Biggest Universal Studios Stories of 2025

Universal Studios just enjoyed a year for the ages!

You obviously know the most important thing that happened last year, but that wasn’t all.

Let’s discuss the four huge stories of 2025 as well as the one we’d be remiss to ignore.

Epic Universe Debuts

All other stories on this list pale in comparison to this one.

As you know, the entirety of the 2020s have led to this moment for Universal Studios.

In May, Universal Epic Universe finally opened to the public after a few weeks of testing.

To the company’s credit, it engaged in quite a bit of crowd control during the park’s first few weeks.

Universal sold its tickets digitally for the early days of Epic Universe to protect the guests.

When they explored the park, they quickly realized that the place wasn’t the least bit crowded.

That was by design. Universal could have sold exponentially more tickets, but that would have created problems.

As we quickly learned, while Epic Universe is a masterpiece, it doesn’t handle large crowds well.

Park officials adopted a quality over quantity approach in building the attractions.

So, we have impeccably detailed themed lands like How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.

We can also explore the world of Mario and friends at Super Nintendo World.

All three of these places are absolutely brilliant, as is Celestial Park.

Epic Universe even includes another version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

All the rides here are fantastic, but the experiences have proven a pleasant surprise.

Fans are standing in line to meet Toothless for longer than they wait for most of the rides.

That behavior differentiates Epic Universe from previous Universal Studios theme parks.

This place is decidedly more experiential, making it better for the current and future generations of tourists.

Universal has anticipated what modern vacationers want and provided a dream theme park to meet those needs.

Epic Universe has had a few missteps during its first year, as well as one tragedy we must discuss.

Still, on the whole, this is the kind of theme park that demonstrates Universal Studios is in it to win it.

Universal Studios Is a Go for England

Two years ago, Universal Studios officials couldn’t hide a secret.

People in Bedfordshire, England, learned of an exciting real estate transaction.

Universal executives had purchased 476 acres of land roughly one hour north of London.

Less than two months later, Universal confirmed the rumor. It planned to build a theme park in London.

Plans often fall apart on projects like this one, though. So, fans remained understandably skeptical.

While I never believed Bedfordshire would turn down a chance at a theme park, it was still a possibility.

Everything had to go through an intense bureaucratic process before it could begin.

Well, just a few days ago, Universal Studios finally attained government approval.

Now, construction can begin on a theme park expected to debut in the early 2030s.

Remarkably, that’s not the only new theme park underway.

Universal Kids Resort Announces Its Features

Almost exactly three years ago, Universal Studios confirmed it was building a theme park in Texas.

Park planners carefully plotted the best place to acquire land in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

They settled upon Frisco, Texas, a thriving metropolitan area currently amidst a massive growth phase.

Importantly, this theme park includes a hook. It’s specifically designed for families to enjoy.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. All Universal Studios parks are great for families, which is true.

I mean, I just mentioned How to Train Your Dragon and Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe.

Still, Universal Studios has largely avoided direct competition with Disney, the foremost family theme park vendors.

Well, I should say that they had because Universal Kids Resort will target that demographic.

This isn’t a theme park for single adults, although they’ll definitely be welcome.

It’s more of a place for parents to take their kids for an entertaining day at the park.

This new location will focus more on characters and branding, which brings me to the big story.

Universal has now confirmed the brands that will anchor the new theme park. They include:

• Despicable Me
• Gabby’s Dollhouse
• Jurassic World
• Puss in Boots
• Shrek
• SpongeBob Squarepants
• Trolls

So, this park will follow part of the blueprint at Epic Universe by offering family-friendly experiences.

Remarkably, this park may open within the next six months. It’s just around the corner!

Stardust Racers Experiences a Tragedy

We’re discussing the biggest stories of the year, not the best, and that matters here.

Universal Studios fans all know what one of the biggest stories was in 2025, even if we hate it.

In September, a disabled person named Kevin Rodriguez Zavala visited Epic Universe.

A theme park aficionado, Zavala and his girlfriend rode several attractions.

Then, the couple stood in line at Stardust Racers and then started to board the attraction.

Zavala required repeated assistance to enter the ride cart and lock the seatbelt.

Moments later, tragedy would befall Zavala, as he fell unconscious at some point.

While incapacitated, Zavala suffered multiple head wounds. His leg was also badly mangled.

When Zavala arrived at the exit station, the guests in the area screamed at the sight of him.

Blood covered his body, according to a doctor who happened to be on the scene.

She was vacationing at Epic Universe at the time and attempted to treat him.

According to her sworn testimony to police, the doctor believed Zavala had already died.

The official first responders on the scene tried to resuscitate him on the trip to the hospital.

Tragically, those attempts failed, and Zavala was pronounced dead.

Epic Universe has since updated its rules to reflect that passengers using mobility devices must be able to walk independently.

Universal has also settled a lawsuit with Zavala’s family as well as one other individual.

That person sued for a similar injury on the ride, and several others have since followed suit.

Stardust Racers is currently operational after a quick but exhaustive safety check.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Gets Demolished

Finally, we have a story that may not seem like good news to some, but I most assuredly view it that way.

In August, Universal Studios guests rode Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit for the final time.

Universal officials had announced that the ride would close then and be replaced soon afterward.

Let’s just say that they meant what they said, with demolition occurring soon afterward.

By the end of October, most of the ride structure was entirely gone.

Before that happened, part of it did catch fire in an odd incident during the demo phase.

Now that the ride is gone, Universal is already hard at work on its replacement.

While park officials won’t confirm anything for a while longer, speculation centers on two franchises.

The roller coaster replacement will either be themed to Fast & Furious or Ghostbusters.

Either of those is dramatically better than the rough, un-themed ride that was Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

 

 

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