Answering Your Questions about Epic Universe
The greater Orlando area hasn’t opened a theme park during the 21st century. Yes, Universal Studios tries to cheat and call Volcano Bay a theme park…but come on! It’s a water park. That’s why we swim there.
Photo: Universal Orlando/Volcano Bay
As such, the impending arrival of Epic Universe counts as one of the biggest stories in recent memory. That’s why you have questions.
Here are the answers to your most popular questions about Epic Universe!
What Is Epic Universe?
Photo: Universal
You can think of Epic Universe as the fourth gate at Universal Orlando Resort.Currently, this theme park features three gates, one of which is Volcano Bay.
The other two are conventional theme parks, Universal Studios Florida (USF) and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
USF represents the old guard, as it debuted in 1990. Islands of Adventure came along in 1999 and is currently the “new” Orlando theme park.
That’s right. Disney’s Animal Kingdom debuted in 1998, followed by Islands of Adventure the following year.So, Epic Universe represents the first new theme park in more than 20 years!Amazon and Google were only a couple of years old the last time Orlando got a new park!
You can understand why people are so excited, as it’s been far too long since something new debuted.
Is Epic Universe Canceled?
Photo: Comcast NBC Universal
NO! I totally understand why some people are asking, though.Universal’s parent company, Comcast, holds debt claims in excess of $100 billion. The flagging corporation has famously cut costs during the pandemic.
At one point, Universal executives declared that Epic Universe would stagnate for years.
Photo: NBCUniversal
Comcast’s financial crunch prevented capital investments on new projects. It was a situation that many corporations faced in 2020.
However, the pandemic ended quite suddenly during the second quarter of 2021.
Photo: County10.com
Since then, Comcast and Universal have recommitted to Epic Universe. In fact, the head of NBCUniversal explicitly stated to investors that it’s a priority.In other words, the project is not only very much alive but also receiving emphasis. Expect it to get a LOT of money to build the best possible park.
After all, Universal may not get another chance for 20+ years! So, it wants to get this project right!
Where Is Epic Universe?
Universal has chosen an odd location for Epic Universe. It’s not in the same area as the other three Orlando theme/water parks.
Epic Universe will reside roughly two miles south of the other locales. It’ll touch parts of Universal Boulevard but mainly Kirkman Road. This road will actually receive a 1.7-mile extension to stretch it to meet Universal’s needs.
Photo: Universal
Orange County officials have generously agreed to split the cost of this road construction with Universal. Universal preferred this parcel of land due to its size. At 750 acres, it roughly doubles the overall Universal campus!
Photo: occ.net
The other appeal of this location stems from its proximity to I-4 and the Orlando Convention Center.Universal officials have campaigned for a Brightline high-speed rail station at the convention center.
In that scenario, guests visiting the convention center could easily travel to Epic Universe, boosting attendance.Brightline has indicated that it’s receptive to the idea, but the underlying message appears to be that Universal must pay to make that happen.
When Will Epic Universe Open?
Photo: NBCUniversal
Okay, some of these answers aren’t as finite as I would prefer. Specifically, this one has fluctuated wildly since the initial announcement in 2019.
At the time, Universal execs expected the new park to debut in 2023 or 2024.
Photo: The Apopka Voice
When the pandemic shut down construction, those folks went silent. Rumors persisted that Epic Universe might not arrive until 2026 or later.Thankfully, a recent announcement clarified the timeline. Universal expects the project in a “couple years (sic).”
Realistically, the target date has returned to the start of 2025 or, more likely, sometime in 2024.
Photo:themeparx.com
A sticking point remains the staffing challenge at Universal. The construction crew won’t reach its regular size for another few months. So, construction will go slowly with more of a skeleton crew working.
However, Universal WANTS the money from Epic Universe. So, this project should advance rapidly from now on.
Keep checking back here to learn additional details!If I were a betting person, I’d guess 2025, though. These things always take longer than people expect.
Will Epic Universe Have a Super Nintendo World?
Photo:Nintendo/Universal Studios
Probably!In January of 2020, Universal emphatically stated that Super Nintendo World would anchor the park.
Since then, the themed land has debuted at Universal Studios Japan, and it’s a triumph.The version at Universal Studios Hollywood has progressed as well. It should open before the one in Orlando.
Photo: Universal Studios Japan
Meanwhile, local officials have hedged between adding Super Nintendo World to one of the existing parks, most likely Universal Studios Florida, or building it at Epic Universe.
Since Super Nintendo World will sell admission tickets, I fully expect it to open with Epic Universe, which was always the plan before the pandemic.
Which IPs Will Universal Use?
Photo:howtotrainyourdragon.fandom.com
Therein lies the other debate. Right now, we’re quite sure about one themed land. It’s Berk from the How to Train Your Dragon (HTTYD) franchise.
Universal will build a themed recreation of this beloved Viking village from the cartoons.Recent aerial photographs of the park reveal the expected track for a HTTYD-based attraction.
So, we can expect Berk and Super Nintendo World. Beyond that, we have hyper-confidence about another themed land.
Photo:laughing place.com
Universal Pictures founded its film empire on classic movie monsters like Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy.Many characters from this era have proven extremely popular during Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).
Photo: discoveruniversal.com
Let’s make no mistake on this point. Universal envisions Epic Universe as something of a permanent HHN home.
Yes, the Halloween event will still occur elsewhere, but Epic Universe could provide gothic fans with daily entertainment.
Photo: HBO
The mystery stems from the fourth land. At the time of the announcement, everyone presumed that it would be more Wizarding World of Harry Potter content.
However, as I recently discussed, both J.K. Rowling and Johnny Depp have both run afoul of the internet.With both of them facing an onslaught of negative social media posts, Warner Bros. Pictures recast Depp’s character in a Potterverse film.
Without Depp, the next Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie may disappoint even more at the box office than the last one did.
As such, Universal has hedged its bets on whether it should commit resources to another Wizarding World variant when two already exist.
Photo: Warner Bros
I honestly have no idea what they will choose here, but I currently expect more Harry Potter IP.
That could change with literally any other negative headline about Rowling, though.
How Much Will Epic Universe Cost?
Photo:skillastics.com
Eek! Why are people asking this question now about a park that won’t open for several years?I dunno? 8,000 Satoshis and five Dogecoin?
Seriously, the expectation is that Universal will sell a multi-day, multi-park package. While prices go up annually, as I type this, you can buy a similar package that works at both theme parks plus Volcano Bay.
Photo: parkscope.net
The cost for four days comes to $350. Meanwhile, standalone tickets go for more than $100 per person for a single park.So, I would presume that by the time Epic Universe opens, a single-day ticket will cost between $125 and $150.
Meanwhile, a five-park, four-day ticket should cost $450-$500, which is quite reasonable compared to the competition.
Photo: Facebook/Universal Orlando
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Feature Photo: Universal/Epic
