Latest news with #TheWizardingWorldofHarryPotter-MinistryofMagic
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Photos: Florida's $6bn Epic Universe park sees grand opening with spectacular firework, draws huge crowd
Photos: Florida's $6bn Epic Universe park sees grand opening with spectacular firework, draws huge crowd The Epic Universe's focal point is Celestial Park. Visitors can then access the Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, and How to Train Your Dragon—Isle of Berk. ...read more 1 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout The $6 billion Epic Universe park at Universal Orlando Resort is fully open for public after six years of construction.A kid uses his magic wand to cast spells at an interactive game around at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 2 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout Celestial Park is the centerpiece of the 750-acre Epic Universe. Guests can then access the five parks known as: Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of take a selfie as they arrive for the Universal Epic Universe theme park grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 3 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout Celestial Park, which Universal claims "puts the 'park' back in 'theme park'", has eateries, stores, rolling gardens, canals, and stand at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 4 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout Attendees interact with the animatronic Snow Dragon at "How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 5 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout FILE PHOTO: An attendee wearing a costume interacts with character Ygor at "Dark Universe" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo(REUTERS) 6 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout FILE PHOTO: An attendee uses her phone to take a selfie before entering the "Dark Universe" world at Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo(REUTERS) 7 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People attend Universal Epic Universe theme park grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 8 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout A general view shows "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 9 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People interact with a game at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 10 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People ride The Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster at "Dark Universe" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello/File Photo(REUTERS) 11 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People attend a fireworks and light show during the Universal Epic Universe theme park grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 12 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout A woman uses her phone as performers play at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 13 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People walk near Phoenix Gate at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 14 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People enjoy drinks at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 15 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People ride The Curse of the Werewolf roller coaster at "Dark Universe" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 16 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout A woman uses her phone as performers play at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 17 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout A woman uses her phone to create social media content at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 18 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout A man walks into the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry roller coaster at "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic" world in Universal Epic Universe theme park ahead of the grand opening ceremony in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS) 19 / 19 View Photos in a new improved layout People attend a fireworks and light show during the Universal Epic Universe theme park grand opening celebration in Orlando, Florida, U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Marco Bello(REUTERS)
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal's new Epic Universe park challenges Disney in Florida
By Dawn Chmielewski ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - For decades, Universal Orlando Resort was a pit stop on a vacationer's way to the 'Most Magical Place on Earth,' Walt Disney World. Now, NBCUniversal owner Comcast aims to rewrite the travel itinerary with Epic Universe, a major new theme park in Central Florida set to open on Thursday. An estimated $7 billion investment has doubled the resort's size, adding 750 acres and populating it with familiar movie and game characters, which it owns or licenses. It features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk; Celestial Park; and Dark Universe. Epic Universe represents the largest investment Comcast has made in Universal's theme parks since gaining control of the business in 2011. Analysts say it poses a heightened competitive threat to Walt Disney World, whose last major expansion was in 2019. 'This is the one part of the media ecosystem that is not vulnerable to screen-shifting. It's still beloved as a thing to do with friends and family,' Comcast President Mike Cavanaugh told Reuters on Tuesday. "It would be silly not to be stepping on the gas." Comcast's big investment in parks is one of six areas that will contribute to growth. The Experiences group is experimenting with new concepts, including the August launch of a permanent attraction in Las Vegas, Universal Horror Unleashed. It includes four haunted houses inspired by movies like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'The Exorcist: Believer.' A family-friendly regional park, Universal Kids Resort, debuts next year in Frisco, Texas, inspired by 'Shrek,' 'Minions' and SpongeBob SquarePants. 'One of our key pillars of growth is how we bring the Universal brand to new audiences in new markets,' Mark Woodbury, chairman of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in an interview. 