Universal Orlando Resort’s long-awaited expansion, Epic Universe, opened its gates in May with the promise of redefining theme park storytelling. But a resurfaced police report is now drawing attention to a lesser-known incident that occurred behind the scenes months before guests ever stepped into the new park.
Theft isn’t a word typically associated with a multi-billion-dollar resort opening — especially not one as polished and high-profile as Epic Universe.
Yet, according to records from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, a construction worker reported a utility vehicle stolen from the site back in February, raising questions not about guest safety, but about the day-to-day realities of managing a project at this scale.
Epic Universe's Grand Ambitions in Orlando
Epic Universe is more than just a theme park — it’s the centerpiece of Universal’s largest expansion since the company arrived in Orlando. Universal's latest project spans over 750 acres, including new hotel developments and offerings intended to turn Universal Orlando Resort into a full-scale, weeklong vacation hub capable of rivaling Walt Disney World.
The park itself is structured around a radial layout, with Celestial Park — a kinetic, open-space hub — at the center. From there, guests branch out into four highly immersive worlds: How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Each land is accessed through hidden portals to heighten the sense of discovery, a design choice that has been widely praised by critics and fans alike.
Attractions like Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment have already become early favorites, while the expanded SUPER NINTENDO WORLD continues to draw massive crowds, building on its popularity in Japan and Hollywood.
Some have gone so far as to call the park a “Disney killer,” citing its modern ride technology, bold creative risks, and rumored plans for an Elon Musk–linked underground transportation system that would connect the new site to Universal’s existing properties.
A UTV Disappears During Construction
Amid all the excitement, few guests are aware that just three months before opening day, a construction foreman arrived at the site only to find that his Polaris UTV had been tampered with.
According to the incident report from Orange County Sheriff's Office, the worker arrived at 7 a.m. on a Monday to find the utility vehicle parked in a different spot and the key broken off in the ignition.
After notifying the rental company and receiving a replacement key, he returned the next day — only to find the UTV had vanished entirely.
“No one was given permission to take the vehicle and it was not loaned out,” the foreman told the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Depending on the model, a 2023 Polaris UTV can be worth between $10,000 and $20,000 or more.
Universal has not commented publicly on the matter, which was categorized as a pre-opening construction theft and is not believed to have involved park guests or staff.
A Recurring Theme of Thefts at Central Florida Attractions
While notable due to the park’s high profile, this isn’t the first time a Florida theme park has been tied to vehicle-related theft.
In 2023, a $300,000 Bentley Bentayga filled with $20,000 worth of personal items was stolen from the valet service at ICON Park. Owner Cora Johnson, a real estate broker, told Orlando News 6 that when she returned from dinner, the vehicle was gone and the valet had failed to notify police. “The key lockbox had reportedly been pried open,” she said.
That same year, a Disney World employee was caught on surveillance stealing a stroller from EPCOT’s France Pavilion. Inside the stroller were keys to a guest’s KIA Sportage, which the employee used to access and search the car before being stopped by security at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
And the trend hasn’t stopped with vehicles. Reports have also surfaced of luxury items stolen from hotel rooms and even theme park magnets being taken off personal vehicles in parking lots.
Have you ever fallen victim to theft at a theme park?
