Epic Universe Takes On Disney

The entrance portal to the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, marks a significant milestone for Comcast as it positions its Universal Studios Orlando Resort as a destination, not a pit stop. For years, Universal’s Florida-based resort has played second fiddle to rival Disney. While it boasted three theme parks — Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and water park Volcano Bay — and a handful of hotels, it wasn’t viewed as a destination.

A New Era for Universal

“This fourth gate changes everything,” said Karen Irwin, president of Universal Orlando Resort. “It not only cements us as more than a full-week destination vacation, but it also adds three hotels to the resort.” Epic Universe opens at a time of economic uncertainty in the U.S., as President Donald Trump has instituted a wide range of ever-changing tariffs that have stoked fears about a global trade war, sent the stock market on its own roller-coaster ride and has threatened to tip the American economy into a recession.

Economic Impact

The U.S. has already seen a slump in air travel, particularly from international travelers. While those guests are a small subset of overall visitors to central Florida, they often spend a longer period of time staying at hotels and visiting theme parks and spend more money on food and merchandise. “When there’s consumer uncertainty, the parks tend to feel it,” Jason Armstrong, chief financial officer at Comcast, said during a MoffettNathanson conference last week. “They tend to snap back really quickly, but they do tend to feel that.”

Theme Park Development

Guests ride Stardust Racers, a new dueling roller coaster ride in Celestial Park during a preview day for Universal Epic Universe on April 5, 2025. Orlando, Florida’s first new theme park in a generation is set to open to the public on May 22. Those who are most budget-conscious may have already been priced out of the theme park market, Craig Moffett, co-founder and senior analyst at MoffettNathanson, told CNBC. “There was a time when visiting a theme park was a mass-market vacation,” he said. “It’s arguably too expensive for that to be the case anymore. The tickets alone can run a family a thousand dollars or more for a multiday visit, and that’s before hotels and meals. Perhaps that’s why we’re not seeing as much economic sensitivity as we might have expected.”

Creating an Epic Universe

It took nearly a decade for Comcast to bring Epic Universe to life. From buying up land its previous administration had sold off, to Covid-related construction delays, this 750-acre development is the first new theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years. Epic Universe, first announced in 2019, represents the largest single investment Comcast has ever made in its theme parks business and in Florida overall, CEO Brian Roberts said at the time. That figure is rumored to be around $7 billion, though the exact amount is unclear.

Features of Epic Universe

The park features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Celestial Park and Dark Universe. Comcast’s investment in Epic Universe is part of a wider push to grow its theme park and experiences business. The company already has plans to open a year-round Hollywood Horror Nights themed experience in Las Vegas later this year, a kid-friendly park in Frisco, Texas, in 2026, and a U.K.-based park in 2031.

Growth and Expansion

“Comcast is leaning into the theme park segment for a simple reason: It’s working,” Moffett said. “Growth is good and returns on investment are attractive, and the theme parks pay all kinds of strategic dividends by deepening customers’ relationships with their favorite Universal characters.” While theme parks are a smaller revenue driver than Comcast’s media division, the division is profitable and has significant potential for growth. In 2024, theme parks accounted for a little less than 20% of Comcast’s overall revenue, but about 44% of its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Competition and Innovation

Universal’s theme park investment and expansion come as Disney has pledged to spend $60 billion over a decade to improve, innovate and expand its amusement locations. New developments, whether they be parks, lands or rides, spark healthy competition between the companies to create more compelling and innovative attractions to lure in guests. The company has received 161 patents for its innovations at Epic Universe, including new animated effects, ride designs and robotics. Across the new park, there are trackless ride systems, augmented reality and high-resolution projections. In total, the Universal Destinations and Experience division holds 3,300 patents globally.

Future Plans

A statue of Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon, overlooking the Celestial Park area, at the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida, US, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. “This is a truly momentous occasion for us, and just a significant milestone in that continuum of our development,” said Mark Woodbury, CEO of Universal Destinations and Experiences. “The future is super bright. … There’s a lot of room for expansion. We’re already thinking about how that plays out. New attractions coming, new intellectual property coming, all part of our philosophy to grow our business by expanding our existing footprint.”

Conclusion

The opening of Epic Universe marks a new era for Universal Studios Orlando Resort, positioning it as a destination rather than a pit stop. With its innovative features, themed worlds, and plans for future expansion, Epic Universe is set to draw in millions of visitors and generate significant revenue for Universal. The theme park’s impact will be felt not only in Orlando but also globally, as Universal continues to grow its theme park and experiences business.

FAQs

Q: What is Epic Universe?
A: Epic Universe is a new theme park located in Orlando, Florida, US, and is the first new theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years.
Q: How much did Comcast invest in Epic Universe?
A: The exact amount is unclear, but it is rumored to be around $7 billion.
Q: What are the themed worlds in Epic Universe?
A: The park features five themed worlds: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Celestial Park and Dark Universe.
Q: What are Universal’s plans for future expansion?
A: Universal has plans to open a year-round Hollywood Horror Nights themed experience in Las Vegas later this year, a kid-friendly park in Frisco, Texas, in 2026, and a U.K.-based park in 2031.
Q: How will Epic Universe impact the local economy?
A: Epic Universe is expected to draw in millions of visitors, bolster theme park revenue for Universal, and bring billions of dollars to the local economy.