature incredibly diverse experiences. Among these include Super Nintendo World, where visitors will not only have the chance to meet their favorite characters from Mario Super Land but also experience incredible rides. This section will contain the premium Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an attraction similarly featured at Universal’s Japan and Hollywood counterparts, and the all-new Yoshi’s Adventure.

For fans who desire a touch of wickedness in their visit, they will be able to immerse themselves in a Halloween realm throughout the year with the Dark Universe section. It will feature Curse of the Werewolf, a spinning coaster through haunted woods, and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, which reimagines Dr. Frankenstein’s examinations. 

In addition, Harry Potter aficionados will be thrilled with the Ministry of Magic section that is set to debut. After bringing Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and Diagon Alley to life in their other parks, the resort decided to construct the Fantastic Beasts film’s setting by including a wizarding 1920’s Paris.  Additionally, the resort created the British Ministry of Magic, which is seen in numerous films from the Harry Potter franchise. There will be shops, restaurants, and an incredible show in the streets of Place Cacheé, as well as the highly-awaited ride Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry. Guests are elated to join their favorite heroes in attempting to capture the villainous fugitive Dolores Umbridge. 

In the How to Train Your Dragon section, located in Isle of Berk, visitors will be brought to a vibrant Viking land where they will learn how to soar with beasts. Engineers are recreating Mead Hall, one of the most iconic film locations, and four different attractions, like a riveting flight simulation. Lastly, Celestial Park, the central hub tying all the parks together, will boast 26 beautiful gardens, eclectic restaurants, and the Stardust Racers, a dueling coaster with speeds up to 62 miles per hour.

With its mix of breathtaking exhibits and world-class innovations, Epic Universe is poised to push all creative boundaries in entertainment. Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast, boasted that Epic Universe is “the absolute, state-of-the-art, best-in-the-world park,” which is expected to “redefine the park experience.” If his predictions prove correct, this establishment will have an enormous economic impact.  In expecting 25-30 million visitors per year, industry analysts hypothesize that the park will contribute billions annually to Florida’s economy once fully operational. It will create new jobs, increase revenue for local businesses, and grow tourism spending. 

Disney’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston shared that his corporation believes the opening of Epic Universe will boost the overall demand for vacations in Orlando. “I think the length of stay for the tourists in Florida is going to increase dramatically,” he projected. This will encourage families to visit both Universal and Disney parks, further solidifying Orlando as the theme park capital of the world. 

Those in the industry are not the only ones roused by this park’s prospects, however. Fans are buzzing with anticipation. Benjamin Labrador, Olympic Heights senior and local theme park enthusiast, noted, “Epic Universe is definitely going to be a game-changer; I’m so excited for the new roller coasters.” 

By offering innovative attractions and prime entertainment, Universal is setting a new standard for thrilling guest experiences. With the opening date steadily approaching, fans and industry insiders alike are eager to visit this groundbreaking park. The countdown to May 2025 has begun.