Universal Studios has officially opened its new theme park, Epic Universe, on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to challenge Disney as a leading destination for theme park enthusiasts. The grand opening of this 750-acre development comes at a time of economic uncertainty in the US, with rising prices and tariffs stoking fears about a global trade war.
Despite these challenges, Epic Universe is expected to draw millions of visitors, bolstering theme park revenue for Universal and Disney, as well as the local economy. The park features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and others.
Universal’s theme park investment and expansion have garnered significant attention, with 161 patents filed for innovations at Epic Universe, including new animated effects, ride designs, and robotics. The company has also received praise from customers, with exit surveys showing overwhelmingly positive reviews.
The opening of Epic Universe marks a major turning point in the competition between Universal and Disney, with both companies vying to create more compelling and innovative attractions to lure guests. As Moffett noted, “Growth is good and returns on investment are attractive, and the theme parks pay all kinds of strategic dividends by deepening customers’ relationships with their favorite Universal characters.”
With its diverse range of intellectual properties and partner brands, Universal sees significant opportunities for expansion and growth in the coming years. The company has a strong track record of delivering beloved franchises like Harry Potter and Minions to life in its theme parks, and is now poised to take on new challenges.
As Woodbury noted, “The future is super bright… There’s a lot of room for expansion.” With its sights set on opening more worlds, attractions, and intellectual properties, Universal is well-positioned to remain a major player in the theme park industry.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/22/epic-universe-opens-universal-orlando-florida.html