The much-anticipated Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, is on the brink of opening its gates to the public on May 22, 2025. This monumental attraction, costing approximately $7 billion, is a project spearheaded by Comcast Corp.'s Universal Destinations & Experiences division. Notably, it marks the first major addition to the Florida theme park scene in a quarter of a century and is poised to significantly impact the local tourism industry.

Spanning an impressive 750 acres, Epic Universe will feature five uniquely themed lands, including the highly celebrated Wizarding World of Harry Potter The Ministry of Magic, the vibrant Super Nintendo World, the enchanting How to Train Your Dragon The Isle of Berk, the adventurous Celestial Park, and the thrilling Dark Universe. This forthcoming park will join the ranks of other iconic destinations in Orlando, such as Universal Studios and Walt Disney World, further solidifying the citys reputation as a premier theme park hub.

Tourism has long been a cornerstone of Central Florida's economy, attracting millions of visitors from both domestic and international markets. A staggering 74 million tourists flocked to Orlando in 2023 alone, and this influx accounted for nearly half of the total sales tax collected in Orange County. The introduction of Epic Universe is not only anticipated to stimulate Universal's revenue but also to enhance the overall economic landscape of the region. Casandra Matej, CEO of Visit Orlando, remarked, This is the first major, entirely new theme park in the U.S. in 25 years. This is a compelling reason to visit Orlando. So, when you see a major milestone project such as Epic Universe, you know its going to have definitely a domino effect of economic benefits for our community.

Initially announced in 2019, Epic Universe represents the largest single investment that Universal's parent company, Comcast, has made in its theme parks business as well as in Florida's economy. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts commented on the significance of this investment, which is rumored to reach around $7 billion. The creation of this expansive park serves as a strategic move for Universal to leverage its extensive library of franchises, thereby enhancing its amusement park offerings. In addition to Epic Universe, Universal currently operates two other major parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, as well as the Volcano Bay water park, located just a mile away.

According to a report from Sean Snaith, the director of the University of Central Floridas Institute for Economic Forecasting, Universal Orlando generated an impressive $44 billion in economic impact from 2019 to 2023. The report, commissioned by Universal itself, highlights that the direct investment in Epic Universe has already contributed $11 billion in economic impact across the nation through construction efforts, operational expenditures, and the hiring of new employees.

The excitement surrounding Epic Universe is palpable, with new attractions such as the Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment ride in the Dark Universe area set to enthrall guests. As the opening date approaches, the anticipation continues to build among potential visitors and the local community alike, as they eagerly await the transformation that this new theme park promises to bring to the Orlando area.