Opening May 22, 2024, Universal Epic Universe will be the fourth theme park at Universal Orlando Resort and the first major theme park to open in the Central Florida market in over twenty-five years. In anticipation of the opening, we’ve compiled over an hour of fly-throughs and behind-the-scenes videos of the new park.
EXCERPTS FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA JOURNALIST GABRIELLE RUSSON’S ARTICLE “ONE EPIC YEAR OUT” IN INPARK MAGAZINE ISSUE #101:
Built on 750 acres near the Orange County Convention Center, Epic Universe will be the largest U.S. park in Universal’s global portfolio. The addition of Epic – with five themed lands, more than 50 experiences and three hotels – doubles the size of the current Universal Orlando Resort.
Epic Universe’s themed lands hinge on popular intellectual property that already has a strong track record at the box office and Universal’s other parks. The lands are themed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and How to Train Your Dragon, as well as a reimagined look at Universal’s classic monsters called the Dark Universe.
The fifth land, Celestial Park, is the heart of Epic Universe. Celestial Park offers three attractions, including a dual-launch roller coaster called Starfall Racers. But what sets Celestial Park apart is the landscape. The digital renderings show a path through gardens with lush trees and waterways.
The green space at Epic Universe is unique, said Bill Zanetti, an instructor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, who teaches about theme park design and management.
“To see that many waterfalls, and that many trees and gardens surrounding a beautiful path – we haven’t seen that in a long time in the parks,” said Zanetti. “That’s something where the trees will get bigger and the whole area will get more beautiful as time goes on. I think that will be incredible.”
