What is Epic Universe? Take a peek at Universal Orlando’s newest park

Remember theme parks? Can you recall the adrenaline rush that hits right at that roller coaster drop, the screams filled with thrill, all the commotion, and even the overpriced food? While it may not seem like it now, we’ll eventually be able to relive those experiences one day post-pandemic, and Universal is ready to remind us of that. 

On Wednesday, Universal announced that work has resumed again on Universal Orlando Resort’s Epic Universe, and we couldn’t be more excited as we ensure you this upcoming theme park will truly be a game changer. 

Epic Universe 

During July 2020, construction & production on Epic Universe was paused due to the company being forced to make adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the country is beginning to look a bit more promising thanks to the rollout of vaccines, Universal has decided to get back on track to ensure the theme park will be ready as soon as possible – hopefully as soon as the pandemic is over. 

Universal Orlando Resort announced on their website that “restart will begin immediately, but is expected to take several months before reaching full-speed as Universal re-staffs for the project and reassembles its vendor and contractor teams.” The company also mentioned that this opportunity will create “hundreds of jobs within Universal and thousands of jobs across Central Florida”. 

“The restart of construction of Epic Universe is a terrific moment for our employees and for our theme park business in Florida,” Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation announced. “It is our single largest investment in the state and represents our enthusiasm for the spectacular park and the economic opportunities it will generate.”

These types of jobs will vary from highly-skilled professional positions to various levels of construction jobs. Universal Orlando Resort also added: “The Epic Universe project will infuse billions of dollars into the Florida economy and generate more than 14,000 permanent jobs in addition to the thousands of jobs that will be created during its development.” This is great news for Floridians!

“The resumption of the Epic Universe project couldn’t come at a better time,” Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings remarked. “Our community has so many talented workers who will benefit from this massive project. I am confident it will deliver a huge economic boost to Orange County.”

What will this new theme park include? 

Epic Universe sounds incredibly exciting, but will it really be as epic as the name entails? What new features will it include, and how will it be different than your average theme park? Well, according to Tom Williams, Chairman & CEO for Universal Parks & Resorts, he promised that the vision for the new theme park would be “historic”. 

“It will build on everything we have done and become the most immersive and innovative theme park we have ever created”, Williams added. The Universal site promised that Epic Universe will have not just a new theme park, but also “an entertainment center, hotel, shops, restaurants, and more”. 

Universal stated: “It will be located on a 750-acre site that nearly doubles Universal’s total available acreage in Central Florida.” Epic Universe will also be just a few miles away from Universal Orlando’s original theme parks in Southwest Orange County, Florida. 

CNBC announced that “The company is seeking to turn its two-park resort into a weeklong travel destination, not just a two or three-day trip for families”, and that analysts speculate new rides could be based around Minions, classic monsters from Universal, or even Nintendo-themed.  

“We are excited to begin work on Epic Universe again and for what this moment means for our industry, our community, our business and our team members,” Tom Williams proclaimed. “Our confidence in our collective future is as strong as ever.”