Just a few weeks ago Comcast executives confirmed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all construction on Universal’s Epic Universe has been paused, and the target opening date had been moved. The new Universal Orlando Resort expansion was originally set to open in 2023, and while Comcast CEO Brian Roberts did not say specifically how much delaying construction would impact the project’s overall timeline during the phone call, Orange County mayor Jerry Demings said in a separate meeting that he had spoken to Universal officials and was told that the project has been delayed by a year, making a 2024 theme park opening the new target.
However, as the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic continue to be felt around the world, it looks like Universal has taken more drastic measures regarding the future of this much-anticipated expansion to Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal’s Epic Universe delayed until further notice
Image: Universal
Though we were originally looking at a delay of a year or so while construction was shut down during the current pandemic, the expectation was that, as soon as it was safe to do so, construction crews would return to work on this massive project. However, the Orlando Sentinel reports that construction on Universal’s Epic Universe will not resume until the US economy is in better shape, which could be several years away.
Comcast Chief Financial Officer Mike Cavanagh said during a virtual interview at the J.P. Morgan Investor Conference that “All things considered, it’s a big capital swing, so better to really march forward with that when we have just a bit more visibility on what’s going on with the economy post-COVID,” and declined to offer any kind of target for the project resuming, saying “I can’t tell you when that’s going to be when we revisit it.”
Could we be looking at a cancellation of this project?
Image: Universal
Because construction was in early phases and not gone vertical yet, many are wondering if this indefinite postponement could lead to an eventual cancellation of this project. However, when asked about this possibility, Cavanagh stressed Universal is delaying the project, not rethinking whether to do it at all, saying that the company’s “confidence is high”.
Of course, even though Universal still says that it wants to press on with Universal’s Epic Universe, anything can happen in the future, and if the US economy continues to suffer and travel remains depressed for the next few years, development on such a massive project may prove to be cost prohibited and Universal’s Epic Universe could end up next to WESTCOT, Disney’s America, and all the other parks that were planned, but never became a reality.
The original plan
Image: Universal
Though the future of Universal’s Epic Universe is in flux, if this project is not cancelled or slimmed Universal’s Epic Universe will be the single biggest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business and in Florida overall. The currently empty land parcel located on a 750-acre site south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard.
The new park will be part of a larger complex, complete with entertainment district, restaurants, hotels and shops (similar to the existing CityWalk area).With this new addition, Universal Orlando Resort would double its current size, even though the location is several miles away from the current Universal Orlando Resort theme park complex.
Other than Nintendo Land, no specific lands or IPs have been confirmed for this new expansion, but rumors have indicated that Universal Monsters as well as several characters from the DreamWorks library could be a part of Universal’s Epic Universe. Here’s hoping Universal is able to pick this project back up and we’ll get updated information about the expansion in the near future
As always, while this situation is evolving, all theme park fans should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
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