Universal Epic Universe (South Expansion Complex) - Opens May 22 2025

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[ToTBellHop]

With the two space hotels opening in January 2025, I have to imagine this project is opening during the first half of 2025. I doubt they’d open 2 hotels next to EU much before the park itself opens.

 

[UNCgolf]

To be clear, these are my observations only, but I felt more aware of the park beyond than I remembered previously. This can be due to noise intrusion (Velocicoaster) as much as sight lines. While Hagrid's is a great ride, it is sadly far less immersive than I'd hoped and I'm experiencing it years after opening where the foliage has had time to grow. This land while bar-raising in many respects has some glaring issues that hold it back and I think that's what's most frustrating- to come so close and yet have visible show buildings and blaring soundtrack music. You are reminded that you are in a themed land, and not somehow magically transported to another place. Again, this was just something I was feeling on a recent trip during several visits to this land.

I wasn't overly impressed by Hogsmeade -- Diagon Alley, on the other hand, is absolutely fantastic.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

Boxed in lands are highly effective but it is a sort of lazy approach. I'm having trouble articulating it, but the word I would use is expansive. By that I don't just mean that the land itself is big, but that when you're inside of it you can feel like the land continues on beyond where you can even traverse.

There are open world video games and then there are games that give the illusion an open world, but creatively constrain you. I think the best lands are doing that.

Jurassic Park in IoA does this for me, and used to do it even better before Kong and Potter. In certain spots it really feels like the jungle just keeps going.

Edit: How could I forget, Adventureland also does this EXTRAORDINARILY well. Especially looking into the Jungle Cruise jungle from just about anywhere in the land and from the top of the treehouse. There’s even some vantage points where you can see the top of the cambodian temple fairly far from the JC entrance. Makes the scale feel absolutely massive without the need of any large facades making the land feel boxed in. They don’t make them like they used to that’s for sure.

 

[J4546]

imagine how it must feel in HK arrendell with those lush mountains in the distance. prob feels pretty immersive

 

[sedati]

I wasn't overly impressed by Hogsmeade -- Diagon Alley, on the other hand, is absolutely fantastic.

It raised the bar, but now it's just the bar.

 

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[Animaniac93-98]

These two hotels are not only closer to Epic, they're also closer to SeaWorld, OCCC and WDW too, while still having free bus service to the existing Universal complex.

They may be my choice hotel to stay at once their open.

 

[SpectreJordan]

I don't think it's too crazy to think that they destroy Rip, Ride, Rocket as well as F&F and use the new coaster they are building in Cali for F&F as a reference and bring it to Orlando. I'm sure it's a major PITA to have to build around what's existing, but they could upgrade their coaster needs and possibly still have space to do something where F&F Orlando currently stands to bring an entirely different experience & IP .

This would be ideal. It's insane that they even thought of making anything but a coaster for F&F, let alone going through with it.

Jurassic Park in IoA does this for me, and used to do it even better before Kong and Potter. In certain spots it really feels like the jungle just keeps going.

Edit: How could I forget, Adventureland also does this EXTRAORDINARILY well. Especially looking into the Jungle Cruise jungle from just about anywhere in the land and from the top of the treehouse. There’s even some vantage points where you can see the top of the cambodian temple fairly far from the JC entrance. Makes the scale feel absolutely massive without the need of any large facades making the land feel boxed in. They don’t make them like they used to that’s for sure.

Jurassic Park is such an underrated land. I feel it's really immersive & well themed. The only part I don't like about it is the carnival games near the burger restaurant; but I could also see that being something they'd do in-universe too lol

 

[Andrew25]

Jurassic Park is such an underrated land. I feel it's really immersive & well themed. The only part I don't like about it is the carnival games near the burger restaurant; but I could also see that being something they'd do in-universe too lol

They bother me, but not too much since they're in-theme and the prizes are all Jurassic/Dinosaur themed.

I just hope Epic Universe lacks carnival games, but I believe How To Train Your Dragon might have them

 

[SpectreJordan]

They bother me, but not too much since they're in-theme and the prizes are all Jurassic/Dinosaur themed.

I just hope Epic Universe lacks carnival games, but I believe How To Train Your Dragon might have them

Hopefully they'd be higher quality & better themed than the carnival prizes in Islands/Studios. It'd be immersion breaking to have some crappy Dollar Tree looking Toothless plushies sitting in what's looking to be a very nice land.

 

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bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial overview of 2 resorts South of Epic Universe. Terra Luna at the left, and Stella Nova at the right.

Aerial photo of the current state of the pool and recreation area of Stella Nova resort.Window frames and some glass installed on the lobby wall.South of Epic Universe.

Aerial look at construction progress of the guest entrance side of Stella Nova resort. South of Epic Universe.

Aerial look at Stella Nova and Terra Luna resorts relative to the Orange County Convention Center in top left.Way back 1990's Universal owned the land seen here between the Beachline and International Drive. Sold it all off. Later bought back the site for Epic Universe.

Aerial look at concrete forms underway for the pool at Terra Luna resort. Also seen is prefab construction at left.South of Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of work so far on the guest entrance side of Stella Nova resort. South of Epic Universe.Guest access road at left.Intersection of Universal Blvd and Kirkman Rd top right.

In this aerial photo of the Epic Universe area1 Terra Luna resort2 Stella Nova resort3 In-park resort tower rising4 To be a raised traffic circle. Day guest parking access at right.

Aerial photo of the manor in Dark Universe. Scaffolding removed recently from some of the tower.

In this aerial photo of the Epic Universe area1 Terra Luna resort2 Stella Nova resort3 In-park resort tower rising4 To be a raised traffic circle. Day guest parking access at right.

