Universal Epic Universe

On August 1, 2019, NBCUniversal announced that it was building a new theme park at Universal Orlando named Universal's Epic Universe. Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resorts at the time, released a statement labeling Epic Universe the "most immersive and innovative theme park" the company had ever created. although official confirmation did not occur until February 2023. Construction began in August 2019 and the park's scheduled opening was originally slated for 2023. This timeframe was later pushed to 2025, at least in part due to pauses in construction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction had halted from July 2020 to March 2021. In May 2022, Universal donated of land near Epic Universe toward the Brightline rail route corridor project that was underway. Universal Parks & Resorts was rebranded as Universal Destinations & Experiences in March 2023, alongside the park’s name being changed from ''Universal's Epic Universe to Universal Epic Universe'' – the possessive "s" in the name was removed. A new logo was released concurrently, featuring a starry backdrop inside the compass, as well as larger text and a simplified golden compass design. Celestial Park was unveiled in a press release on January 30, 2024, which is the first world guests encounter when entering the park. There was a brief pause in construction after Epic Universe experienced minor damage from Hurricane Milton in October 2024. Later that month, Universal confirmed the park's grand opening date of May22, 2025, approximately two weeks before Universal Orlando's 35th anniversary. The first previews for employees began on March1, 2025. Early entry for pass holders and Universal hotel guests began on April 17, and eventually, this was extended to the general public.{{cite web |last1=Sikes |first1=Annabelle |title=Epic Universe: Universal Orlando offers general public opportunity to preview new park before opening ==Areas and attractions==

Epic Universe uses a hub-and-spoke layout, consisting of four themed lands branching off a central hub called Celestial Park, with each land featuring a uniquely-themed gateway. The themed lands, in clockwise order from entry, are Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe (themed to Universal Classic Monsters), The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk. Each themed area has its aesthetics reflected in the food and cutlery at restaurants, ambient music, staff uniforms, and infrastructure. Entryways to each different land, featuring themed portals with digital LED signage, radiate out from Celestial Park. There are also four walk-up bars and concierge booths in this area, as well as smaller restaurants including Frosty Moon, Meteor Astropub, The Oak & Star Tavern, and Pizza Moon. Seven million individually-controllable embedded LEDs are installed within the Celestial Park area, and Universal plans to operate fireworks and light shows. The "Dark Universe" name is a revival of Universal's canceled franchise of the same name that had been intended to serve as a reboot of Universal Monsters, but it was abandoned following the poor box office performance of The Mummy (2017). In late 2021, patent applications were filed for a new motion-based dark ride, which features elements similar to the technology used on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This was later revealed to be Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride using KUKA arm technology. {{gallery How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk is themed to the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, and is set between the second and third films. The area is the largest of the four IP-based lands in the park, The area also features an additional section themed to the Donkey Kong Country franchise, which includes Mine-Cart Madness, a new type of roller coaster patented as the "Boom Coaster". The coaster is designed with a false track that trains move over while being attached to a hidden track underneath, allowing the track's design to implement gaps that create the illusion the trains are jumping over missing portions of track. The land is divided into two sections: Super Mario Land and Donkey Kong Country. Notable dining options include Toadstool Cafe, which serves American cuisine, and Yoshi's Snack Land. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic The Ministry of Magic themed area is set in Paris during the 1920s, primarily drawing inspiration from the Fantastic Beasts prequel film series with scenes, characters, and creatures from the film franchise. Le Cirque Arcanus is a full-scale theatre experience located in Place Cachée and features live performers, puppetry, and special effects. English actor Eddie Redmayne reprises his role as Newt Scamander, a character from Fantastic Beasts, in newly-filmed scenes for the stage show. The land also features a variety of shops, dining, and other experiences to match the wizarding theme. Wands sold at the park feature lights and haptic vibrations, and interact with items throughout the area. Possible expansions Industry insiders have suggested that phase two of the park's expansion would begin soon after Epic Universe debuted, with potential attractions for Super Nintendo World revolving around the ''Luigi's Mansion franchise, as well as a The Legend of Zelda-themed land. Universal Destinations & Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury stated in a New York Times'' interview that they are also considering the addition of attractions themed to Universal's successful two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked. ==Location and infrastructure==

The Universal Epic Universe theme park campus is located several miles southeast of the existing Universal Orlando Resort. The larger site, situated south of Sand Lake Road and east of Universal Boulevard, began construction in 2021 that added new infrastructure including a $315-million, extension of Kirkman Road to connect with Universal Boulevard. Construction was expected to be completed by late 2024. While the other Universal Orlando parks have parking garages, Epic Universe features an open-air parking lot which is located on the southeast end of the site. Land acquisition In 1998, Universal purchased 2,100 acres near the Orange County Convention Center. Universal paid $63 million to purchase the land from Lockheed Martin and intended to build a theme park, hotels, and a sports complex. Universal sold several parcels of land to support convention center–related development. In 1999, it sold 230 acres to Orange County for $69 million for an expansion of the convention center. This was followed by the sale of 26 acres to Hilton for $26 million in 2000 and 44 acres to Hyatt Hotels in 2001. In 2003, Universal sold the remaining 1,800 acres to real estate developer Stan Thomas for $70 million. Starting in 2015, Universal slowly began reacquiring the land: • 2015: 474 acres for $130 million, • 2017: 101 acres along Sand Lake Road for $27.5 million, and • 2018: 135 acres west of Kirkman Road from Stan Thomas. This transaction also resolved the disputed deed restriction rights to pave the way for Universal to build up to two new theme parks. • 2021: 2 parcels totalling 12.91 acres purchased from Lockheed to be used for the 1.7-mile Kirkman Road extension. • 2024: 62 acres on the south side of Destination Parkway and north of the Beachline Expressway. This includes a 6 acre parcel adjacent to a 7 acre parcel that Universal already owns, both of which will be donated to be the site of the future convention center-area SunRail station. Following these acquisitions, Universal owns 750 acres of prime Orlando real estate only part of which is developed into the Epic Universe theme park. ==References==