Universal’s Epic Universe is a project that seemingly already lives up to its larger-than-life name. When it opens, Universal’s Epic Universe will feature a new theme park, an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more all on a 750-acre site that nearly doubles Universal’s total available acreage in Central Florida.
Though Universal’s Epic Universe got off to a little bit of a rocky start when the project was delayed in July 2020 just a year after it was initially announced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a year later Comcast confirmed that the project was back on, and that they were targeting a Summer 2025 opening for what will be the largest Universal park in the US when it opens.
So with the park set to potentially welcome its first guests in just three years, what do we know about it right now? The answer is not too much, at least officially. Universal has kept rather quiet about their big project since announcing it officially back in 2019, only confirming some basic details about what fans can expect from this massive new project.
And though official details are scarce, we can start with one land we know for sure will be a part of this massive new project when it opens in just a few years:
Super Nintendo World
Right now, the only confirmed land for Universal’s Epic Universe is Super Nintendo World, which will be similar to the current Nintendo-themed land at Universal Studios Japan and other Nintendo-themed lands coming soon to Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore. No specific attractions have been confirmed for the Universal’s Epic Universe version of this land, but rumors suggest that the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and Yoshi’s Adventure rides that are currently open in Japan will be cloned for the upcoming Florida version of this land. Rumors have also indicated that a Donkey Kong area will be a part of this land as well, possibly with a roller coaster attraction as well.
Like the Super Nintendo World area in Japan this land will have plenty of shopping, dining, and interactive experiences for guests to check out while they fully immerse themselves in the world of Mario and friends.
Universal Monsters Land
Though it has not been confirmed, one of the earliest rumored new lands for Universal’s Epic Universe was a land based on the popular Universal Monsters IP. Located in the northwest corner of the park, this land will have two attractions, two restaurants, and a shopping area.
The “main” attraction for this area seems to be some kind of dark ride, and a performance space is rumored to be the second attraction. The area will likely have plenty of spooky facades, and fans can probably expect to see plenty of nods to Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolf-Man and more inside this haunting land.
Interestingly, the part of the park where the Universal Monsters land is rumored to be is backed up to an expansion pad, so if this area proves to be popular, we could see even more monsters in this area in the future as part of a phase two after the park initially opens in 2025.
How to Train Your Dragon land
With three movies, three TV shows and even a handful of animated shorts, How to Train Your Dragon is definitely one of DreamWorks’ most recognizable IPs, and is rumored to be getting a massive land at Universal’s Epic Universe. This new land will reportedly include several flat rides aimed at young children, a boat ride, and a roller coaster that simulates a dragon’s flight that goes above and below ground. A theater space is also rumored to be coming to this huge new area as well making this one of the (potentially) most jam-packed areas in the new theme park.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
It comes as little surprise that Universal would want to expand its most successful IP integration into its new theme park, and rumors suggest that a Ministry of Magic area complete with a new ride will be a part of Universal’s Epic Universe when it opens. Construction photos show a large steel structure in the area where this land is rumored to eventually go, seemingly indicating that an immersive dark ride of some sort will anchor this extension of the Harry Potter franchise at Universal’s newest park. A performance space for shows is also rumored to be a part of this upcoming land as well, and we’d expect even more shopping and dining areas here as well so that fans can purchase wands and butterbeer, just like they can at the other two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
Construction on basically all of these new lands is well underway, and more will likely be announced as we get closer to the summer 2025 opening target. Other themed areas in the park that have not been announced or rumored could also be announced in the future and surprise us all!
In addition to all of the new rides and attractions that will be a part of Universal’s Epic Universe theme park, there will also be an in-park hotel, as well as dining and shopping areas outside the park built as part of the massive 750 acre site, similar to the existing CityWalk area at Universal Orlando Resort. Not much is known about these components of the Universal’s Epic Universe project just yet and while they could open with the theme park, they could also be part of a phased opening and open after the summer 2025 target for the theme park.
With the exception of Super Nintendo World, much of what we think we know about Universal’s Epic Universe is still rumor and speculation and subject to change. Those wanting to keep up with construction updates can follow @Bioreconstruct on Twitter, who posts construction photos regularly. Universal’s official social media team has also been known to drop occasional hints about their projects as well, so definitely give their official accounts on TikTok, Twitter and Facebook a follow as well.