Compare post at start of this Thread to artwork from the Loews website.URL here is for an article by
@OrlandoParkStop
discussing the Stella Nova resort features.https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/theme-park-news/universal-stella-nova-resort-revealed-for-epic-universe-possibly-opening-january-2025/

 

[My95cobras]

Has anything been mentioned about how the 2 resort hotels will get to the park?

 

[build_it]

Has anything been mentioned about how the 2 resort hotels will get to the park?

I would guess like most of their resorts they’ll offer bus service. I’d be surprised if there were any other methods offered at this point. No inside info, just IMHO.

 

[donsullivan]

I would guess like most of their resorts they’ll offer bus service. I’d be surprised if there were any other methods offered at this point. No inside info, just IMHO.

Electric buses

Facial recognition, electric buses coming to Epic Universe

The CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences called the new theme park, Epic Universe, "groundbreaking" and "technologically advanced."

www.wesh.com

 

[Disneyhead'71]

So it looks like the new restaurant that is replacing Cassini's is going to be called Meteor Astropub.

 

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bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial photo of Kirkman Rd extension road work reaching the Epic Universe fence line.Tunnel is for the private perimeter road of the park. Above the tunnel will be guest access of the in-park resort.

Aerial photo of the new Sand Lake Rd overpass of Kirkman Rd.At top is Epic Universe Team Member parking. Now in use by construction workers.

Aerial photo of the dome at center of Epic Universe. Panels are being added for the roof.

Aerial overview of the construction of Epic Universe.Dark Universe, classic monsters land, upper left in a shadow.

Aerial photo showing construction of a chain of water features through the center of Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of the first roof panels added to the Epic Universe dome. Believed to be for Celestial Carousel.

Time to leave Epic Universe. Another aerial update another time.

Aerial photo of work in progress on the Epic Universe in-park resort.

Aerial photo showing work has started for adding roof panels to the dome at center of Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of an Epic Universe water side restaurant.Tiny arrows at left at circular outlines. Elaborate patterns were seen in this water feature site before buried in sand.Right arrow at a developing area. A semicircle can be seen.

Aerial look at what is believed to be a BBQ restaurant in Epic Universe.1 Chimney for a likely central show kitchen2 An additional chimney in progress. Notice outline below.

 

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bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial peek inside Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe

Aerial overview of the Donkey Kong roller coaster in Epic Universe.

In this aerial photo of the Epic Universe water side restaurant1 Underground kitchen, with supplemental AC for construction comfort2 A peek inside the dining area3 Prep for a concrete pour. Elaborate patterns seen here before buried in sand.4 A developing area

Aerial photo of the show fountain of Epic Universe.

Aerial look at construction of Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of the Epic Universe in-park resort tower.

Aerial photo of the in-park resort tower at Epic Universe.At night time show could be fireworks launched from the peninsula, rising above projections on the tower. Synchronized with the large fountain.

Aerial photo of the dome and fountain in center of Epic Universe.The dome is believed to be for Celestial Carousel. Work on roof panels has started.

Aerial photo of How To Train Your Dragon land, and the chain of water features through Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of work in a courtyard of Super Nintendo World in Epic Universe.

 

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bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct
Aerial overview of what is believed to be Celestial Carousel in Epic Universe. The half circle is a splash pad or play fountain. The water feature at base of the dome to have a curved line of fountains.Arrow at the section with the first roof panels of the dome.

Aerial photo of the back sections of the Epic Universe dual-racing roller coaster. Arrows at boom lifts using the maintenance paths.

Aerial overview of current development in Epic Universe.

Aerial photo of construction of the pool and outdoor recreation of the Epic Universe in-park resort.

Aerial photo of current height of the Epic Universe in-park resort tower. Lobby extension at right has a fresh pour of concrete for the roof.

Aerial overview of the Epic Universe dual-racing roller coaster.

Aerial overview of a Harry Potter related land in Epic Universe. A land with full size streets of Paris.

Aerial overview of Epic Universe construction.

Much to see in this aerial photo of the front of How to Train Your Dragon land, and the Epic Universe dual-racing coaster.1 Work on a Viking ship mast2 Gateway recently added at a bridge3 Poles recently added for the boat ride station.

Aerial overview of the front of Epic Universe.

 

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bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial photo of two massive warehouses North of Epic Universe. Located along Sand Lake Rd.Bottom left is the chilled water plant for the park. A form of AC.

Aerial overview of the front of Epic Universe.

A nearly straight-down aerial look at center of Epic Universe. Park entrance and day guest parking at right

Aerial photo of circular concrete forms in progress for a patterned walkway at entrance of the Epic Universe dual-racing roller coaster.

Aerial photo looking across Epic Universe. From the park's portal or gateway construction at bottom right, to the dual-racing roller coaster also at right.At left are shorelines of the chain of water features through the park.

Aerial overview of Epic Universe Nov 10, 2023• Scaffolding coming down at Manor tower• Meade Hall topped off in How To Train Your Dragon land• Stylized trees placed in Dragon boat ride• Patterned concrete starting at dual-racing coaster entrance• First dome roof panel

Aerial photo of a building in progress near the Epic Universe show fountain.

In this aerial of Epic Universe1 Shop entrance2 Walls around a service area behind a kiosk3 Worker break tent4 Steadily shrinking pile of dirt. An expansion pad.5 Circular feature for a fountain or garden

Nearly every facade is covered in scaffolding in the Harry Potter related land in Epic Universe.At center of this aerial photo is a courtyard with rising scaffolding.

Aerial peek through the scaffolding of the Harry Potter related land in Epic Universe. Arrow at what might be the entrance to the featured attraction. Believed to be a Ministry of Magic.