Universal announces new ‘Epic Universe’ theme park
Universal Orlando Resort announced the name of its fourth theme park in Orlando this morning called “Epic Universe.”
The park “will offer an entirely new level of experience that will forever change theme park entertainment. Guests will venture beyond their wildest imagination, traveling into beloved stories and through vibrant lands on adventures where the journey is as astounding as the ultimate destination,” Universal touts.
The company expects to add 14,000 new employees at a base pay rate of $15 and hour to staff the new park, which it calls “the most immersive and innovative park we’ve ever created.”
“The new location will feature a theme park, an entertainment center, hotels, shops, restaurants and more. Ultimately, this expansion will create more space and freedom to let loose and create lasting memories with the people you love,” according to the Universal blog.
No timetable, types of attractions, names of lands, or which IPs will be part of the park were announced. There have been rumors and concepts leaked that the park will include a
Universal Parks & Resorts Chairman and CEO Tom Williams would only say “A Universe is bigger than a world,” making a reference to its major competitor Walt Disney World.
What will most likely take place next among the fandom is a major dissection of the concept art that was released. A close look at the art shows one side of the park anchored by what appears to be a major resort. A large roller coaster is on the right side of the image. To the top left looks to be an area that would fit into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter universe.
Below that on the left appears to be an amphitheater and to the lower left of the park is another section.
This new park is going up again an ever-expanding and re-imagining of the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort. Universal’s announcement is took place ahead of Disney’s D23 Expo 2019, when major expansion plans for Disney World and other parks around the world will be announced. (See everything that’s already been announced through 2023 here.)
Universal has ignited Disney to make major changes in its approach and has changed the approach of theme parks, introducing the idea of immersing guests in an experience. After Universal opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney has come back with Toy Story Land and the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opening later this month at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as examples of immersing guests into a location.
Universal’s most recent attraction, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, is advertised as a “story coaster,” incorporating a story and scenes that you experience in addition to a traditional roller coaster experience with seven launches and a 17-foot vertical free-fall vertical drop.