'And you can see that in our Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, for our horror genre venue in Las Vegas.' Universal also has another major theme park resort planned for the United Kingdom, Comcast's first in Europe. The theme park business is not without risk. It's vulnerable to economic downturns - something the industry experienced during the COVID-19 epidemic. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said he is comfortable making long-term, capital-intensive bets. "When you find something extraordinary, that's when you make these bets," said Roberts, citing the example of the first Harry Potter themed land in Orlando. "When that Harry Potter opened, I think there was a massive increase in attendance the next day, and it never went backwards." WINNING STREAK Disney has dominated the Orlando scene since Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. In 2023, Walt Disney World attracted 48.8 million visitors, more than double Universal's attendance of 19.8 million that year, according to a report from the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM. Epic could "siphon off at least some of the demand," MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett wrote in an investor report about Epic Universe's potential impact on Disney. Moffett predicts Epic Universe could attract 9.5 million visitors in 2026, and bring in more than $1.3 billion in revenue. Some of those gains will come at the expense of other parks, including Disney's, which Moffett estimates could lose 1 million guests over the next two years. In time, it could draw 13 million visitors a year, more than either of its sister parks, he estimates. "In the long run, I think it makes Orlando an even more attractive vacation destination," said TD Cowen analyst Doug Creutz. "That's probably good for Disney." Universal's theme park business has been rooted in its movie-making from its earliest days offering studio tours a century ago. When Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, it promoted the park as offering the chance to 'ride the movies.' The opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter marked a watershed moment for Universal's Orlando resort, helping to fuel attendance with an experience that faithfully recreated the Warner Bros movies. A second Potter-themed attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, opened in 2014. Ever since Universal tapped in to J.K. Rowling's fantasy world, Moffett said it has been 'on an asterisk-free winning streak.' Ahead of the Epic Universe launch, Disney has reassured investors about its theme parks business Disney told investors that bookings at Walt Disney World remain strong over the next two fiscal quarters. It has been making steady improvements to its Florida resort to keep the experience fresh for visitors, including adding the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind spinning roller coaster at Epcot in 2022, and the TRON Lightcycle Run roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom in 2023. It plans to spend $60 billion over a decade to 'turbocharge' growth in its parks and cruise businesses. In April, Disney began offering half-price tickets for children ages three to nine this summer, and cut by half the downpayment Florida residents make to purchase annual passes.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal's new Epic Universe park challenges Disney in Florida
By Dawn Chmielewski ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - For decades, Universal Orlando Resort was a pit stop on a vacationer's way to the 'Most Magical Place on Earth,' Walt Disney World. Now, NBCUniversal owner Comcast aims to rewrite the travel itinerary with Epic Universe, a major new theme park in Central Florida set to open on Thursday. An estimated $7 billion investment has doubled the resort's size, adding 750 acres and populating it with familiar movie and game characters, which it owns or licenses. It features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk; Celestial Park; and Dark Universe. Epic Universe represents the largest investment Comcast has made in Universal's theme parks since gaining control of the business in 2011. Analysts say it poses a heightened competitive threat to Walt Disney World, whose last major expansion was in 2019. 'This is the one part of the media ecosystem that is not vulnerable to screen-shifting. It's still beloved as a thing to do with friends and family,' Comcast President Mike Cavanaugh told Reuters on Tuesday. "It would be silly not to be stepping on the gas." Comcast's big investment in parks is one of six areas that will contribute to growth. The Experiences group is experimenting with new concepts, including the August launch of a permanent attraction in Las Vegas, Universal Horror Unleashed. It includes four haunted houses inspired by movies like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'The Exorcist: Believer.' A family-friendly regional park, Universal Kids Resort, debuts next year in Frisco, Texas, inspired by 'Shrek,' 'Minions' and SpongeBob SquarePants. 'One of our key pillars of growth is how we bring the Universal brand to new audiences in new markets,' Mark Woodbury, chairman of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in an interview. 'And you can see that in our Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, for our horror genre venue in Las Vegas.' Universal also has another major theme park resort planned for the United Kingdom, Comcast's first in Europe. The theme park business is not without risk. It's vulnerable to economic downturns - something the industry experienced during the COVID-19 epidemic. