Universal Orlando New Park Overview and Opening Timeline
Universal Orlando Resort is developing a third major theme park, Epic Universe, located in the Universal Boulevard corridor near the existing resort complex. The park is being built by Comcast-owned NBCUniversal through its Universal Destinations Experiences segment, with construction starting in late 2021 on a multi-phase development. The first phase, including Super Nintendo World, is expected to open in 2025, with additional lands rolling out in subsequent years as part of a long-term master plan. The project represents one of the largest single-site theme park investments in Florida history, with total capital expenditure estimates in the billions over the full buildout period Forbes.
Epic Universe is designed to be a multi-IP destination targeting families and superfans, with themed lands based on Nintendo properties, Jurassic Park, and original Universal characters. The park will feature a central hub called Universal Plaza, surrounded by immersive areas connected by a network of rides, dining, and retail experiences. Universal Orlando's existing three parks, including Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay, will remain separate operations, with Epic Universe positioned as a distinct destination to extend length of stay and per-guest spending. The development is also expected to support thousands of construction and operational jobs, adding to the region's hospitality and entertainment workforce.
Investment, Ownership, and Financial Structure
The Epic Universe project is funded primarily by Comcast and its subsidiary NBCUniversal, which operates Universal Orlando under its Parks, Experiences and Products division. The investment is structured as a private capital deployment, with no public equity issuance tied to the park, and the cost is being absorbed within the broader corporate capital allocation framework for theme park expansion. Comcast has not disclosed a final all-in cost for Epic Universe, but industry analysts estimate the first phase alone could exceed several billion dollars, given the scale of the Super Nintendo World land and the infrastructure required for a new park SEC.
Epic Universe is expected to operate under the same revenue model as existing Universal parks, combining ticket sales, in-park spending, hotel stays, and food and beverage revenue. The park will be situated adjacent to existing Universal-owned hotel properties, with plans for additional lodging and retail development to capture more per-visitor spend. As a wholly owned asset, Epic Universe will not involve franchise partners or public-private partnerships for the core park, though retail and dining tenants may be contracted separately. The financial success of Epic Universe will be closely watched as a bellwether for post-pandemic theme park demand and for Universal's ability to compete with Walt Disney World's dominant market share in Central Florida.
Key Attractions and Themed Lands at Epic Universe
The headline attraction of Epic Universe is Super Nintendo World, a highly immersive land based on Nintendo's flagship franchises, including Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda. The land features ride-through experiences, interactive elements, and themed dining and retail, built in partnership with Nintendo and using Universal's patented immersive technology platform. Other planned lands include a Jurassic Park-themed area with new ride systems and a central hub designed to connect all areas with a cohesive visual identity and transportation system