Universal announces Epic Universe in escalation of Orlando theme park arms race


Universal is getting ready to expand its theme park world once again just as Disney prepares to make the jump to lightspeed.
Universal Parks & Resorts on Thursday announced its fourth theme park in Orlando, which is being called Epic Universe. This will be in addition to the existing parks Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said in a statement that Epic Universe "represents the single-largest investment Comcast NBCUniversal has made in its theme park business and in Florida overall."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Nobody knows what will occupy this new universe, though, as Universal provided scant few details other than vaguely but confidently declaring that it will "create an entirely new level of experience that forever changes theme park entertainment." Super Nintendo World, however, is one possibility, as are more Harry Potter related attractions, notes the Tampa Bay Times. The park is to also to include an entertainment center, as well as hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Universal did release a logo and concept art for the new park, even as no actual attractions were specified. The park will be a few miles away from the resort and located on a 750-acre site.
This announcement, The Washington Post notes, comes less than a month before Disney is set to open its highly-anticipated Star Wars Galaxy's Edge area in Disney World after already debuting it at Disneyland, with this already being seen as Disney's answer to Universal's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Dennis Speigel, the president of consulting firm International Theme Park Services, told the Post, "this is a major competitive program with Disney, there's no question about it."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Why UK scientists are trying to dim the Sun
In The Spotlight The UK has funded controversial geoengineering techniques that could prove helpful in slowing climate change
By Abby Wilson
-
Gandhi arrests: Narendra Modi's 'vendetta' against India's opposition
The Explainer Another episode threatens to spark uproar in the Indian PM's long-running battle against the country's first family
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Biden expected to block Japanese bid for US Steel
Speed Read The president is blocking the $14 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, citing national security concerns
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judges block $25B Kroger-Albertsons merger
Speed Read The proposed merger between the supermarket giants was stalled when judges overseeing two separate cases blocked the deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US