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said he is comfortable making long-term, capital-intensive bets. "When you find something extraordinary, that's when you make these bets," said Roberts, citing the example of the first Harry Potter themed land in Orlando. "When that Harry Potter opened, I think there was a massive increase in attendance the next day, and it never went backwards." WINNING STREAK Disney has dominated the Orlando scene since Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. In 2023, Walt Disney World attracted 48.8 million visitors, more than double Universal's attendance of 19.8 million that year, according to a report from the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM. Epic could "siphon off at least some of the demand," MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett wrote in an investor report about Epic Universe's potential impact on Disney. Moffett predicts Epic Universe could attract 9.5 million visitors in 2026, and bring in more than $1.3 billion in revenue. Some of those gains will come at the expense of other parks, including Disney's, which Moffett estimates could lose 1 million guests over the next two years. In time, it could draw 13 million visitors a year, more than either of its sister parks, he estimates. "In the long run, I think it makes Orlando an even more attractive vacation destination," said TD Cowen analyst Doug Creutz. "That's probably good for Disney." Universal's theme park business has been rooted in its movie-making from its earliest days offering studio tours a century ago. When Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, it promoted the park as offering the chance to 'ride the movies.' The opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter marked a watershed moment for Universal's Orlando resort, helping to fuel attendance with an experience that faithfully recreated the Warner Bros movies. A second Potter-themed attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, opened in 2014. Ever since Universal tapped in to J.K. Rowling's fantasy world, Moffett said it has been 'on an asterisk-free winning streak.' Ahead of the Epic Universe launch, Disney has reassured investors about its theme parks business Disney told investors that bookings at Walt Disney World remain strong over the next two fiscal quarters. It has been making steady improvements to its Florida resort to keep the experience fresh for visitors, including adding the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind spinning roller coaster at Epcot in 2022, and the TRON Lightcycle Run roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom in 2023. It plans to spend $60 billion over a decade to 'turbocharge' growth in its parks and cruise businesses. In April, Disney began offering half-price tickets for children ages three to nine this summer, and cut by half the downpayment Florida residents make to purchase annual passes. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal's new Epic Universe park challenges Disney in Florida
By Dawn Chmielewski ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - For decades, Universal Orlando Resort was a pit stop on a vacationer's way to the 'Most Magical Place on Earth,' Walt Disney World. Now, NBCUniversal owner Comcast aims to rewrite the travel itinerary with Epic Universe, a major new theme park in Central Florida set to open on Thursday. An estimated $7 billion investment has doubled the resort's size, adding 750 acres and populating it with familiar movie and game characters, which it owns or licenses. It features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How to Train Your Dragon-Isle of Berk; Celestial Park; and Dark Universe. Epic Universe represents the largest investment Comcast has made in Universal's theme parks since gaining control of the business in 2011. Analysts say it poses a heightened competitive threat to Walt Disney World, whose last major expansion was in 2019. 'This is the one part of the media ecosystem that is not vulnerable to screen-shifting. It's still beloved as a thing to do with friends and family,' Comcast President Mike Cavanaugh told Reuters on Tuesday. "It would be silly not to be stepping on the gas." Comcast's big investment in parks is one of six areas that will contribute to growth. The Experiences group is experimenting with new concepts, including the August launch of a permanent attraction in Las Vegas, Universal Horror Unleashed. It includes four haunted houses inspired by movies like 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'The Exorcist: Believer.' A family-friendly regional park, Universal Kids Resort, debuts next year in Frisco, Texas, inspired by 'Shrek,' 'Minions' and SpongeBob SquarePants. 'One of our key pillars of growth is how we bring the Universal brand to new audiences in new markets,' Mark Woodbury, chairman of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said in an interview. 'And you can see that in our Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, for our horror genre venue in Las Vegas.' Universal also has another major theme park resort planned for the United Kingdom, Comcast's first in Europe. The theme park business is not without risk. It's vulnerable to economic downturns - something the industry experienced during the COVID-19 epidemic. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said he is comfortable making long-term, capital-intensive bets. "When you find something extraordinary, that's when you make these bets," said Roberts, citing the example of the first Harry Potter themed land in Orlando. "When that Harry Potter opened, I think there was a massive increase in attendance the next day, and it never went backwards." WINNING STREAK Disney has dominated the Orlando scene since Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. In 2023, Walt Disney World attracted 48.8 million visitors, more than double Universal's attendance of 19.8 million that year, according to a report from the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM. Epic could "siphon off at least some of the demand," MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett wrote in an investor report about Epic Universe's potential impact on Disney. Moffett predicts Epic Universe could attract 9.5 million visitors in 2026, and bring in more than $1.3 billion in revenue. Some of those gains will come at the expense of other parks, including Disney's, which Moffett estimates could lose 1 million guests over the next two years. In time, it could draw 13 million visitors a year, more than either of its sister parks, he estimates. "In the long run, I think it makes Orlando an even more attractive vacation destination," said TD Cowen analyst Doug Creutz. "That's probably good for Disney." Universal's theme park business has been rooted in its movie-making from its earliest days offering studio tours a century ago. When Universal Studios Florida opened in 1990, it promoted the park as offering the chance to 'ride the movies.' The opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter marked a watershed moment for Universal's Orlando resort, helping to fuel attendance with an experience that faithfully recreated the Warner Bros movies. A second Potter-themed attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley, opened in 2014. Ever since Universal tapped in to J.K. Rowling's fantasy world, Moffett said it has been 'on an asterisk-free winning streak.' Ahead of the Epic Universe launch, Disney has reassured investors about its theme parks business Disney told investors that bookings at Walt Disney World remain strong over the next two fiscal quarters. It has been making steady improvements to its Florida resort to keep the experience fresh for visitors, including adding the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind spinning roller coaster at Epcot in 2022, and the TRON Lightcycle Run roller coaster in the Magic Kingdom in 2023. It plans to spend $60 billion over a decade to 'turbocharge' growth in its parks and cruise businesses. In April, Disney began offering half-price tickets for children ages three to nine this summer, and cut by half the downpayment Florida residents make to purchase annual passes. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Boston Globe
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
It's bigger, better — and more complicated than ever: Visiting Universal Orlando Resort
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It had been a while since we visited Universal Orlando Resort, and we decided to check it out, prompted by the new Shrek immersive adventure land, and in anticipation of May 2025, when the resort will introduce its newest park, Advertisement Which brings us to the first lesson we learned on our recent trip: plan ahead, way ahead. We were fortunate to visit midweek, off-peak, but experts advise planning at least six months in advance to get the best hotel rates and ticket deals, especially if you're traveling during peak seasons. That means you should start now if you plan to visit the new park this summer. Thousands are already booking their vacations in anticipation of its opening. (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Ministry of Magic, need we say more?) The Hogwarts Express, which connects Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade at the park. Jim Barnes/The Washington Post Stay at an on-site hotel We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and it made all the difference in the world. It's a fun place to stay, a California Mission-style property set on the man-made canal, within walking distance to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. Advertisement Currently, it's one of eight on-site hotels and one of four (Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort) in its Signature Collection, offering the most benefits and amenities. There will soon be 11, with the recent opening of Universal Stella Nova Resort (Jan. 21) and the upcoming Universal Terra Luna Resort (March 25) and Universal Helios Grand Hotel (May 22), a Signature Collection property. It's not cheap, but we think it's well worth it. Average nightly rates at Hard Rock hover around $500 to $700 (and more during peak times) but the perks were impressive, including a free Universal Express Unlimited ride ticket allowing you to skip the regular lines as many times as you like at participating rides and attractions at Another option is to purchase a Universal Express pass (starting at about $90 per person, per day, and climbing) that allows you to skip the line one time per participating ride at Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure. These are popular and can sell out, so book them well in advance. Another perk of staying at an on-site hotel: We didn't need to rent a car and pay for theme park parking; we walked or took the free water taxi and shuttles to the parks and around the resort. All on-site Universal properties offer free transportation and early park admission. Advertisement When we needed a break, we simply headed back to the hotel and grabbed lounge chairs and drinks at the pool or naps in the room. The pool, complete with a water slide, and DJ or live music, was a great place to hang. We skipped King Julian from Madagascar is a favorite character at Universal Orlando Resort. This year the resort will open its newest park, Universal Epic Universe, with five immersive worlds. Pamela Wright Have a plan, but don't stick with it This is one vacation you don't want to leave to the last minute. Rooms, restaurant reservations, programs, special events, and even theme park passes sell out. The Grand Opening Day of Epic Universe scheduled for May 22 sold out in less than an hour. Buy your packages and nail down your lodging as soon as you can. Is dining with Spider-Man at the top of your list? Book it now. Have the teens and adults in your group download the resort mobile app for maps, ride descriptions, park and restaurant opening and closing times, parade and show times, and ride wait times. Make a list of the must-see attractions and devise a plan. And then go with the flow. Our plan was to get to the park early — one hour before the official opening time, and head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Hogsmeade in Universal Islands of Adventure. The line to ride Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was already long (skip the line passes don't work for this ride — one of the few) but we raced to the front of the line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Our plan was to stay longer in the Wizarding World, but instead we left for the Jurassic Park River Adventure. We got soaked on the water ride and did it again — and again (it was a hot day). It was not our plan, but we went for it. After, we split up — some heading to the VelociCoaster and the Reign of Kong on Skull Island, others to the colorful Toon Lagoon, a favorite with younger ones. Advertisement All didn't go according to plan, but over the course of 2½ days, we visited two parks, got on most of the rides, saw a couple of shows, and relaxed around the pool. One night, we'd planned on heading back to the park for an evening show, but just couldn't muster up the energy. That was OK: Pizza by the pool was fine, and we watched the fireworks from our room. Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
