Universal's Epic Universe Theme Park Project Officially Restarted

© Universal Orlando

More good news!  I like this streak of promising news we've been able to feature lately.  Late last week Universal Orlando confirmed that the construction of the resort's third theme park, Epic Universe, is kicking off once again in the near future.  The work on the site of the new theme park came to a halt last summer as uncertainty surrounding the pandemic made most entertainment companies rethink their spending on new projects.

Universal's post regarding the project restart says it will begin immediately, though could take several month for things to ramp up to full speed as they need to reassemble their workforce of vendors and contractors.

“We are excited to begin work on Epic Universe again and for what this moment means for our industry, our community, our business and our team members,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO for Universal Parks & Resorts. “Our confidence in our collective future is as strong as ever.”

 

© Universal Orlando

When completed, the new Epic Universe theme park and associated amenities will employ 14,000 people.  The restart of the project will bring back hundreds of jobs to Universal itself, and thousands of jobs in Florida.

 

Located just a few minutes from the current Universal Orlando Resort, "Epic Universe will feature a new theme park, an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more.  It will be located on a 750-acre site that nearly doubles Universal’s total available acreage in Central Florida."

 

So how far back did this delay put Epic Universe's opening date?  Originally set for 2023, the Orlando Sentinel reports it is now planned for early 2025.  Much, much better later than never,

Universal's Epic Universe Theme Park Project Opening Pushed One Year Due to Pandemic

© Universal Studios

Thankfully the project is still very much alive, however we'll all have to wait one more year to visit Universal's Epic Universe, the resort's latest major project to be announced.

Initially the project was set to open in 2023, though that was only revealed by Comcast on investor related earnings calls.  To that end, it seems that the park would now be destined for 2024, giving Universal breathing room in a challenging environment that the pandemic has created.

With the theme parks closed, the company said that they could lose up to $500 million in profits if the closure runs through the end of June.  That's not revenues, that's actual profit that Comcast uses at least in part to reinvest into the theme park division.

© Universal Studios

Universal did make a comment in the above-linked news story reassuring all that they're committed to building the park , and have faith that eventually the theme park industry will be as strong as it has been in recent times.  Encouraging, indeed.

Comcast's recent earnings call also indicated that the new Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan is nearly finished, though that park isn't currently open, and that Universal Studios Beijing is still on time and budget for a 2021 opening.

Universal Orlando's Big Reveal: New Universal's Epic Universe Theme Park

© Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando has made their must anticipated, giant announcement: a brand new theme park is coming to Orlando named Universal's Epic Universe.  The resort counts the park as their 4th, since they include Volcano Bay as a full theme park, joining Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.  As expected Epic Universe will be located in the new land that Universal has acquired, a 750 acre plot that effectively doubles the amount of land that Universal has in the area.

Universal released this map that shows where Epic Universe will be located, it's just maybe a ten minute ride down from where the current parks are located.  Also of note is that their latest hotel, Universal's Endless Summer Resort, is located right between both sets of parks.

© Universal Orlando

The new park is based around a single vision,  to "create an entirely new level of experience that forever changes theme park entertainment."  The theme park will include an "entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more" in addition to plenty of rides and attractions.  Not a ton of details about the actual park were released, but the company describes that "Universal’s Epic Universe will take guests on a journey where beloved stories expand into vibrant lands – and where that journey is as much a part of their adventure as the ultimate destination."

“Our vision for Epic Universe is historic,” said Tom Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Universal Parks & Resorts.  “It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created.  It is an investment in our business, our industry, our team members and our community.”

© Universal Orlando

This is the only piece of concept art released with the announcement, and there is plenty of detail to dig through if you zoom in.  The park features a large center area that probably contains the entertainment, shopping and dining that is mentioned in Universal's description, with four lands (or worlds, perhaps universes?) extending out from that.  Plus, what looks like several plots for future development.  There's also an obvious hotel located right alongside the them park opposite the entrance area.

So what themes are included in the park?  Well, according to Orlando Parkstop going clockwise from the entrance (lower left of the art) there is Nintendo, a classic Universal monster land, a city-looking area themed to Fantastic Beasts and then a How to Train Your Dragon area.  These themes match rumors that have swirled for months, but of course they're still just rumors until Universal says so.  The areas are expected to each be super immersive, with only a single entrance/exit that hides all the land has to offer (think Diagon Alley).

Also of note is what looks like a large dueling roller coaster just North of the How to Train Your Dragon area, which looks like a Dueling Dragons inspired attraction.

We all want more detail, but we shall have to wait until Universal releases it for sure.  An opening year wasn't even announced, so there's a lot more news to come.  I for one can't wait to learn more about Epic Universe!