What Epic Universe means for Universal Orlando Resort's other theme parks

USA Today

23-06-2025

It's been just over a month since the opening of Universal's shiny new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
This month also marks 35 years since the opening of Universal Orlando Resort's first park, Universal Studios Florida.
Universal has four Orlando parks in all, and while many travelers are eager to experience the new addition, the company is betting big on the wider destination.
'This fourth gate changes everything for Universal Orlando,' resort President and Chief Operating Officer Karen Irwin said at a small gathering of executives and journalists at Epic Universe, on the eve of its opening. 'It not only cements us as more than a full weeklong destination vacation, but it also adds three hotels to the resort.'
Here's what Epic Universe means for the rest of Universal Orlando.
What are the 4 parks at Universal Orlando?
Universal Studios Florida came first, opening in 1990.
Universal Islands of Adventure opened in 1999, the same year as the destination's CityWalk dining and entertainment complex and first resort hotel. This marks the beginning of the larger Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal Volcano Bay water park opened in 2017.
Universal Epic Universe officially opened this May.
Why do people go to Universal Orlando?
When Universal Studios Florida first opened, its motto was 'ride the movies.'
The wider resort is known for bringing beloved films to life in immersive experiences ranging from the once groundbreaking, still beloved E.T. Adventure ride to the five new worlds at Epic Universe.
'There's no replacement for being here live. Put your phones down. You're immersed, and you're experiencing all of this,' said Michael J. Cavanagh, president of Universal's parent company, Comcast Corporation.
Its parks are alongside Disney among the most popular in North America, according to the latest Global Attractions Attendance Report from the Themed Entertainment Association and infrastructure leader AECOM.
Like Disney, Universal has a deep bench of intellectual property. However, Universal is known for having relatively more thrill rides for big kids and adults, though its parks also have kid-friendly areas and Universal is building a new theme park in Texas geared toward young families.
'Obviously we come at it with a little different age target than they do,' Cavanagh said.
One of Universal Orlando's biggest draws is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which now has three destinations across property: Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure, Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida and the Ministry of Magic at Epic Universe.
'If you're a Harry Potter fan, you have to see all three parks,' said Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations and Experiences.
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Where Epic Universe fits into Universal Orlando
Universal doesn't see Epic Universe as taking away from its other parks, but adding to them.
'It started with the idea 'how do we continue to grow our Orlando business?' and the realization that in order do that, we needed another park to garner a full week vacation and make this the destination of choice for people for their full Orlando vacation trip,' Woodbury said.
That growth benefits others too, according to Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
"Not only do (guests) experience a fantastic new park, but that also implies a certain reaction because it will drive competition and we will see more parks being built because our industry likes to challenge each other," he said. "I think there are only winners in this story, and I'm very excited to see how it plays out."
In addition to Universal Orlando's four parks, guests now have their choice of 11 hotels with 11,000 rooms on property, so they don't have to worry about leaving or logistics until it's time to go home.
"We want you not to have to think about what you're doing ... and just feel what we're doing here,' Irwin said. 'We offer this opportunity for people to come together with people that they love, the people that they care about, and just connect and be together and have those moments and those experiences that honestly they will remember for a lifetime.'
What's next for Universal Orlando?
Universal has said it's working on new attractions for all of its Orlando parks.
'What you can't see sitting here are all the expansion areas that are outside the spaces that you can see,' Woodbury said from inside Celestial Park. 'There's a lot of room for expansion. We're already thinking about how that plays out, and it's the same on the north end of the campus, new attractions coming, new intellectual property coming.'
Details remain under wraps, but Universal has shared the location for at least one future project. A new experience will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit after it closes permanently at Universal Studios Florida on Aug. 18.
How far is Epic Universe from the other parks?
Epic Universe is about 4 miles away from Universal Orlando's other parks.
Free resort transportation is available between the two campuses, and between Universal parks and hotels.
How much do Epic Universe tickets cost?
Single-day tickets to Epic Universe start at $139 for guests ages 10 and older. Prices vary by date.
Specially priced tickets are available for annual passholders and Military Freedom Pass holders.