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

[donsullivan]

They could easily add walls to the dedicated bus lanes so you don't see it.

The bus lanes are on public roads so the most you’ll get are trees.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

The bus lanes are on public roads so the most you’ll get are trees.

Oh I was envisioning dedicated bus lanes with a median. It’s literally just a lane on the main roads that traffic could merge into?

 

[BubbaisSleep]

Oh I was envisioning dedicated bus lanes with a median. It’s literally just a lane on the main roads that traffic could merge into?

The dedicated bus route will be separated from the main road according to this picture.

 

[JoeCamel]

The dedicated bus route will be separated from the main road according to this picture.View attachment 666930

For part of the route, I'm sure they are working on getting more of it dedicated

 

[donsullivan]

The full video animatic of the above still image

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/video/6082083609001

 

[Shiriki_Utundu]

They could easily add walls to the dedicated bus lanes so you don't see it.

now that would be a tremendous help.........as long as there are not just a sound and sight walls that we see in countless areas around the the US but groomed vegetation to go with it and appropriate embedded designs in the walls.

 

[trr1]

Alicia Stella
@AliciaStella


We thought it was silly to add parking spot lines so early, but Epic Universe has so many workers on site now they need all the parking they can get! Orlando Sentinel recently reported the site may see between 9,000 and 10,000 workers daily beginning next year!!

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct


Aerial look at guests parking in use at Epic Universe, by construction workers. Day guest traffic flow to be from 1 to toll plaza at 2. Workers are using route 3 that will be for ride share, taxi, bus, to a transportation plaza to be built later. Destination Pwy at 4.

Aerial overview of Donkey Kong in Epic Universe. A water feature will be at the concrete rectangle near center of this photo.

Aerial look at show building of Ministry of Magic. Zoom in, the recently added steel frame in front has an unusual and interesting shape. Possibly the attraction entrance to be at the 45-degree angled side. In Epic Universe.

Aerial look at the front of a new Harry Potter land in Epic Universe. Land entrance through the walls with arches in lower right. Concrete forms for foundations of buildings in a city are in middle of this photo.

Aerial look at concrete forms for some of the buildings in the front part of a new Harry Potter land in Epic Universe. Entrance to the land is top right.

Aerial look at construction of a new Harry Potter land in Epic Universe. Arrow at base of an upcoming tower crane.

Aerial look inside Donkey Kong at Epic Universe. 1 Track to be at side of vehicles. Allows illusion of hopping over gaps like in the game. 2 Track varies color, and track here has protective covering 3 Supports for more track 4 Track piece to be placed 5 Footers, outdoor section

Aerial overview of Universal's Epic Universe. Ministry of Magic show building in a new Harry Potter land is in foreground.

Aerial photo showing exterior panels being placed on the Ministry of Magic show building. Height of this building can be estimated from height of nearby trucks. In Epic Universe

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct


Aerial look at a new Harry Potter land in Epic Universe. 1 Park's center fountain basin 2 Land entrance 3 Numerous concrete forms for buildings of a city 4 Likely Ministry of Magic entrance 5 In-park hotel construction

Aerial overview of Universal's Epic Universe.

Aerial look at construction of Ministry of Magic in Epic Universe. Arrow at steel frame at 45-degree angle, and this face might be the attraction entrance. Exterior panels of the show building are being placed at right

At top right of this aerial is recently added steel frame at Ministry of Magic in Epic Universe. At lower left is base of a tower crane

Aerial overview of Super Nintendo World at Universal's Epic Universe.

Aerial look at steel frame recently added in front of Ministry of Magic in Epic Universe.

Aerial overview of a new Harry Potter land in Universal's Epic Universe. Show building for a Ministry of Magic at top. Concrete forms for smaller buildings also seen. Land entrance is the smaller set of walls, with arches, bottom center.

Aerial look at where more day guest parking will be made at Epic Universe. Diamonds are the sloped drainage of an area. Entrance of UEU to be top center. Road construction is for Epic Blvd, which connects to the Kirkman Rd extension alongside UEU.

Aerial overview of Super Nintendo World in Universal's Epic Universe.

Aerial look at construction of Universal's Epic Universe as seen today. Chain of water features in concept art is at left of center of this photo.

 

[trr1]

bioreconstruct
@bioreconstruct

Aerial look at construction of Yoshi's Adventure (top) and Mario Kart (right) in Epic Universe. Not the scale of the truck delivering steel frame at Mario Kart.

Aerial look at Donkey Kong in Epic Universe. 1 Impressive swoop of track. Track is at side of a vehicle so there is illusion of hopping over gaps like in the game. 2 Excavation for a water feature has rain water from strong storm last night 3 Track ready to be placed

Aerial look at front part of Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe. 1 Yellow platform is load/unload of Yoshi's Adventure 2 Supports for Yoshi's Adventure track 3 Notice the unusual curvature of track supports in this area of Donkey Kong.

