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Epic Universe Theme Park Opening Early

Epic Universe Park Opening
Credit: Universal / Canva

There is a new rumor coming out of the Orlando theme park circuit…Universal’s Epic Universe is opening ahead of its summer 2025 date.

Related: Could $1 Billion Build a 5th Disney World Park?

Universal's Epic Universe

Credit: Universal

A New Orlando Theme Park

The new theme park built by Universal Orlando Resort has always had a very vague opening date. Although this is common throughout the industry, many parks and attractions have non-specific terms such as “spring” or “summer.” As the dates get closer to completion, the theme park, be it Walt Disney World Resort, Universal, or another business, gets more specific.

Related: Disney Imagineers Building a New Theme Park?

The dates then become a month, such as “May” or “August”. Then, finally, a hard date is given (and sometimes soft openings also happen).

The Epic Universe theme park is the biggest news to come to Central Florida in years. Walt Disney World Resort has not built a new theme park since 1998 with Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

disney's animal kingdom entrance

Credit: Disney

Although much speculation exists that Disney would break ground on a 5th gate, it never seems to materialize.

Related: Port Disney: The Plans for Another U.S. Disney Resort

The rumors of Walt Disney World creating a new theme park have existed for years.

Whether teased by the company itself or Disney fans, concepts such as a Villains Park or a clone of Magic Kingdom Park (to help disperse traffic) have been going on for years.

Related: Disney Signals Plans to Remove IPs From Theme Parks

Epic Universe

But as Disney debates a new park, Universal Studios is full-on delivering. The new theme park will have various lands that guests will access through portals. These include a SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, a Universal Monsters-themed section, How to Train Your Dragon Land, and a third Harry Potter-themed land.

Super Mario Bros. movie

Credit: Universal

In addition, the Epic Universe construction also includes three new hotels that will be opening (including one that is in-park).

One of these new hotels is…

The Stella Nova Resort

Last week, however, Loews Hotels (the owner of almost all the Universal Studios hotels) accidentally posted information for the Stella Nova and Terra Luna Resorts.

Despicable Me characters universal

Credit: Universal

These twin resorts will be located near the entrance of Universal’s Epic Universe. According to the Stella Nova website, it was set to open in January of 2025 (months before the public was given).

Related: 5 Reasons Disney Fans Will Love Epic Universe

The website read, “Inspired by the infinite vastness of the unknown universe, where galaxies spiral ever outward, and unknown worlds revolve around unnamed stars, Universal Stella Nova Resort, opening January 21, 2025, is your new gateway to Universal Orlando Resort.”

Epic Universe Stella Nova Resort

Credit: Universal

Loews Hotels has since pulled the public page. However, it can still be seen by visiting the Internet Archive Way Back machine here.

The website also displayed artist renderings of the resort and mentioned the new pool and exclusive theme park benefits.

Hogwarts Wizarding World of Harry Potter Universal orlando

Credit: Universal

Epic Universe doesn’t have an official hard date and is still being listed as “Summer 2025”. But could this mistake by Loews Hotels signal that the park may be open earlier?

Related: Universal Confirms Opening Date of Epic Universe Theme Park

If the nearby hotel opens up early, that doesn’t necessarily mean the theme park will also be open earlier. But, it is also odd that there would be a six-month (or larger) gap between the Epic Universe theme park opening and its themed hotel.

About Steven

Steven has a complicated relationship with Disney. As a child, he visited Walt Disney World every few years with his family. But he never understood why kids his age (and older) were so scared of Snow White or Alien Encounter. He is a former participant of the Disney College Program (left early…long story), and he also previously worked in Children’s publishing, where he adapted multiple Disney movies and TV shows. He has many controversial opinions about Disney…like having a positive view of Michael Eisner, believing Return of the Jedi is superior to The Empire Strikes Back, and that Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge should have never been built (at least not at Hollywood Studios). Every year for the past two decades, Steven has visited either Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani or went on a Disney Cruise. He’s happy to share any and all knowledge of the Disney destinations (and he likes using parenthesis a lot…as well as ellipses…)

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