Epic Universe Reportedly May Open by Memorial Day 2025
For years now, Universal Orlando fans have guessed when the new theme park might open.
Now, a published report has confirmed some speculation we’ve had for a while now.
Photo: Universal Orlando Resort
Universal executives are targeting a potential May opening date, and we should know soon whether it’s true.
Here’s what’s happening and why you may be buying Epic Universe admission tickets sooner than expected.
About the Report
Photo: NBCUniversal
The Wall Street Journal just published an article about Comcast’s plans for its NBCUniversal subsidiary.
Here’s the part of the story that should grab your attention immediately:
Photo: Universal
“The company is planning for its 750-acre Universal Epic Universe park to be fully opened as early as Memorial Day weekend of next year—earlier than expected—with tickets on sale as soon as this month, according to people familiar with the matter.”
Now, I’d quibble with the “earlier than expected” part, as I know some of you were hoping the new park would open around the same time as its hotels.
So, once you recalibrate from some admittedly optimistic hopes, you’ll glance at the calendar and realize what that means.
Photo: Universal
Presuming this report is correct — and I’m inclined to believe that it is — Epic Universe will open in seven months!!!
Even more importantly, tickets could go on sale soon. Like, if they mean this month, it’s mid-October already. So, that would be over the next 16 days!
Photo: Universal
Even if the intent is for tickets to go on sale in November, you’ve still got a dream option for holiday gift-giving season.
Now that you’re overly excited, I’ll rain on your parade a bit. There’s also this:
Photo: Universal
“Universal said it hasn’t yet confirmed an opening date. The timing of the planned opening could change.”
As we just witnessed with Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, there are some things beyond Universal’s control.
Photo: Universal
What we’re discussing is likely the most optimistic timeline of a late May debut. If Epic Universe misses by a few weeks, it should still be ready in June.
The Ticket Package Plan Confirmed
Photo: Universal
This article also addresses the elephant in the living room by confirming Universal’s unusual admission ticket plan.
“In the early stages of the park’s opening, Universal plans to require that visitors purchase multiday passes in order to enter Epic Universe, travel agents briefed on the plans said.”
Photo: Universal
So, as UniversalParksBlog had reported, the goal here is to make guests pay for multiple days while only experiencing Epic Universe once.
That’s not my interpretation of the story but an actual fact now.
Photo: Universal
“Ticket holders would be able to spend only one of the days at Epic Universe, in part because demand is anticipated to be high and the company wants to avoid overcrowding.”
Yes, something could change before tickets go on sale, but since that’s apparently only a few days/weeks from now, I suspect this is just how it’s gonna be.
Photo: Universal
The Wall Street Journal adds that this is a competitive tactic. “The approach could prod visitors into spending multiple days at Universal’s properties and make it harder for some visitors to justify buying passes to Disney’s parks during the same Florida trip, which is a common move for many families.”
Photo: Universal
Confirming Universal’s Grand Plan
As I said two years ago, the plan all along has been to advance Universal Orlando from a two- or three-day vacation into a four- or five-day one.
This pricing strategy underscores that plan. The WSJ cites a recent MoffettNathanson report that’s highly favorable to Universal Studios.
Photo: Universal
According to the research, “Universal Epic Universe could snatch about one million visitors from Disney during 2025 and 2026 and boost overall attendance at Universal’s three parks in the area by more than eight million.”
I think we all realize that’s ambitious, but it’d be massive for Universal Orlando if it happened.
Photo: Universal
Remember that the two parks claimed an estimated attendance of 19.75 million in 2023.
We’d be talking about attendance growth of 40 percent in two calendar years, an almost incomprehensible expansion.
Photo: Universal
Then again, you’ve seen Epic Universe’s illustrations and construction photos. So, you know it’s possible.
As a reminder, Comcast will announce its quarterly earnings on October 31st, a fitting Halloween date for the Halloween Horror Nights people.
Image: Universal
If the Wall Street Journal is correct, that’s the natural timeframe for an announcement about ticket sales and an opening date.
The news wouldn’t necessarily break then but in the days leading up to the earnings call or immediately afterward.
Image: Universal
So, the next two weeks or so will be quite exciting for Universal Studios fans. It’s nearly time, y’all!
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Feature Photo: Universal