 

[trr1]

Tommy Hawkins
@tommyhawkins

A while back we revealed potential layouts for hotels 912 & 913 from publicly available permit documentation. I took that and placed it into and overlay. however, foundations on 912 were in a different place but same shape. so i moved to match foundations

 

[tommyhawkins]

some thoughts:

(A)If Universal knew about the huge expansion prior to Volcano Bay, then it made a large mistake by placing that water park in its current location.

Adding Volcano Bay in 2017 was obviously a way to pay for the Theme Park that was not going to be opening for another 6 years.
Im not sure by any metrics the location of Volcano Bay is a mistake, its directly connected to two hotels, and shuttle bus away from City Walk. It has room to grow by at least 4 acres which is significant for a water park.

(B)Will Epic Universe truly be "Epic"???? One of many key indicators, as far as I'm concerned is whether one of the coasters(perhaps Train Your Dragon???) will use the same ride system, have 7 or more mid-ride launches, the same or even greater attention to detail and show sets and the same length or longer track as Hagrid. Going less could really point to an underwhelming park. Going equal to could be a sign of not so terribly "Epic". let's raise the bar yet again, please.

They are building TWO massive roller coasters that are fast than hagrids and longer.
Dragon coaster launches or show scenes are irrelevant, the coaster will appeal to more age groups than even Hagrids, I want a ride i can take my nieces and nephews on and enjoy myself. this ride will deliver that. the entire land will be a giant attention to detail. you are using weird things to compare how "epic" the park is

(C)The split campus is a monster dilemma for Universal...... and for me too as a guest. Universal Orlando needs a seamless system to get folk from City Walk to the new park(s). Optimally there should be a system like Hogwarts Express: sheer perfection going park to park. Ideally, a themed gondola system whereby guests can not see nor hear outside the cabins is needed. But some astronomical expense likely in the billions will keep this from happening.

Going from Diagon Alley to Nintendo World but first seeing stopped traffic on I -4, emergency personnel doing their thing, Frank Gay Plumbing trucks and Disney Cruise line buses on the road, Morgan & Morgan Lawyer billboards or a Denny's will profoundly distract.

they are literally building a dedicated motorway, if you end up stopped on the I4, you probably got on the wrong bus.
I would expect a bus leaving City Walk dropping off at the front of the park at least every five minutes. and the journey will be seemless

 

[DCBaker]

 

[WDWFREAK53]

That looks like a blast. Hagrid's, while not an overly extreme coaster, is my favorite rollercoaster because of the different elements and it doesn't seem to "peeter out" like most coasters do. (Not to mention that it's a coaster that my 9 year old will ride...along with my mother who doesn't do the big coasters). It's a true family coaster but a pretty thrilling one at that.

That being said, this Donkey Kong coaster seems to be the Hagrid's of Epic Universe. Maybe not as thrilling, but definitely a fun coaster with a unique experience that most in the family should be able to enjoy. This excites me more than any of the big coasters going in.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

That looks like a blast. Hagrid's, while not an overly extreme coaster, is my favorite rollercoaster because of the different elements and it doesn't seem to "peeter out" like most coasters do. (Not to mention that it's a coaster that my 9 year old will ride...along with my mother who doesn't do the big coasters). It's a true family coaster but a pretty thrilling one at that.

That being said, this Donkey Kong coaster seems to be the Hagrid's of Epic Universe. Maybe not as thrilling, but definitely a fun coaster with a unique experience that most in the family should be able to enjoy. This excites me more than any of the big coasters going in.

The How To Train Your Dragon coaster should also be a solid family coaster.

 

[matt9112]

The How To Train Your Dragon coaster should also be a solid family coaster.

I feel like both look leaps and bounds better than slinky or 7D. I just hope those height requirements are low.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I feel like both look leaps and bounds better than slinky or 7D. I just hope those height requirements are low.

Hopefully it's true that they dispatch single carts rather than a train. Sitting in the back of a train would lose the effect of jumping over gaps in the track.

 

[matt9112]

Hopefully it's true that they dispatch single carts rather than a train. Sitting in the back of a train would lose the effect of jumping over gaps in the track.

I imagine the rumor is true…there’s a lot of sources….the testing footage clearly shows only one cart. A moving walkway type load that is rumored is rare in full trains. I

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I imagine the rumor is true…there’s a lot of sources….the testing footage clearly shows only one cart. A moving walkway type load that is rumored is rare in full trains. I

Hagrid's has one...that's the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[matt9112]

Hagrid's has one...that's the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

That’s legitimately what I was also thinking I almost said not possible with full trains but than I remembered hagrids.

 

[Andrew25]

Rip Ride Rockit also has a loading belt