Universal's new Epic Universe, first new Florida theme park in 25 years, challenges Disney. Check dates, ticket prices and more
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Universal Orlando is welcoming a new theme park this week. The Epic Universe is the first new Florida theme park to open in 25 years, according to US media reports.Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Universal Orlando Resort is opening the gates to its Universal Epic Universe theme park on Thursday. Universal Orlando is set to debut its fourth Florida theme park, Epic Universe, on May 22.This highly anticipated addition will transport guests into immersive worlds inspired by Harry Potter, Super Mario, How to Train Your Dragon, and other popular franchises. Situated southwest of downtown Orlando, Epic Universe marks the first major theme park opening in Florida in over 25 years. Its arrival is expected to intensify the long-standing rivalry with Walt Disney World Resort , a staple of the Orlando tourism scene since its 1971 debut."Is Epic Universe going to put Disney out of business? Absolutely not," Dennis Speigel, founder and CEO of consulting firm International Theme Park Services told CBS News. "Is it going to put a chink in their armor? Yeah."Universal announced the launch of Epic Universe in 2019. Although official figures have yet to be released, Speigel estimates that NBCUniversal's parent company spent approximately $7.7 billion to bring Epic Universe to life. In 2024, Comcast reported $8.6 billion in revenue from its theme park division, according to a regulatory filing.Epic Universe is expected to significantly boost Orlando's local economy—an area often referred to as 'The Amusement Capital of the World' due to its strong ties to the tourism industry. That year, over 75 million visitors traveled to the region, according to Visit Orlando, a local trade association. Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, described the opening of Epic Universe as an 'important milestone' for the community.While Universal Orlando has not disclosed the park's capacity, Speigel estimates that Epic Universe can accommodate between 45,000 and 50,000 guests per day. He projects that the park could attract at least 6 million visitors annually, with potential for even higher attendance if U.S. economic growth remains stable and consumer concerns—such as those related to tariffs—subside.'The park actually has the physical capacity to draw at least 8 million people,' Speigel told CBS MoneyWatch. Still, a number of factors may influence those projections. For instance, a recent Bankrate survey found that more than half of Americans plan to cut back on spending for travel, dining, and entertainment this year.Visitors to the new Orlando attraction can explore five distinct "immersive worlds," each offering themed rides, restaurants, and entertainment:Celestial Park: Serving as the entrance and central hub of Epic Universe, this world is described by Universal Orlando as the "heart" of the park.The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Set in 1920s Paris, this area combines elements from the Fantastic Beasts films and the original Harry Potter series. It expands upon Universal's existing Harry Potter-themed attractions: Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.Super Nintendo World: Guests enter through a signature green warp pipe and are transported into the colorful world of Nintendo. Highlights include a Mario Kart ride featuring augmented reality headsets.How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Modeled after the DreamWorks film series, this rugged, Viking-inspired land brings guests face-to-face with dragons and adventure.Dark Universe: Dubbed the "most mysterious world" of Epic Universe, this area immerses guests in gothic horror tales featuring classic Universal Monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man.Ticket prices start at $139 for adults and $134 for children (before tax), though prices may vary depending on the date, according to Universal Orlando's website. Park hours typically run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, but schedules fluctuate daily, so visitors are encouraged to check in advance when planning their trip.
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