Get Ready for Epic Universe: Universal Orlando's Newest Theme Park Opens This Week!

So, here’s the scoop: Universal Orlando Resort is all set to unveil its latest gem, the Epic Universe theme park, this Thursday, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend festivities. Exciting, right?

This new addition marks the fourth theme park in Universal Orlando's lineup and will officially welcome guests starting May 22. Epic Universe promises to whisk visitors away into the magical realms of Harry Potter, Super Mario, "How to Train Your Dragon," and a bunch of other fan-favorite franchises. Nestled southwest of downtown Orlando, this park is a big deal—it's the first major theme park to pop up in Florida in over 25 years! You can bet it’s going to shake things up in the theme park scene, especially for Walt Disney World Resort, which has been a staple in Orlando since it opened its doors back in 1971.

Now, let’s be real for a second. Some folks are wondering if Epic Universe could actually give Disney a run for its money. Dennis Speigel, the founder and CEO of International Theme Park Services, weighed in on this. He said, "Is Epic Universe going to put Disney out of business? Absolutely not. Is it going to put a chink in their armor? Yeah." So, there you have it—Epic Universe is definitely going to make waves, but it’s not exactly going to sink the ship.

Universal first announced the Epic Universe project back in 2019, and it’s been a long wait for fans. While the exact figures haven’t been disclosed, Speigel estimates that the total cost to bring this park to life is around a whopping $7.7 billion. For some context, Comcast reported $8.6 billion in revenue from its theme park segment in 2024, according to a regulatory filing. That’s some serious cash flow!

And let’s not forget about the local economy. Epic Universe is expected to be a game-changer for Orlando, which is often dubbed The Amusement Capital of the World. The city has deep roots in tourism, and in 2024, it welcomed over 75 million visitors, as reported by Visit Orlando, a trade association. Casandra Matej, the president and CEO of Visit Orlando, called the opening of Epic Universe an "important milestone" for the community. It’s like a shot in the arm for the local economy!

Now, while Universal hasn’t spilled the beans on the park’s capacity, Speigel estimates that Epic Universe could handle around 45,000 to 50,000 guests each day. He’s also predicting that the park will attract at least 6 million visitors annually, and maybe even more if the U.S. economy keeps cruising along and consumer worries about tariffs ease up.

Speigel mentioned, "The park actually has the physical capacity to draw at least 8 million people." That’s a lot of potential thrill-seekers! But, of course, there are always variables at play. A recent survey from Bankrate revealed that more than half of Americans are planning to cut back on spending for travel, dining, or entertainment this year. So, it’ll be interesting to see how that impacts visitor numbers.

Now, let’s take a peek inside this new theme park. Guests will have the chance to explore five distinct "immersive worlds," each boasting its own themed restaurants, rides, and entertainment options. Sounds like a blast, right?

As for ticket prices, they kick off at $139 for adults and $134 for kids, not including tax. Just a heads up, prices can fluctuate based on the day, so it’s a good idea to check the Universal Orlando website for the latest info.

And if you’re planning a visit, theme park hours are generally between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST, but they can change daily, so make sure to double-check before you head out!