Affluent travelers have been urged to experience Universal Epic Universe.
On May 22, 2025, Florida’s theme park landscape will undergo a monumental transformation. Central Florida, already home to world-renowned attractions like Walt Disney World Resort—with its sprawling 25,000 acres and multiple parks—and Universal Orlando Resort, will welcome a groundbreaking new addition to the scene: Universal Epic Universe.
Set to redefine the standards of entertainment, Epic Universe joins Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure as the third park in Universal’s Orlando portfolio. Guests can look forward to immersing themselves in themed lands such as Celestial Park, Dark Universe, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, How to Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic.
“It’s been almost 25 years since a major theme park from Disney or Universal has opened in the United States,” wrote TRAVEL+LEISURE in their annual Top 50 Best Places to Visit article.
“Universal Epic Universe marks a huge transformational moment for Universal Orlando Resort, and it will change everything about our destination,” shared Karen Irwin, President and COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “This will be the exciting culmination of our amazing growth over the past 30-plus years and will transform Universal Orlando into a weeklong vacation destination filled with the most thrilling experiences imaginable.”
The endorsement from TRAVEL+LEISURE is a game-changer. With a mission to inspire and elevate travel, the publication has a loyal and affluent audience. Their 2023 media kit reveals impressive stats: 11.3 million digital unique visitors, a print circulation nearing one million, and a combined social following of 15 million. Perhaps most strikingly, their readers boast an average household income of $400,000. With these metrics, it’s clear why their recommendation carries weight for travelers seeking premium experiences.
Interestingly, Walt Disney World Resort is notably absent from this year’s list, last appearing in 2023 due to the (now-closed) Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser and its 50th-anniversary celebrations. Instead, the second Florida entry in the 2025 lineup is Sanibel Island, celebrated for its resilience following Hurricanes Ian and Milton.
Meanwhile, Disney seems to be in a transitional phase, with numerous closures and refurbishments—including the indefinite shutdown of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ahead of Frontierland’s transformation. While Disney’s promotional efforts, like the “Infinite Worlds” campaign, aim to maintain buzz, 2025 is shaping up to be Universal’s year.
Beyond Epic Universe, Universal is expanding its portfolio with a year-round horror attraction, Universal’s Horror Unleashed, in Las Vegas and a family-friendly Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas. Back in Orlando, Epic Universe will also debut three hotels: Universal Stella Nova Resort, Universal Terra Luna Resort, and the flagship Universal Helios Grand Hotel.
Epic Universe opens on May 22, 2025.
Will you be visiting? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
